State-run forest lands in Eastern Washington certified 'green'
Rival group says that much more can be done
SPOKANE -- The state is doing a good job of managing its forest lands in Eastern Washington and has earned a "green" certification from a national group, Lands Commissioner Doug Sutherland said Wednesday.
State forest lands in Western Washington were certified as green last year, and were recertified this year, said Sutherland, who runs the Department of Natural Resources.
"This affirms the careful, sustainable management practices that DNR uses for all forested state trust lands in Washington," Sutherland said.
Money generated by the 2.1 million acres of trust lands is used to build schools and other facilities in the state.
But Shawn Cantrell of Seattle Audubon said certification by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative Program is nothing to brag about.
"We feel very strongly that SFI certification is a very hollow statement," Cantrell said.
The group, promoted by the forest products industry, has low standards that are not independently verified, he said.
A rival group, the Forest Stewardship Council, provides a stronger certification, he said.
There is plenty of room for improvement in state management of forests, to provide both jobs, school revenues and environmental protection, he said.
"We are still not harvesting in a sustainable way," Cantrell said.
Continue reading this article from the Seattle P-I:
State-run forest lands in Eastern Washington certified 'green'
