Full forest potential

The Small Woodland Owners Association of Maine wishes to thank the thousands of voters who took the time to learn about the forestry referendum. Question 2, and to vote it down so decisively.

It was also gratifying to us that so many small woodland owners and farmers rose to the occasion and helped spread the word without being prompted or solicited by us. And we thank all the members of our small-landowner campaign coalition from SWOAM, the Association of Consulting Foresters and the Maine Farm Bureau.

All we want to do now is get back to our primary purpose, which is assisting small woodland owners and providing them and the public with good forestry information. Woodland owners who wish to manage their forestland cannot have much confidence in their investments of time and money if their efforts are continually interrupted by threats of more complex and cumbersome laws. But, given the chance, we will do our part to bring Maine’s forests up to their full potential as one of the most healthy and productive natural resources in the world. Everett Towle President Small Woodland Owners Association of Maine Augusta