Advocacy & Policy Statements

ESFPA  is an Advocate for public policy that supports a favorable business climate for the forest industry. We follow several criteria when choosing what issues require our input and then how we will respond.  All such actions are directed by our membership.  The following is an outline of our goals for selecting advocacy positions.

• Advocate for the needs of ESFPA members and businesses before the New York State Legislature, Executive Chamber and State government agencies.
• Biennially develop broad positions which reflect the values and strategic focus of the ESFPA toward government policy (federal, state and local) that benefits or hurts New York’s forests, forest product industries or forest land owners.  
• Maintain and track NYS Executive Budget Proposals and Legislative bills/resolutions and the enacted State Budget.
• Conduct a lobby day during the legislative session (usually prior to April 1) for member advocacy with the State Legislature and Executive Chamber.
• Maintain membership and contacts with the Business Council of NY and NY Farm Bureau as affiliated business trade associations and advocates.
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with key environmental (e.g. Audubon, TNC, OSI) and resource management (e.g. ALA, NYFOA, NY Tree Farm, etc.) stakeholders for advocacy support.
•  Maintain membership and contact with national trade associations (e.g. AFF, AF&PA, THF, FRA, NAFO, etc.) and advocate on key federal legislation and regulations.
• Be active in the national Forest Industry Association Committee (FIAC) and attend their annual national meeting.