Hi Sam,
Below is a conversation I had with a former classmate of mine who has done some forest policy, economics work in Maine, including work on the "Maine Future Forest Economy" for Eric Kingsley (I believe Partners with Charlie Leveque of NH). I'll probably talk to my contact, since we talk quite often, but I figured I would pass this possible lead on to you, the facilitator.
Steve
---- Message from Keith Bisson
>Thevo,
>
>Sounds interesting. I think the MFFE was a useful process for the state. It was a statewide study as opposed to something more geographically focused on one county. I'm not sure how much of it has been implemented but you should definitely give Eric Kingsley a call. In my experience he is always a straight talker and can give you the pros and cons. Unfortunately, in Maine we've done a million studies over the years and most of them are still sitting on the shelf.
>
>My part was really pretty basic grunt research and writing on pieces of the project that people were less interested (small businesses and microenterprises) and some other minor components.
>
>Give me a call anytime if you want to discuss more.
>
>Keith
>
>
>----- Original Message ----
>From: Steve Roberge
>To: Keith Bisson
>Sent: Friday, December 14, 2007 8:11:01 AM
>Subject: Re: MFFE
>
>Keith,
>Yesterday was the first meeting of the Coos County Economy Action
>Plan up in Lancaster. I was asked to attend the Wood Products review
>committee and search for materials and information online as they
>came up in conversation. I came across the MFFE document and was
>curious what your experience with it was and if it was a positive,
>useful experience/resource for Maine and if this would be useful for
>Coos County to consider or familarize themselves with the doc.
>Thanks
>Steve
>
>At 02:22 PM 12/13/2007, you wrote:
>>I worked on a few pieces of it for Eric Kingsley back in 2004 and
>>early 2005. I'm not sure where things stand with the recommendations proposed.
>>
>>Are you using it for something?
>>
>>Keith
>>
>>----- Original Message ----
>>From: Steve Roberge
>>To: mailto:keith_bisson@yahoo.com
>>Sent: Thursday, December 13, 2007 1:25:42 PM
>>Subject: MFFE
>>
>>Keith,
>>what is your experience with the Maine Future Forest Economy?
>>Best
>>Steve
>>
>>
>>--
>>Steven S. Roberge
>>Extension Educator, Forest Resources
>>UNH Cooperative Extension
>>800 Park Avenue
>>Keene, NH 03431-1513
>>Tel: 603.352.4550
>>Fax: 603.358.0494