Massachusetts Governor Extends Logging Contract Pause in State Forests for Another Six Months

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey’s administration announced Wednesday that it intends to continue a pause on new logging contracts in state forests for another six months, according to reporting by Vermont Public (6-7-23). The move comes as state officials look to develop guidelines that more fully acknowledge the role of forests in combating climate change.

The state has not signed a new logging contract since Healey became governor in January. The additional six months is a more formal delay, the administration said.

In addition, the announcement includes expanded grants for private landowners who want to use their land to boost carbon sequestration. Officials also plan to work closer with timber harvesters and mills, offering additional financial assistance for them to minimize carbon loss in their operations. No firm funding numbers for these efforts are currently available, the administration said, but will be announced “in the coming weeks.”

The administration has also said it is convening a scientific panel to assist in the drafting of the new forestry guidelines. Its members will include David Foster, the former director of Harvard Forest; Paul Catanzaro of UMass Amherst; William Moomaw of Tufts University; and the New England Forestry’s Foundation’s Jennifer Skakun. The administration added that during the drafting of guidelines process, there will be a public meeting to solicit initial comments. That will be followed by the release of draft guidelines and then final guidelines by December 7th.