• Egan, Andrew
  University of Maine/Paul Smith's College
  aegan@paulsmiths.edu
  

The forest products industry is a major contributor to the economy of the New England-New York (NE NY) region. The state of Maine, for example, ranks first in the country in the percent of its economy that is forest-dependent. In addition, the states of Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont are among the most forested in the nation, and many communities, families, and individuals in the region depend on the forest products sector for employment and economic vitality. However, the region has experienced significant changes, including recent declines in logging capacity, as well as increases in forest practices regulations and population and land use pressures.