It has become a bit tedious, and more than a little embarrassing, to follow the long, long, long path that FSC-US continues to follow in its quest to finalize a National Risk Assessment for the United States. The community received another update late last night, and we feel duty-bound to share it with our readers.
The latest update came in the usual format: an email from FSC-US’s policy director. We have attached a copy of the email for those of you who aren’t on the mailing list. The email includes a link to an updated webpage with more detail. This webpage includes (at the bottom) a list of downloadable links, including the latest version – called a “revised final draft” – of the important National Risk Assessment for the USA (US-NRA).
A Closer Look? Not really.
We would like to tell you that we have closely analyzed this latest document, but that would not be honest. We have looked closely at the section we consider most important: Control Measures for Category 3. We don’t see much change at all. Is this good news? Perhaps. But it does make us wonder what all the fuss has been about, and why we are still waiting for this thing.
Bottom Line
We think the long-term outlook remains much as it has been for the last year. FSC-US will eventually implement it’s version of SFI-like, collaborative promotion of conservation programs. Controlled Wood companies will circulate some anodyne brochures and we’ll all go on with our day-to-day business.
We could be wrong, of course. Either way, we promise to let you know.