Policy Program
The Northern Forest Center’s policy program advocates for public investment in programs that benefit the Northern Forest and for legislation and policies that help the region build a sustainable economy, revitalize communities and conserve the landscape.

This spring, Program Director Joe Short—along with Center partners Kay Henry of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail and Scott Lorey of the Adirondack Council—spent a jam-packed 36 hours meeting with members and staff of the Northern Forest’s congressional delegation in Washington, D.C. to keep the strategic opportunities embodied in the recommendations of the Sustainable Economy Initiative (SEI) in front of policy-makers.

The Center also circulated a letter—signed by 73 partners—to members of Congress urging them to fully fund the Northern Border Regional Commission, which Congress created last year. The Border Commission has the potential of being an important vehicle for funding implementation of many SEI recommendations, and may be funded in part through the 2009 federal economic recovery plan, also known as stimulus spending.

Northern Forest Congressional Delegation and Governors
The Northern Forest’s elected officials often have information on their websites related to the region. Use the links below to check on legislation, funding and new projects.

Elected Official	District	Website
MAINE
US Rep. Chellie Pingree	Maine 1	http://pingree.house.gov/
US Rep. Mike Michaud	Maine 2	http://michaud.house.gov/
US Sen. Olympia Snowe		http://snowe.senate.gov/public/
US Sen. Susan Collins		http://collins.senate.gov/
Gov. John Baldacci		http://www.maine.gov/governor/
NEW HAMPSHIRE
US Rep. Carol Shea-Porter	NH-1	http://shea-porter.house.gov/
US Rep. Paul Hodes	NH-2	http://hodes.house.gov/
US Sen. Judd Gregg		http://gregg.senate.gov/public/
US Sen. Jeanne Shaheen		http://shaheen.senate.gov/
Gov. John Lynch		http://www.nh.gov/governor/
VERMONT
US Rep. Peter Welch	VT-ALL	http://www.welch.house.gov/
US Sen. Patrick Leahy		http://leahy.senate.gov/
US Sen. Bernie Sanders		http://sanders.senate.gov/
Gov. James Douglas		http://governor.vermont.gov/
NEW YORK
US Rep. Scott Murphy	NY-20	http://www.scottmurphy.house.gov/
US Rep. Bill Owens	NY-23	http://owens.house.gov/
US Rep. Michael Arcuri	NY-24	http://arcuri.house.gov/
US Sen. Charles Schumer		http://schumer.senate.gov/
US Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand		http://gilibrand.senate.gov/
Gov. David Paterson		http://www.state.ny.us/governor/