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MD/DE Master Logger Code of Ethics

Adopted May 2000

As a MD/DE Master Logger, I will strive to operate my business to gain the public's trust, by meeting or exceeding the standards and principles below:

A. I will adhere to the highest standard of business and ethical conduct by:

1. Operating my company as a responsible member of the business community.

2. Striving to continually improve my business operations through training and other appropriate means.

3. Taking an active role in local, state, and national loggers organizations.

4. Working to meet the landowner s objectives as long as they are consistent with sustainable forestry principles, federal, state, and local laws.

5. Striving to maintain positive relationships with landowners, vendors, and customers.

6. Doing my part to assure that the logging profession has a positive public image.

7. Working with peer groups and others to encourage all loggers to meet these standards.

8. Acting responsibly to uphold the integrity of the logging profession.

9. A written contract of sale must be used on all purchases greater than $500 in value.

B. I will practice sustainable forestry by:

1. Designing and scheduling timber harvests to minimize erosion and other site damage.

2. Harvesting and transporting timber to minimize residual forest damage.

3. Striving to use all the trees that are cut.

4. Closing out the sale to minimize erosion damage after the harvest is completed.

5. Participating in training and educational programs that meet the requirements of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative to further my knowledge.

6. Informing forest landowners of their responsibility to properly manage their forest land sustainably through sound timber harvesting practices.

7. Recognizing the non-timber forest values such as wildlife habitat for both game and non-game species, wetlands protection, recreation, and visual beauty.

C. I will comply with all applicable laws and regulations by:

1. Operating my business to adhere to the intent of these laws and regulations, not just meet the bare minimum standards set by them.

2. Working to change laws and regulations that are a disincentive to forest landowners and to the forest products industry.

D. I will strive to conduct my business in full compliance with safety requirements by:

1. Ensuring that all of my employees are currently trained in Standard First Aid and CPR.

2. Ensuring that all of my employees have and use appropriate personal protective equipment.

3. Providing training so that all of my employees are fully trained to perform their duties.

E. I will endeavor to document professional logging excellence by:

1. Performing self-evaluations of logging jobs.

2. Submitting my harvest and business operations to periodic review by the MD/DE Master Logger Steering Committee or their designee.