Champion International Corporation Opens Land to Third Party Reviews
11/16/98
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RELAYED TEXT STARTS HERE:
Title: Champion International Corporation Opens Land to Third Party
Reviews
Source: Business Wire
Status: Copyrighted, contact source to reprint
Date: 11/16/98
Champion International Corporation to Voluntarily Open All U.S. Forest
Operations to Third-Party Reviews in Support of the Sustainable Forestry
Initiative Program
STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 16, 1998--Champion International
Corporation (NYSE:CHA - news) today announced it will voluntarily open its
more than 5.4 million acres of U.S. forestlands to a rigorous third-party
review in a major initiative which builds on the company's commitment to
sustainable forestry. The program is designed to validate that Champion,
one of the nation's largest private landowners, is operating responsibly
under the goals and guidelines of the Sustainable Forestry
Initiative(SM)(SFI) Program of the American Forest & Paper Association
(AF&PA). With this announcement, Champion becomes the first major forest
products company in the United States to commit to third-party reviews,
under SFI, of all its forest practices.
This voluntary verification program is a new component of AF&PA's
Sustainable Forestry Initiative Program which promotes sustainable
forestry among member companies.
"What we are talking about is a rigorous, step-by-step analysis of every
acre of our ownership. That's an area equal in size to the entire state
of Massachusetts,'' stated Richard E. Olson, Champion's chairman and chief
executive officer. "Third-party review under SFI builds on our commitment
to practice sustainable forestry that goes beyond state and federal laws
and regulations and helps to insure public confidence in our forestry
practices on the ground,'' he added.
Amos Eno, executive director of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation,
echoed these sentiments. "The solution to environmental needs today is for
private corporations to do their part in addressing public values and
concerns. I applaud Champion's decision as exemplary of the proactive
approach that business must take to help insure the future of America's
forests.'' The process of third-party reviews will involve teams of
independent experts conducting intensive audits of the company's forest
management practices in each of eight operating regions in 17 states. The
reviews will cover such issues as prompt reforestation, protection of
water quality, and enhancement of wildlife habitats.
Champion International Corporation is an integrated forest products
company with significant operations in the United States, Brazil, and
Canada. Champion is a major producer of coated and uncoated papers and
market pulp. The company's other products include selected papers for
packaging, as well as lumber and plywood. Champion also has the
responsibility for the sustainable management of more than eleven million
acres of forestlands supporting its manufacturing facilities.
Sustainable Forestry Initiative and SFI are service marks of the American
Forest & Paper Association.
Contact:
Champion International Corporation
Gael Doar (Media) 203/358-7900
Tom Hart (Investor Relations) 203/358-7291