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In November 2006, Bureau Veritas Certification of North
America audited Alabama River’s Chain of Custody system and found it to
successfully meet the new SFI and PEFC Chain of Custody standards, uniquely
establishing the Company as the first market pulp mill to achieve
this. (See attached Announcement.)
ARW's
EMS holds an ISO 14001
Environmental Management System (EMS) Standard Certificate .
Additionally, its practices meet the Sustainable Forestry Initiative®Standard as certified
by its SFI Chain of Custody Certificate.
By conforming to these standards the company substantiates its
environmental performance and meets its responsibilities as a preeminent
wood procurement company.
ARW employees are trained
and competent to perform EMS functions as a part of their regular
responsibilities and duties. The Environmental Policy covers the wood
procurement operations of ARW that supply wood fiber to the Alabama River
pulping facilities and the newsprint facility. The Environmental Policy
empowers employees with the authority and structure for setting specific
environmental objectives and targets focused on the company’s wood
procurement program. The policy and its specific environmental
objectives and targets are periodically reviewed to ensure that the company
is achieving its stated objectives and targets.
ARW
is committed to the continual improvement of its EMS, with the objective of
enhancing environmental protection and broadening the practice of
sustainable forest management. In order to achieve this, employees
work closely with wood suppliers and landowners. The standards
include many requirements with which ARW and its wood suppliers must
comply. All ARW procurement personnel and wood suppliers are required
to complete the state professional logging training courses. All wood
suppliers are required to follow state Best Management Practices
(BMPs). Together, ARW and its wood suppliers work to prevent
pollution, protect and conserve soil, air and water quality, promote
reforestation, protect wildlife and aquatic habitat and promote biological
diversity. The EMS provides for monitoring and measuring procedures
to determine conformity to the prescribed procedures. Corrective and
preventive measures are taken for any non-conformances.
ARW
supplies landowners with materials promoting conservation, forest health
and productivity, and the use of qualified resource professionals.
Private landowners are vital to the success of ARW as the major source of
wood fiber. ARW supports the American Tree Farm System and actively recruits private
landowners to participate in the program.
ARW
complies with relevant environmental and forest legislation and regulations
at the state and federal levels. The company participates as active
members of state forestry associations and the American Forest &
Paper Association. The company supports and promotes state
implementation committees to address outreach and education. ARW is
also involved in local forestry organizations and promotional opportunities.
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