Please send me an application to enroll in the Master Logger program.

Step One

The natural resource harvesting company, be it a sole proprietorship or a contractor with employees, makes the decision to seek Master Logger Certification (MLC). The company contacts the MLC Administrator who then sends out a complete readiness packet outlining expectations and standards.  Then company schedules a 3-5 hour on-site interview during which the performance standards are detailed, the commitment to superior management practice is defined, 3-5 past and current harvest sites are identified, and 3 professional references are obtained. The interviewer documents the interview and it becomes Part I of the MLC application packet submitted to the Certifying Board. Part I of the MLC application includes: (1) the written interview, (2) a company profile, (3) documentation of reference checks, and (4) documentation of a background check of the company’s compliance with business and natural resource laws. In order to maintain confidentiality and impartiality, candidate companies are assigned a number code which is used as an identifier in all application materials.

Step Two

Two MLC accredited field verifiers make appointments with each company to visit 3-5 coded harvest sites in order to rate the consistency of harvest practices and ensure that the company meets MLC performance standards. Each field verifier completes his or her own consensus report based upon individual site worksheets. This consensus report becomes Part II of the MLC application packet. Part II of the MLC application includes: (1) the report of accredited field verifier #1, (2) the report of accredited field verifier #2, and (3) the report of a third accredited field verifier is present if requested for further clarification.

Step Three

The company is sent a copy of Parts I and II of the MLC application to review for accuracy. If the company wishes to challenge any conclusion, their comments must be in submitted in writing. These comments / challenges will be included in the application packet that goes to the Certifying Board. The company then signs a Code of Ethics and a release form that indicates a desire to move the application forward to the Certifying Board. Part III of the MLC application includes:

(1) comments/corrections submitted by the company,

(2) a signed code of ethics, and

(3) a signed release form permitting the submission of the application to the Certifying Board.

Step Four

Each company’s application is copied (approximately 35-40 pages) and sent to each member of the MLC Certifying Board. This Certifying Board is a multi-stakeholder board of four people from Maine and four people from outside the state. Each has expertise in one or more aspects of natural resource management and rural economic development and has no conflicting interests.

Step Five

The Certifying Board meeting is held and each application is thoroughly reviewed. If issues are unresolved on a particular goal area, a fourth field verifier can be sent out to review harvest sites before a vote for acceptance is taken. All applications must have a unanimous vote of acceptance from the Certifying Board. Ninety percent of the Certifying Board must be present to create a quorum.

Step Six

Newly certified MLC companies are announced at a public reception. During the two year period that fol-lows, the accredited field verifiers conduct random audit sampling of MLC company harvest sites to ensure continued adherence to MLC standards. An 800# is listed on all MLC harvest signage to encourage public comment.