Our Vermont Woods

Dear Vermonters,

I hope this finds you and your families safe and healthy in such challenging and uncertain times. In addition to the many benefits, forests provide to us all, the forest economy supply chain in both Vermont and the United States produces countless critical products that are needed to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As confirmed infections from the coronavirus are quickly increasing, Governor Scott issued a "Stay Home, Stay Safe" order late Tuesday, requiring certain businesses to suspend in-person business operations as another strategy to reduce the instances of COVID-19 spreading through our communities. The Agency of Commerce and Community Development developed guidance about how to interpret the Executive Order. Importantly, some forest economy sectors and businesses have been deemed critical to economic and national security.

Please read the guidance and FAQ document carefully, including the NAICS codes that are linked to specific industry sectors, because some aspects of forest product processing are included, and some are not. If your business is deemed critical and you will continue operations, you must follow the workplace safety protocols for social distancing and sanitation listed in the Executive Order to protect the health of workers and maintain workplace safety.

Supporting Resources

   *    The Governor's Executive Order - https://governor.vermont.gov/content/addendum-6-executive-order-01-20

   *    The social distancing protocols - https://www.healthvermont.gov/response/infectious-disease/2019-novel-coronavirus

   *    The FAQ document - https://accd.vermont.gov/covid-19-guidance/stay-home-stay-safe-business-faqs

   *    The NAICS codes - https://accd.vermont.gov/sites/accdnew/files/documents/NAICS-Code-Guidance-for-Vermont-Businesses.pdf. If you do not see your business listed, and you would like to request a waiver, you may fill out the Continuation of Operations form on the ACCD website - https://accd.vermont.gov/covid-19-guidance

Over the next couple of days, we will be developing specific resources to support you and the forest economy, and distributing a survey to understand your concerns and needs better. In the meantime, please visit our website or send us an email to share your thoughts. We know these are anxious times, and we respect and value your important contributions to our economy and quality of life. We are honored to serve Vermonters and assist however we can through this challenge.

On behalf of the FPR Forestry Division, stay well and best wishes.

Sincerely,

Michael C. Snyder, Commissioner

Sam Lincoln, Deputy Commissioner

Vermont Forests, Parks & Recreation