Domtar Obtains FSC Certification for Common Area 083-87s at Val-d’Or

Val-d'Or, January 17, 2006 – Domtar is proud to announce FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certification for Common Area 083-87S in the Val-d’Or region, which thereby becomes the largest public forestland certified to FSC standards in Quebec. Covering a vast expanse of over 1,227,000 hectares, the territory had been selected for an FSC-certification pilot project owing to its excellent heterogeneity.

The Forest Stewardship Council is a non-profit, independent international organization founded in 1994 by various environmental associations. Its mission is to promote environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial, and economically viable management of the world’s forests. Under its certification system, it determines global standards for sustainable forest management and accredits independent certification bodies to issue certificates and carry out regular inspections. The FSC develops regional standards based on international principles that are recognized and supported by such organizations as the Rainforest Alliance, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), and ForestEthics.

The certification of Common Area 083-87S carries quite a responsibility, since it is particularly well traveled. Many users and Native communities pursue a wide variety of activities on it, several forestry companies are running forestry operations there, and a number of hiking trails traverse the territory. In addition, it serves as a wildlife refuge, harbouring countless species such as the endangered woodland caribou. Each of these aspects represents a challenge to be met in terms of the FSC’s 10 principles of forest stewardship and their many associated criteria.

“With FSC certification for Common Area 083-87S in the Val-d’Or region, a fresh wind of optimism holds the promise of certification in the near future for other public lands where Domtar runs forestry operations,” stated Bernard Senécal, Director, Forestry, Abitibi/Outaouais. This certification will also strengthen Domtar’s customer commitment, through delivery of products from responsibly managed forests.

DOMTAR IS THE THIRD LARGEST PRODUCER OF UNCOATED FREESHEET PAPER IN NORTH AMERICA. IT IS ALSO A LEADING MANUFACTURER OF BUSINESS PAPERS, COMMERCIAL PRINTING AND PUBLICATION PAPERS, AND TECHNICAL AND SPECIALTY PAPERS. DOMTAR MANAGES ACCORDING TO INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED STANDARDS 18 MILLION ACRES OF FORESTLAND IN CANADA AND THE UNITED STATES, AND PRODUCES LUMBER AND OTHER WOOD PRODUCTS. DOMTAR HAS 10,000 EMPLOYEES ACROSS NORTH AMERICA. THE COMPANY ALSO HAS A 50% INVESTMENT INTEREST IN NORAMPAC INC., THE LARGEST CANADIAN PRODUCER OF CONTAINERBOARD.

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