The Lacey Act

So, you're thinking you want to lay down some new floor board, but you're torn because you love the environment. In fact, you love the environment so much that you don't want to destroy sweet little Bambie's home, all so you can furnish your floors. So, what do you do? How can you be sure the wood you're investing in isn't the same wood that cute little woodland creatures used to call home?

Say hello to Shaw (Hello Shaw! *wave wave*) Shaw is a flooring company that guarantees their wood flooring is legitimate and legally verifiable. So, the following is The Lacey Act:

"The Lacey Act, first enacted in 1900 and significantly amended several times, is the United States' oldest national wildlife protection statue. The Combat Illegal Logging Act attached to the 2008 Farm Bill amends The Lacey Act to make it a crime to purchase or sell certain illegally logged timber products in the U.S.

In April, 2009, it will be unlawful to import any wood or wood product unless a customs declaration is filled, that includes the scientific name of the wood being imported, its value and quantity, and the name of the country from which it was harvested.

The Lacey Act makes it unlawful to "import, export, transport, sell, receive, acquire, or purchase in interstate or foreign commerce any plant (including wood products) taken in violation of the law of a U.S. State, or any foreign law that protects plants." Also, anyone in the chain of custody may be criminally liable and products outlawed under the Act may be seized or forfeited even if the owner had no knowledge of a violation."

All that being said, this goes both ways. Just the same that we don't want to see you not only getting into legal trouble, but feeling like you've compromised your morals, we don't want that for us either. Thanks to Shaw, neither us have to worry about that happening. Please feel free to email us if you have any other questions about this little lady Lacey.