Setting up a coordinated organization to help advocate for and implement the recommendations in all four states.

"We want the businesses and employees of the region to share the pride -- and the financial rewards -- of meeting the growing worldwide demand for high-quality green' products. We want the region to benefit from meeting more of its energy needs with sustainable local resources," the committee wrote.

The forest stretches 400 miles, from New York's Tug Hill Plateau and Adirondack Mountains, to Vermont's Northeast Kingdom and Green Mountains, New Hampshire's North Country and White Mountains and Maine's Western Mountains and Down East lakes.

The committee recognizes the region as a special place and said its recommendations are designed to keep it that way.

"Our region has unique opportunities because of the quality of our natural resources, and the Sustainable Economy Initiative strategy recognizes that we must maintain those resources to succeed," said Kay Henry of the Vermont-based Northern Forest Canoe Trail.