Participating in the Political Process
Weyerhaeuser participates in the political process to help shape public policy and legislation that have a direct effect
on our company. This engagement is tied closely to our business strategies and is an important way to build and protect
our license to operate. Our involvement includes coalition building, relationship building, advocacy, political contributions
and grass roots activities.
Weyerhaeuser's reputation and relationships with government officials are extremely important assets, which contribute significantly
to our success. Therefore, we are committed to maintaining and enhancing strong relationships with government officials
through ethical, responsible and lawful actions.
COMPANY ACTIVITIES
Weyerhaeuser’s involvement in the political process reflects the company’s interests and not those of individual officers
or directors. Public policy and legislative priorities are reviewed annually with senior business leaders as well as with
the Governance and Corporate Responsibility Committee of the board of directors.
Political contributions reflect one dimension of participation in the political process. To ensure that we are in compliance
with all applicable laws, Weyerhaeuser’s political contributions are managed by Corporate Affairs, under a general delegation
of authority from the company’s general counsel. Prior approval for any contribution must be given by the appropriate Corporate
Affairs senior manager. No contribution may be given in anticipation of or in return for an official act.
To advocate our position, the company relies on government affairs professionals, assisted by key managers and subject-matter
experts. Only authorized employees and contract lobbyists may engage in lobbying activities, as defined by the appropriate
jurisdiction, on behalf of the company. Such persons must comply with all applicable legal requirements.
All laws and regulations regarding in-kind contributions, use of corporate facilities and resources, independent expenditures,
and gifts and ethics laws must be stringently followed. Employees may not offer, promise or give anything of value to any
government official, employee, agent or other intermediary (either domestically or internationally) to influence the exercise
of government duties. In 2011,
Weyerhaeuser used $25,000 of corporate funds to support independent expenditures. Under circumstances when corporate
funds are used for independent expenditures, all transactions are disclosed and transparent in our annual report of all
political donations.
No pressure in any form may be directed toward any employee to make any personal political contributions or to support or
oppose any ballot measure, political party or the candidacy of any person.
EMPLOYEE ACTIVITIES
Weyerhaeuser strongly supports employee involvement in political affairs and encourages and supports lawful individual activities
that involve political parties, candidates or issues.
Employees may communicate personal opinions to government officials. However, Weyerhaeuser employees may not use company
stationery, the Weyerhaeuser name, work titles or other company resources, such as electronic media, copiers, phones or
fax machines, to express personal opinions to government officials or to promote candidates. In addition, personal political
contributions may not be reimbursed.
Weyerhaeuser encourages employees to register and exercise their right to vote. Weyerhaeuser also may ask employees to communicate
with public officials through the company website on important company issues.
Weyerhaeuser employees must comply with all laws, regulations and company policies regarding gifts to, and entertainment
of, government officials.
CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS — UNITED STATES
Political contributions reflect one dimension of participation in the political process. All of Weyerhaeuser's political
contributions comply with applicable law, and require the prior approval of the law department and authorization of the
director of regional, federal and international affairs. A report of compliance is provided annually to the board governance
committee.
Weyerhaeuser sponsors a U.S. employee-funded Weyerhaeuser Political Action Committee, which solicits voluntary contributions
from eligible shareholders and employees. Decisions regarding contributions are controlled by an employee-based board of
directors. These contributions are bipartisan and based on a variety of considerations. These pooled funds are used mainly
to support candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. In some jurisdictions where Weyerhaeuser
operates—Arizona, North Carolina, Oklahoma and Texas—legally sanctioned WPAC funds are also used to support candidates for
state elective offices.
In 2011, the Weyerhaeuser
Political Action Committee contributed $284,000 to federal candidates, committees and some state candidates. WPAC
contribution reports are filed with the Federal Elections Commission and
posted on its website.
Other states allow companies to contribute directly to campaigns for state and local offices and for ballot measures, a
democratic process in which Weyerhaeuser participates. In 2011, Weyerhaeuser and its subsidiaries made political contributions of $262,369 in the following states: Alabama,
Arkansas, California, Georgia,
Louisiana, Mississippi,
Nevada,
Oregon and Washington.
Reports of state and local contributions are filed as required at state and local levels.
CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS — CANADA
Lawful corporate donations to political parties are a recognized, legitimate and transparent part of Canadian governmental
processes. Donations are made at only the federal and provincial levels of government and are publicly disclosed in accordance
with reporting requirements in each jurisdiction where the company operates.
In 2011, Weyerhaeuser Company Limited, the company's Canadian subsidiary, contributed CA$37,410 to political parties or candidates in Canada.
PUBLIC POLICY DISCOURSE
We belong to a variety of industry associations and public policy organizations that participate in the public debate about
issues that are of interest to us. We review our membership in these associations annually. We encourage our managers who
are engaged in these associations to take an active role to ensure the associations' priorities reflect the company's interests.
To advocate our positions, we rely primarily on Weyerhaeuser managers and subject-matter experts who are assisted by internal
professionals. We follow both the letter and the spirit of the laws governing lobbying, with managers receiving regular
training on current law and practices. In our lobbying efforts, we strive to work fairly and honestly with public officials
at all levels.
Association Participation
We benefit from the lobbying efforts of the following associations through our membership. The portion of our dues used
for lobbying activities is noted below, where available:
ISSUES IMPORTANT TO WEYERHAEUSER
Weyerhaeuser policy teams monitor public policy issues that affect the business climate and coordinate company actions to
understand and engage in public discourse. Issues of particular importance to Weyerhaeuser include:
- Energy policy, including the role of biomass in renewable energy policies and rates levied by the Bonneville Power Administration
- Taxation of timberlands in the United States
- Climate policy, including impacts on manufacturing costs and positive recognition of sequestered carbon in forests and forests
products
- Green building programs, standards and recognition for the sustainable attributes of wood products
- Housing policy that helps return market stability and encourages homebuyers to re-enter the market
- Conservation of and access to the boreal forest and protection of caribou in Canada
- Softwood lumber trade between the United States and Canada
