Forest Facts for you ...Managing Federal Forests in the 21st Century

American Forest & Paper Association ^ | American Forest & Paper Association

[CyberCowboy777]

The following information was taken from a new publication entitled "Managing Federal Forests in the 21st Century" and published by American Forest & Paper Association, Washington DC 20036. The following facts can be and should be shared with co-workers, your family and your neighbors. It's high time for us in the timber industry to educate people about the importance of our forests and how public policy is threatening our very livelihood.

How much land is forested in the U.S.?
About a third. The total U.S. land area is more than 2 billion acres. Forested acres in the U.S. total 747 million acres. 192 million of them are in the National Forest System.

Who owns America's forests?
Federal, state and local government agencies own 37%. The forest product industry owns 9%. The remaining 54% of America's forests are owned by private citizens.

Are all National Forest System lands available for timber harvesting?
No. 75% of our national forest system is intentionally set aside for non-commercial uses and is not managed for timber or other resource production.

Is tree growth outpacing timber harvesting in the U.S.?
Yes. In 1996, the last year for which complete figures are available, net forest growth exceeded harvest in every region of the U.S.

What is the greatest threat to federal forests?
Disease, insect infestations and catatsrophic wildfire exacerbated by conflicting policies and mandates and frivolous lawsuits brought by several national environmental groups paralyzing federal land managers.

Who should be concerned about the forest health crisis on public lands?
Every American. It is not just people who live in and around national forests who are at risk. Recreational opportunities for all of us are threatened, wildlife habitat is threatened and whether they realize it or not, every American depends on the forests for clean drinking water and clean air.

[CyberCowboy777]

Interesting Facts to keep in your back pocket.

[CyberCowboy777]

Ping

[Deguello]

"Is tree growth outpacing timber harvesting in the U.S.? Yes. In 1996, the last year for which complete figures are available, net forest growth exceeded harvest in every region of the U.S" This is a poor use of facts. Yes, there may be an increase in the number of "trees", but at what quality?

The best example of poor Federal Management are the US National Forest In Texas.

The Native Yellow Pines are being cut down under contracts and replaced with the cheaper and faster growing Spruce/Firs native to up North. Controled burning is in place to accelerate the growth of the new plantings.

What is the end result? A drive through the Forest gives the appearance of a telephone pole farm. Nothing lives in these new forest. There are no birds or animals living here. All native plants are burned off as unwanted growth and thus food and habitat is lost. The new forest are now sterile.

[Free the USA]

Check the Bump List folders for articles related to and descriptions of the above topic(s) or for other topics of interest.

[CyberCowboy777]

This type of management happens in very few areas and in relatively small acreage as 75% of our national forest system is intentionally set aside for non-commercial uses and is not managed for timber or other resource production. We are also still learning from the mistakes of the past. The point is that we are doing a very good job and that Environmentalist of the extreme type hurt more than they protect. We have 2 billion acres of Forest in this country because of a partnership between industry and government and in spite of lefty environmentalist who can't see the forest for the trees.

BTW - you want to see how environmentalist hurt the environment? Look at Klamath Falls!