Timber and Forest Facts of Oregon

Forest Ownership

Total Land Base in Oregon = 62,068,000 Acres
Forestland Base = 27,541,000 Acres

	# of Acres	% of Total
National Forest	13,122,000	47.7%
BLM & Federal	2,538,000	9.2%
Federal Total	15,660,000	56.9%
State Forest	786,000	2.8%
Other Public	245,000	.9%
Tribal	474,000	1.7%
State & Other Total	1,505,000	5.4%
Forest Industry	5,870,000	21.3%
Other Private	4,506,000	16.4%
Private Total	10,376,000	37.7%
Total Forestland	27,541,000	100%

(Source: Oregon Dept. of Forestry)

Annual Timber Harvest

Oregon - Billions of Board Feet

	1970-1989	1989	1991	1993	1995
USFS	3.1	3.3	2.1	1.1	.5
BLM	1.0	1.0	.5	.4	.1
Federal Total	4.1	4.4	2.6	1.5	.6
State & Other	.2	.2	.1	.1	.1
Tribal	.1	.1	.1	.1	.1
State/Other Total	.3	.3	.2	.2	.2
Industry	3.1	3.0	2.8	2.7	2.7
Private	.4	.7	.5	.9	.7
Private Total	3.5	3.7	3.3	3.6	3.4
Total OR Harvest	7.9	8.4	6.1	5.3	4.3

50 Year Average All Ownerships 1940-1989 = 8.10
Oregon - Billions of Board Feet
(Source: Oregon Dept. of Forestry)

Forest Growth VS Harvest

Pacific coast region forest growth exceeded harvest by 15% for all ownerships during the 1980s. Growth = 4.2 billion cu. ft. per year-, harvest = 3.7 billion cu. Ft. Growth margins are expected to double or even triple the harvest rate over the next decade, because of accelerating managed forest growth and federal harvest prohibitions. Nationwide our national forests grow 18 billion board feet (bbf) per yr. Harvest is 4.3 bbf.

(Source: US Forest Service, 1996)

Timber Revenue

All timber harvest in the state generates funds to be used by local, county and state government. These timber monies are used to fund Oregon's schools and roads, therefore easing the citizen's tax burden. As harvest revenues decline, public tax burden increases.

Federal Timber Sale Payments: Because federal lands are exempt from paying taxes, 25% of timber sale monies from National Forests, and 50% from BLM sales are paid to counties for schools and roads. When payments to counties dropped sharply due to federal harvest prohibitions, in 1999 Congress guaranteed federal subsidy to Oregon's counties for timber receipt shortfalls - known as the "County Payments Act".

Ad Valorem Tax : Private forest owners pay a state tax on value of forestry property & timber which goes back to the counties and local taxing districts.

State Timber Sale Receipts: Sale of timber from harvesting 0regon Board of Forestry and Common School Lands produce revenue for schools and counties. (Oregon Dept. of Forestry) Currently, 60% of revenues from state timber sales go to local counties and schools.

1993-95 Receipts Distributed to Counties $69.97 million

Oregon Forest Practices Act

The Forest Practices Act has been a national model for environmental protection during timber harvest since enacted by the Oregon Legislature in 1971. The state is a leader in regulating forest operations to protect a wide range of resources, including fish, wildlife and water quality. This progressive act is administered by the Oregon Department of Forestry, and applies to 11.7 million acres of non-federal Forestland. The Federal Lands by agreement with the state meet or exceed Oregon F.P.A. requirements.

Administration by The Oregon Department of Forestry assures that diverse resources are protected during harvest, and trees are planted to provide sustainable future forests. Protections have been strengthened over the years as new knowledge became available. Oregon protects its forest resources through 'Forest Practice Rule' assurances, including:

• Provide comprehensive riparian area protection -- New 'Stream Rules' added in 1995
• Assure water quality, fish habitat and wetlands guarded
• Protect wildlife habitat and diversity -- retain sensitive sites, snags and down-wood
• Promote landscape structure and aesthetics -- limited regeneration harvest unit size
• Reforest within two years after harvest -- plant mix of native tree species
• Maintain forest productivity -- minimize soil disturbance and promote growth
• Minimize resource impact of roads -- apply strict construction and maintenance standards
• Permits required before harvesting -- State forestry officers assure compliance

Forest Preservation & Old Growth

Over 11 million acres of Oregon Forest Service and BLM forests - 71% of the federal Forestland base - is preserved where timber harvesting is banned. The President's Northwest Forest Plan and other federal plans further restrict harvest on most remaining federal forests.

About 4.3 million acres - one third of Oregon's National Forests - meet the US Forest Service's definitions of "old growth." Of these 4.3 million acres, about 58% is set aside in wilderness areas, or other classifications that prevent harvest. Oregon federal forests also contain an additional 8.6 million acres of mature timber that has never been harvested. According to the Forest Service, only about 16% of the region's National Forests have been harvested.

Oregon Preservation (Millions of Acres)

	West	East	Total	Federal%
Wilderness & Parks	1.45	1.03	2.48	16%
Special Withdrawals	.57	2.08	2.65	17%
Old Growth Reserves	3.47	.91	4.38	27%
Riparian Reserves	1.36	.46	1.82	11%
Total No Harvest	6.85	4.48	11.33	71%

(Source: US Forest Service)

Forest Debate Continues

Across the Northwest a debate is raging over how best to manage the region's forests, and whether timber should be harvested from public forests. Since 1989, federal harvest has steadily declined as prohibitions have halted timber sales. A combination of factors including contradictory laws, outdated regulations, obstructive litigation, and political interference have stalled federal forest management - jeopardizing the health of the forest environment. In April 1994, the Clinton Administration adopted their 'Northwest Forest Plan' - a plan promised to resolve the federal forest debate. In the last ten years, the President's Plan has sadly failed to live up to even its own meager promises; nor has it resolved the legal gridlock or balanced the needs of the environment, communities and society.

• Congress is now looking into updating the environmental safeguards to better protect wildlife, water and ecosystems -- while still providing the valuable natural resources the public demands from National Forests.
• Oregon's future does not require a trade-off between forest products and environmental protection. To favor either at the expense of the other is to imperil statewide economic and environmental diversity. Oregon can have both.
• The promise of Oregon's most productive forests in the world depends on greater public understanding and support of how managed forests contribute to our lives and economy.

Forest Prohibitions - Fiftenn Years of Decline

Since 1995, statewide timber harvest, manufacturing base, and foriegn trade has not improved.

	1989	1995
Timber Harvest (OR billion board feet)	8.4	4.3
Manufacturing Base (OR mills)	300	180
Imported Lumber (US)	28%	38%
Lumber Imports (US bbf)	13.6	17.4
Lumber Exports (US bbf)	3.3	2.0
Log Exports (West bbf)	3.6	2.0

(Sources: W. Wood Products Assoc.; Oregon Dept. of Forestry; Paul F. Ehinger & Assoc.)

Forest Guarentee - Timber Today & Tomorrow

Oregon's forests are among the most productive in the world. Because they are constantly replanted and renewed by forest professionals, they will be that way forever. After nearly a century of harvest, long-term forest renewal and responsible forest practices explain why Oregon continues to have such abundant and diverse forests. Forest managers and scientists have learned how to manage these working forests to provide the timber we need - in harmony with the wildlife habitat, clean water, and recreation we want. Given what we know about the resilience of our forests, innovations in harvest technology, and advances in forest science, the following advantages of Oregon forestry are sustainable into the future:

• America's annual forest growth exceeds harvest by 37% each year. Between 1952 and 1987, timber growth has increased steadily across all ownerships and regions - the greatest increase in the Northwest. Standing timber volume is 30% greater than in 1952. More trees are growing in America's forests than at any time since the early 1900's.
• An examination of Oregon public forests in 1995 reveals that annual growth (585 million cubic feet) exceeded public harvest (131 million cubic feet) by 347%. Private forest growth (720 million cubic feet) exceeded private harvest (640 million cubic feet) by 13%.
• Oregon forests are thriving, as an important part of the state's beauty and quality environment. Oregonians have done a lot of things right in protecting forests through modem forest management. Credit for such diverse forests is owed to Oregon's many forest professionals.