Annual Timber Harvest in Oregon
Contents
Timber Harvest History in Oregon
Oregon’s Timber Harvest by Ownership
Oregon Forestland Size
Private Forests -- Oregon Forest Practices Act
Small Private Forests… A Very Special Forest Ownership
Federal Forests – The Gridlock and Debates Continue
Forest Guarantee - Timber Today & Tomorrow
Oregon statewide timber harvest – All ownerships – Billion Board Feet / Year – Average
annual harvest volume during each decade indicated. {Source: Oregon Dept. of Forestry}
|
1950s
|
1960s
|
1970s
|
1980s
|
1990s
|
2000s
|
2011
|
Private Forests
|
6.01
|
4.17
|
3.71
|
3.28
|
3.25
|
3.13
|
2.73
|
Federal Forests
|
2.23
|
4.35
|
4.31
|
3.87
|
1.15
|
.32
|
.54
|
State/Tribal/County Forests
|
.47
|
.27
|
.34
|
.37
|
.31
|
.38
|
.38
|
Total OR Harvest
|
8.71
|
8.79
|
8.36
|
7.52
|
4.71
|
3.83
|
3.65
|
Timber Harvest History in Oregon
The table above indicates the average annual timber harvest volume during each decade
indicated (measured in billion board feet / year). Although a commonly abused myth
is that Oregon timber harvest peaked during the 1980s, the data shows clearly that
statewide harvest actually crested during the decades of the 1950s and 1960s.
The fall-off in statewide annual timber harvest is not because Oregon is running
out of trees—in fact just the opposite is the case. Oregon’s calculated sustainable
forest growth of available forestlands is between 6 to 8 billion board feet / year.
Private forestland owners continue to harvest less than their annual growth, and
so do the public forestlands. The fall-off in statewide annual timber harvest is
largely explained by the decline in harvest from federal forestlands since 1989.
Considering how annual harvest from all ownerships has been well-below the sustainable
forest growth for the past two decades, opportunities are certainly bright for increased
timber harvest and forest products production in Oregon’s future!
From the end of World War II until 1989, timber harvests in Oregon generally ranged
from 7 billion to 9 billion board feet annually—a long-term sustainable volume.
Since 1989, timber harvests on federal lands have dropped perilously by more than
90 percent, due to environmental litigation and conflicting federal forest laws,
policies and plans. Meanwhile, harvests from private lands have remained relatively
stable, subject to movements in proportion to the US economy. Today, more than 75
percent of Oregon’s timber harvest consistently comes from private forestlands.
Oregon’s timber harvest hit bottom in 2009 during the depths of the US Recession
(2.75 billion bdft/year), following the collapse of the housing market. However,
harvest has been slowly rebounding, reaching 3.65 billion board feet in 2011. The
2009 statewide harvest was the smallest annual harvest from Oregon forests since
the 1930s Great Depression. For Oregon’s forest sector, 2009 was the perfect storm
of three forest product market impacts: 1) failed federal forestland management
policies; 2) the deepest post-WWII dip in US housing construction; and 3) the severe
US Great Recession.
Oregon’s forest sector is gradually rebounding, and the future looks favorable for
increased forest improvements, harvest, mill production, and technology innovation—keeping
Oregon the nation-leading structural wood producer and forestry manager in America.
Oregon’s Timber Harvest by Ownership
The federal government manages the majority (60%) of the forestland in Oregon. However,
more than three-quarters of the timber harvest comes from private land. Private
forests in Oregon are classified as either large or small forests—with the small
ownerships typically family-owned and under 5,000-acres in size (average size is
40-60 acres).
The average annual timber harvest during the decade of the 2000s (2000-09), illustrates
the relative share of recent timber harvest pattern from Oregon’s forestlands.
- Federal Owns 60% - Harvests 8% of Timber. The federal
government owns 60% of Oregon’s forests, but the average annual federal harvest
was just 8% of total volume during the 2000s.
- Private Owners of 34% - Harvest 82% of Timber. Private
forestlands are 34% of Oregon’s forests, and the average annual private harvest
was 82% of total volume during the 2000s.
- State & Other Publics Own 6% - Harvest 10% of Timber.
State and other publics own 6% of Oregon’s forests, but the annual harvest was just
10% of total volume during the 2000s.
Oregon Forestland Size
The State of Oregon spans 63 million acres, about half of which is forestland. The
federal government manages about 60% of Oregon’s forestland. Forestland is land
that is capable of having at least 10 percent cover of trees. Roughly 80 percent
of total forestland is classified as timberland, which can grow commercial-grade
timber and excludes forestland with low growth rates and areas where logging is
restricted – such as Wilderness areas.
Oregon Total Land Area (acres)
|
|
63,018,000
|
Forestland
|
|
30,472,000
|
Timberland
|
|
24,735,000
|
Other land (urban, cropland, etc.)
|
|
32,546,000
|
Government Forestland
|
US Forest Service national forest
|
|
12,133,000
|
US Forest Service (Wilderness)
|
|
2,139,000
|
US Forest Service grassland
|
|
11,000
|
National Park Service
|
|
159,000
|
Bureau of Land Management
|
|
3,760,000
|
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
|
|
16,000
|
Other federal
|
|
27,000
|
Total Federal
|
60%
|
18,245,000
|
State forests
|
|
848,000
|
Other state
|
|
159,000
|
County and municipal lands
|
|
156,000
|
Tribal Forests
|
|
463,000
|
Total State & Other Public
|
5%
|
1,626,000
|
Total Government
|
65%
|
19,408,000
|
Private Forestland
|
Large private landowners
|
|
5,933,000
|
Small private landowners (<5K acre)
|
|
4,668,000
|
Total Private
|
35%
|
10,601,000
|
Total Oregon Forestland
|
100%
|
30,473,000
|
Private Forests -- Oregon Forest Practices Act
The Forest Practices Act has been a national model for environmental protection
during private
forestland timber harvest and other operations, 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 10.6 million acres of non-federal forestland.
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
in the law have been upgraded and strengthened over the years, as new knowledge
became
available. Oregon protects its forest resources through the law’s 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
- Notification required before harvesting -- State Stewardship Foresters assure compliance
Small Private Forests… A Very Special Forest Ownership
65,000 Oregonians. That’s the number of individuals who own between 10 and 5,000
acres of
forestland. Classified as “Family Forestlands,” these forestlands have often been
handed-down
from family-to-family through generations. These small private forestlands are typically
owned
and managed by families and individuals who make their livelihoods in other occupations,
yet
have a passion for their own special forest.
The amount of timber coming from family forestlands varies greatly from year to
year,
depending on demand in the market. Family forestlands accounted for about 9 percent
(.344
billion board feet/year) of Oregon’s average annual timber harvest in the decade
of the 2000s.
These small forestlands are estimated to annually grow more than twice that annual
harvest
volume. Yet not all family forestlands are managed for timber production. Family
forestland
owners also manage forests for recreational use, fish and wildlife habitats, or
just pure aesthetics.
Most of these landowners are not professional foresters; they are teachers, farmers/ranchers,
accountants, salesmen, truck drivers, doctors, factory workers, and clergymen—who
make their
livelihoods in other occupations. They’re also quite possibly your neighbors. That’s
because a
lot of family forestland is owned by folks who live in the city, and many of those
small forests
are located close to residential areas, in the foothills just outside of Oregon’s
metropolitan areas.
Family forests at risk. A recent survey of family forestland owners indicated that
they, like most Oregonians, desire to keep their property as forestland. But, caring for the forest
costs money.
In many cases, family forest landowners use their land to earn a portion of their
living. If the
cost of regulation and management gets too expensive, the small forest owner would
turn to
other investment or land use alternatives. And, unfortunately if income in small
forestland
ownership is insufficient, the owners would consider selling-off the family forest
for
subdivisions, strip malls, agricultural clearing, vineyards, or other development.
Oregon small forest policy in the future. The small forestland owner must have the
opportunity
to make a reasonable income for their small forestland ownership. Keeping family-owned
forests economically viable is critical to Oregon forest sustainability—because
the small private
forestlands provide a rich diversity and abundance to the total Oregon forest landscape.
Effective forest policies for small forestlands will result from increased public
awareness of the
important role that family forestlands play in the forest ecosystem, and encouraging
responsible
public policy that encourages the professional growing and harvesting of trees on
small private
forest ownerships. That’s the best way to assure that Oregon keeps family forestlands
in a
forested condition.
Federal Forests – The Gridlock and Debates Continue
Across the Northwest the debate
continues over how best to manage the region’s federal forests,
and whether timber should be harvested from public forests. Federal forests come
in two
different colors: 1) national forests managed by the US Forest Service; and 2) BLM
forests
managed by the US Bureau of Land Management.
Since 1989, federal management and harvest has steadily declined, as prohibitions
have halted
timber sales. A combination of factors, including contradictory laws, outdated regulations,
obstructive litigation, conflicting court rulings, ineffective administrative rules,
and political
interference have stalled federal forest management. This gridlock situation jeopardizes
the
health of the federal forest environment, as well as the health of rural economies,
the health of
nearby communities, and non-federal forest and rangeland property owners.
In April 1994, the Clinton Administration adopted the so-called 'Northwest Forest
Plan' -- a
forest plan promised to resolve the federal forest debate in western Oregon federal
forests.
Additionally, during the 1990s, the Clinton Administration adopted prohibitions
that hobbled
forestry in eastern Oregon federal forests. In the last two decades, these misguided
plans have
sadly failed to live up to their meager promises; nor have they resolved the legal
gridlock or
balanced the needs of the environment, communities and society.
- Congress is now looking into updating the federal forest environmental safeguards
to
better protect the economy, as well as ecosystems.
- 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 federal forests contribute to our economy.
Forest Guarantee - 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 over 30% each year. Since 1952,
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.