Forest Management Policy in the Northern Forest Ecological Economics Approach to Assessing Policy Implications.

Forest Management Policy in the Northern Forest

Ecological Economics Approach to Assessing Policy Implications

Northern Forest Region

www.northernforestalliance.org

• 26 Million Acre Expanse of Forestland Covering Four States• Transition Zone Between Temperate and Boreal Forests• Major Ecosystem Service Provider • Crucial Biodiversity and Habitat Region

Socio-Economic Characteristics

• 1 Million People Live Within the Region

• 70 Million Within 8 Hour Drive

• 83% of Land Owned Privately, 17% Public (3% of Which is Federal)

• Forest is a Cultural and Economic Mainstay for the Region – Forest Industry Contribution to the Four States’ Economies Estimated to be $14.7 Billion(1990)

Recent History of the NF Economic Issues

• Stagnant Timber Prices• Timber Industry Buyouts • Massive Land Sales • Economic Boom in New England• Land Value Increases - Speculation• More Forest Industry Buyouts Focus on Quick

Returns (high grading, clear cutting, dev’ment sales) • Industry Weakened by Globalization Effects and

Recession in Late 1980’s – Early 1990’s

Recent History of the NF Political Issues

• NE Socio-Political Characteristics Allowed For Attention to Be Given to the Region

• 1989-90: NF Lands Study (NFLS) Conducted by the Forest Service and Assisted by “Governors’ Task Force”

• 1990-1994: The NF Lands Council (NFLC) Was Formed to Advise on Public Policy and “Identify Ways to Reinforce the Region’s Traditional Patterns of Land Ownership and Use”

Northern Forest Lands Council

• Provided 37 Policy Recommendations to State and Federal Government Focused on:– Improving Quality of Life by Creating Economic

Stability– Encouraging the Production of a Sustainable Yield

of Forest Products– Protecting Recreational, Scenic, and Wildlife

Resources

Key Policy Recommendations/Outcomes of NFLC

1) Fostering Stewardship of Private Lands

2) Protecting Exceptional Resources

3) Strengthening Economies in Rural Communities

4) Promoting Informed Decisions

Review of Implemented Policies

• 16 Govt. Policies Recommended• 50% Not Implemented At All• Only 3 Implemented With Progress Made –

All of Which Were Economic Policy Recommendations

• The Four Federal Recommendations on Env. Protection Not Implemented

• States – Implemented most policies, but many were either partially done or not done at all

Scale Issues

• Has the Scale Question Been Answered by the NFLS/NFLC? Not Really a Question That They Even Addressed

• Anthropocentric Policy (Influenced Heavily By the Maine Forest Industry)

• Scale of NF “Green Line” or Scale of the Actual Ecosystem?

Just Distribution Issues

• Property Rights Advocates

• Property Rights Argument: Local Owner vs. Absentee Landlord

• “Exceptional Land” Protections

• Green Line equity

• Tax Dollars: Timber Subsidies vs. Conservation

Implementation of Property Policies

Efficient Allocation Issues

• “Preserve Existing Patterns….”

• What to fix? Price vs. Quantity

• Public Good Bundle of Problems