For release Tuesday, February 18, 2004
The Institute for Sustainable Forestry has just released a position paper outlining its vision for sustainable timber management and sustainable timber harvest in Northwestern California. In releasing the position paper ISF is calling on Second District Supervisorial candidates to agree to promote ISF's vision and recommendations for reinvigorating the timber industry in Southern Humboldt County.
ISF's position on sustainable timber management is backed by research showing that environmental regulation is not the only factor causing the decline in the timber industry in Humboldt County and in Northwest California. Overall, lumber output in the Western US is higher today than it was in 1995 even though 12 mills have shut down in California alone (69 in the west). Increased globalization is occurring within the timber industry and affecting Humboldt County timber producers right here in our own back yards. There is an estimated 10% overcapacity in sawmill production in the world. In addition, world log markets are such that it is cheaper for mills in interior California to barge and truck logs from British Columbia than it is to pay fair prices for logs available from non-industrial landowners immediately next door to these mills.
ISF's position paper concludes that "To keep productive non-industrial forestland, local mills, and timber jobs intact, we must find ways to offset landowner costs, and increase landowner income. We need policies that enable non-industrial landowners to grow high-quality timber and sell sawlogs in local markets at market prices at a profit"
ISF's position paper recommends:
» Develop county policies and lobby for state policies that decrease regulatory costs for landowners who have a strong record of 1) complying with land use regulations, and 2) maintaining public-trust values on their forest properties.
» Create policies to reward landowners who can document that they are providing ecosystem products and services such as: clean water, clean air, viable wildlife habitat & commercial fishery spawning grounds, and carbon storage.
» Develop county land-use policy to explore a zoning category that includes integrating clustered residential development with active timber management.
» Engender county support for economic diversification that reduces our need to import products from other areas, and develop export base clusters such as forest products and commercial fisheries.
» Include forest and stream restoration in county development goals. Restoration projects should be eligible for Headwaters funding proposals.
For further information contact:
John Rogers, Executive Director, 707-923-7004
jrogers@newforestry.org
Ruth Goodfield, President, ISF Board of Directors 707-923-5227
rgoodfield@saber.net, or
Jim Lamport, Board Member, 707-923-4372
jimlamport@humboldt1.net
More Updates
- ISF Press Release on Palco/ScoPac bankruptcy filing
2007-01-29
ISF on Palco/ScoPac Bankruptcy Filing:
Financing Conservation Forestry requires upfront investments to protect conservation values in working forests.
- Financing Sustainability - A Case in Point
2006-09-22
Financing Sustainability:
Despite up-front costs, Conservation Forestry generates more income over 60 year period.
- Future Forests on the North Coast
2005-10-27
On October 27th a broad spectrum over 60 forest advocates, landowners, professional foresters, conservation groups, timber companies and forest practitioners gathered in Eureka, Ca to discuss a shared goal: Maintain Healthy and Productive Working Forests on the North Coast. The Institute for Sustainable Forestry (ISF) organized the Future Forests working session in response to the impact of rising Humboldt County land values on the economic viability of maintaining large blocks of forestland for timber production, rural quality of life and conservation values.
- ISF in the North Coast Journal - Finding Common Ground Over Timber
2005-03-06
ISF's March 2005 Commentary in the North Coast Journal:
After more than a century as the cornerstone of the North Coast economy, lumber companies are in trouble. Industry spokespeople find it easy to blame the high cost of regulation and environmental activism for their economic difficulties. But, a closer look at the overall forest products industry reveals a different perspective....
- Community Forestry: Nick's Interns trail building at So Hum Community Park forest restoration project
2005-02-15
ISF, Nick's Interns and SHCP work togther to provide a community access trail through SHCP's demonstration restoration and community forestry project.
- ISF and Working Forest Group
2005-01-30
Institute for Sustainable Forestry and the Working Forest Group
to provide forest management and planning services to foresters, companies, and organizations that seek the highest standards of forest management.
- ISF State of Sustainability Report Summary
2004-06-30
This report summary reviews recent global, national, state and local trends in the softwood lumber industry and provides a brief summary of policy issues in sustainable forestry. The report was written and distributed as background for ISF's June 26th, 2004 Community Planning Session in Briceland, CA.
- Sustainable Hardwoods Update
2003-12-10
Update on ISF's California native hardwood development efforts and the Sustainable Hardwood Network on the northcoast.
- Woody Biomass Utilization Forum Presentations
2003-09-23
ISF Woody Biomass Utilization Forum, wood chips, forest residues, electric energy generation, heat
