Salvage Timber Sales and Forest Health

Authors

Ross W. Gorte

Document Type

Full Issue

Publication Date

1996

Abstract

Interest in salvaging timber has increased markedly since extensive forest fires in 1994. The focus is to use the dead and dying timber before it goes to waste and to increase the supply of Federal timber available to the wood products industry. Supporters also note that salvage sales are one tool that can be used to improve forest health. Critics counter that some dead and dying trees are necessary for healthy ecosystems, and that salvage sales are costly to the U.S. Treasury and to the environment. This report describes the concerns over forest health, and then examines the benefits, costs, and financial consequences of salvage timber sales.

Comments

This item was written and prepared by U.S. Government employees on official time, and is therefore in the public domain
Note: This report is available online here.

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