So do you think the FS could even break even on selling timber? I think not! They haven't been able to do it in recent history. You'd have to go back 30 years to get in the black. I don't really think for the most part I would support timber sales that lose money.
So what is the problem? Centralized government, too many rules coming down the pipeline from D.C. or even in this state from Olympia in the case of the DNR. Yes, the lawsuits but I see that as more rules coming down from the Mount.
Solution? Decentralize. Give the districts control but require them to show a profit on sales. That pays for the cost of running things and local citizens that have the biggest stake the most voice.
Never happen though, pipedream in fact.
What to do? learn how to run a shovel, buncher, processor or god forbid a log truck:msp_thumbdn: and resign yourself to the fact it will get worse.
There are already very few jobs in the woods and there will be less in the future.
Where's that crying icon when I need it.
Yes I do. Private industry does so.
However, they can't do so under the current constraints--the biggie being the NW Forest Plan. All that survey work is spendy. As are the blanket rules for canopy closure requirements, etc. etc. Streamline the timber planning process. Planning is where the money is spent, and so much of that planning produces nothing.
There was a ranger in charge here for a while that required a new unit, or equivalent volume be found to replace those that were thrown out during the planning process. He left. Which raises another point, the rangers on this forest, are very passive when it comes to putting up timber sales. So, even though some are nice people, I'd replace them.
Concentrate sales in plantations or areas that are already roaded. Reopen the old roads--all of the roads here were rocked. Throw in some :eek2: clearcuts--now called regeneration cuts, and get to work. This area grows trees despite volcanic eruptions, fires and people, and has good ground.
Now that I'm retired, start managing the Mineral Block again. That area is now ignored. The LEOs go there as does a TSI guy, but other than that, it is as if it doesn't exist. The rubber trees grow there. That's a term a faller called the timber because there wasn't as much breakage as he expected on the steep, broken ground.
Put the campground hazard trees that are felled, up for bid to go down the road as a log, not firewood. Some of those trees are valuable. I was questioned about one, which is still on the ground. I guess they can be shipped to yacht makers on the East Coast.
Much of the timber around here is at the size the mills want.
Oh, and I'd make another law, rule or whatever that if a person or group holds up a salvage sale, and their case is lost, they will pay the full bid price of the timber to the purchaser or treasury. That would take care of the endless appeals, injunctions, law suits that are used to delay fire salvage until the trees are culls.
Got lots of work to do, eh? Get rid of the NW Forest Plan is the biggie here, then tweak NEPA and the endangered species laws.
