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

Northern Forest Region 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 : NF Lands Study (NFLS) Conducted by the Forest Service and Assisted by “Governors’ Task Force” : 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