Timber Industry Regulations

Timber industry regulation tries to strike a balance between providing the raw materials to support industry and timber-related jobs and maintaining the health of the forest.

Types

• Federal laws and state statues govern the timber or forestry industry in the United States. Federal forestry lands come under the jurisdiction of the National Forest Management Act (NFMA) of 1976. This act actually made modifications to the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 (FRRRP). This regulation provides guidelines for management of the nation's forestry resources. Each state has its own version of timber laws; in New York, the Department of Environmental Conservation regulates the state's 18.6 million acres of forest.

Function

• The NFMA governs the timing, locations and quantity concerning the harvesting of timber. It also regulates guidelines for the public's involvement in timber activities in their areas. The regulation also requires the Secretary of Agriculture to make periodic evaluations of the forest and to put together a plan to manage the resources.

Facts

• The United States classifies 490 million acres of designated forest as "timberland." Governmental entities (federal, state and local agencies) own 131 million acres or 27 percent. Non-commercial and private parties own 59 percent of timberland. About 600,000 of these owners have more than 100 acres of land. Commercial operators own approximately 14 percent (70 million acres).