Enhancing Timber Sale Program Environmental and Economic Sustainability
Minnesota has 9.5 million acres of public forest lands that play an important role in sustaining Minnesota’s environment and economy. The policies and programs used by public timber sale programs can impact post-harvest ecological conditions and have pronounced effects on the composition, structure, and productivity of the forest in the future. Additionally, timber harvesting revenues play an important role in economic activity, employment, and tax revenue. Currently, timber on public lands is sold in of two ways: pay based on volume harvested and pay based on appraised volume available for harvest, regardless of the actual harvest. Scientists at the University of Minnesota are using this appropriation to evaluate how timber payment methods impact post-harvest forest ecological conditions, net revenue generated from public timber sale programs, and barriers perceived by forest managers and loggers. This information will help gauge economic and ecological tradeoffs between the two methods in order to maximize future forest productivity, wildlife habitat, and biodiversity.
$336,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota to evaluate the impacts of timber payment methods on postharvest forest ecological conditions and net revenue generated from public timber sale programs. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2016, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.
Click on Work Plan under Project Details.
Click on Work Plan under Project Details.