Study backs increase in logging

HELENA – The annual timber harvest on state-owned forest land can be increased 26 percent, to more than 53 million board feet, while still protecting waterways, wildlife habitat and forest health, a draft report concludes.

The study, ordered by the 2003 Legislature, said the increase reflects a more complete assessment of available timber, consideration of more management options, and the state forest management plan.

This is the first time since 1996 that a study has been done to determine a “sustainable yield” from the 726,000 acres of state timberland.

Lawmakers passed a bill requiring the study and temporarily increasing the maximum harvest from 42 million board feet to 50 million board feet while the project was under way.

The report establishes 53.2 million board feet as the new figure, an 11 million board feet increase from the old level. That would be enough to fill an additional 2,200 typical logging trucks.

The report is to be presented to the state Land Board for approval at its Sept. 20 meeting.

Tom Schultz, administrator of the Trust Lands Management Division of the state Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, said the sale of 50.1 million board feet this past year generated about $9 million for Montana schools.