Montana board allows bigger timber harvests

HELENA – The state Land Board unanimously approved on Monday a 26 percent increase in the annual timber harvest from state-owned forests despite lingering concerns from some environmental groups.

The vote implements the results of a study ordered by the 2003 Legislature to determine a sustainable amount of timber that could be cut each year on 726,000 acres of state holdings.

The study recommended a yearly harvest of 53.2 million board feet compared with 42 million board feet established in a 1996 study.

A vote on adopting the higher level was postponed from the Land Board’s September meeting after the three Democratic members said the public should have more time to review and comment on the findings. State Department of Natural Resources and Conservation officials agreed to set an Oct. 4 deadline for comments.

The increased tree-cutting is expected to boost state revenue from timber sales from about $9 million a year to $11 million, according to the agency’s estimates.

Ann Hedges of the Montana Environmental Information Center told the board her complaints about the study probably would fall on deaf ears because four of the five board members are running in the Nov. 2 general election and another delay could be politically damaging.

The board consists of the governor, secretary of state, state auditor, superintendent of public instruction and attorney general. All but Gov. Judy Martz are running either for re-election or for another state office.

Hedges questioned whether the study properly considered the potential for tree losses caused by wildfires, insects and disease. Insect infestations are at record levels, and continuing drought makes fire an increasing danger, she said.

Tom Schultz, head of the department’s Trust Land Management Division, said the study does not try to predict a catastrophic fire season but does account for some tree losses each year.

Another study will be done in four years, and that project can take into consideration any extreme event that may occur in state forests that diminishes the timber supply dramatically, Schultz said. Further adjustments can be made in subsequent studies, which will be done at least every 10 years to come up with new annual harvest goals, he said.

Hedges also wondered why the department had hired an out-of-state firm to conduct the study rather than rely on the University of Montana School of Forestry.

Bud Clinch, department director, defended the choice of the Oregon firm of Mason, Bruce and Girard Inc., saying the company has a solid national reputation in such timber studies.