Export Council Calls For Forest Management
At their September monthly meeting, the Export Council of Alaska called on the state and federal governments to actively manage Alaska's forests. Citing the precipitous decline in the value of exports of Alaska forest products to markets abroad from $426 million in 1996 to last year's value of $152 million and the egregious dislocation of some 1500 Alaska families who were supported by the timber industry, the Council called on government officials to establish and maintain a reliable timber supply sufficient to sustain a viable timber industry in regions throughout Alaska.
"This summer fire destroyed over 6 million acres of forest in Alaska - an area larger than the entire state of Connecticut," said Chuck Webber, chairman of the Council. "Fighting the fires cost nearly $60 million," he said.
"Prudent forest management practices would allow selective harvesting of beetle-killed and over-mature stands of timber," Webber noted.
The resolution, adopted unanimously by the Council, is available upon request by calling (907) 271-6237.
Members of the Export Council are appointed by the Secretary of Commerce to help foster the international competitiveness of the United States.