Some California Forest Statistics
The following comes from the Tuolumne County Alliance for Resources and Environment [here]
Tuolumne County Alliance for Resources and Environment, Inc., (TuCARE) was established to enlighten and advise the public on conservation and the wise use of natural resources.
TuCARE believes in the multiple-use of the many natural resources on our public lands. … TuCARE is committed to ensuring the long-term viability of all of our natural resources through an ecosystem management approach toward the stewardship of our public lands. Man must play an active role to ensure our forests are not destroyed by wildfires and that our resources are available for all to use and enjoy. …
TuCARE advocates an increased awareness in schools and communities, believing a more informed public will make better decisions regarding how natural resources are respected, utilized, and for the care they receive. …
TuCARE also publishes a quarterly newsletter updating the membership on issues of concern as well as TuCARE activities. Visit the news page on the web for excerpts from the newsletter and be sure to visit the membership page and become a TuCARE member to become active in the conservation and wise use of our natural resources.
Statistical Data on Region 5 Forests
from the TuCARE website, January 19, 2010 [here]
Percent of target log-volume goal sold by USDA Forest Service, Stanislaus National Forest, 2008… 32 %
Percent of target log-volume goal sold by USDA Forest Service, Eldorado National Forest, 2008… 74 %
Percent of target log-volume goal achieved by USDA Forest Service, statewide 2008… 54 %
Average annual log-volume delivered from Stanislaus National Forest, 1980-1990… 132 mmbf
Average annual log-volume delivered from Stanislaus National Forest, 1998 – 2008… 17 mmbf
Log-volume delivered from Stanislaus National Forest, 2008… 12 mmbf
Average annual log-volume delivered from Eldorado National Forest, 1980-1990… 147 mmbf
Average annual log-volume delivered from Eldorado National Forest, 1998 – 2008… 45 mmbf
Log-volume delivered from Eldorado National Forest, 2008… 24 mmbf
Percent of planned forest thinning blocked due to litigation, Stanislaus National Forest, 2008… 41%
Percent of annual Forest Service wood volume blocked by litigation, statewide… 33 %
Approximate percent of forest thinning in the Sierra Nevada that would be blocked by the most recent lawsuit against the USDA Forest Service… 95 %
Estimated percent of USDA Forest Service resources spent on planning, administrative appeals or litigation… 40 %
Volume of wood on California’s national forestlands currently blocked by litigation… 400 mmbf
Number of average-size sawmills that could operate for a year on 400 mmbf… 5 sawmills
Percentage of wood used in California that is imported… 75 %
Percent decrease in timber harvest on federal lands since 1990… 90 %
Percent of California sawmills closed since 1990… 70 %
Potential direct jobs created by returning harvest to half of 1990 levels… 3,000 jobs
Tree mortality, Stanislaus National Forest, 2008… 38 %
Increase in acres burned by severe wildfire in California in 2007 and 2008 respectively, over previous five-year average… 300 % and 315 %
Cost per acre to taxpayers to reduce fuel loads in the Sierra Nevada, with local sawmills… $500-$2,500
Cost per acre to taxpayers to reduce fuel loads in the Sierra Nevada, without local sawmills… $1,000-$5,000
Potential cost per acre to reduce fuel loads through public-private partnerships… $0
Acres of productive national forestland at serious risk of catastrophic wildfire… 7,000,000 acres
Percent reduction possible, in severe wildfire through increased forest management… 50-60 %
Taxpayer costs to fight wildfire, 2008… $1.4 billion
Data sources: U.S. Forest Service, Calif. Dept of Forestry and Fire Protection, California Board of Equalization or analysis of Forest Service data by California Forestry Association
