CLEARCUTTING POLICY

WHEREAS: the USDA Forest Service is coming under increasing pressure to eliminate the clearcut harvest method as a silvicultural tool within the National Forest System; and

WHEREAS: clearcutting is a proven harvesting prescription based on years of research; and

WHEREAS: clearcutting is one of the preferred, and sometimes only, harvesting technique which promotes the successful establishment of a new forest for the future; and

WHEREAS: when properly prescribed by professional forest managers, adverse impacts to the environment are minimized; and

WHEREAS: guidelines to assess and control environmental impacts are mandated by the National Environmental Policy Act; and

WHEREAS: the USDA Forest Service is the national forestry agency which often sets precedent on forest policy that affects state forestry programs; and

WHEREAS: state forestry programs and services affect silvicultural activity on the 72 percent of all commercial forest land within the United States which is owned and managed by the private sector; and

WHEREAS: privately owned forest lands are and will continue to be the main source of forest products supplying this nation; and

WHEREAS: a USDA Forest Service harvest policy that eliminates the viable practice of clearcutting is likely to similarly influence harvest policy on other public and privately owned forest lands;

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the NASF endorses the clearcut harvest method as a sound, proven silvicultural tool in the United States; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the NASF recommends that the USDA Forest Service continue to utilize this silvicultural harvesting method in those applications where it is the most appropriate and reasonable method as determined by specific local needs.