TIMBER SUPPLY
(retired by Resolution No. 2004-6)

WHEREAS: Our future timber supply depends greatly on nonindustrial private forestlands (NIPF) in order to meet increasing demands by year 2000 when 60% of our timber will have to be supplied by NIPF lands; and

WHEREAS: Currently NIPF lands supply 51%, up 2% from 1985 statistics; and

WHEREAS: Fifty-seven (57) percent of the Nation's commercial forestlands are owned by NIPF landowners; and

WHEREAS: Currently only 10-15% of these NIPF acres are covered by forest management plans, with most NIPF lands producing only approximately 50% of their potential, a major opportunity exists to increase their productivity through modern forest management; and

WHEREAS: Congress and the administration have recognized this situation and opportunity and for FY 1990 enacted a new Forest Stewardship program that advocates a comprehensive resource management plan for NIPF landowners that will provide for recreational and wildlife contributions as well as clean water, clean air, improved soil fertility, and increased wood product outputs;

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT KNOWN that now is the time for strong national and state leadership in the area of forest resource stewardship with NASF seeking support from USDA Forest Service, Conservation Agencies and groups to aggressively implement stewardship principles and practices; and further;

BE IT RESOLVED that NASF shall continue to work with Congress to convey the original concept that Forest Stewardship is a five year program that is designed to integrate environmental forest resource management together with increasing the supply of NIPF timber, and was proposed for a funding level of $25 million/year, a level necessary to recognize the potential of our private forest resources and work to ensure that they contribute, to the maximum degree possible, to generations of Americans that follow.