Analysis Shows NC Faces Alarming Decline In Forest Land

(9 March 2004 - Raleigh, NC)  Environmental Defense today released an analysis of the trends responsible for the loss of one million acres of forestland in North Carolina and called on state officials to develop a comprehensive state forest policy to make conservation of private forest lands a top priority.  “North Carolina Forests at a Crossroads” examines federal Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) data to pinpoint troubling trends affecting the state’s forests, wildlife habitat and unique ecosystems and issues recommendations for improving state forest policy.  The analysis is available at www.environmentaldefense.org/go/ncforestrystats.  The N.C. Division of Forest Resources and the U.S. Forest Service plan to publicly release statewide forest data for the first time March 10.

“North Carolina has policies and programs in place aimed at protecting water quality and air quality, but lacks effective policies to protect forests,” said Will McDow, forest economist with the North Carolina office of Environmental Defense.  “Forests are more than just a stand of trees.  Forests produce private and public benefits, including a steady supply of timber and other products, wildlife habitat, recreation opportunities, clean water and healthy soil.  If North Carolina fails to take action soon, the economic productivity and ecological health of our forests could be threatened forever.”

“North Carolina’s private forest lands are at a crossroads.  The state lost more than one million acres of forest over the last 12 years.  For the first time ever, more timber is being cut than is being grown, and forest acres are expected to decline for the next four decades.  Worse still, an alarming 76% of all tree harvests were clearcuts, which can increase runoff and impair water quality,” said McDow.

“Lack of planning, inadequate incentives, and poor forest management are among the root causes of the problems facing our forests,” said Dan Whittle, senior attorney with the North Carolina office of Environmental Defense.  “Almost 700,000 individuals own forestland in North Carolina and virtually every one of them manages his or her land in a vacuum.  Existing state programs and policies promote timber production and conversion to non-forest uses over forest stewardship.  Only by overhauling these programs can the state reverse current trends.”