Today the legislature passed a bill creating the Southeast State Forest. The legislation weaves together 20 parcels of state land in Southern Southeast and designates them for long-term forest management.
Southeast Alaska’s timber industry has changed drastically over the last 20 years. Since the termination of long-term timber contracts in the 1990s, it has becomes increasingly difficult to get a consistent supply of timber from federal lands. The closure of pulp mills and local sawmills resulted in a 30% economic hit to Southeast that we still haven’t recovered from.
Establishing this state forest will ensure land remains available for long-term forest management and will increase timber volumes. The selected parcels are an important part of the state’s timber base and merit active management by state foresters. Lands in the state forest will continue to be open for multiple-uses; including use as wildlife habitat and recreational activities. I appreciate the extensive public-process that went into creating the forest, and the support local communities and the Board of Forestry provided for passing the bill.
I’m hopeful establishing the forest will aide small town sawmills and improve forest management in our region.
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