Here’s an interested article from out west that is worthy of re-posting.

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2012/09/oregons_hard-hit_timber_counti.html

 

This highlights two things.  

First, it shows just how important the forest and timber industry is for local economies.  Second, it is also compelling evidence just how much of a mess central planners in government have made out of the timber industry in areas which rely on biomass harvested from government (public) land.

This is why much of the US timber production has relocated the southern and Appalachia regions of the country where stocks of timber are held privately, thus ensuring a resource that more stable and better managed.