[Maple Leaf]

http://www.tularecountytreasures.org/mou...est-v.html


The State of California set up a demonstration forest in 1946 east of the town of Porterville.  Basically the forest management followed the same path as Mother Nature and local Native American populations had for centuries.  The forest continues to generate commercial lumber.

As California population has grown over the last 75 years (end of WWII) the demand for outdoor recreation space has increased significantly, to the point where much of the forests in California (State and Federal) are now more valued for recreation activities than commercial logging, mining or cattle grazing.  The US Forest Service used to depend on timber sales for much of their operating budget, with timber sales down the money available for forest management has been significantly reduced.  Back in the 1980's 25% of the timber sale revenue collected by the US Forest Service went to the county in which the timber was harvested, not sure if that arrangement still exist, but those funds made a significant contribution to those counties.  Proper forest management has suffered due to the lack of funding, political/economical disputes and though well intention environmental policies that failed to correctly address multiple negative impacts.

[Maple Leaf]

http://www.tularecountytreasures.org/mou...est-v.html


The State of California set up a demonstration forest in 1946 east of the town of Porterville.  Basically the forest management followed the same path as Mother Nature and local Native American populations had for centuries.  The forest continues to generate commercial lumber.

As California population has grown over the last 75 years (end of WWII) the demand for outdoor recreation space has increased significantly, to the point where much of the forests in California (State and Federal) are now more valued for recreation activities than commercial logging, mining or cattle grazing.  The US Forest Service used to depend on timber sales for much of their operating budget, with timber sales down the money available for forest management has been significantly reduced.  Back in the 1980's 25% of the timber sale revenue collected by the US Forest Service went to the county in which the timber was harvested, not sure if that arrangement still exist, but those funds made a significant contribution to those counties.  Proper forest management has suffered due to the lack of funding, political/economical disputes and though well intention environmental policies that failed to correctly address multiple negative impacts.