Chapter 10 - Impacts of U.S. Timber Harvest Restrictions

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This chapter presents a simulation analysis of the impact of U.S. timber harvest policies on Pacific Rim timber markets and forest resources. The international environmental impact of U.S. timber policy depends on other countries' policy responses and local management decisions. It outlines current trends in forest policy in the United States. The chapter discusses the modified version of the global forest products model (GFPM) to predict how U.S. policies affect other countries' markets and forests, particularly in the Pacific Rim. The results suggest that increasing timber harvest restrictions in the United States would shift timber production and forest products manufacturing to other countries and would significantly alter timber trade patterns. Softwood log markets would be most affected. The restrictions would allow the United States to conserve more forest, while other countries would conserve less. The chapter concludes that most of the transfer in timber production would be among developed countries with extensive coniferous timber resources.