April-June, 2007
2007 Farm Bill
Large tracts of private forest are at risk of falling into mismanagement, subdivision or being sold for development; Brett J Butler, research forester with US Forest Service Family Forest Research Center, says situation could jeopardize things like wood used to build homes, jobs, and clean water and fresh air; nearly 60 percent of nation's forests are privately owned, majority by families and individuals and most of these owners are 55 or older; huge swath of forest land is about to change hands as aging landowners pass land to heirs or buyers; high taxes are top reason heirs are selling land; industry officials hope reauthorization of 2007 Farm Bill currently being drafted by House Agriculture Committee will provide incentive programs to help family forest owners bear costs of maintaining their lands.
Source: New York Times.