Press Release from the USDA
A U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service study shows our nation's private forests continuing to become fragmented by housing development over the next 25 years--putting many forested watersheds at risk.
A U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service study shows housing density increasing in our nation's private forests over the next 25 years, which will impact natural resources across the country.
Portland, Oregon, or Washington, DC, June __, 2005-The private forests that provide about 90% of timber harvested in the US; nearly 30% of all fresh water, and the key to conservation of many fish and wildlife species are increasingly likely to experience housing development, according to a new study by the USDA Forest Service.
"Every day, America loses more than 4,000 acres of open space to development; that's more than 3 acres per minute, and the rate of conversion is getting faster all the time," said Forest Service Chief Dale Boswoth. "In some places, we're losing large, relatively undisturbed forests that animals like marten, bear, and cougar need. In other places, we're losing rangeland that many plants and animals need. And where private open space is lost, recreational pressures on public lands tend to grow."
"Every day, America loses more than 4,000 acres of open space to development or; that's more than 3 acres per minute, and the rate of conversion is getting faster all the time," said Forest Service Chief Dale Bosworth. "This study provides valuable information for local, state and federal agencies to consider as they make decisions about the future of our communities and our forests."
The study, Forests on the Edge: Housing Development on America's Private Forests study, was conducted by scientists in the agency's research stations and the private sector. It suggests, shows that by 2030, housing density will increase substantially on more than 44 million acres or 11 percent of private forest land, --an area greater in size than New England.
More than 200,000 acres of forested land in 15 watersheds nationwide are most at risk of development over the next two and a half decades..
The Forest Service found that nearly 700,000 acres of forest were converted each year from 1982 to 1997, but this leapt to one1 million acres annually during the last five years of this period and is projected to continue at a strong rate.
The agency estimates that private forests in the Southeast, where three-quarters of all U.S. private forests are located, will experience the most extensive changes. Forestland development pressures will also be high in parts of the Northeast, the Pacific Northwest and California.
Forests on the Edge: Housing Development on America's Private Forests estimates that by 2030, housing density will increase substantially on over
44 million acres (eleven percent) of private forest, an area greater in size than New England.
Private forests are owned by individuals, families, corporations, organizations, tribes, or the forest industry. Over half of the nation's forests are private.
"The rates of forest conversion to urban and developed uses is dramatically increasing nation-wide," Said Forest Service Chief Dale Bosworth, who sees "Loss of Open Space" as one of the four greatest threats to America's forests. "Just under 700,000 acres of forest were converted each year from 1982 to 1997 but this leapt to 1 million acres annually during the last 5 years of this period and could jump to 1.5 million acres per year."
Conducted by scientists in Forest Service research stations and the private sector, the study estimates that private forests in the East, where three-quarters of all U.S. private forests are located, will experience the most extensive changes. Forestland development pressures will also be high in parts of the Pacific Northwest and California. High development levels occurring on grasslands and shurblands in many Western States are not reflected here, but will be explored in future reports under this project.
The Forests on the Edge study provides national maps of forested watersheds projected to be developed and a list of the top 15 watersheds, in each of which housing density is projected to increase on over 200,000 acres of private forest., including The list includes watersheds in Maine, North and South Carolina, Mississippi, New York, Georgia, Virginia, and eight other Eeastern Sstates.
Helping to mitigate potential impacts from development pressures, USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) works in partnership with USDA Forest Service, other government agencies and private landowners in conserving their soil, water, and other natural resources, providing technical assistance based on sound science. NRCS provides financial assistance for many conservation activities. Participation in these programs is voluntary. For additional information on NRCS programs go to http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/
Private forests comprise nearly 60 percent (430 million acres) of America's total forestland and provide nearly 30 percent of all fresh water and 92 percent of all U.S. timber harvested in 2001.The USDA Forest Service has conducted this study in order to provide tools to local and State governments as well as other interested parties for planning purposes.
The Forest Service, the nation's leader on forestry, provides assistance to private forest owners through a number of programs, most of which are delivered in partnership with State forestry agencies and other organizations.
The Forests on the Edge study and maps can be found at:
http://www.fs.fed.us/projects/fote/
