OTHER NEWS - Nov. 29, 1991

Timber Sales Are at 38-Year Low: The Forest Service says logging sales on national forests are at their lowest level since 1953, primarily because of a federal court order protecting the northern spotted owl. Timber industry leaders said the report “is another dose of frightening economic news” for Northwest loggers and could result in increased prices for housing and wood products. Environmentalists contend that timber sales are off because U.S. housing starts are at their lowest level since World War II, not because the spotted owl is being protected. The Forest Service said the nearly 6.4 billion board feet of timber it sold in fiscal 1991 was more than 30% below the 9.5 billion board feet Congress set as the target for the 12-month period. Some 4.7 billion board feet were sold in 1953.