76 



balances and forest health imbalances that need to be addressed 

 and rehabilitate those forests at the same time. Our members be- 

 lieve that you can do that and stand ready to work with this Con- 

 gress and the administration to try to find opportunities like the 

 Applegate project to make that work. 

 [Prepared statement of Mr. Gladics follows:] 



Statement of Frank Gladics, Vice President of Western Forest Industries 

 Association, Portland, OR 



Good morning. My name is Frank Gladics I am Vice President for the Western 

 Forest Industries Association. I am here today speaking on behalf of my association 

 and the American Forest & Paper Association. I appreciate the opportunity to dis- 

 cuss with you our views on reforestation and forest management on public lands in 

 the Northwest. 



With about 1.4 million employees, operations in all 50 states, and annual sales 

 of $190 bUlion, the forest resource industry is a significant contributor to the na- 

 tion's economy. This impressive performance is due, in large part, to this nation's 

 and our industry's strong commitment to sound forest management. 



A HISTORY OF COMMITMENT TO SOUND FOREST MANAGEMENT 



The U.S. is second to no other country in its commitment to soimd forest manage- 

 ment. This fact is accurately portrayed in the recently released book "American For- 

 ests: A History of Resiliency and Recovery." I would like to submit a copy for the 

 record and commend it to your reading. 



The fact is, forest management and the condition of U.S. forests have improved 

 dramatically since the turn of the century — and continues to improve. Forest growth 

 nationally has exceeded harvest since the 1940s. Each decade this margin between 

 px)wth and harvest increases. By 1986 forest growth exceed harvest by an impres- 

 sive 37 percent — this volume of forest growth is 350 percent greater than it was in 

 1920. 



This impressive record is due, in large part, to our commitment to reforestation. 

 In 1991, timberland owners, corporations, and government agencies planted 1.68 bil- 

 lion seedlings — over seven trees for each American — to reforest America's forestland. 

 In addition, milUons of acres of forests are managed to ensure they regenerate natu- 

 rally. 



The national forests reflect a similar commitment to reforestation. In 1991, the 

 Forest Service reforested over 503,000 acres of national forests following harvesting 

 and wildfires. The Forest Service planted over 50 different species of trees in this 

 effort, reflecting the tremendous variety of trees in the 122 national forests. 



Additionally, to provide for a variety of species in replanted forest stands, the For- 

 est Service and BLM leave residual trees and shrubs during timber harvests. Seeds 

 fi"om these renmant trees complement planted seedlings to ensure diversity of fu- 

 ture forest stands. 



Since 1980, the Forest Service has reforested over 5.2 million areas of forestland. 

 Ninety percent of these acres were successfully replanted on the initial attempt. The 

 agency has since successfully reforested the vast majority of the remaining 10 per- 

 cent of the acres. The forest products industry strongly supports reforestation efforts 

 as an essential tool in forest management. Aggressive reforestation on both pubUc 

 and private forests wiU ensure that we maintain the strong ecological integrity and 

 economic and aesthetic qualities of our forests for future generations. 



U.S. SUCCESS IN FOREST MANAGEMENT GOES BEYOND TREES 



The U.S. commitment to sound forest management extends beyond trees and re- 

 forestation. Significant advances have been made in the areas of wildlife, recreation, 

 watershed, and other forest resource enhancement and protection. Again, the facts 

 clearly show that this nation has been successful in implementing protection and 

 management practices that improve all forest values. For example, since the turn 

 of the century, the area consumed by wildlife each year has been reduced by 90 per- 

 cent. 



Wildlife enhancement is also a success story. Many species, such as wild turkey, 

 elk, and pronghom, once on the verge of extinction, are now thriving due to sound 

 forest management and cooperation between private landowners and public agen- 

 cies. I might add that these remarkable comebacks of each of these species was ac- 

 complished well in advance of the passage of the Endangered Species Act. 



