Another opportunity to improve production on 
the national forests lies in developing hardwood 
markets. We are already selling close to our poten- 
tial for softwood from the Coastal Plains forests, but 
our hardwood resource is underutilized. Large ar- 
eas of hardwood stands are reaching economic 
and biological maturity. 
About 5 years ago, we began a small, unfunded 
effort to improve both domestic and foreign markets 
for the hardwood resource. Fortunately, research 
has provided new processes that make better wood 
utilization a real possibility. We developed some in- 
service expertise and worked with State Foresters 
and others. Several States put out first-class mar- 
keting packages on the availability of hardwoods. 
This opportunity ties nicely into the Nation's efforts 
to improve our balance of trade problems. We join 
the State Foresters, Tennessee Valley Authority, Ex- 
tension Service, and others who believe much more 
can and should be done to market the hardwood 
resource. 
Some opportunities to improve timber produc- 
tivity on the national forests exist; however, as | 
mentioned earlier, timber is only one of the multiple 
uses for which we manage. 
Wildlife is an integral part of our forest manage- 
ment and is closely integrated with timber manage- 
ment. In fact, timber harvesting is our primary 
method of diversifying and improving wildlife habitat 
over large areas of land. Our new forest plans place 
a great deal of emphasis on biological diversity and 
maintaining healthy ecosystems. Fish and wildlife 
interests played a strong role in the development of 
these plans. We have the opportunity to increase 
timber production while improving habitat for fish 
and wildlife species, including the 46 federally listed 
threatened and endangered species that are found 
on national forest land. 
| believe many landowners in the South have 
this same opportunity, and many have habitat im- 
provement as one of their management goals. More 
and more private landowners are realizing that the 
growing hunt club and recreation business can 
make integrated forest management profitable. And 
beyond that, there are great personal satisfactions 
in managing a forest that will live as a family legacy 
from the strong stewardship values held by many 
folks. 
Our plans call for more intensive management 
and protection of riparian areas, setting objectives 
for the number of nut-producing hardwoods (mainly 
oak, hickory) that are need by wildlife in both hard- 
wood and mixed softwood stands, managing some 
old stands, and protecting unique plant communi- 
ties. 
We project that the populations of huntable 
species, such as white-tailed deer, wild turkey, gray 
squirrel, and bobwhite quail, will be maintained. 
Specifically during the first 10 years, most national 
forests should see an increase in deer populations. 
Wild turkey populations are projected to be main- 
tained on all national forests and on some, will in- 
crease about 10 percent. 
Of course, fisheries populations depend on wa- 
ter quality and quantity. We know water issues, 
such as wetlands, ground-water recharge, and in- 
stream flow, are growing issues in some parts of the 
South. We need to pay more attention to all of these 
important resources, but doing so will require more 
intensive land management, including more expert- 
ise on the ground, and additional research. We do 
know from long experience that these resources 
can be productively managed together. 
In closing, because of over 50 years of protec- 
tion, management and investment, the national 
forests in the South have improved their productiv- 
ity. They have the potential to produce a much high- 
er level of multiple-use public benefits. Our ability to 
capture those benefits will depend on public under- 
standing and support, professional expertise, and 
continued strong cooperation with our partners in 
management, which is one of our real strengths in 
the South. 
47 
