Wildlife and Fisheries Multiple-Use Management 
John E. Frampton (1) 
It is certainly important for the future of our Na- 
tion to have an accurate assessment of the natural 
resources that are available to its people. Likewise, 
it is essential that we project the utilization of our 
natural resource supplies so that they are not over- 
exploited or depleted. Without a logical and system- 
atic approach to resource utilization, we cannot 
meet the needs of our planet's expanding popula- 
tion. The South Carolina Wildlife and Marine Re- 
sources Department, the agency | represent, is 
committed to the wise use of the State's natural 
resources. 
The Department has supported the Resources 
Planning Act (RPA) Program since passage of the 
Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Pian- 
ning Act of 1974. We have supported the periodic 
assessment of the Nation's resources that are de- 
rived from forests, rangelands, and associated wa- 
ters. These inventories and assessments of public 
and private land are necessary to evaluate future 
resource conditions in an increasingly complex and 
challenging world. But though we are supportive of 
the RPA Program assessments, we cannot support 
the assessment entitled “The South's Fourth Forest: 
Alternatives for the Future." It is disappointing to see 
the UDSA Forest Service put forth a set of alternative 
plans for forest management in the South while the 
ink is still drying on most of their land and resource 
management plans. And, | am equally disturbed 
that wildlife was not included in the initial draft. 
Change in direction, away from multiple-use pro- 
grams, seems to be on the immediate horizon with 
the apparent intent to direct southern forest man- 
agement on private land into intensive timber pro- 
duction. This type of forest management scheme 
does not take into consideration that many 
landowners place a high value on wildlife--for com- 
mercial, recreational, scientific, and ethical reasons. 
Wildlife and fish habitats and populations have 
generally recovered from the destructive agricultur- 
al and forestry practices of the early 1900's. Forest- 
ed habitats moved from the early successional 
stages that were created by exploitive logging, graz- 
(1) John E. Frampton is chief of the game section, South 
Carolina Wildlife and Marine Resources Department. 
ing, burning, and farming to more mature conifer- 
ous and hardwood forests. Streams that 50 years 
ago sheltered no trout now support healthy 
populations--native or stocked--of this popular 
game fish. 
Utilization of wildlife and fish resources on both 
public and private lands has increased dramatically 
over the past 50 years. However, wildlife and fish- 
eries management is still heavily dependent on ex- 
cise taxes and license revenues in the South. Non- 
consumptive — wildlife-oriented activities are 
demanding new and additional funding sources. 
During 1980 in South Carolina, 1.1 million people 
(over one-third of the State's population) participat- 
ed in nonconsumptive wildlife-oriented activities. In 
1980, hunting and fishing contributed a total of $702 
million to the State's economy (a total greater than 
the combined value of soybean, corn, tobacco, and 
other crop production). Today, with lease prices as 
high as $12 to $15 per acre, hunting leases gener- 
ate significant revenue for many private and indus- 
trial landowners in South Carolina. Unfortunately, 
many landowners have not yet capitalized on lease 
opportunities for wildlife and fish. 
By the year 2030, the population of America will 
have increased to 300 million, with concomitant de- 
crease in our forest land base. Future forest diver- 
sions and withdrawals will translate into net losses 
of forest land and a decrease in the quality and 
amount of wildlife habitat. Increased industrial and 
urban encroachment on forest lands--coupled with 
the proposed replacement of natural stands with 
intensive, even-aged pine monoculture--will exert 
additional long-term pressures on wildlife resources 
and may significantly reduce habitat quality for 
many wildlife species. 
Ownership of forest land takes on special signif- 
icance in the assessment and planning of forest and 
wildlife programs. For example, private landowners 
(including farmers, corporations, and nonfarming 
individuals) collectively own almost 84 percent of 
the commercial forest land in the Piedmont region of 
the South. Forest industries account for 11 percent 
of this total; national forests and other public lands 
comprise less than 6 percent. Because so much of 
the South's timberland is privately owned, plans to 
maximize timber production on it may have a sub- 
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