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Much of the forest in the Rocky Mountains is still undeveloped. 



and cost levels because of lack of roads, rough 

 topography, and low volumes of timber per acre. 

 Much of the land classed as commercial is of 

 relatively low timber growing capacity. The 

 feasibility of logging in this section will certainly 

 improve as the road system in the national forests 

 is extended. But a major expansion of road con- 

 struction will be required to make the entire 

 forest area accessible. With present levels of 

 appropriations, no more than 70 percent of the 

 planned national forest road system would be 

 completed by the year 2000. 



The current allowable cut on national forests 

 in this section is also limited by the need to pro- 

 tect recreation and watershed values. Outstand- 

 ing scenery, wildlife, and other outdoor attractions 

 require modification of timber growing plans in 

 many localities. In addition, many steep, un- 

 stable slopes that would "unravel" if logged, or 

 are difficult to regenerate after logging, cannot be 

 considered operable under present technology. 



There are, on the other hand, a number of 

 factors favoring an expansion of cutting in the 

 Rockies. Population growth in the West is im- 

 proving markets for Rocky Mountain timber. 

 Installation of more efficient sawmills in some 

 cases could improve the competitive strength of 

 the lumber industry. And trends in manufac- 

 turing technology and marketing favor establish- 



ment of more closely integrated industries producing 

 plywood and woodpulp as well as lumber. 



Projected Cut Exceeds 

 Growth Through 2000 



Growth of sawtimber in the Rocky Mountain 

 section was only slightly less than the cut in 1962. 

 If the cut rises as projected, however, by the year 

 2000 the timber harvest would be about VA billion 

 board feet higher than the growth. This would 

 be an acceptable situation until such time as the 

 sawtimber inventory is reduced to levels required 

 for sustained yield. Between 1962 and 2000 the 

 sawtimber inventory would drop about 10 

 percent under the conditions projected. 



The cut allocated to the Rocky Mountains 

 during the remainder of this century is predicated 

 on the large reserve of merchantable timber in 

 this section, much of which is overmature and 

 subject to heavy mortality losses. Except for 

 protection, current management efforts will not 

 significantly increase the amount of timber that 

 could be made available for cutting during the 

 rest of this century. 



744-3i50 O — 65- 



