Current Research: Critical Mass Evaluation of Maryland's Forest Industry

This project will identify the "critical mass" of forest resourcesneeded to sustain Maryland's wood products employment base and willalso analyze and prepare policy option recommendations forforestland retention.

Progress to date includes:

Measuring the "woodflow balance" of Maryland, that is, theproduction, consumption, inflow, and outflow of wood for Maryland'sforests and forest industry. This is being measured at the primaryprocessing level, and also at the end consumer level.
Based on this woodflow analysis, a conclusion can be reached asto the amount of forestland that is needed to sustain the currentlevel of manufacturing activity and employment in the state's woodprocessing industry.
Conducting a general policy analysis examining existing forestretention and management policies from the perspective of retaininga working forest. This review and analysis will identify majorcost-effectiveness issues and suggest new policy options that maywarrant consideration.

For more information, contact Scott Angle

Last updated: 03/10/2009