Greed makes cents

by Staff

GREED MAKES CENTS


The Forest Service would do well to emulate state and county timber-sales practices, according to a report released by the Political Economy Research Center, a think tank advocating free-market responses to environmental problems. Turning a Profit on Public Forests compares the economic and environmental performance of national forests and state and county forests in Montana and Minnesota. In Montana, the Forest Service lost $42 million on timber sales between 1988 and 1992, while sales on state lands made $13.3 million. Author Donald Leal cites watershed studies as evidence that the state took better care of the land, too. The 26-page study concludes that state and county timber operations are more efficient than their federal counterparts because they are required to maximize profits. For a copy of the report, contact PERC, 502 South 19th Ave., Suite 211, Bozeman MT 59715 (406/587-9591).


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