CONSERVING OLD GROWTH FORESTS

I. A scientific committee has concluded that logging should be banned on some forest lands to prevent the extinction of the northern spotted owl.
II. An independent group of scientists agreed with these conclusions.
III. The well-being of the spotted owl reflects the well-being of the entire old-growth forest ecosystem.
IV. Old growth forests include trees which are 200 to more than 1,000 years old
V. The policy would create Habitat Conservation Areas not contained in national parks or wilderness areas.

The costs of the policy include

I. Higher prices for wood products due to a reduction in timber supply
ii. Government revenue losses due to reduced timber sales from publicly-owned lands, and
iii. The possibility of increased government costs for unemployment and other compensation for timber-dependent regions.

 

The costs to government would require spending cuts or higher taxes from households like yours.

If adopting the conservation policy would cost your household per year (for the foreseeable future) in higher taxes and higher wood-product prices, would you vote YES or NO?

Yes No

2. Why?

3. How much would you be willing to pay? $

Daniel A. Hagen, James W. Vincent, and Patrick G. Welle "Benefits of Preserving Old-Growth Forests and the Spotted Owl" Contemporary Policy Issues Volume X April, 1992

Payment vehicle higher taxes and higher wood product prices 80% of values < $100, 4% > $200.


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