Implications of Working Forest Impacts on Jobs and Local Economies
Abstract
The sustainability of working forests and the infrastructure of mills and other forest uses
are to a substantial degree interconnected. The impact of working forests on rural jobs
has been of special interest given the dependence of timber dominant communities on
forest-related jobs. We summarize what is known about the number of jobs supported by
working forests in Washington, both direct and indirect, whether they are lost if a mill
closes, where these jobs are located, what impact closures have on mill infrastructure and
investments to remain competitive, and the probable impact of closures on timber harvest
and forest management. We note that the decline in log exports over the last decade has
more than offset the decline in Washington’s harvest, resulting in a stable to increasing
capacity for lumber production. We also characterize the impact of changes in forest
management on the infrastructure. We assume a general theme that ensuring viability of
working forests to provide integrated economic and ecological outputs is an important
public priority.