Two Forests Under The Big Sky Tribal v. Federal Management

In this policy series, Alison Berry continues her work on the quality of forests that result under different management schemes

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Two Forests Under The Big Sky Tribal v. Federal Management
(No. 45)

By Alison Berry

In this policy series, Alison Berry continues her work on the quality of forests that result under different management schemes. She contrasts side-by-side forests in Montana. One is operated by the United States Forest Service under the watchful eye of Congress. The other is run by Indian tribes on reservation lands. The Indians win this battle.

Berry shows that the tribes manage their land more efficiently for timber production and for ecological value. On both the cost and output side of the equation, the tribes do a better job. This is not because Indians are born to appreciate the environment more than people who work for the Forest Service. As Berry explains, the tribes need forest productivity to support their livelihood. The Forest Service is a federal bureaucracy.

There is a lesson to be learned here. Congressional policies controlling the massive areas of timber land are not producing good results no matter how they are measured. A for-profit lesson from the Native Americans is in order.

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Additional Information

Web Site: http://www.perc.org/articles/article1174.php

Category: Forestry>Forest Stewardship

Region: Montana

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