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<p class=MsoNormal>UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>News Release<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Contact: USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-4623<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Vilsack Highlights Report Showing Threats to Private
Forested Lands<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Forest Service study supports "All Lands" approach
outlined by Vilsack last year <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>WASHINGTON, August 11, 2010 – Agriculture Secretary
Tom Vilsack today held a national conference call to highlight a USDA Forest
Service report entitled “Private Forests, Public Benefits”, showing
that privately held forests in the U.S. are under substantial stress from
development and fragmentation and that increased housing density in forests
will exacerbate other threats to forests from wildfire, insects, pathogens and
pollution. These threats to the important goods and services provided by privately
owned forests, which make up 56 percent of all forested lands, emphasize the
importance of the collaborative, cross-boundary approach to conserving and
restoring our forests as laid out by Secretary Vilsack in a major address last
year. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>"Americans rely on their forests for a wide range of
social, environmental and economic benefits, including clean water, wood
products, habitat for wildlife, and outdoor recreation," said Vilsack.
"The Private Forests, Public Benefits report shows that now, more than ever,
we need to take an 'all lands' approach to managing our nation's forests,
whether they are national forests or under the stewardship of state or private
entities." <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>“Private Forests, Public Benefits” is one of a
series of reports prepared by the "Forests on the Edge" project. This
report uses geographic information systems to identify watersheds where private
forests contribute the greatest amount of goods and services in terms of clean
water, timber, and wildlife habitat; and where these goods and services are
most at risk from increased housing density as well as insect pests and
disease, wildfire, and air pollution. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Some of the report's key findings include: <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>• Housing
density will increase on more than 57 million acres of America's private
forests between 2000 and 2030. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>• Up
to 75 percent of the private forests in many regions are predicted to
experience a substantial increase in housing density. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>• Private
forests that play a critical role in supplying our nation with clean water
resources, and the timber we need to build homes and communities across the
country will be threatened. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>• A
number of species including the already-endangered Florida panther and the
grizzly bear are also expected to be put at risk because of loss of forested
land. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>The study also identifies areas where other threats to
forests – like fire, pollution and disease – will be made much
worse as a result of forest loss. For instance, as houses encroach on forests,
the risks to human life and property from fire increase as do the costs of fire
management and suppression. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>The Forests on the Edge project seeks to increase public
awareness of the importance of conserving America's private forests; create
tools for strategic planning; and provide Congress and Forest Service partners
with better information on the values of and challenges facing our nation's
open space. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>To obtain maps or a copy of Private Forests, Public Benefits
go to: http://www.fs.fed.us/openspace/fote/index.html. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>The mission of the USDA Forest Service is to sustain the
health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation's forests and grasslands to
meet the needs of present and future generations. The Agency manages 193
million acres of public land, provides assistance to State and private
landowners, and maintains the largest forestry research organization in the
world. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.
To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil
Rights, 1400 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800)
795-3272 (voice) or (202-720-6382 (TDD).<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>###<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>For the Private Forests News service:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNoSpacing>Kevin Weeks<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNoSpacing>Oregon Department of Forestry<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNoSpacing>(503) 945-7427<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
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