The forest industry continues an all-out push to salvage some commercial value from what may realistically be only 25 percent of the billions of board feet of timber downed along the costs of Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas.

The combined destruction from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita are estimated at as much as 20-plus billion board feet, representing as much as 18 times the normal annual harvest in the worse hit areas, according to State Forester Paul Frey.

Addressing a group of about 50 forest industry people in DeRidder in mid-October, Frey said a goal of 40 percent recovery of down timber is probably not realistic. "If we can reclaim as much as 25 percent, consider it lucky."

The recovery task force for Rita, convened by the State Office of Forestry and Louisiana Forestry Association, reviewed an inventory of available storage area for recovered logs, and of extra mill capacity to accept and manufacture product from the storm salvage timber over and above their normal inventory.

The States of Texas and Louisiana have relaxed regulations on truck weights, on use of fuel, and other rules, to expedite delivery of salvaged timber, according to Frey and Buck Vandersteen, Louisiana Forestry Association executive director.

Financial assistance for landowners with timber damage is available under certain conditions according to spokesmen for NRCS and USDA.

For detailed information on rules and assistance with recovery of damaged timber, contact LFA at 318-443-2558, or visit the website at www.laforestry.com

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