Draft summaries of the findings from the forestry focus group held in Fall 2008.

Mason County’s economy is dependent on its forest land, and has been since the late 1800’s.  The heavy rainfall and mild climate of the Olympic Peninsula encourage lumber species such as Douglas fir to grow tall, straight and quickly.  When early settlers discovered the peninsula it was covered with trees so large a single log would fill a rail car.  Today, much of the county is second and third cut forest land being managed sustainably by responsible forest land owners large and small.  

In 100 years, what is our vision for forestry in Mason County?

• Mason County will continue to maintain its natural resource based economy, with forestry acting as a significant economic driver. 

• Mason County will actively encourage market viability, including a diversity of markets.

• Mason County will have regulatory stability that promotes pro-active, long term management. 

• Additional revenue streams for forest landowners will be available in order to reduce the gap between real estate value and timber value of the land, and provide more annual income. 

• Mason County will have development patterns that will encourage the continuation of forestry as a valuable land use. 

• Mason County will protect environmentally sensitive areas from development.

• Mason County will value the cultural heritage of tree farming, and forest land will be passed from generation to generation in order to maintain that heritage.

Why can’t we get there?

• The real estate value of timber land encourages landowners to sell and makes it difficult for future generations to enter the industry.

• The next generation of tree farmers and landowners are not embracing their heritage and are moving on to other careers.  Inherited lands are being split up and sold off.

• Land use patterns and fragmentation increase the urban / resource land interface, causing increased liability and a threatening of the social acceptability of the practice of forestry.

• Unforeseen environmental or regulatory issues from all levels of government prevent long term, pro-active management of forest lands and long term market viability.

• There is a lack of educational emphasis on technical forestry. 

What can we do about it?

• Maintain widespread diversity of land owner types, including small and large land owners.  Encourage the contiguity of forest lands with each other.  Provide financial incentives for forest lands to pass through generations, including assistance with estate planning. 

• Narrow the real estate value / timberland value gap in order to encourage forest lands to pass through generations, and encourage new generations to invest in the business of tree farming.  Create new revenue streams that provide an annual payment to family forest landowners.

• Create and manage an education program emphasizing the benefits of tree farming, including tree farming as a secondary income for small landowners.