ABSTRACT
This chapter explores how much forest land ought to be used for timber growing and how much for other uses such as wilderness and intensive forest recreation. American forest policy had its historical roots in this issue, but the question seems to have been somewhat submerged in recent years by disputes over meeting current demands for forest products, for wilderness areas, or for other more immediate and politically attractive forest benefits. Much of the basic resource information needed to answer the question is provided by the US Forest Survey. In 1970, Oswald reported on future timber prospects in California. He concluded that "a further decline in log production, to 80 percent of current levels, is anticipated by 2000" and that "California's demand for domestic timber (under a 'stable price' assumption) should rise from a current level of about 1 billion cubic feet to 3.4 billion cubic feet in 2000".
