Contrary to agency statements at the time, ongoing investigations have been disrupted and are gathering dust, no new major fraud cases have been opened, and only small, firewood thefts are being investigated. There is no national timber theft organization or plan. Timber theft is not listed as a priority in the Forest Service Law Enforcement Manual. Regions have not assembled their own timber theft units, and do not have trained personnel committed to major timber theft investigation. In many regions, Forest Service law enforcement may not even initiate investigations without permission of Forest Service line managers or timber management staff.
Problems are ongoing.
Illegal export of unfinished Forest Service timber, costing American mill workers their jobs. The white paper recommends the establishment of a national program to prevent, detect and investigate commercial timber theft. The white paper also calls for an end to retaliation against the Forest Service special agents and investigators who brought these concerns to light.