Over the past decade, forestland held by nonindustrial private owners has become increasingly important to the U. S. timber industry, as timber production from other traditional suppliers has declined significantly. In response to a legislative request, PEER conducted this review of options for further encouraging nonindustrial private owners of forestland in Mississippi to reforest. Current research, based on the best data available, shows that current reforestation incentive programs are sufficient to generate a slight increase in Mississippi's pine and hardwood timber inventories by the year 2009. If the general objective of new reforestation incentive programs is to increase significantly the state's timber inventory, it is possible that this objective could be accomplished by allowing free market pressures to drive reforestation efforts. Although current information available to PEER does not provide strong support for the existence of a broad public need for immediate action to increase current reforestation rates, some forestry stakeholders perceive an economic development opportunity associated with significantly increasing the supply of timber available for commercial use.
PEER considers the following options to have potential for increasing reforestation rates.
Enforce provisions of the state's Forest Harvesting Law requiring reforesting following harvesting, but amend the law to ensure effective reforestation after pine, hardwood, and mixed timber harvests. Expand the state's cost-share program by increasing program funding. Attach pre-conditions to eligibility for reduced assessed land values on forestland property. PEER also recommends that the Forestry Commission consider the viability of options used by other states to enhance cooperation among individuals and entities involved in forestry issues. PEER further recommends that before the state adopts any potentially costly options for encouraging nonindustrial private forestland owners to reforest, that the Forestry Commission provide adequate documentation of the objectives of and need for any new public program the commission proposes or supports.