Monongahela National Forest – Program Update

Timber sales are conducted on national forests to help meet the nation’s timber needs as well as protect and restore ecological systems through their strategic use. Balancing the ecological with the economical, timber sales are a part of the Forest Service’s multi-use forest management plan for providing the greatest good to local communities.

For fiscal year 2022, Monongahela National Forest plans to advertise 30 MMBF timber volume for bid. This is the Forest’s baseline outcome for the timber program for the foreseeable future. Most of the volume will be offered during the second half of the fiscal year. Sales in the first half of the fiscal year total 5.1 MMBF, with a sold value of $776,966.

The timber sale schedule for April through September includes a variety of sale types, all conventional, a total of more than 23 MMBF. The Forest expects to offer a number of timber sales in fiscal year 2023 using both conventional and helicopter logging options.

Retained receipts from timber sales are used to support essential reforestation, such as post-harvest site preparation for natural regeneration, seedling planting, tree release, and stocking surveys. Some funding goes to stewardship projects such as invasive species treatments, mineland restoration, and stream improvements, for example. Other potential improvements include wildlife openings and trail maintenance. Some of the funding is used to support future salvage operations from insects, disease, and storm events. A small portion of the receipts go to the National Forest Fund.

For more information about Monongahela National Forest’s timber program contact Kirk Piehler at kirk.piehler@usda.gov.

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