[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 228 (Friday, November 27, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 65573]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-31609]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 228 / Friday, November 27, 1998 / 
Notices  

[[Page 65573]]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Tongass National Forest Timber Demand Considerations; Alaska

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Tongass Timber Reform Act of 1990 requires the Secretary 
to seek to provide a supply of timber that meets the annual market 
demand for timber from the Tongass as well as the market demand for 
timber from the Tongass for each planning cycle. The draft procedures 
for considering market demand in planning annual timber sale offerings 
are now available for public review and comment.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before January 11, 
1999.

ADDRESSES: Single copies of the draft procedures may be obtained by 
writing the Regional Forester, Alaska Region, Forest Service, USDA, PO 
Box 21628, Juneau, Alaska 99802-1628. Send written comments on the 
draft procedures to the same address. The document is also posted on 
the internet at ww.fs.fed.us/r10/issues.htm.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Frederick L. Norbury or Kathleen S. Morse, Ecosystem Planning and 
Budgeting Staff, Alaska Region, Forest Service, USDA, PO Box 21628, 
Juneau, Alaska 99802-1728, (907) 586-8886/8809.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The draft procedures estimate the volume of 
timber likely to be purchased from the Tongass National Forest in the 
coming year based on observations of industry behavior in prior years. 
The industry draws its annual raw material supply from an accumulated 
inventory of timber volume under contract, sometimes called the 
``buffer stock''. This inventory must be large enough to keep mills 
operating at a steady rate while new sales are prepared for offer and 
harvest. Historically, the Forest Service has attempted to allow the 
industry to hold the equivalent of two to three years worth of raw 
material as volume under contract. The draft procedures essentially 
suggest a similar approach but defined this inventory requirement in 
more analytical terms.
    The draft procedures assume that, at a minimum, the industry will 
want to maintain its existing timber inventory and will purchase timber 
to replace that harvested in a given year. If the existing timber 
inventory is lower than the desired, the industry may want to purchase 
more timber than is processed in order to build up inventory. By 
comparing the current inventory with an estimate of the desired 
inventory and factoring in projected annual harvest, the Forest Service 
can develop a range of expected timber purchases for any given year. 
The volume offered will be adjusted to fall within the most current 
estimate.

    Dated: November 20, 1998.
James A. Caplan,
Acting Regional Forester, Alaska Region.
[FR Doc. 98-31609 Filed 11-25-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-M