[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 152 (Wednesday, August 7, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51165-51167]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-19869]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Extension of Certain Alaska Timber Sale Contracts; Finding of 
Substantial Public Interest

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice

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SUMMARY: There is substantial overriding public interest in extending

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National Forest System timber sale contracts in Alaska for 3 years, 
subject to a maximum total contract length of 10 years. The extension 
applies to timber sale contracts awarded after January 1, 1997, which 
purchasers are diligently performing (not in default). To receive the 
extension, purchasers must request the extension in writing to the 
Contracting Officer and agree to release the Forest Service from 
damages for the replacement cost of timber if the contract is canceled 
in the future.
    Contract extensions in Southeast Alaska will serve the public 
interest by advancing the Department's goal of economic stability 
through employment in Southeast Alaska in the wake of the closing of 
the region's two pulp mills. The intended effect is to minimize 
contract defaults, mill closures, and company bankruptcies.

DATES: The determination was made on July 30, 2002.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rex Baumback, Forest and Rangelands 
Staff (202) 205-0855.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Forest Service sells timber from 
National Forest System lands to individuals or companies. Each sale is 
formalized by execution of a contract between the purchaser and the 
Forest Service. The contract sets forth the explicit terms and 
provisions of the sale, including such matters as the estimated volume 
of timber to be removed, the period for removal, price to be paid to 
the Government, road construction and logging requirements, and 
environmental protection measures to be taken. The average contract 
period is approximately 2 years, although a few contracts have terms of 
5 or more years.
    The National Forest Management Act of 1976 (16 U.S.C. 472a(c)) 
provides that the Secretary of Agriculture shall not extend any timber 
sale contract period with an original term of 2 years or more, unless 
the purchaser has diligently performed in accordance with an approved 
plan of operations or the ``substantial overriding public interest'' 
justifies the extension. The authority to make this determination has 
been delegated to the Chief at 7 CFR 2.60.
    The closure of the pulp mills operated by the Alaska Pulp 
Corporation (APC) and Ketchikan Pulp Company (KPC) in 1993 and 1997, 
respectively, has had a significant effect on the overall regional 
economy in Southeast Alaska. Wood consumption by these pulp mills and 
their associate sawmills accounted for about half of Alaska National 
Forest timber harvest since 1980. Employment in the wood products 
sector has declined significantly since the peak of 1990, decreasing by 
2,500 jobs, or 72 percent, between 1990 and 2000. While this total 
includes the entire pulp mill labor force, which accounted for nearly 
900 jobs in 1990, a larger absolute loss occurred in the logging sector 
with a loss of 1,433 jobs. A total of 993 people were employed in the 
wood products sector in 2000. Employment decreases tend to lag behind 
decreases in production. consequently, current wood products employment 
is projected to fall even lower since harvest has not rebounded. The 
unemployment rate in Alaska is 5 percent to 11 percent higher than the 
national average of 6 percent. Government indices indicate that the 
Western softwood lumber market has declined approximately 25 percent 
since mid-1999. Harvest from Tongass National Forest timber sales has 
steadily declined from 338 million board feet in 1990 to 147 million 
board feet in 2000. Although 2001 harvest level was only 48 million 
board feet, the lowest since industrial wood production started in the 
early 1950's this level was influenced not only by poor markets but 
also by court ordered injunctions that halted harvest for a portion of 
the year.
    Rules at 36 CFR 223.52 permit contract extensions when Forest 
Service officials determine that adverse wood product market conditions 
have resulted in a drastic decline in wood product prices. Under 
market-related contract addition procedures, the Forest Service refers 
to the Western softwood lumber price index (PCU2421#4) to measure 
severe market declines in Western softwoods. The index has reflected 
the market decrease. Timber sale purchasers in Alaska, who have so 
requested, have received up to the maximum of 3 years of additional 
contract time authorized by 36 CFR 223.52. However, the market has not 
recovered, and companies in Alaska are still facing contract default, 
mill closure, and bankruptcy.
    It has been determined that additional contract time will assist 
these purchasers by giving them more time in which the market may 
improve or in which they can mix their high-priced sales with lower 
priced sales. If bankruptcies, mill closures, and defaulted contracts 
are avoided, the United States and Southeast Alaska will benefit from 
more stable employment and market opportunities and increased 
competition for National Forest System timber sales. This action is 
consistent with Congress' direction to the Secretary in the Tongass 
Timber Reform Act of 1990 (16 U.S.C. 539d (note)) to provide for the 
multiple use and sustained yield of forest resources and to seek to 
provide a supply of timber from the Tongass National Forest which meets 
the annual market demand for timber from the Forest. This goal was also 
embodied in the February 21, 1997, settlement agreement reached between 
the Forest Service and the Ketchikan Pulp Company.
    Accordingly, based on a study of alternatives and current rules at 
36 CFR 223.115, it has been determined that there is substantial 
overriding public interest in extending sales in Alaska for up to 3 
years, but not to exceed a total contract length of 10 years. To 
receive the extension, purchasers must request the extension in writing 
to the Contracting Officer and agree to release the Forest Service from 
damages for the replacement cost of timber if the contract is canceled 
in the future. The text of the finding is set out at the end of this 
notice.

    Dated: July 30, 2002.
Sally D. Collins,
Associate Chief.

Determination of Substantial Overriding Public Interest for 
Extending Certain Timber Sale Contracts in Alaska

    The Tongass Timber Reform Act (16 U.S.C. 539d (note)) directs the 
Secretary to provide for the multiple use and sustained yield of forest 
resources and to seek to provide a supply of timber from the Tongass 
National Forest which meets the annual market demand for timber from 
the Forest. Consistent with this direction the Forest Service seeks to 
maintain an economically viable timber sale program, which includes 
keeping volume under contract for future harvesting.
    Periodically, lumber markets may experience severe declines in 
prices. Based on Bureau of Labor Statistics producer price indices, the 
lumber market for Western softwoods peaked in July 1999. Since then, 
price indices have declined approximately 25 to 30 percent. With the 
closings in 1993 and 1997 of the pulp mills operated by the Alaska Pulp 
Corporation and the Ketchikan Pulp Company, the economy of Southeast 
Alaska changed significantly. At the time of the mill closures, the 
Department committed itself to aiding the timber-dependent communities 
in Southeast Alaska by advancing the goal of economic stability through 
employment in the region. Currently, the unemployment rate in Alaska is 
5 percent to 11 percent higher than the national average of 6 percent.
    While most Forest Service timber sale contracts in Alaska contain 
provisions to extend termination dates during severely declining 
markets, many contracts have been extended for the

[[Page 51167]]

maximum amount of time permissable under 36 CFR 223.52. Nevertheless, 
the market has not improved significantly, and many companies in Alaska 
are still facing contract default, mill closure, and bankruptcy. A 
contract extension would assist these purchases by giving additional 
time in which the market may improve or in which they could mix their 
high-priced sales with lower-priced sales.
    Having numerous, economically viable timber sale purchasers both 
maintains market opportunities and increases competition for National 
Forest System timber sales. These factors result in higher prices paid 
for such timber. Therefore, the Government benefits if defaulted timber 
sale contracts, mill closures, and bankruptcies can be avoided by 
granting contract extensions. In addition, the Government would avoid 
the difficult and expensive process of collecting default damages.
    Therefore, pursuant to 16 U.S.C. 472a, 36 CFR 223.115, and the 
authority delegated to the Chief at 7 CFR 2.60 and from the Chief to 
the Associate Chief in Forest Service Manual Chapter 1230, I have 
determined that there is substantial overriding public interest in 
extending for 3 years National Forest System timber sales contracts in 
Alaska, subject to a maximum total contract length of 10 years. To 
receive the extension purchasers must make written request to the 
Contracting Officer and agree to release the Forest Service from 
damages for the replacement cost of timber if the contract is canceled 
in the future.

    Dated: July 30, 2002.
Sally D. Collins,
Associate Chief.
[FR Doc. 02-19869 Filed 8-6-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-M