Clearcutting and Forest Regulation in the "New" Forestry: Views from Professional Foresters in the Northeast US

In the past ten years in North America there has been much attention focussed on a so-called "new" forestry paradigm, placing emphasis on what some have described as a more holistic approach to forest management. Will the debate contribute to changes in the conduct of forest operations, particularly clearcutting? How will forest policies that will define the role of forest operations in the region be formulated? A survey of both public and private sector foresters in the northeastern US was conducted that was designed to solicit their opinions on the future of forest practices in the region. Multiple survey mailings revealed that forestry in the region is entering a period of increasing regulation and that environmental groups will play a more important role in defining these regulations. Although most respondents did not favor banning the practice of clearcutting, there were significant differences in responses from USFS foresters and private sector foresters on issues related to whether fewer foresters will be involved in the management of forests and whether the size of clearcuts should be limited. Implications of these results for the forest engineering/operations community are explored