Recovery Plan for the Northern Spotted Owl - DRAFT

Consideration of Economic and Social EffectsConclusionThe draft recovery plan was designed to reduce economic and social costswithout undermining recovery of the spotted owl. For example, it allows forestmanagement within DCAs in areas that are unsuitable for owls if that managementis designed to promote the development of suitable owl habitat. Some ofthat management may provide commercial wood products. It also uses muchhabitat already set aside as not suitable for timber harvest. The plan alsoprovides programs and procedures to reduce the costs of its implementation.However, the cost of the plan still will be significant, and disruption will beexperienced by individuals and communities when restrictions on timberharvesting cause unemployment.Implementation of the draft recovery plan is estimated to reduce employmentin the Pacific Northwest timber industry by about 18,900 jobs, compared to theemployment that would have been expected in 1995 with no protection of thespotted owl. Jobs in related sectors also will be reduced by about 13,200. Lostor reduced wages are estimated to be about $1.4 billion during the coming 2decades. The value of the foregone timber harvest is estimated to be $470million per year. This will cause a net reduction of about $328 million per yearin U.S. Treasury funds and $100 million per year in county receipts. Privateassets, such as mills and homes, also will be reduced in value.The conservation of northern spotted owls is a difficult public policy issue. It isimportant to achieve recovery in a way that is appropriate under the EndangeredSpecies Act, yet also managerially and economically efficient. The draftrecovery plan provides a realistic basis for meeting this objective. Consequently,it should meet owl needs and provide greater stability in resourcemanagement than now exists. This will set a precedent for constructivelyresolving conflicts between conservation and development of natural resources.xiii