Around 1.6 billion board ft of lumber was produced in California during 2006, down from 1.7 billion board ft in 2005, according to figures from the California Board of Equalization.
In addition, CFPC said that the state has enough woodland to meet the demand of its inhabitants, 40 million acres compared with 23 million acres in Washington, but that it produced only 20% of the total in 2006 with Washington producing six times more lumber.
“We in California have a unique capability to meet our wood product needs and lessen our reliance on wood from other areas,” said CFPC president Donn Zea.
“At the same time, we have forests on public lands that are in dire need of thinning to help prevent catastrophic wildfires and beetle infestation.”