Logging in California has dropped more than 60% since 1988, while the level of imported timber from other states and overseas has risen sharply, according to state records.
Environmental concerns and protection of endangered species are the main reasons for the Californian harvest’s fall to 1.6 billion board feet in 2003 from 4.6 billion board feet in 1988. The California Forest Products Commission said 70-80% of wood now comes from outside the state.
