Social implications of alternatives to clearcutting on the Tongass National Forest: an exploratory study of residents' responses to alternative silvicultural treatments at Hanus Bay, Alaska.

Abstract

After a series of eight harvest treatments were completed at Hanus Bay, Alaska, on the Tongass National Forest in 1998, 27 respondents representing nine interest groups were interviewed to understand their reactions to the various harvest patterns in the eight treatment areas. Harvests patterns included three stands with 25 percent retention of basal area; three stands with 75 percent retention of basal area; a clearcut; and a full retention, or no-harvest, option. A special poster board that displayed estimates of consequences of the harvests in six areas (fish productivity, deer productivity, timber yield, appearance, biodiversity, and residual stand damage) was provided to assist respondents in articulating their evaluations. There were no significant differences in preferred treatments among the nine interest groups sampled, although responses identified specific preferences based on individual interests. Analysis of narrative responses identifies that the basis for acceptance follows three major elements of emerging social acceptability theory: (1) treatments achieve a balance of positive effects, (2) natural conditions are sustained, and (3) contextual attributes are thoroughly considered. Sustaining benefits to rural communities and subsistence lifestyles also emerge as important considerations in judging the acceptability of harvest treatments.

Citation

Burchfield, James A.; Miller, Jeffrey M.; Allen, Stewart; Schroeder, Robert F.; Miller, Theron. 2003. Social implications of alternatives to clearcutting on the Tongass National Forest: an exploratory study of residents'' responses to alternative silvicultural treatments at Hanus Bay, Alaska. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-575. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 28 p