Enforcement of laws related to forests

Kathleen McGinley; Frederick W. Cubbage

Treesearch

Enforcement of laws related to forests

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Kathleen McGinley, Frederick W. Cubbage

Year:

2018

Type:

Miscellaneous

Station:

International Institute of Tropical Forestry

Source:

U.S. Forest Sustainability Indicator 7.49.

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Download (PDF 227 KB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/58878.pdf

Abstract

Market forces allocate many forest resources and services, but promoting and protecting accepted standards of forest sustainability, such as environmental protection, tenure rights, and aesthetic values typically requires laws, regulations, and guidelines. Fiscal incentives, technical assistance, and similar persuasive means may promote compliance. Improper and inadequate levels of oversight and enforcement, however, may substantially diminish the effectiveness of some laws, regulations, and guidelines. When noncompliance is detected, it may be necessary to prosecute and penalize offenders to deter harmful activities that threaten forests and their sustainable management (e.g., illegal logging, endangered species damage or destruction).

Citation

McGinley, Kathleen A; Cubbage, Frederick W. 2018. U.S. Forest Sustainability Indicator 7.49. Enforcement of laws related to forests. 4 pp.