Georgia lags other states in its ability to track and investigate timber thefts, according to the Georgia Forestry Association, which has created a task force to explore the problem.
“Most people probably don’t even report timber theft, especially if a long period of time has gone by,” said Steve McWilliams, the nonprofit trade group’s president. “It is also very difficult to prosecute.”
With 22 million forested acres, Georgia is a leading timber producer, he said, but options are sparse for victims of theft or fraud.
“Unlike other forms of stolen items, forest products disappear,” he said. “Hours after timber is removed, it’s turned into two-by-fours or chips.”
It is difficult to determine how many cases are reported in the state each year, he said.
From The Augusta Chronicle: https://chronicle.augusta.com/news/metro/2012-06-22/georgia-task-force-combats-timber-thefts?v=1340585021