A long-term, federal initiative aimed at more than doubling the size of longleaf pine forests in the Southeast could have an estimated $300 million economic impact in the Pine Belt.
In February, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that 20 restoration projects had been programmed for 2012, including a $2.7 million effort in the De Soto National Forest that will focus on rebuilding the longleaf pine ecosystems that Katrina disrupted.
It was the first commitment to a De Soto Ranger District project that would require a similar, annual USDA investment for the next 15 years.
But the restoration would result in an estimated economic impact of $319 million and 573 jobs created over that period.
“We’re hopeful that (the long-term commitment) is,” said Ronald Smith, district ranger for the De Soto Ranger District. “When you commit to accelerating and restoring, it doesn’t happen overnight. For us to restore these areas, it’s going to take time and it’s going to be an investment.”
From The Hattiesburg American: https://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/article/20120410/NEWS01/204100315/Longleaf-pines-project-300M-impact-area?utm_source=Week+in+Trees+April+13&utm_campaign=WIT&utm_medium=email