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JOE MAYFIELD presidenl of lhe Lumber Merchonis Associotion of Northern Colifornio .15,16 El Comino lrl, Suilo 0 to: Affor, Co. 91022 (ar5l 94r-t6t7

T HE 1968 National Housing StuI dy reported that the nation would need to construct 26 inillion new units between 1970-1980.

This requires annual housing starts of 2.6 nrillion per year. A more recent study establishes the needs at 28 million for the sanre oeriod and indicates this fisure nray be conservative. These new Jnits are nceded to bring sufficient housing to those currently requiring housing and does not include replacement.

The period 1972-73 was the biggest housing boom in our nation's history but we only managed to produce 2.4 million new units, falling short of our goal. During this housing boom we found lurnber and construction materials in critical shorta-qe. Since that time the environmental groups have succeeded in reducing the annual allowable cut through their suits against the Forest Service.

Should the federal government provide sulficient I'unding to once asain construct the number of new units needed to provide-basic shelter to the segment of the population in gravc need, will we have the timber to meet the requirement'l At the present the answer is nol We will not be capable of providing the required housing until the mature trees in the national lorests are nrade available for use rather than tinder, and the Forest Service is orovided sufficient funds to undertake an aggressive program of forest management in all ol the federal lbrests capable of profitably growing timber for the nation's needs.

lf the first tree under a federal forest program is planted today it will be approximately 80 years before dividends are returned, and yet it seems virtually impossible to move Congress with any speed to meet the urgent need to adequately manage the federal forests.

Senator Humphrey's bill has passed the Senate and Representative Rarick has prepared a companion bill in the house but we are still awaiting action.

These bills include adequate funding for the forest service to begin a sustained annual yield program to meet the nation's needs. A bill must be passed soon. Each day of delay extends the tinre belore the nation can have an adequate supply of lurrber.