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This paper presents the first nationwide analysis detailing the scope and
scale of labor-intensive forestry contracts performed on National Forest
System lands and examines the businesses contracted, location and types of
work performed, and distance traveled by businesses between 2001 and 2020.
During the study period, 61,698 contracts were awarded to 7,896
businesses, totaling $12,917,907,763, to perform labor-intensive forestry
work, with most work being contracted for wildfire-related activities.
Businesses were typically located in western states and nonminority owned
businesses received the majority of contracts. Of minority-owned
businesses, Hispanic American–owned businesses received the most
contracts. The median distance that businesses traveled to accomplish work
increased significantly through time but differed by business type.
Understanding the scope and work of businesses awarded contracts provides
insight into the workforce and its relationship to marginalized
populations. Strategic investment in this workforce may have widespread
impacts on federal, state, and local economies and the livelihoods of
forest workers.
133 views reported since publication in 2023.