§633.6.  Calculation of market value for trees and timber

A.  To determine "market value" of trees, timber, and pulpwood as provided for in R.S. 47:633(1), (2), and (3) and 633.3 the Department of Revenue shall provide monthly to the Department of Agriculture and Forestry all information reported relative to sales of timber as set forth in R.S. 47:635 and R.S. 47:640, including:

(1)  Total quantity of and stumpage prices paid for all classifications of timber compiled on all open market transactions.

(a)  Those contracts which are three years or longer in length, or which are classified as intracompany sales shall be identified, as such, and shall be excluded for purposes of determining market value.

(2)  In those instances where the "stumpage price" cannot be ascertained, the severer or purchaser shall list the name and address of the person from whom the timber was purchased.

(a)  The Department of Agriculture and Forestry shall then survey those persons listed, pursuant to Subsection D of this Section, to ascertain:

(i)  The quantity and "stumpage price" paid for all classifications of timber; and

(ii)  The place or places where purchased or severed.

(3)  Place or places where produced or severed.

B.  The Department of Agriculture and Forestry shall, applying generally accepted statistical methods, calculate the average prices paid for the various categories of timber in the timber industry for each of the five geographical areas as hereinafter designated and shall publish the same each quarter in its "Quarterly Report of Forest Products".  In calculating and reporting such data, the state shall be divided into five geographical areas to be designated by parish as follows:

(1)

Area 1:

Caddo

Union

Lincoln

Bossier

Desoto

Jackson

Webster

Red River

Winn

Claiborne

Caldwell

Bienville

Ouachita

Morehouse

(2)

Area 2:

Richland

Tensas

West Carroll

Madison

Catahoula

East Carroll

Franklin

Concordia

(3)

Area 3:

Sabine

Vernon

Evangeline

Natchitoches

Rapides

Calcasieu

Grant

Jefferson Davis

LaSalle

Allen

Acadia

Beauregard

(4)

Area 4:

St. Tammany

Washington

St. Helena

Livingston

Tangipahoa

East Baton Rouge

West Feliciana

East Feliciana

(5)

 Area 5:

Avoyelles

Iberville

St. James

St. Landry

Ascension

St. John the Baptist

Pointe Coupee

Cameron

Lafayette

Vermilion

St. Charles

Plaquemines

Iberia

Terrebonne

West Baton Rouge

St. Mary

Lafourche

Orleans

Jefferson

(Part of) Assumption

St.Bernard

St. Martin

C.  If the information received by the Department of Agriculture and Forestry is not sufficient to reflect market value pursuant to generally accepted statistical methods and appraisal standards, then this shall be so noted in each report.

D.  The surveys conducted by the Department of Agriculture and Forestry in developing quarterly market summaries and reports of severed forest products and timber shall be compulsory, for all persons or entities surveyed, and shall declare that it is made under the penalties imposed for perjury.  Information furnished pursuant to this Subsection, to the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, shall be confidential, and used solely for the coordination and verification of revenue and production data relative to timber resources produced within the state.

E.  The Department of Revenue shall, through its rulemaking and regulatory powers, develop any additional forms necessary to comply with this Section, R.S. 47:633, and R.S. 47:633.3.

Acts 1991, No. 629, §1; Acts 1997, No. 658, §2.