La. R.S. 47:633.6 — 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.