While American forests lose revenue and are often poorly managed, such is not the case in Canada where clearly defined property rights coupled with market economics are making a difference.  Comments Alison Berry of PERC, who authored a report examining the two systems: “The major difference between U.S. and Canadian public forest management is that in the United States, federal agencies bear full responsibility for most land management.  In Canada, private companies are often responsible for many aspects of forest management on public lands.  This is possible through long-term agreements between the government and the private sector, which can last for 25 years or more.  Such long term agreements provide the incentives for responsible stewardship, which are generally lacking in U.S. public forest management.”