In 1982, 175 softwood plywood plants operated in the United States with a combined production capacity of nearly 23.1 billion square feet (ft2 ) (3/8-in. basis) per year, 60 percent greater than in 1965. The West was the region with largest capacity in 1982--12.5 billion ft2. The South had 10.5 billion ft2 and the North less than half a billion ft2 . Approximately 1.1 billion cubic feet (roundwood equivalent) of peeler logs were consumed in 1982 to produce 15.1 billion ft2 of softwood plywood. Domestic softwood plywood consumption in 1982 was 14.6 billion ft2, with residential construction accounting for half.