Fair Value Measurements

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block]

8. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The following table presents the carrying amount and estimated fair values of financial instruments held by the Company at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, using market information and what the Company believes to be appropriate valuation methodologies under generally accepted accounting principles:

	September 30, 2011						December 31, 2010
Asset (liability)	Carrying Amount			Fair Value			Carrying Amount			Fair Value
Cash and cash equivalents	$	362,285		$	362,285		$	349,463		$	349,463
Short-term debt	(116,167		)	(117,074		)	(93,057		)	(98,042		)
Long-term debt	(658,464		)	(692,754		)	(675,103		)	(783,080		)

Rayonier uses the following methods and assumptions in estimating the fair value of its financial instruments:

Cash and cash equivalents — The carrying amount is equal to fair market value.

Debt — The fair value of fixed rate debt is based upon quoted market prices for debt with similar terms and maturities.

Variable Interest Entity

Rayonier holds a variable interest in a bankruptcy-remote, limited liability subsidiary ("special-purpose entity") which was created in 2004 when Rayonier monetized a $25.0 million installment note and letter of credit received in connection with a timberland sale. The Company contributed the note and a letter of credit to the special-purpose entity and using the installment note and letter of credit as collateral, the special-purpose entity issued $22.6 million of 15-year Senior Secured Notes and remitted cash of $22.6 million to the Company. There are no restrictions that relate to the transferred financial assets. Rayonier maintains a $2.6 million interest in the entity and receives immaterial cash payments equal to the excess of interest received on the installment note over the interest paid on the Senior Secured Notes. The Company's interest is recorded at fair value and is included in "Other Assets" in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. In addition, the Company calculated and recorded a de minimus guarantee liability to reflect its obligation of up to $2.6 million under a make-whole agreement pursuant to which it guaranteed certain obligations of the entity. This guarantee obligation is also collateralized by the letter of credit. The Company's interest in the entity, together with the make-whole agreement, represents the maximum exposure to loss as a result of the Company's involvement with the special-purpose entity. Upon maturity of the Senior Secured Notes in 2019 and termination of the special-purpose entity, Rayonier will receive the remaining $2.6 million of cash. The Company determined, based upon an analysis under the variable interest entity guidance, that it does not have the power to direct activities that most significantly impact the entity's economic success. Therefore, Rayonier is not the primary beneficiary and is not required to consolidate the entity.

Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below:

Asset	Carrying Value at September 30, 2011		Level 2		Carrying Value at December 31, 2010		Level 2
Investment in special-purpose entity	$	2,879	$	2,879	$	2,879	$	2,879

The fair value of the investment in the special-purpose entity is determined by summing the discounted value of future principal and interest payments that Rayonier will receive from the special-purpose entity. The interest rate of a similar instrument is used to determine the discounted value of the payments.