Mar 10, 2006. /Lesprom Network/. The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) released its 46th Annual Survey of Paper, Paperboard and Pulp Capacity today in New York, NY. The Survey indicates that U.S. paper and paperboard capacity continued to edge lower in 2005, declining 0.8% to 99.3 million short tons. U.S. paper and paperboard capacity contracted 4.4% between 2000 and 2005 or at an average annual rate of 0.9%. The Survey indicates that paper and paperboard capacity will decline another 2.0% in 2006 and then expand slightly during the subsequent two years – rising 0.2% in 2007 and 0.4% in 2008. The Survey covers U.S. industry capacity for the years 2005 through 2008 for all pulp, paper and paperboard grades. Industry total capacity by grade for all U.S. mills is included in the report.