URBAN FORESTRY PROGRAM

The Ohio Urban Forestry Program provides leadership and scientific-based information to local communities to build capacity to develop and enhance self-sustaining urban forestry and tree care programs that maximize the environmental, economic, and social benefits trees provide for all Ohio residents. ODNR Division of Forestry’s Urban Foresters directly assist Ohio communities with the:  Development of professionally-based resource assessments and management plans.  Establishment and training of professional municipal forestry staff.  Development and review of tree ordinances and policies.  Establishment of new or enhancement of existing advisory organizations.

2015 Ohio Urban Forestry Statistics

Total Urban Forestry Assists ...... 492 Total Community Assists ...... 421 Total Communities Assisted ...... 135 Tree City USA Communities ...... 241 Growth Awards ...... 36 Tree Campus USA ...... 13 Tree Line USA ...... 5

Volunteer Hours ...... 56,665 Trees Planted ...... 28,759 Trees Pruned ...... 87,153 Trees Removed ...... 33,360 Expenditures (Urban forestry-related, Tree City USA community expenditures) $44,898,234.10

In 2015, the Urban Forestry Program awarded over $132,000 in tree planting funds to nine communities through the Lake Erie Watershed Canopy Replacement grant program. The funding was passed through from US Forest Service Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funds for the Cuyahoga and Black River Areas of Concern.

The Urban Foresters continued to provide formal training for Ohio Tree Commissions and municipal staff through the national award-winning Tree Commission Academy (TCA). TCA is a unique educational platform designed to give tree commissioners the urban forestry knowledge and skills

2 Urban Forestry Program — continued necessary to be effective commission members. TCA embodies the “teach people to fish” philosophy by empowering communities to build sustainable urban forestry programs from within. Rather than funding a onetime tree planting project, TCA’s eight day course prepares communities to plan, prioritize, and execute the necessary steps to sustain annual plantings in addition to the many other tasks and responsibilities of a comprehensive tree care program. By covering classroom topics ranging from tree biology to budgeting as well as hands-on field experiences with Urban Site Index and Master Planting Designs, TCA ensures a solid foundational education while increasing the capacity of new and veteran tree commissioners to implement a successful program. In 2015, the Urban Foresters conducted 76 TCA classes for 290 students from 131 communities. In addition, two TCA Conclaves were held for 43 students from 14 communities. Since the inception of the academy in 2009, 911 citizens in 248 different communities have registered for the program, impacting over 4.6 million Ohioans.

The Urban Foresters also hosted four regional urban forestry conferences and presented at several arboriculture and urban forestry programs and events including the Ohio Chapter - International Society of Arboriculture’s Ohio Tree Care Conference and ISA Certification Preparation courses.

In March 2015, the Urban Forestry Program partnered with the US Forest Service and Massachusetts Tree Wardens and Foresters Association to conduct an Urban Forest Strike Team (UFST) Training in Columbus. The UFST provides assistance to communities on urban tree damage assessment following natural disasters. The initiative involves recruiting, training, and deploying professional urban foresters and arborists to assess tree damage using FEMA and International Society of Arboriculture Tree Risk Assessment standards. The assessments help communities plan needed recovery work and document the amount of damage and cost of clean-up. This efficient and nationally accepted process helps communities obtain financial assistance more quickly through FEMA and begin the recovery process following a significant storm event. Upon completion of the training, these “Task Specialists” are placed on a roster to be contacted if local, state, or regional assistance is needed. Task Specialists representing 17 Ohio communities as well as ODNR, university, and arboretum staff are now trained and prepared for deployment within the State or in response to an out-of-State request for assistance. The training was also attended by neighboring U&CF staff from West Virginia and Indiana.

In October, twenty-six City Foresters from across the state attended the 2015 City Foresters’ Symposium and shared information, expressed areas of mutual concern, and received statewide updates. The topic for this year’s symposium was storm preparedness and featured a speaker with national FEMA disaster experience.

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Northwest Ohio Field Windbreak Program — continued

Northwest Ohio Windbreak Program—Row Miles Per Year 1977-2015

Row Miles Row

Year (#WB’s)

Year Total Miles Year Total Miles Year Total Miles 1977 (101) 46.8 1990 (65) 32.2 2003 (53) 113.3 1978 (60) 27.5 1991 (78) 47.9 2004 (30) 35.4 1979 (38) 15.7 1992 (63) 39.0 2005 (26) 33.1 1980 (39) 13.4 1993 (68) 37.5 2006 (23) 29.1 1981 (38) 13.8 1994 (57) 37.2 2007 (33) 65.1 1982 (26) 9.3 1995 (54) 39.6 2008 (35) 65.9 1983 (22) 13.0 1996 (61) 37.8 2009 (21) 46.8 1984 (34) 15.8 1997 (39) 31.8 2010 (24) 38.7 1985 (46) 20.4 1998 (48) 35.7 2011 (7) 18.2 1986 (60) 23.2 1999 (36) 28.2 2012 (10) 18.4 1987 (32) 12.8 2000 (29) 21.5 2013 (9) 14.2 1988 (51) 31.1 2001 (62) 104.4 2014 (6) 3.6 1989 (42) 21.4 2002 (51) 76.2 2015 (10) 17.3 Total 1,332.2 5

FIRE PROGRAM

The Division of Forestry provides leadership in wildfire prevention, training, suppression, and prescribed fire management. The division participates in cooperative agreements with local fire departments, as well as in training, equipping, and coordinating the Ohio Interagency Fire Crew and specialized individual resource personnel for wildfires and disasters in and out of state. The division also administers federal grants and federal excess property to rural fire departments.

Wildfires and Acres Burned by Size Class Between 07/01/14 and 06/30/15

CLASS DESCRIPTION NUMBER NONFORESTED FORESTED TOTAL OF FIRES OF FIRES ACRES ACRES ACRES

Class A ...... 25 Acres or less ...... 91 ...... 7 ...... 7 ...... 14 Class B ...... 26 to 9.9 Acres ...... 262 ...... 215 ...... 288 ...... 503 Class C ...... 10 to 99.9 Acres ...... 40 ...... 178 ...... 567 ...... 744 Class D ...... 100 to 299.9 Acres ...... 2 ...... 81 ...... 221 ...... 302

Grand total 395 481 1,082 1,564

Wildfires and Acres Burned by Causes Between 07/01/14 and 06/30/15

CAUSE NUMBER OF FIRES FOREST ACRES BURNED TOTAL ACREAGE BURNED CAMPFIRE ...... 12 ...... 138 ...... 151 CHILDREN ...... 5 ...... 1 ...... 3 DEBRIS BURNING ...... 206 ...... 380 ...... 663 EQUIPMENT ...... 14 ...... 8 ...... 35 INCENDIARY ...... 18 ...... 40 ...... 82 LIGHTNING ...... 1 ...... 0.01 ...... 0.02 MISCELLANEOUS ...... 94 ...... 445 ...... 550 POWERLINE ...... 26 ...... 59 ...... 64 RAILROAD ...... 1 ...... 0 ...... 1 SMOKING ...... 16 ...... 10 ...... 14 STRUCTURE ...... 2 ...... 2 ...... 2

Grand Totals: ...... 395 ...... 1,082 ...... 1,564

7 COOPERATIVE FOREST HEALTH PROGRAM

2015 Ohio Forest Health Report

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Asian Longhorned Beetle—In June of 2011, an Asian Division of Forestry’s Forest Health Program is a longhorned beetle (ALB) infestation was identified in cooperative initiative among Ohio and its surrounding Tate Township in Clermont County (southwest Ohio). states. Since insects and pathogens do not recognize The USDA Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service state boundaries, it is important for these states to work (APHIS) and Ohio Department of Agriculture have together to mitigate potential threats to each other’s enacted a quarantine area of 61 square miles, centered forest resources. This is achieved through rigorous field over Tate Township, including East Fork State Park and work and several investigative techniques. Additional Wildlife Area to prevent the movement of regulated professional foresters are periodically asked for items, including wood from any hardwood tree species, assistance and provide input related to forest health out of the quarantine area. Surveys as of November 7 issues they find throughout the year. have located 17,502 infested trees, out of over 1.6 million trees surveyed. As of November 7, 16,309 Landowners and the general public are encouraged infested trees have been removed. A replanting project to call the Ohio Division of Forestry, toll free at was initiated by the Division of Forestry in the fall of 1-877-247-8733, and report any strange or unusual 2012, with non-host tree species available to forest health patterns or occurrences they feel are landowners who were impacted by landscape tree abnormal and potentially threatening. removals by the Ohio ALB program. Since the start of this program, over 1,200 trees have been distributed. In Pests and Surveys 2014, a special Environmental Quality Incentives Aerial Detection Survey—Each year, the Ohio Program (EQIP) was offered by the USDA Natural Division of Forestry and the Ohio Department of Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The ALB Agriculture cooperatively conduct an aerial survey over EQIP is a cost-share program just for affected the majority of the state to survey Ohio’s forest health. landowners within the quarantine area to assist them This year’s survey began on June 15 and concluded on with tree planting and invasive plant removal. July 10. Rain and thunderstorms this spring resulted in many delayed and canceled flights. Flight lines were Emerald Ash Borer—Emerald ash borer (EAB) has flown in an east to west direction with spacing of about been the most devastating forest pest in Ohio in recent 4 miles. Each flight day, two observers were equipped years, and quite possibly in history. Today, 85 of 88 with digital aerial sketchmap (DASM) computers counties have confirmed infestations, but EAB is containing a GIS/GPS mapping system. The observers suspected to occur throughout the state. In northwest identified 337 different sites from the air with Ohio, where EAB was discovered in 2002, the vast discoloration, defoliation or mortality. One-hundred majority of native ash species have been killed. three of these sites were inspected on the ground by Significant mortality of ash is now occurring in central, Ohio Division of Forestry staff. The top five damage- southwest, and northeast Ohio. New county EAB causing agents and associated acreage are below: confirmations in 2015 were Carroll, Gallia, Morgan, and Ross. In late 2014, a researcher at Wright State University discovered EAB infesting white fringetree. Damage causing agent Acres Subsequent experiments have confirmed the ability of EAB to complete its lifecycle within white fringetree. Yellow Poplar Weevil 6,790 The impact EAB will have on this southeastern U.S. native tree species needs further research. The Ohio Emerald Ash Borer 5,228 Division of Forestry is working with several partners to Dutch Elm Disease 3,253 monitor native populations of this tree in southern Ohio. General Decline 1,516 The Division of Forestry continues to help woodland owners manage their forests and utilize their ash Flooding/water 1,216 resources, assist communities that are dealing with current and future EAB issues, and work to increase public awareness about the insect.

8 Cooperative Forest Health Program — continued

Beech Decline—An as yet unidentified decline of Oak Pests—Several pests of oak species were widely American beech has been observed for the last several reported throughout the state in 2015. An unknown years in northeastern Ohio, centered on Lake County. “leaf curl syndrome” of oaks was widely reported on The decline is first expressed as banding of dark both red and white oaks across the state, but most came interveinal leaf tissue, and progresses to leaf curling, from the glaciated northern and western halves of the callousing, and disfigurement. Eventually branch state. This syndrome has been observed periodically in dieback and lack of bud production is noticed. Ohio for the last several years and there is no obvious Personnel from several groups and agencies including insect or disease responsible. Occurrence of the disease the USDA Forest Service State and Private Forestry, seems to sometimes be correlated with cold Ohio Division of Forestry, Ohio Department of temperatures during bud break and leaf expansion. Agriculture, Ohio State University, USDA APHIS PPQ, Indeed, some parts of the state did experience a late frost Lake County Metroparks, Cleveland Metroparks, and over one to two days in mid-May. The majority of these Holden Arboretum have been investigating this decline trees did not produce a new flush of leaves and did not and continue to monitor decline progression. experience significant dieback or decline. Damage by oak shothole leafminer was very common across Ohio this spring. While the effects of this fly species were obvious, they did little or no harm to their host oak species. Oak lace bug populations were high in late- summer, but, like the oak shothole leafminer, had little to no effect on tree health. Effects of other late-summer oak pests that were very apparent were the “flagging” caused by oak twig girdler and pruner beetles. The chewing by the adults and larvae of these insects resulted in the breakage of small terminal twigs of oaks that often hang on the tree and hold their dead leaves. Again, the effects of these insects had little impact on individual tree health.

Southern Pine Beetle—Southern pine beetle (SPB) trapping was completed over 4 weeks in the spring of Leaf discoloration associated with American beech decline. 2014 at 5 locations in southeast Ohio. Traps were located in stands of Virginia pine, red pine, and hybrid Gypsy Moth—The European gypsy moth saw an loblolly-pitch pine. An average total of 16 SPB were increase in abundance in 2015. In Ohio, gypsy moth caught in each trap. This is an increase over the last two occurs in the majority of the eastern half of the state, years, in which no SPB were detected, although a more with the edge of the infested area extending generally effective pheromone lure was employed in 2014. Clerid from northwest Ohio to southeast Ohio. Fifty-one of beetles, predator beetles that specialize in eating SPB, Ohio’s 88 counties are quarantined by the Ohio were also caught in all traps. SPB is not currently a Department of Agriculture to prevent the movement of major concern for forest health in Ohio, but the Ohio gypsy moth out of those counties. No additional Division of Forestry, along with the U.S. Forest Service counties were added to the quarantine in 2015. 23,532 will continue to monitor its population in the state. male gypsy moths were caught in traps in 2015 (a 38% increase from 2014). The Ohio Department of Non-native Invasive Plants—Non-native invasive Agriculture continued their treatment efforts within the plants are a threat to the biodiversity of forests Slow the Spread transition zone with four types of throughout Ohio. Some forests are already declining treatments occurring in 2015; Gypchek (gypsy moth due to severe infestations of invasive plants such as virus), Foray 48b (Btk bacterium), Dimilin 4L (chemical Ailanthus, bush honeysuckles, autumn-olive, multiflora insecticide), and Disrupt II (mating disruption rose, and Japanese stiltgrass, while other areas remain pheromone). A total of 3,779 acres were treated with largely uninvaded. As part of an ongoing study, an chemical larvacide treatments (Foray, Dimilin, or aerial survey to delineate infestations of the invasive Gypchek). Disrupt II mating disruption was applied to Ailanthus, or tree-of-heaven, is planned for the late-fall 162,287 acres. The Ohio Department of Agriculture of 2015 within and around the Wayne National Forest will continue to monitor gypsy moth populations and and state forests in southeast Ohio. Resulting infestation assess treatment effectiveness. maps will be developed and used to target Ailanthus 9 Cooperative Forest Health Program — continued control efforts on the ground. The Division of Forestry Continued hemlock surveys are planned for this winter. has partnered with researchers from the U.S. Forest All counties with confirmed HWA infestations are Service Northern Research Station to examine the quarantined by the Ohio Department of Agriculture to efficacy of Verticillium nonalfalfae, a soil borne fungus, prevent the movement of potentially infested hemlock as a potential biocontrol for Ailanthus. The Division of materials out of the infested areas. Forestry promotes invasive plant control by working with Ohio’s only Cooperative Weed Management Area (CWMA), the Appalachian Ohio Weed Control Partnership (AOWCP), and on private land through its Service Forestry Program and through other outreach events.

Hemlock Woolly Adelgid—In early 2012, hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) was discovered in southeast Ohio in Shade River State Forest (Meigs County); the first detection of HWA in a natural stand of eastern hemlock. In 2015, Jackson County was added to the infested counties list, as HWA was discovered at Lake Katharine State Nature Preserve. Since 2013, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry, with assistance from several governmental and non- governmental partners, has protected over 1,000 eastern hemlock trees with insecticide (245 trees treated at the writing of this report in 2015). Treatment methods consisted of either soil drench or trunk injection with imidacloprid or basal bark spray with dinotefuran. Winter mortality of HWA from 2014-15 was assessed Wet Spring Weather—Ohio experienced an from two locations in southern Ohio. Mortality rates abnormally wet spring, which resulted in widespread from these locations were 78% and 86%. Also since effects on plant health. From March through June, 2013, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Ohio’s rainfall was 30% greater than normal. Division of Forestry and partners have conducted Temperatures were also slightly above normal this biocontrol predator beetle releases. Nearly 2,400 beetles spring. The wet, warm weather during bud-break and (Laricobius nigrinus and L. osakensis) have been leaf expansion favored the growth of plant fungal released on HWA-infested trees. These beetles were diseases. Fungal pathogens like anthracnose were both collected in the field from North Carolina and particularly evident on such tree species as sycamore, shipped to Ohio from the Virginia Tech HWA predator silver maple, and ash. Bacterial fireblight was evident beetle rearing facility. Monitoring of treatment success on many ornamental pears and crabapples this spring. and additional predator beetle releases are expected over Silver maples also produced a heavy seed crop in 2015, the next several months. and the natural browning of the seeds as they matured prompted many calls from concerned landowners who mistook the brown seeds for dead foliage. In general, most trees impacted by anthracnose were able to recover and did not sustain significant decline or dieback. Drier than normal conditions were then experienced mid- to late-summer, resulting in some drought stress to those plants that produced a lot of top growth due to the abundant spring rainfall and did not have equivalent root system growth.

10 Cooperative Forest Health Program — continued

Walnut Twig Beetle/Thousand Cankers Disease—In Yellow-poplar Weevil late 2012, walnut twig beetle (WTB), the insect vector A major yellow-poplar weevil outbreak occurred in of thousand cankers disease (TCD), was caught in Ohio Ohio in 2015. The greatest numbers of this native insect Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry were observed in southern and eastern Ohio. traps in Butler County (southwest Ohio). The fungal Defoliation was locally severe and resulted in many pathogen that causes TCD, Geosmithia morbida, was inquiries from the general public concerned about the subsequently confirmed from infested trees in Butler health of their trees. Significant dieback and decline of County in 2013. In 2014, the known infested black yellow-poplars was observed. In some cases, trees that walnut trees were removed and examined as part of a had been stressed by drought and/or previous U.S. Forest Service research project. The Ohio Division infestations of yellow-poplar weevil or tuliptree scale of Forestry has been monitoring over 30 Lindgren were killed. Discoloration and defoliation by yellow- funnel traps from spring through fall across the state in poplar weevil was the most prevalent type of damage black walnut plantations and forested areas with a large mapped in the annual aerial survey with over 6,700 component of black walnut. Traps were checked at least acres indicated. every two weeks and samples are sent to Ohio State University’s Ohio Agricultural Research & Development Center (OARDC) for analysis. The Ohio Department of Agriculture monitors over 100 traps within Butler County in addition to traps at wood processing facilities around the state. While not all 2015 trap samples had been processed at the writing of this report, no WTB has been detected in any Ohio traps in 2015. The Ohio Department of Agriculture has quarantined Butler County, to prevent the movement of potentially infested walnut material out of the county. Further research on this pest will help to guide future management activities.

Locations of WTB traps monitored by DOF

11 STATE FOREST MANAGEMENT

State Forest Land Inventory

1. Beaver Creek: 1,122 acres, Columbiana County 2. Blue Rock: 4,578 acres, Muskingum County 3. Brush Creek: 13,518 acres, Scioto/Adams/Pike counties 4. Dean: 2,745 acres, Lawrence County 5. Fernwood: 3,023 acres, Jefferson County 6. Gifford: 320 acres, Athens County 7. Harrison: 1,345 acres, Harrison County 8. Hocking: 9,786 acres, Hocking County 9. Maumee: 3,194 acres, Fulton/Henry/Lucas counties 10. Mohican-Memorial: 4,541 acres, Ashland County 11. Perry: 4,567 acres, Perry County 12. Pike: 12,159 acres, Pike/Highland counties 13. Richland Furnace: 2,524 acres, Jackson/Vinton counties 14. Scioto Trail: 9,600 acres, Ross/Pike counties 15. Shade River: 2,859 acres, Meigs County 16. Shawnee: 63,778 acres, Scioto/Adams counties 17. Sunfish Creek: 637 acres, Monroe County 18. Tar Hollow: 16,436 acres, Ross/Vinton/Hocking counties 19. Vinton Furnace: 12,086 acres, Vinton County 20. West Blue Rock: 698 acres, Muskingum County

21. Yellow Creek: 756 acres, Columbiana County 22. Zaleski (+ Waterloo @ 447acres): 27,375 acres, Vinton/Athens counties

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State Forest Management — continued Fiscal Year 2015 Land Management Report FSC and SFI Certification of State Forests The Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry has continued to maintain certification of state forests under the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI). Ohio’s state forests are the only dual-certified forests in Ohio and have been recognized by independent third party auditors as being “well-managed.” NSF-ISR, an accredited SFI certification body, and Scientific Certification Systems, an accredited FSC certification body, continue to provide auditing services under the standards. Fiscal year 2015 represented the division’s last FSC surveillance audit under the current certificate. The Division chose to continue the certification process and will undergo a full audit for both the FSC and SFI standard in 2016. Reports of the audit findings are available on the division’s website.

State Forest Timber Sales Each year, the Division of Forestry evaluates a portion of the forest to assess inventory and determine potential harvesting opportunities. Harvesting can improve the overall health and condition of the forest by removing trees of poor health and vigor that are prone to attack from insects and disease. It also can reduce the stand’s susceptibility to natural disturbances such as wildfire and ice storms. Timber harvests are one way that the Division meets the requirement in the Ohio Revised Code to “bring about a profitable growth of timber.”

Most state forest timber sales are advertised and sold through a competitive sealed bid process. The purchasers of our timber sales are part of Ohio’s $15 billion forest industry that employs over 65,000 people. The successful purchaser is required to use an Ohio Forestry Association – Certified Master Logging Company. These companies have completed training on environmentally sensitive harvesting. Division foresters supervise this process carefully by marking trees to be harvested and administering the operations as they proceed. Ohio’s state forests are working forests that provide forest products and a diversity of wildlife habitats that are enjoyed by all.

The Division harvested 2,200 acres in FY 15 through traditionally bid stumpage, fiber supply agreement, and merchandising sales. Forty-four percent of sales were even-aged thinnings or singletree selection harvests, 19% were clearcut harvests or group openings, and thirty-seven percent were deferment or shelterwood harvests. Compared to last year, there was a slight decrease in total treated acres and a slight increase in thinning and uneven -aged treatments. In comparison to historic harvesting trends, the division is maintaining its current focus on staged even-aged and two-aged regeneration treatments. This is primarily in response to an emphasis on oak management and supports the statewide forest action plan.

State Forest Timber Sale Revenue & Harvesting Activity—Stumpage In fiscal year 2015, revenue received from State Forest stumpage timber sales totaled $3,722,799.62. These sales represented a harvest of over 10.258 million board feet of hardwood sawtimber. Revenue lags sale advertisement because purchasers pay for sales as they are harvested via cutting section control or weekly payments in pay-as-cut sales. The Division continues to supply stumpage timber to Glatfelter Corporation as part of a supply agreement obligation that is part of the Vinton Furnace State Forest acquisition.

The Division received revenues from 20 different purchasers across the state. The largest purchasers of standing timber were the Glatfelter Corporation, Crownover Lumber Company, Superior Hardwoods of Ohio, James Bray Logging, Brown Forest Products, Robert Bray Logging, and Woods Lumber Co. These seven buyers combined for 84% of total payments. Except for the Glatfelter Corporation, all are companies headquartered in the Appalachian region of Ohio.

A portion of the revenue from state forests stumpage sales is distributed to local governments. The Division of Forestry is allowed to recover the costs associated with timber management. The net revenue is then divided as follows according to Ohio Revised Code; Section 1503.05: 35% to the Division of Forestry and 65% to the local county. For FY 15, $2,054,354.47 was distributed among local governments. The county treasurers are instructed to distribute 50% of that amount to the local school district, 25% to the township, with the county government keeping the remaining 25% pursuant to ORC. The Division of Forestry uses its share of stumpage revenue to fund 14 State Forest Management — continued the division’s operations as well as transferring funds to the wildfire protection assistance account to fund fire departments in support of wildland fire suppression.

State Forest Timber Sales advertised and sold in FY 2015 Fourteen timber sale bids for primarily hardwood sawtimber were opened and sold in FY 2015. All of these sales were in the southern district. Timber sales received moderate interest with most sales having three to six bidders. The average bid price per thousand board feet of hardwood sawtimber was $447/MBF which continues a rising trend over the past several years. The recent annual low for bid sales was $265/MBF in 2012. Several additional sales were offered to Glatfelter as part of the division’s obligation in the supply agreement for the purchase of Vinton Furnace State Forest.

The fiber supply agreement with Glatfelter was used to accomplish pine management as well as sales that consisted primarily of hardwood pulpwood. One timber sale in the northern district was accomplished at Yellow Creek State Forest using state forest staff.

Purchasers of state forest timber sales are required to use a certified Master Logging Company to conduct harvesting operations. They also must comply with state regulations, post a performance bond, and are required to use Best Management Practices (BMP’s) for soil and water conservation. All purchasers sign a contract with the State and those contracts are administered by foresters and forest managers serving as timber sale administrators. Contract lengths vary, but generally allow between 18 and 24 months to complete the contract. Extensions are granted on a case-by-case basis.

Timber Sales by Forest Unit FY 2015 Forest Grouping # of sales Sawtimber Pulpwood tons Selling Price $/MBF

Northern District - - - - - Hocking, Blue Rock, 2 182,255 1,066 $61,215.00 $335.88 Perry, Shade River Zaleski, Vinton Furnace 2 1,575,542 5,308 $982,513.00 $623.60 Tar Hollow, Scioto Trail 4 2,008,343 6,099 $991,827.31 $493.85 Pike, Richland Furnace, - - - - - Dean Shawnee, Brush Creek 6 2,823,099 9,239 $909,230.69 $322.07 Total 14 6,589,239 21,712 $2,944,786.00 $446.91

15 State Forest Management — continued

Forest Product Sale Revenue and Merchandising The sale of forest products continues to provide significant revenue for the Division. These sales are differentiated from standing timber sales. These products are mostly sold as cut and sorted logs rather than as standing trees.

The largest contributor to this program is the log merchandising program. Merchandising sales are generated from service contractors who harvest timber and deliver the logs to a central location for Division staff to sort the logs into separate lots for sale. The cost of the current harvest contract varies based on distance, but averages $250/MBF for logging and unloading. Twenty-four different purchasers were successful bidders for at least one lot of logs off the merchandising yards.

The Division also harvests some timber utilizing in-house staff. The Division sold merchandised logs from Scioto Trail and Yellow Creek state forests.

The Division also sells other products throughout the year. These include sawdust, lumber, and logs salvaged by state forest crews from storms or right-of-way construction. Salvage logs from Mohican State Forest and lumber from the Zaleski State Forest sawmill accounted for the majority of this revenue in 2015.

Log Merchandising Other Product Sales Board Feet Sold 1,818,357 26,321 Revenue from Logs $1,615,935.53 $11,855.77 Pulpwood Tons 6,173 189 Revenue from Pulpwood & Misc. $198,110.16 $5,212.60 Total Product Revenue $1,814,045.69 $17,068.37

Work Plan Implementation The division’s foresters and forest managers worked throughout the year to implement the land management por- tion of the annual work plans. Forest inventory, timber marking, and sale inspections made up the bulk of activities that foresters worked on during the year.

Activities Timber Sale Inspections 648 Acres cruised 7,663 Acres marked 2,026 Acres pre-commercial 13 Mineral inspections 132

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FISCAL

Revenue by Fund Fund Fund Description FY 2015 4M70 Wildfire Suppression 0 5090 State Forest 7,430,132 5100 Property Management 15,152 GRF Allocation 4,364,000 R017 Bond Refunds 48,663 R043 Timber Sales Redistribution 2,201,237

Total 14,059,184 Expenses

FY15 Expenses* Fund

Expense Type 5090 GRF 4M70 5100 R017 R043 Total

Payroll 3,036,617 4,184,775 7,221,392

Purchased Personal Service 79,144 21,734 100,878

Supplies & Maintenance 2,704,797 202,417 247,867 3,155,081

Equipment 445,406 4,599 5,745 455,750

Subsidies & Shared Rev 403,351 54,435 1,765,245 2,223,031

Capital Items 188,291 188,291

Refunds 741,891 741,891

Total 6,857,606 4,391,791 54,435 275,346 741,891 1,765,245 14,086,314

*Note: includes encumbrances as of

1/26/16. May change as POs are closed.

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