IMSAF Newsletter June/July 2011

Editors Comments and Disclaimers This newsletter is posted on our website and sent by e-mail to members with e- mail addresses. Those without e-mail addresses receive by surface mail. Intermountain Society This conserves IMSAF operating budgets. I edit for brevity and clarity of and take responsibilities for them. American Foresters Contact me with your concerns, corrections and (better yet) news you wish us to cover. Darrel L. Kenops, [email protected], (208) 884-1076. Thank You, Darrel L. Kenops

IMSAF CHAIR JOHN ROBERTS REPORT by Intermountain SAF Section Chair, John Roberts

The May, SAF Intermountain section annual meeting was an unqualified success! Thanks to the hard work of State University's Forestry Club/SAF Student Chapter. Many thanks to Chair Topher Haskell and his colleagues for an interesting and informative two days.

It was great to see SAF members from all over the Intermountain and Great Basin region. University Inn accommodations, meals and dialogue was excellent. Looking forward to next year and next year’s crew now have a tough target in planning and hosting a quality meeting.

Summertime is a very busy time in Forestry and I thank colleagues who contribute their time to SAF Intermountain Section business even while working (and playing) so hard. Many thanks to Doug Page and SAF members for a quality biomass 3-day event. Thanks to Rick Tholen for his diligence in keeping the policy committee active. Thanks to Darrel Kenops and Doug page for their newsletter and website efforts. With all this good summertime work, we will be in a great position to further SAF and forestry in the fall, winter and into 2012. See you all in Honolulu, Hawaii. John

FIELD DAY PIONEERS THE WAY FOR A BIOMASS MARKET IN UTAH by Rose Wiarda, Extension Service

Fecon’s mobile chipper

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IMSAF Newsletter June/July 2011

With the unmistakable roar of heavy machinery engines and a cloud of sawdust in the spring air, the Second Annual Southern Utah Biomass Field Day began. On June 3 and 4, 200 biomass enthusiasts from 15 states and Canada gathered on a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) treatment site south of Beaver, Utah. Federal and state employees, private contractors, equipment vendors, and university researchers convened on a parcel of pinyon- and juniper-covered land that the BLM had marked for thinning.

The focus was on biomass viability as an economical, feasible, renewable fuel source. Speakers characterized the need to thin Utah's pinyon-juniper forests to restore ecosystem health and prevent catastrophic wildfires. Bob Rummer, a U.S. Forest Service research engineer, biomass expert from Auburn, Alabama, spoke about cost-effective uses for harvested trees through biomass utilization.

Central to efficient biomass utilization is use of machinery which chips or compresses biomass on site, thereby reducing transportation costs. Vendors from eight forestry equipment companies provided an up- close glimpse of biomass harvesting and processing in action. Equipment included Bobcat’s skid-steer with Fecon’s Bull Hog mulcher, Wood-Mizer’s portable sawmill, Supertrack’s BioBaler mulcher/compacter, Fecon’s RTC22-500 mobile chipper, and their many uses.

A highlight was demonstration of wood gasification, provided by University of Montana's BioMax electrical generator. Brian Kerns, UM, spoke about potential uses for generating energy. BioMax’s gasification technology creates combustible gasses from woody feedstock. He said Bio Max provides a model to convert local renewable resources into useful products, effectively turning waste into energy.

Ted Wilson, Gov. Gary Herbert’s senior advisor on environmental matters spoke in support of biomass utilization projects throughout the state. Newly appointed Governors energy policy advisor Amanda Smith, showed strong support for alternative energy initiatives. (It was shared that Utah's local coal supplies are projected to run out within 10 years.)

Utah's Biomass Resources Group (UBRG) members participated in the field day. Darren McAvoy, an SAF member and UBRG co- chair advocated biomass utilization as a way to restore ecosystems. He stated UBRG's main goal is to create markets for biomass utilization to Utah.

At Friday evening’s meal, biomass expert Daniel Simon, Biomass Power Administration, encouraged Utah's biomass developments. He stated that competitive prices electricity, plentiful pinyon-juniper material and state/federal policies supporting biomass use are essential to development of Utah's biomass industry.

Dr. Robin Tausch, U.S. Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Reno, NV, presented research about pinyon-juniper availability based on Great Basin paleo-ecological data.

Bob Rummer presented a biomass use feasibility timeline. He cited the example of the operating Port Talbot, Wales, flag ship biomass power plant. He noted the future of biomass is on its way, but takes time to become economically stable.

Twenty-five participants attended a pre-event pinyon silviculture tour was held on June 2 near Modena, UT. Great Basin pine nut production and management of pinyon-juniper forests were the topics of discussion.

Commercial pine nut contractors Larry Shurtliff of Blue Coyote Pine Nuts and Fresh-sawn Rocky Mountain Juniper

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Jack McMullin gave pine nut industry overview. A Paiute Indian Tribal representative presented information on American Indian uses of pine nuts.

Robin Tausch shared knowledge on hybridization of Utah and western junipers facilitated by prevailing westerly winds carrying western juniper pollen across the Great Basin. Hybrids are more competitive and more adapted to higher elevations than Utah juniper.

Tausch also discussed Native American practices of managing a stand of trees for pine nut production. He described several ancient sites where the trees had been thinned to the point where the remaining trees remained in an almost steady state of open woodland.

Participants discussed developing a "Pine Nut Protocol" for woodland managers with pine nut production goals.

The tour concluded with a walk through a stand of recently thinned pinyon and juniper. The treatment involved removal of many of the trees and leaving the trees with the greatest potential for pine nut production. By removing the other trees, the favored producers will have more room to grow and be more likely to produce a better crop of pine nuts. Reduced fire hazard and an increase in plant diversity and wildlife habitat are secondary benefits of the removal treatment.

Thanks to Intermountain Society of American Forester members Darren McAvoy, Frank Roth, Aaron Wilkerson, and Doug Page for their part in arranging and presenting at this tour and field day. Thanks to Intermountain Society of American Foresters Section who provided $500 of financial assistance.

Photos and more information can be viewed on http://www.utahbiomass.com.

UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY, COLLEGE OF NATURAL RESOURCES CHANGES UNDER CONSIDERATION by Terry Sharik, USU Department of Wildland Resources

USU's Provost has proposed dissolving their College of Natural Resources and reassigning professors and key staff to another college to be determined. This is an proposal driven by the need of USU to cut overall costs. This money saving proposal would assure that no faculty are lost and that no natural resources degree programs are dropped. Discussions continue and the final decision is projected to be made, announced this fall.

NATIONAL COHESIVE WILDLAND FIRE MANAGEMENT STRATEGY, WESTERN REGIONAL STRATEGY COMMITTEE OUTREACH by Rick Tholen, IMSAF Policy Committee Chair

The Western Regional Strategy Committee convened a June 29, 2011 Boise, ID meeting to inform work in phase 2 of the "National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy. The Nation has be divided down into 3 large geographic areas which will help each area bring it's view, needs and recommendation to inform phase 3 of this strategy. A cross section of interests including local Society of American Forester members were present to share their insights, advice and concerns.

The Inland Empire and Intermountain SAF sections policy committees are preparing a formal response to the issues discussed in Boise,, ID that will be sent to the Western Regional Strategy Group.

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UTAH EXTENSION FORESTRY INFORMATION by your IMSAF editor

At our spring IMSAF annual meeting at Utah State University, Professor Terry Sharik led an excellent campus tree tour. USU and its staff have done an excellent job establishing, managing and protecting a worldwide gallery of tree species. We learned of important tree references for foresters and interested citizens.

"Trees of Utah and the Intermountain West" by Michael Kuhns, Professor and Forestry Extension Specialist, Department of Wildland Resources, Utah State University. It's available at www.amazon.com/Guide-Trees-Utah-Michael-Kuhns/dp/0874212448

And information at www.treebrowser.org and http://extension.usu.edu/forestry/HomeTown/Select TreeBrowser.htm.

TIERED DUES STRUCTURE, MEMBERSHIP INCENTIVES, FINANCES, TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEM MANAGEMENT CURRICULUM, HIGHLIGHT ACTIONS AT JUNE, 2011 SOCIETY OF AMERICAN FORESTERS NATIONAL COUNCIL MEETING by National SAF Council representative Lynn Sprague

SAF President Roger Dziengeleski, led the June 3rd thru-5th SAF Council Meeting in Bethesda,MD. Friday featured Council committee meetings on Finance and Investmetn, Audit, Strategic Planning, and Executive Committee. Saturday and Sunday encompassed work of primarily on SAF's financial including adoption of a new dues structure.

The new structure provides optional dues tiers from $95 to $270 per year. This reflects 2010 SAF National Convention House of Society Delegates and general membership comments and advice. This, the first dues increase since 1997, kicks in for 2012 dues invoices.

A new membership incentive program was adopted and starts in 2012. It provides upto $100 dues discounts ($20 per year for next 5 years) for new member recruitment, and the new recruit gets a 30% discount if they maintain membership for at least five years. By August 1st members can contact Christopher Whited, [email protected] for specific questions or go to website, www.eforester.org/members/discounts.cfm .

Council initiated new actions on development of non-dues revenues. SAF is largely financed by member dues, but declining membership is placing significant stress on our financial position. New revenues are important to meet demands, member services and to fullfill overall SAF mission objectives. The 2011 SAF National Convention, House of Society Delegates will kick off a membership and leadership discussion and work needed to establish a non-dues revenue strategy and plan.

Council agreed to continue discussion and development a proposal for accrediting a Terrestrial Ecosystem Management curriculum. The upcoming edition of The Forestry Source will share proposal details.

SAF Policy staff and committee are active. The "Task Force on Carbon and Biomass" prodcuts should be available when you receive this IMSAF newsletter. Kelsey Delany, SAF Policy Staff, was complimented for her support to SAF's "U.S. Forest Service Proposed Forest Planing Rule" and Team leader Nic Dennis and his committee who prepared SAF's official public comments. Read, review our SAF's Planning Rule analysis and advice, it is just excellent. I and Inland Empire SAF Chair Ned Pence had the honor of working with Nic and our team to prepare these important comments. Congrats Kelsey and Nic for high quality work on our behalf.

Registration is open for our November 2 thru 6, 2011 SAF National Convention in Hawaii (see www.safconvention.or or call 866-897-8720 for information and assistance. Early reservations make for

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savings on airfare, convention hotel rooms and meeting registration fees. Attending our convention provides a great cross section of learning opportunities and fun social activities. Reconnect!!!

Location of our 2014 National Convention will be decided in Hawaii, which may include a possible joint meeting with the International Union of Forest Research Organizations in , Utah, along with other proposed locations. Mark your calendars for our annual National Conventions scheduled for Spokane, WA in 2012 and Charleston, South Carolina in 2013.

A new National Student Congress representative Jarett Cook, an Iowa State student, was introduced and can be contacted at; phone-515-321-0147 or e-mail [email protected]. Thanks Jarett for being an SAF leader!

Thanks to all IMSAF members who continue to work on a variety of activities across our large Intermountain and Great Basin area. Your volunteer work and work in many sectors of the business and community world is greatly appreciated.

SOCIETY OF AMERICAN FORESTERS COMMENTS ON U.S. FOREST SERVICE NATIONAL FOREST MANAGEMENT ACT PROPOSED FOREST PLAN PROPOSED REGULATIONS AVAILABLE by your IMSAF Editor

SAF prepared an excellent set of principles that should guide development of an effective U.S. Forest Service National Forest Management Act Forest Planning. The SAF principles are: -forest plans, simple and efficient to prepare, amend to account for changing conditions, rather than overly prescriptive and onerous. -forest plans reflecting aspirations of communities of place (local communities), community of interests (groups interested in particular aspects of National Forest Management regardless of their residence or direct use of the forest) and communities of use (groups of forest users.) -forest plans facilitating on-the ground implementation and with clear criteria determining if projects are consistent. -forest plans to describe types of projects needed to restore habitats, achieve plan goals, and forest conditions under which such projects are needed. -forest plans setting realistic targets for production of commodities and ecosystem services upon which communities of place, interest and use can rely. -establishes appropriate scale, requirements for species surveys, thereby reducing the need for project- level species surveys, because such surveys often provide little information regarding either the quality of the project or the species' status. -elevates roles of resource monitoring and assessment at scales to evaluate achievement of forest plan objectives over time;. -encourages forest plan amendments as needed to reflect changing conditions, rather than encouraging forests to allow their plans to become obsolete, whereby plan revisions require excessive effort and resources; -forest plans flexible due to fluctuating Congressional appropriations and mandates, responsive to emerging local/regional/global issues.

GREENHOUSE GAS IMPACTS OF USING WOODY BIOMASS FOR ENERGY-THE MANOMET STUDY? by your IMSAF Editor

The Manomet Study is a national discussion in environmental, forestry and renewable energy sectors. Biomass is seen as an emerging intermountain west forest management, business and community opportunity. But media reports on the Manomet Study in Massachusetts cast a cloud!

But Dr. William Strauss, President, Future Metrics, in a May, 2011 paper titled "How Manomet got it Backwards: Challenging the "debt-then-dividend" axiom", outlines his rationale in a life cycle thinking style

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to say woody biomass can be used in a responsible fashion if one understands forest dynamics and cycles. His paper can be found at www.FutureMetrics.com

Other resources on this question and EPA's recent ruling on biomass and regulation of greenhouse gases can be found at the National Alliance of Forest Owners website www.nafoalliance.org Look for their July 1, 2011 News release on this topic.

NATIONAL REPORT ON SUSTAINABLE FORESTS: 2010 by your IMSAF Editor

Some years ago, early to mid-1990's, nine countries (Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, China, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, Russian Federation, of America, and Uruguay) signed onto "The Montreal Process" and "Criteria and Indicators" for the Conservation and Sustainable Management of Temperate and Boreal Forests.

In this 2011 "International Year of the Forest" our countries national report has recently been in the media and discussed in the Sustainable Forestry Roundtable. You can find the 2010 report by accessing the U.S. Forest Service website at www.fs.fed.us

INTERESTING, USEFUL REFERENCES AND LOOSE ENDS by your IMSAF Editor

There is a continual stream of interesting useful information, events, and quotes that are eye catching and are illustrative of the operating environment in the forestry sector A are described below. Enjoy!

Ray Ring, Senior editor, High Country News in an June, 2011 editorial called "The Cost of Righteousness" discusses, describe the effect sought by organizations who appeal and litigate in the West, their strategy to affect agency personnel morale with political impact.

"Psychological warfare is a very unappreciated aspect of environmental campaigning", stated Kieran Suckling, Director, Tucson, AZ based Center of Biological Diversity which endlessly cranks out lawsuits to enforce the Endangered Species Act, a statement in a High Country News 2009 article.

National Association of State Foresters website provides access to every State's statewide Forest Resource Assessment and Strategy (now known as Forest Action Plan) Access these plans at www.forestactionplans.org

Diane Denenberg, Western Forestry Leadership Coalition in a June 15, 2011 update shares that a "Decision-Making Guide for Invasive Species Program Managers" is available. This guide assists senior managers and policy makers in establishing priorities and making choices for invasive species management programs. Access at www.continentalforestdialogue.org

The U.S. Forest Service just released their first national assessment of more than 15,000 watersheds within the 193 million acre National Forest System lands. Titled "Watershed Conditional Class Map and Framework" can be accessed at www.fs.fed.us

Interested in Forest Service Reunion 2012 September 17-21, 2012; in Colorado, keep upto date at http://fsreunion2012.com

The newly formed "The National Institute for the Elimination of Catastrophic Wildfire" and College of the Siskiyous held a 2011 Resource Summit June 1 & 2, 2011 in Weed, California. You should be able to access this conferences summary at the College's website, or www.californiaresourcecenter.org or type National Institute in your search bar.

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TEACHERS LEARN ABOUT IDAHO’S FORESTS ON WOODS TOUR by Betty J. Munis, Director, Idaho Forest Products Commission

An enthusiastic group of 41 teachers and counselors from throughout Idaho and Washington recently participated in the 2011 Sustainable Forestry Tour. The tour provided educators with an exceptional opportunity to experience Idaho’s forest products industry firsthand and understand how sustainable forestry is being practiced. The group heard from various land owners and managers about forest ownership and management objectives and the laws that are in place to protect forest resources when timber is harvested. They spent time in the woods learning how forests work, about forest insects, disease and wildfire. They also experienced a logging operation, sawmill, a paper mill, forest nursery and met with people working in various segments of the forest products industry.

“The educators gained a real appreciation for the people who work in the forest businesses and the passion and commitment they have for their jobs,” said Tour Coordinator Kennon McClintock. “They are better prepared to educate and advise students about forest issues and career opportunities in forest related fields.”

The Sustainable Forestry Tour is held each year by the Idaho Forest Products Commission. To see photos of the tour along with the tour schedule, key concepts, and a list of the 2011 tour participants and sponsors, visit www.idahoforests.org/tour.htm.

For a list of IMSAF officers, up-to-date meeting information, and additional information on past meetings and SAF activities, please visit our website @ http://www.usu.edu/saf.

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