Notes

Outline

Biomass Utilization and the New Forest Economy Opportunities & Challenges Presented by the High Sierra Resource Conservation & Development Council

Overview Background on High Sierra RC&D The New Forest Economy Biomass: What is it?  How much is out there? Existing products and markets Emerging products and markets Can biomass pay? - harvesting: from planning to profit Resources for Landowners Questions

High Sierra Resource Conservation & Development Council Helps communities improve their economies quality of life through the wise use and development of natural resources. Council comprised of representatives of the Counties of El Dorado, Placer, Nevada, Sierra and Yuba, local Resource Conservation Districts, and the Sierra Planning Organization. Formed in 1975. Administered and funded by USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.

High Sierra Resource Conservation & Development Council Projects Agri-tourism development Local agricultural marketing opportunities Community Fire Safe Plans and Councils Watershed groups and CRMPs Weed management Biomass utilization

What is biomass? Webster’s: “the total mass or number of living organisms in a particular area or volume.” For our purposes, biomass means woody vegetation - trees and brush.

“Old” Forest Economy Federally mandated “multiple use” focus. Undesirable trees, brush and slash left behind. Favored uniformity in size and species of trees rather than biological diversity. Single commodity-based products (e.g., lumber).

The New Forest Economy Restore or maintain biologically diverse healthy forests and encourage fire safe communities Remove fuel materials Focus on ecosystem stewardship Rebuild wood utilization capacity and rural communities Add value to underutilized wood resources

Fire Safe Communities and Fuel Reduction Historic practices and fire prevention have resulted in unnatural fuel load conditions Removed fuels (small trees, underbrush) may be marketable in some cases

California Biomass

Forest Biomass on Private Land (El Dorado, Nevada, Placer and Sierra Counties)

Existing Products Energy Production electricity densified wood fuel (charcoal, artificial logs and wood pellets) firewood

Existing Products Compost and mulch Landscaping materials Erosion control materials Lumber, posts and poles (including flooring, furniture, etc.)

Existing Products Pulp chips Structural Composites (OSB) Fiber Composites (chip board)

Emerging Products and Markets Distributed power generation Ethanol (renewable hydrocarbon) Gasification Chemical derivatives and new scientific patents

Can biomass pay? From planning to profit Planning Marketing and Valuation Harvest Implementation implementation following the “plan” proper equipment Transportation Processing Potential obstacles

Planning Planning Timber Harvest Plans and Non-industrial Timber Management Plans Site-specific inventory Where to go for help!

Marketing and Adding Value Market determines harvest and processing techniques Must have a market to make harvest pay! Adding value increases marketability (& costs) Marketing chain Primary processing Wholesale businesses Secondary manufacturing Value-added processing

Harvest Implementation Following the “plan” - harvest plan compliance Proper equipment depends on material to be removed (size and species), end product(s), terrain, environmental constraints, etc. emerging technology

Transportation Commercial transportation to primary processing facility Collection for on-site processing (e.g., mobile dimension mill, chipper, densification, etc.) sorting to highest value finished product must still be transported Decision based on economics Currently a limiting factor

Processing Economic Considerations Transportation of raw material versus processed product Primary vs. secondary processing Cost of processing

Potential obstacles Costs (Landowners must consider economics) Planning Harvesting Transportation Harvest and Processing Technology General lack of knowledge Marketing Competition (from other sources) Subsidized harvesting competes with small businesses

Potential obstacles “Old” forest mindset (bigger = better) Scale of operations geared toward commodity production Capital investment requires assurances of sustainable inventory Shortage of skilled labor Public perceptions of resource utilization New forest residents Conflicting public policy & regulations Primary and secondary regulations

Assistance for Landowners Fire Safe Councils RCDs NRCS SEDD “Best Bet” (biomass utilization exchange program) Wood Utilization Loan Fund Contact SEDD for details U.C. Cooperative Extension CDF Private forest consultants County agricultural commissions Forest Service Small Business Development Centers

Questions?