Restoration of Forest Resiliency on NFS lands: what role for renewable energy? by Corbin Newman, Director of Forest Management, National Forest System

A Little Context and Background Prior to the 1990s, a primary focus of National Forest management was commodity production While production of goods is still important, the restoration of ecosystem function and resiliency has gained primacy This is evidenced by a decline of more than 80% in NFS timber production since the mid-1980s This mission shift and the current focus on ecological restoration reflect both changing public values, and the ecological conditions that currently exist on NFS lands

The shift from commodity production to restoration of ecosystem function and resiliency has occurred at the same time that there has been: A decade long drought in the West A decade long drought in the West A multi-decade increase in the forest density and increased incidents of fire, insects and disease A multi-decade increase in the forest density and increased incidents of fire, insects and disease An expansion of residential developments into forests An expansion of residential developments into forests Growing concern over the effects of climate change on forests Growing concern over the effects of climate change on forests

National Fire Plan

Putting towns at risk and damaging watersheds

Buffalo Creek Fire In 1996, the Buffalo Creek Fire in Colorado did major damage to Denver’s water supply, with one storm dumping more than 300,000 cubic yards of soil into the Strontia Springs Reservoir, causing millions of dollars of damage. (And killing two people)

There has been a major shift in fire regime from low to high severity

The increase in forest density in many parts of the country has been in progress since the late 19 th Century

South Fork Teton River Lewis & Clark NF, MT

Montana, 1895

And in 1980 This area has since been burned in a wildfire

Forest growth greatly exceeds removals on NFS lands in the Interior West When net forest growth exceeds removals, live biomass is increasing

Western Pine Bark Beetle Damage -- Prescott National Forest, Arizona When dense forests combine with extended drought, the ecological stress sets the stage for increased insect epidemics and wildfire

Other forces are affecting forest management policies There has been an increasing concern over the effects of climate change on forests There has been a growing interest in identifying and seeking markets for the environmental services of forests, particularly carbon sequestration The energy crunch has placed increased focus on the uses of woody biomass for energy This has been encouraged by establishment of green portfolio standard by many states

At the same time, people have been moving to forests and shrub lands in record numbers

All of these factors constituted a call to action to actively address reduction of hazardous fuels and restoration of forest ecosystem resiliency

A major strategy of National Forest management has been to focus on ecosystem restoration and fuels treatment BeforeTreatment AfterTreatment

Restoration of Ecosystem resiliency can achieve a variety of objectives Restore and protect important ecosystem services Restore and protect important ecosystem services Help recover T&E species Help recover T&E species Reduce the risk of uncharacteristically severe wildfire Reduce the risk of uncharacteristically severe wildfire Support local communities economically Support local communities economically

But ecological restoration does not necessarily mean going back to past conditions In many cases it will be impossible or even undesirable to restore conditions as they were before Europeans arrived In many cases it will be impossible or even undesirable to restore conditions as they were before Europeans arrived Climate change, introduced invasives, land use changes and land management objectives have intervened Climate change, introduced invasives, land use changes and land management objectives have intervened But is often desirable to restore historic functions and ecological processes to landscapes But is often desirable to restore historic functions and ecological processes to landscapes

Historical Settlement Current Restored Old Growth Old Growth Ponderosa Pine Ponderosa Pine Openings Mixture of Ponderosa Pine and Douglas-fir Mixture of Ponderosa Pine and Douglas-fir Source: M. Kaufman

Pearson Natural Area Restoration Study – Near Flagstaff, Arizona The last natural fire occurred in 1876 Prior to 1876, low intensity surface fires burned through the area on a 2-4 yr intervalPrior to 1876, low intensity surface fires burned through the area on a 2-4 yr interval In 1876 there were an average of 23 trees per acreIn 1876 there were an average of 23 trees per acre Prior to thinning the area averaged 1170 trees per acrePrior to thinning the area averaged 1170 trees per acre Slide from W. Covington

Restoration thinning in left 60 trees per acre, (latillas for adobe home construction and 5 tons per acre of slash or ten 18-wheel dump trucks/acre) After Restoration Slide from W. Covington

Shaded Fuel Break on Tyee Creek Fire (E. Washington) – 1974 A variety of evidence suggests that restoration activities can change fire behavior

C UnthinnedThinned Wind Cone Fire Blacks Mountain Exp Forest September 2002

A.No treatment B.Thinned – No RxBurn C.Thinned with RxBurn After Cone Fire A B: B: Thinned – No RxBurn C: C: Thinned with RxBurn

Thinning and prescribed fire will be essential to protect and restore old growth forests comprised of fire dependent species (60 percent or more of all western forests)

There are significant barriers to ecosystem restoration Prescribed fire is risky and puts smoke in the air Mechanical treatment that removes merchantable trees can be controversial (opening up the forests to timber barons) Fuels treatment and forest restoration are also very expensive (costs are high and product values are low)

How do we overcome these barriers? Sustainable Utilization of Biomass

Potential benefits from the use of biomass as a by-product of restoration activities Reduced per acre cost of restoration and increased area on which restoration can be applied Reduced per acre cost of restoration and increased area on which restoration can be applied Improved ecosystem condition (T&E, health and resiliency, watershed protection, etc) Improved ecosystem condition (T&E, health and resiliency, watershed protection, etc) Improved community economic health Improved community economic health Reduced risk of damaging wildfire Reduced risk of damaging wildfire Reduced reliance on fossil fuels Reduced reliance on fossil fuels Improved air quality as compared with conventional fossil fuels

FS Woody Biomass Utilization Strategy for Restoring and Maintaining Ecosystem Health Link biomass utilization to restoring and maintaining ecosystem health 1. Provide a reliable and predictable supply from federal lands 2. Foster partnerships to facilitate woody biomass utilization- respond to community and regional interests 3. Produce science and deliver technology to enable sustainable woody biomass utilization 4. Increase markets for woody biomass through our work with partners Draft Information from National Strategy currently under development

Potential Biomass available from simulated thinnings by uneven aged treatment (oven dry tons) Used in Western Governor’s Biomass Task Force 2006 Source: Forest Products Laboratory TechLine: Fuel Treatment Evaluator 3.0 Issued 06/06 e/fuel-treatment-evaluator.pdf (160,000 acre hexagon)

Potential biomass from fuels treatment operations on all U.S. forest lands ~ 60 million dry tons/year

Potential Electricity from NFS Biomass 8,500 Bone Dry Tons = One Megawatt/Hour for an entire Year of Electricity (1 MWY) 11.6 Million BDT = 1,365 MW Years One Megawatt = 1000 Households 1,365 MWY = 1.4 Million Households

Don’t Expect this Issue to be Resolved Anytime Soon It is complex and multi-faceted problem. It has taken many decades for forests to evolve into the conditions that exist today, and it will take years to successfully address the fire risk and fuels reduction situation. But there is reason for hope But there is reason for hope

Key Socio-Political Forces are Shifting There is a broader recognition of climate change and the need for action to address it There is a renewed drive to find mechanisms for energy independence with bio-energy being a big part of it The value of the ecosystem services provided by forests has increased, with carbon sequestration leading the way There is growing recognition of the need to actively manage NFS lands to restore and protect important ecosystem services

Bio-energy has an important role in helping achieve multiple objectives on public lands, especially improving ecosystem resiliency and meeting energy needs Non-action is not a viable option

If we do nothing, we will have: Loss of old-growth forests Loss of biological diversity More insect epidemics Poor watershed conditions Larger, more destructive wildfires Source: M. Kaufman

All we need now are the will, resources, and understanding to make a difference!