Biomass Availability in New England Kenneth M. Laustsen Biometrician, Maine Forest Service NEGCC Annual Meeting May 31, 2006

2 Discussion Points What is Biomass Where is it concentrated in NE State/Region Estimates & Per Capita Biomass Components Harvest Drain (ME example) Partitioning to 3 Biomass Baskets Caveats and Concerns

3 What is Biomass Usually a very general term used to convey interest in a very specific component of: – forest inventory, i.e. the aggregation of fiber contained in multiple above and below ground components and combinations of live/dead, standing/down, trees/saplings/shrubs. – primary processing of fiber by the ton, i.e. mill-delivered pulpwood, whole tree chips, hog fuel – secondary residuals, i.e. bark, sawdust, shavings, and – tertiary, i.e. mulch Needs to be always put into context – For the most part I deal with in the woods, forest inventory estimations.

Where is it concentrated?

5 How much is there on timberland? Biomass of all standing trees (above/belowground; live/dead; saplings) (Million Tons, Dry Weight) – CT 159 7% – MA 28513% – ME 99045% – NH 38618% – RI 29 1% – VT 34616% – NE2,195

Which residents have the biggest share?

Biomass Components Average dry tons/acre, New England, 2003

9 Harvest Drain to Inventory (ME Basis) The 2003 growth:removal ratio is estimated to be 0.97 to 1.06 depending upon tree quality and acreage base used. The total annual harvest of traditional products can be calculated as a percentage of the respective standing inventory. – Southwest ME (9 Counties) = 1.65% – Downeast ME (6 Counties) = 1.93% – Northern ME (1 County) = 2.21% – Statewide = 1.86%

10 A Calculated Leap of Faith or A Fated Leap in Calculations I purport and propose – That as acres are accessed for the harvest of regular products (pulpwood, sawlogs, biomass chips, etc.), additional biomass components can be removed concurrently, using the same equipment, and be piled roadside. – Furthermore, these additional products will be removed in the identical proportion as the existing product mix (approx. 2% of available inventory).

11 Added harvest generates additional Biomass The bulk of existing harvest draws from the growing stock inventory, i.e. quality bolewood (a somewhat fuzzy statement). I propose that additional biomass components for harvest can include: - Branches- Cull Trees - Salvable Dead Trees - Saplings Consider how much of the above is already severed and left onsite to decay before you let loose the wolf trees, snags, birds and bees on me for even suggesting such a cleaning. Nonetheless, what are the opportunities?

Southwest ME/NH/VT Biomass Basket

Downeast ME (Only) Biomass Basket

Northern ME (Only) Biomass Basket

16 Caveats Estimates reflect an in-woods inventory and are undiscounted for the usual/unusual losses in felling and skidding to a roadside location. Estimates do not account for the actual owner’s willingness to sell this additional biomass material. Estimates are not adjusted for existing intrastate (overlapping mill wood baskets) or pending interstate (PSNH boiler retrofit in Portsmouth) (2 pending/new Wood Pellet facilities) competition for existing supplies, much less additional supplies. Harvest of saplings is controversial, may need to adjust that component estimate.

17 The Concern! How to balance additional removals of biomass material against the competing claims and interests of biologists (wildlife habitat), ecologists (biological diversity), environmentalists (ecological services like carbon sequestration) to effect a sustainable harvest.

Questions/Comments Contact Info: Kenneth M. Laustsen