FIA's TPO Vision: Where we are and need to go Todd Morgan – University of Montana James Bentley & Tony Johnson – SRS FIA Ron Piva & Chris Woodall – NRS FIA National FIA User Group February 24, 2010

What is TPO? Part of FIA that provides information on wood use Accomplished with: Mill surveys Logging utilization studies Firewood and other studies Phase-2 (plot) data Currently delivered by 3 regional programs

Timber products and logging residues are “components of change” Accurate accounting of removals, wood use, and carbon Not duplicated within FIA or USDA FS Source of consistent local, regional, and national primary data Why is TPO important?

Current Situation – Staffing & Funding North: 24 states, 3,500+ mills 2 part-time TPO analysts $90 – 130k annual FIA Un-quantified cooperator match South: 13 states, 2,000+ mills 3 full-time TPO analysts, 1 statistical asst.,1 grad student $410k annual FIA Estimated annual cooperator match – $170,000 for mill surveys (~ $200/mill)+ $130,000 for utilization studies West: 13 states, 1,200+ mills 3 full-time TPO analysts, 1 dba, 1 student $300 – 315k annual FIA $90 – 130k annual contractor match

Current Situation – Research Approach Mill surveys: Cycle length, content, administration, and response rates differ by region and among states. State cooperators provide substantial information. TPO staff and tech support are often over- extended. Demands for current data are growing.

Current Situation – Research Approach Logging utilization studies: Growing & non-GS sources South and West use very similar methods. Substantial changes in utilization since 1980s & 1990s. A regional (Southern) utilization data entry program exists that has National capabilities. Needs and opportunities to develop more current information are growing nationwide.

Current Situation – Outputs All regions are providing: Reports on timber products through mill surveys. Updated data for the FIA-TPO web site. Information and support for 5-year state reports. Information and assistance to data users. Additional outputs: – Peer-reviewed journal articles – Poster and oral presentations – Region-specific web content

TPO Goals Continue delivering necessary information Increase data timeliness and accessibility Become a more nationally consistent program

TPO Vision & beyond Maintain base program Form strategic partnerships Address emerging issues Build on regional strengths Implement national program

TPO Vision & beyond Products covered by the TPO Program Traditional products (current): Solid wood products Fiber products Emerging products (need to ensure surveyed): Woody biomass products Other products to possibly include: Non-timber forest products Secondary wood products/residue

TPO Vision & beyond Base TPO program 5-year (or shorter) cycle in all states Reports on mill surveys & utilization studies On-line interactive database: Compatible with NIMS Similar to current FIA-TPO web site Updated as surveys & studies completed Highly detailed (county, species, product, owner, etc.) Continue meeting demands of current users !

TPO Vision & beyond Emerging Issues Woody biomass supply & bio-energy uses Sustainability implications Economic impacts Carbon implications and accounting of wood use Secondary wood products ? Non-timber forest products ? Evolve to meet demands of current & future data users !

TPO Vision & beyond Strategic Partnerships State agencies, other Federal, & universities Utilize a mix of information sources & expertise Deliver base program & ancillary products Recognition of contributions Cooperate to meet current & new demands !

TPO Vision & beyond University Cooperators Multi-state TPO research centers Forestry & forest products programs SAF and/or SWST-accredited Undergraduate exposure to FIA & TPO Masters level - support base TPO program PhD level research – enhance TPO program On-the-job training of our future workforce !

TPO Vision & beyond Regional Strengths Local knowledge & experience Training field crews Nationalize Leadership & organization Base TPO program with regional “add-ons” Annual updates to TPO ?

TPO Vision & beyond Concerns National vs. regional leadership of TPO Sufficient staffing/funding Stabilizing— not standardizing — programs Formal procedure for counting cooperator contributions Continuation of on-going agreements between western FIA units and BBER

Questions