1. Hurricane Katrina: Forestland Impacts, Extension Responses, and Lessons Learned Glenn Hughes, Extension Forester, MSU Extension Service, Purvis ghughes@ext.msstate.edu 601-794-0671 ghughes@ext.msstate.edu

2. Hurricane Katrina

3. Topics for Today Impact of Katrina on Mississippis forestland Extension Service responses Urban forestry situation Lessons learned

4. Sawtimber Stand, Forrest County

5. Forestland Damage $888 Million worth of timber destroyed Pine Sawtimber$487 MM----------- 55% of loss Hardwood sawtimber$136 MM---- 15% of loss Pine pulpwood$129 MM------------- 15% of loss 1-2 years worth of annual timber harvest down or damaged in one day 65% of forestland affected owned by individuals or families

6. 80% of loss is in 10 southernmost counties Loss is 60 times greater than the worst loss to southern pine beetles Additional losses occurred due to ring shake, stress, and bark beetle mortality caused by drought in 2006

7. Indirect Losses

8. How Did Extension Respond? Salvage and Timber Taxation Workshops 36 workshops held 2,245 landowners attended 217,396 acres owned $6.6 million economic value to landowners Timber Taxation post-Katrina publication and ppt Timber salvage guidelines and ppt developed Ag Communicationsradio, TV, web Invasive Species and Bark Beetle Workshops (9) Restoration and Recovery Workshops (6)

9. Timber Salvage and Taxation Workshop Ag Communications filming private landowner

10. Loblolly, Slash, Longleaf Pine Trial Planted by private landowner in 1985 Planted 3 southern pine species, thinned about 4 years before Katrina Before salvage conducted, cruised timber to assess damage Loblolly16% of trees undamaged Slash52% of trees undamaged Longleaf64% of trees undamaged Differences in type of damage

11. Urban Forestry Impacts Devastated coastal forests; live oak did best Many pines along coast survived winds but died in 2006 due to inundation, wind, drought, and bark beetles. Catastrophic in storm surge areas. FEMA regulations prohibited tree removal if a tree was leaning less than 30 degrees Several partners (Supervisor, Extension, USFS, others) developed plan to inventory dead trees in developed areas

12. Urban Forestry (contd.) USFS provided GPS equipment and training Volunteer Certified Arborists inventoried selected residential areas Inventoried trees overlaid onto existing maps using GIS Extent of problem and cost to correct presented FEMA agreed to remove standing dead trees within 125 feet of a pre-existing structure

14. Lessons Learned Landowners: Dont panic or over-react to damage Dont expect significant income from pulpwood Do learn if you are eligible to claim a Casualty Loss Do keep track of your basis (investment) in your timber Do diversify your holdings by having wind-tolerant species of different ages

15. Lessons Learned (contd.) Extension An event of this magnitude will overwhelm your organization. Period. Youll not do everything right, but just do something Be careful of burnout. This can become a 24/7 job. PTSD may affect you or members of your staff Identify, expand, and work with partners

16. Summarizing Catastrophic events will happen Katrina damaged some $888 million of timber Extension was active in conducting a variety of educational programs helping landowners Extension made a difference in peoples lives I hope you never use any of this information

17. The end…or just a new beginning???

18. Last, on behalf of all Mississippians, THANK YOU!!! For your efforts in helping us recover from Katrina.