Ensuring Sustainability in the Emerging Forest Biomass Sector:

DNR’s Proactive Approach

Rachael JamisonJune 2012

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Overview Initiative Overview

Biomass Defined Initiative

Principles Pilot Project (HB 2165

update) Long-term Contracts

(state lands) Forest Practices

Work-Group Supply Study

Initiative Overview Began in 2009 by Commissioner

Goldmark 3 pieces of legislation passed to

date (HB 2165, SSHB 2481, SHB 1422)

2 pilot projects fully permitted and under construction

Authority to sell biomass from public lands

$1M USFS grant to evaluate biomass supply and conduct forest health work

“Biomass” added to definition of “Forest Practice” in Forest Practices rules

Initiative Principles Articulation of initiative values

Appropriate scale Appropriate location Highly efficient

Outreach Comprehensive website White papers

Stakeholder group participation State, Region Bioenergy teams Energy policy groups

Forest Biomass: Defined

Forest Biomass is: Material from trees and woody plants that are by-products of forest management, ecosystem restoration, or hazardous fuel reduction treatments.

Forest Biomass is NOT: Traditional timber or whole trees that would otherwise be made into lumber, paper, and other products; Downed logs and standing dead trees required to be left on site by forest practice regulations; material incorporated into the forest floor; stumps; Treated wood; Wood and wood products from old growth forests.

Forest Biomass: Pilot Projects (HB 2165)

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Long-term Supply Contracts (2SHB 2481) Authorizes DNR to enter into long-term

contracts to convey forest biomass from DNR-managed lands in 5 ways: Authorize separate sale within valuable materials

contracts. Long-term competitive contracts (5 years + 3 5-

year renewals) Direct sales contracts w/o public auction 15 year initial contract for entities making a

qualifying capital investment of $50M. Lease state lands for the purpose of integrated

supply area/facility siting. Supply analysis required prior to entering

into long term contracts.

Forest Practices Biomass Work-Group

Forest Practices Biomass Work-Group

Purpose:“Educate ourselves on the science/policy and available technologies related to biomass harvest, the Forest Practices rules that apply to such harvest and biomass harvest BMP’s. Discuss and determine if specific BMP’s and/or Forest Practices rules and/or rule revisions related to biomass harvest are needed in Washington. If so, identify a path toward identifying what is needed.

Topics Covered:Soil Health and Productivity, Silviculture and Roads, Disturbance (Fire, Pest, Disease), Dead wood, Slash disposal, carbon storage, Water quality, Riparian Zones/Unstable Slopes, Water Infiltration, Wildlife, Biodiversity and Cultural Resources.

Report to Forest Practices Board expected in August 2012.

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Forest Practices Biomass Work-Group

WAC 222-16-010"Forest practice" means any activity conducted on or directly pertaining to forest land and relating to growing, harvesting, or processing timber or forest biomass, including but not limited to:     Road and trail construction;     Harvesting, final and intermediate;     Precommercial thinning;     Reforestation;     Fertilization;     Prevention and suppression of

diseases and insects;     Salvage of trees; and     Brush control. 

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Washington Forest Biomass Supply Assessment

Methods Research team (UW) created a comprehensive database of

forest biomass production (in BDT) for Washington with

projections of future biomass production as a result of

traditional timber operations for 2010, 2020, and 2030.

The database is spatially explicit which allows for

summarization by forest type, ownership and forest

management across the state.

Forest biomass was studied under four distinct stages of

processing: felling of trees in the woods, bringing tops and

branches to roadsides, processing piles by biomass operators,

and delivery of forest biomass to markets.

Washington Forest Biomass Supply Assessment

Post-timber Harvest Biomass 4.4 MM BDT

Fore

st O

pera

tion

Pre-existing woody material ranges from 0 to 7.2 MM BDT

Merchantable Stem Volume 7.5 MM BDT

Harvested Biomass 3.0 MM BDT

Potential Market Biomass 1.4 MM BDT

Market Biomass 0.6 – 1.3 MM BDT

Residual Harvested Biomass 1.4 MM BDT

Residual Potential Market Biomass 1.6 MM BDT

Residual Market Biomass 0.1 – 0.8 MM BDT

Washington Forest Biomass Supply Assessment

Outcomes:

1. Utilization could more than double (from the 1.4 million BDT

that is currently able to go to market) without any increase

in timber harvests.

- The lack of facilities influenced the volume of piled and

roadside biomass that processor had access to from

reaching markets

2. If prices went up as little as $10/BDT, competition among

facilities could be seen.

3. Sustainability. Across the state, there is already negligible to

72 million BDT of biomass on site. This volume will REMAIN

on-site after harvest.

Washington Forest Biomass Supply Assessment

Outcomes:

4. After timber harvest, there is an ADDITIONAL volume of

biomass (the 1.4 million BDT that never left the site to be piled)

that will be added to the pre-existing volume.

Western Washington: Approx. 32 BDT/acre

Eastern Washington: Approx. 22 BDT/acre

5. Study concludes that there is sufficient biomass left on-site to

ensure ecosystem functionality.

Questions