PLATA

Project Level Analysis of Treatment Alternatives

PLATA Description…

Purpose: Provide managers with an easy to use tool for conducting economic analysis in project planning

Developed by Rocky Mountain Research Station

Sponsored by * WO Forest Management* PSW Fire Research* R-1 Forest Management* RMRS Economics Research

Background…

Timber Sale Planning and Analysis System (TSPAS) for DG

TSPAS replacement? Survey of NEPA coordinators across FS Regions Decision Develop replacement program

* Variety of Project types * Maintain capabilities for timber sales

Advisory Group* Capabilities important to specific disciplines* Feedback on design

PLATA Capabilities & Features…

Economic efficiency analysis Apply local appraisal approach

* Best estimate of stumpage price* Appraisal information at planning stage* Salability

Trust fund distributions Summary of planned project accomplishments Listing of planned expenditures by fund code Report formats:

* Use in NEPA document * Details for project file

Capabilities & Features (continued)...

Option for analysis by treatment unit Price & cost options

* Directly entered* Table look-up* Mathematical equation

Windows application Standard Windows functionality Easy for project planners to use Possible future link to GIS (treatment unit analysis)

PLATA is two programs...

Default Database Builder Region and/or

Forest Specific Default values for

prices Appraisal

information Default values for

common costs Lists (species, etc)

Project Builder Build any number of

alternatives Data entry by

alternative or treatment unit

Report comparing alternatives

Detailed Report for an alternative

Report comparing treatment units

Area Default Sets

PLATA Default Database Builder

PLATA DDB

Default Information Manager

Default Area

PLATA Project Builder

PLATA PB

ID Team

Project Data

ReportsArea Default Sets

Reports available in PLATA

Compare Alternatives * NEPA document Single Alternative

* Detail or summary options* Project file

Compare Treatment Units within an Alternative

* When data are entered by Treatment Unit

COMPARING PROJECT ALTERNATIVES (Continued)

COMPARING PROJECT ALTERNATIVES (Continued)

REPORT FOR PROJECT ALTERNATIVE (continued)

REPORT FOR PROJECT ALTERNATIVE (continued)

REPORT FOR PROJECT ALTERNATIVE (continued)

REPORT FOR PROJECT ALTERNATIVE (continued)

REPORT FOR PROJECT ALTERNATIVE (continued)

TREATMENT UNIT COMPARISON (continued)