Forestry and Forest Products Newsletter of the Alaska
Cooperative Extension
Introduction of New Extension Forester: Bob Wheeler
Cooperative Being Formed by Timber Industry on Kenai Peninsula
Forest Products Manufacturing Project
Bark Beetle Task Force Meeting in Soldotna
Society of American Foresters: Alaska State Society Annual Meeting
Alaska's Urban & Community Forestry Program
Visit by Dr. Ron Mahoney: Extension Forester of the University of Idaho
Questions and Answers with Martin Epstein, Director, Statewide Office of Land Management
During April 1997 I was hired by the Alaska Cooperative Extension program to fill the forestry specialist position that was previously filled by Tony Gasbarro. Although my background and experience is significantly different, I will continue to strive to meet our mission "to interpret and extend relevant research based knowledge in an understandable and usable form and to encourage the application of this knowledge to solve the problems and meet the challenges that face the people of Alaska."
Since moving to Fairbanks, I have been able to meet with many different organizations and individuals. During July I gave two talks in the Homer area regarding the impact of the spruce bark beetle on the community and future implications. Cooperative Extension will continue to be involved with bark beetle issues on the Kenai Peninsula. During September I coordinated the week visit of Dr. Ron Mahoney from the University of Idaho regarding a review of hardwood utilization. During November I developed three workshops on sawmilling, kiln drying, and international marketing that were held in Soldotna, Anchorage, and Fairbanks. On December 3 and 4, we convened the Forest Products Conference held in Fairbanks entitled "How Can the University of Alaska Assist Alaska's Forest Products Industry?"
Given the nature of forestry in Alaska, there is much to be concerned about: the loss of jobs and mill closures in Southeast Alaska, the continued catastrophic loss of trees in Southcentral, general forest health decline in both Southcentral and the Interior, the need for a more viable and diversified forest products industry, the drastic loss of funding for the University and Extension programs, the need for a more reliable timber supply, and the need for improved communications and planning with and by the public in order to provide for healthy, diverse, and sustainable forests throughout the state.
It is my hope that through this newsletter we can continue to address and bring focus and understanding to these statewide issues and encourage the readers to contact me regarding any suggestions or contributions they can make or would like to have included in the newsletter.
Call for comments: I intend to have a commentary section in the Newsletter dedicated to your input on forestry and the forest products industry in Alaska. A key issue I would like to get feedback from all of you on is getting an understanding of what are the problems or roadblocks to getting a viable, sustainable, forest products industry. Some say the problem is primarily supply of timber, others say that its mostly transportation costs, other mention foreign competition for logs and lack of financial investment capital. What do you think is the reason why we don't provide for a larger portion of our domestic consumption of wood products? Send me a note and also indicate if you would allow me to print it in a future edition of the ACE forestry newsletter.
Last spring several owners of local timber related businesses met together to discuss ways to respond to market opportunities. It was recognized that together they might be able to access markets impenetrable to smaller individual operations. This, coupled with the information different government agencies presented, made the proposal for the formation of a cooperative the dominant topic.
At the first public meeting held by discussion organizers, a steering committee was formed. This committee has met several times since then to discuss the actual role of the cooperative and how it best might be formed. Among the key issues have been timber supply, business financing, insurance, manufacturing efficiency, infrastructure, and marketing. The organizational effort continues to operate through the steering committee.
On January 13, a general meeting was held in which interested parties were asked to bring a signed pre-membership agreement and fee. Those who signed the agreement will eventually review and vote on the adoption on articles of incorporation and by laws prepared by the Steering Committee and participate in an election of officers.
While in its formation, the cooperative has already began to realize some of its goals. There has been greater communication and cooperation between members of the timber industry. The Committee has also initiated relationships with various marketing networks which will help the cooperative to focus on manufacturing viable and competitive products.
The committee has facilitated presentations where government agencies have provided information on foreign and domestic markets. Various agencies have provided funding in different phases on the formation of the cooperative. Initial project facilitation was provided with funding support from the Alaska Center for Economic Development, and current facilitation funding is provided through a State and Private Forestry, USFS grant to the Kenai Peninsula RC&D.
Information obtained from the Kenai Peninsula Timber Products Cooperative (KPTPC).
The Industry Network Corporation (INC) and theAlaska Science and Technology Foundation (ASTF) are cooperating in the establishment of the Forest Products Manufacturing Project. This project is intended to enhance the competitiveness of small and medium sized Alaskan forest products manufacturers. The project has been developed around four separate activities which are being managed by INC: Assessments, Improvement Projects, Grading Services, and a Market Study.
Assessments: A general assessment of a company's business and manufacturing operations is made in order to identify improvement opportunities.
Improvement Projects: Company improvement projects are provided that are aimed at resolving specific business, manufacturing or technical problems, as well as projects that are aimed at taking advantages of business expansion opportunities.
Grading Services: INC is seeking to establish an accredited lumber grading agency office and station a grading supervisor in Alaska. Their aim is to provide affordable lumber grading services for Alaskan manufacturers.
Market Study: An Alaskan Lumber Market Study is being developed whose purpose is to understand the current Alaskan market for finished and semi-finished wood products and identify strategies that can be used by Alaskan producers to increase their in-state sales.
If you would like more information on the Forest Products Manufacturing Project you can contact the Industry Network Corporation (INC) at the following address: Industry Network Corporation, 430 West 7th Avenue, Suite 30, Anchorage, Alaska 99501
phone: 907-258-4250 fax: 907-258-4255.
On Jan. 15, a bark beetle task force meeting washeld at the Kenai Borough chamber room. The US Congress recently allocated $500,000 for the development of a program to address bark beetle infestation issues. Although the funds were channeled through the USFS State and Private office in Anchorage, the development of a program to apply these funds is being handled by a multi-disciplinary, multi-organizational task force. The Soldotna meeting was hosted by Mayor Mike Navarre who is serving as the acting director of the Task Force Committee. The meeting had several objectives which included: 1) identification of task force members, 2) discussion of major issues to be addressed by the task force, 3) review of task force target dates, 4) solicit public comment regarding the process and objectives, and 5) provide updates on pertinent activities related to the bark beetle infestation.
Description of Objectives
1) Identification of Task Force Members
Members of the audience of about 70 people were asked to provide nominations of persons interested in being represented on the Task Force committee. Representatives were sought from both federal and state agencies, native associations, the forest products industry, tourism, private land owners, environmental groups, and other interested parties. A large number of members of the audience were recognized and heard to express an interest in becoming a Task Force member. Seeing a need to keep the committee to a workable sized group it was decided that a selection of the committee would be made in the next few weeks leading up to the following meeting of the Task Force at which the selected members would be identified.
2) Discussion of Major Issues to be Addressed by the Task Force
The audience was asked to provide feedback on issues needing to be addressed by the Task Force.
Wildfire: Several people mentioned concern about the control of wildfires and risks to the communities. It was mentioned that there needs to be a process by which people can provide input to the task force on issues effecting their property so that they could be assured that they would be looked into. This is especially true for private property in uni-corporated areas of the Peninsula. A review was provided by the Homer Fire Chief Bob Purcell regarding protection activities in that community. It was mentioned that a protection corridor around communities was being considered. Reduction of fuel loading was mentioned and the need to salvage dead and dying trees in order to reduce fuels.
Powerline Protection: There is a heightened risk of disruption of power service to the Kenai peninsula due to falling bark beetle killed trees. This is a particularly important concern to communities and is seen as a high priority task for the committee to pursue. The powerline corridors were also mentioned as providing fire breaks for fire control. Improved access of these corridors needs to be done by removal of dead and drying trees impacting these areas.
Public Education and Liability: There was an interest in getting more information to the public regarding the risks to the region and providing for reduction of liability. Robert Purcell from the Homer Volunteer Fire Department presented a report for the city entitled Forest Health and Safety Project.
Forest Products Industry: It was mentioned that a viable and sustainable forest products industry is needed in order to provide sufficient financial support for management of forest health conditions.
3) Review of Task Force Target Dates
The next meeting for the Task Force will be announced in a few weeks and will be held to identify selected members of the Task Force Committee. Congress set June 30th, 1998, as a deadline for submission of an accomplishment report for the project.
4) Solicit Public Comment Regarding the Process and Objectives
Several members of the audience mentioned a desire to have the dead and dying trees salvaged to reduce the fire risk and provide support for the forest products industry. There was a concern expressed for protection of riparian areas. The NRCS mentioned that they are conducting an extensive soil survey of the Kenai Peninsula.
5) Provide Updates on Activities Related to the Bark Beetle Infestation
Following was a summary of the meeting and polling the audience for final comments. The meeting was then adjourned.
The Alaska State Society will hold its annual meeting during the week of March 16-22, 1998, in Fairbanks. This years statewide meeting is being hosted by the Yukon Chapter and will feature several interesting activities in conjunction with the meeting. A field trip is scheduled for Saturday the 21st that will examine winter harvesting operations in the region. During the afternoon the field trip includes a private tour of the Fort Knox Gold Mine. Due to the increasing interest in continuing forestry education, the University of Alaska Fairbanks is proposing to offer several one day courses during the period of March 16-19. These courses are open to public participation, and there may be a small materials fee for some courses.
Proposed One-Day Courses
Ecosystem Management: The New Paradigm in Resources Management: Presented by E.C. Packee, Ph.D. Certified Forester, Certified Professional Soil Scientist; Associate Professor of Forest Management
This course defines and describes the concepts of ecosystem management, forest health, biodiversity, and adaptive management. The importance and development of ecologically valid prescriptions with specific, definable objectives and the application of silviculture systems to achieve prescription objectives are addressed. Emphasis will be on Alaskan-Yukon Northern and Coastal Forests.
This course is open to both public and private resource managers and especially private citizens concerned about forest resource management.
Building Consensus in Resource Management: Presented by Susan Todd, Assistant Professor of Natural Resources Planning
This is a workshop on collaborative problem-solving on natural resource issues. The workshop includes discussion of the fundamental concepts of conflict resolution, including consensus, interest, position, compromise, and facilitation skills. Several short simulated negotiations and two more complex simulations give participants an opportunity to put these concepts into practice.
ArcView GIS for Natural Resource Mangers: Presented by Dave Verbyla, Associate Professor of GIS/Remote Sensing
This hands-on workshop introduces ArcView as a GOS tool for natural resource managers. The workshop is a series of hands-on ArcView exercises including Introduction to Open Windows and ArcView Help, Viewing GIS Themes, Spatial Query, Viewing Satellite and Aerial Photo Images, Attribute Query, Importing and Exporting GIS data, and Spatial Analysis.
The workshop is designed for those who have no prior GIS experience. Computer lab space limits enrollment to 16 students per day.
Fundamentals of Alaskan Wildlife Law: Presented by Harry Bader, Associate Professor of Natural Resource Policy
A discussion of the major common law doctrines which control wildlife management in Alaska, the limitations imposed upon the Board of Game by the state Constitution, and the role of the federal government in wildlife management.
The course will also include a brief overview of federal Indian law as it relates to wildlife management within the state.
Outdoor Recreation Management Paradigms: Presented by Alan Jubenville, Professor of Resource Management
This workshop will present a critical review of 1) carrying capacity, 2) limits of acceptable change, and 3) recreation opportunity spectrum. These three have been touted as competing models for managing recreation resources. They will be shown not only to be non-competitive but highly integratable.
This workshop will show that without a good management model with strong theoretical underpinnings, many management decisions create undesirable long-term results. Bring specific examples about planning where results have gone awry. Maybe we can figure out why.
Climate Change and Alaska Resource Management: Presented by Glen Juday, Associate Professor of Resource Management
Reviews the record on climate variability and its known direct effects on issues such as tree growth, white spruce seed production, stream flow, soil temperature, and other effects. The course will develop a few case studies or inferences of indirect effects.
What would be preferred to get out of the workshop participants are things like 1) opportunities to put together additional data on climate variability effects on important issues (for example seedling tree survival and blowdown of buffer trees), 2) additional monitoring/study needs that would contribute to more effective or less costly resource management, and 3) a first attempt at defining good management strategies.
Introduction of Three National Project Learning Tree High School Units Published During the Last Year: Presented by Susan Rogers, Project Learning Tree Coordinator for Alaska
Participants will become familiar with three PLT high school teaching units: The Changing Forest: Forest Ecology; Investigating Environmental Issues: Focus on Forestry; and Solid Waste Management.
Each unit contains background information and suggestions for
using the materials with high school students. Additional materials
related more specifically to Alaskan forests will be included. There
is a charge of $15.00 for course materials.
 |
The purpose of Alaska's Urban & Community Forestry Program is to assist communities in building self-sustaining community forestry and tree care programs with strong local support. It helps citizens improve the quality of life by maximizing the many environmental, social and economic benefits that healthy trees and forests provide. |
|
| |
Dan Ketchum sent us an announcement for the 1998 Arbor Day Grants program. The Urban and Community Forestry Program offers Arbor Day Grants to encourage communities to organize Arbor Day activities. This year Arbor Day is designated as May 18th. These grants can be applied for by any local government or a nonprofit organization with IRS 501(c) 3 status. Volunteer groups without this status may apply through a unit of local government, such as a school or parks department, or through another nonprofit group.
Grants may be used to buy and plant trees on Arbor Day or to sponsor other educational or information activities related to trees and community forestry. Projects must have significant community support and participation. Tree planting projects must demonstrate proper techniques for planting and care. Guidelines will be provided. Possible activities include: tree planting ceremonies; interpretive community tree/forest walks; workshop, class or demonstration on proper ways to plant and care for trees; guidebook about the trees at your school, in a park, or in your neighborhood; demonstration planting of the right tree in the right place; or a community Arbor Fair. A special area of interest is supporting organized, local groups that promote the ongoing planting and care of trees and forests in their communities.
How much money is available through the Grants? Up to $20,000 may be available for Arbor Day Grants this year. Applicants may request a grant of between $300 and $1,500.
How to Apply: Prepare an application form, with your project description. Applications must be received at the address below by 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, February 18, 1998. Applications may not be faxed. Contact the Urban and Community Forestry Program for more information and application details.
Urban & Community Forestry Program, Department of Natural Resources, Alaska Division of Forestry, 3601 C Street, Suite 1034, Anchorage, Alaska 99503-5937
Dan Ketchum and Patricia Joyner, ph: 907-269-8466, e-mail address: dan_ketchum@dnr.state.ak.us
Project
Learning Tree (PLT)Editor's Note: I asked Susan Rogers, PLT coordinator, to provide a brief description of PLT and schedule of events for the start of 1998.
Project Learning Tree uses the forest as a window on the world of ecology and helps to focus students' awareness and knowledge of all aspects of the environment and our place within it. Project Learning Tree (PLT) helps prepare students to make informed decisions about conservation practices and natural resource use through problem solving and critical thinking.
In addition to the pre-kindergarten through grade eight activity guide, there are three topical modules available for high school teachers. These are: Investigating Environmental Issues: Focus on Forests, The Changing Forest: Forest Ecology, and Exploring Environmental Issues: Municipal Solid Waste.
For additional information about Project Learning Tree or to schedule a workshop in your community, contact the nearest Division of Forestry office or PLT Coordinator Susan Rogers at 907-269-8481, or fax 907-561-6659, or e-mail: susanr@dnr.state.ak.us.
|
January 19 |
Educators Workshop K-12, Shishmaref |
|
|
January 21-23 |
Division of Forestry, Resources Section Mtg., Homer, 15 min. on EE available in Alaska |
|
|
February 4-6 |
Bilingual Multicultural Education Equity Conference, Anchorage, PLT display |
|
|
February 20-22 |
PLT/PWILD Facilitator Training, Fairbanks, Creamer's Field |
|
|
March 7 |
Educators Workshop K-8, Anchorage, Campbell Creek Science Center |
|
|
March 19-20 |
Proposed: High School Workshop for natural resource professionals in conjunction with state SAF Conference in Fairbanks |
|
|
April 23-24 |
High School Educators Workshop for Polaris/NSF teachers, Solid Rock Bible Camp, Soldotna |
|
During this past September Cooperative Extension was able to arrange for a week visit by Dr. Ron Mahoney, Extension Forester for the state of Idaho. The focus of the trip was to review birch and other hardwood utilization in the Southcentral and Interior region. During Ron's visit we were able to meet with several individuals and agencies including both the state DNR and the USFS State and Private. While in Wasilla we met with Popert Brothers Milling and got to see their kilns and discussed their needs for a continued supply of high quality birch logs. We then met with John Duffy at the Mat-Su Borough office to discuss borough timber sales. We were perplexed by the fact that much of the concern we were getting from the mill operators was that they easily could fill more orders if they had the logs to mill. However, John indicated that they had a backlog of timber sales awaiting someone to buy them. This didn't seem to make sense. After pursuing the matter, it was determined that certain regulations associated with the sales such as order of unit cutting, road development, insurance deposits, and disposal of logging slash were problematic to the bidding public. We discussed possible alternatives in the sales contracts that could be made to assist with securing timber sale buyers while getting good reliable harvesting conducted.
We met with the DNR in Fairbanks and discussed hardwood management and timber sale plans for the Interior. We also met with representatives from the Tanana Chiefs Council and took a tour of Northland Lumbers mill operations. We also went for a tour of the Great Alaska Bowl Company operations.
New ATV LOGGING EQUIPMENT: Ron introduced a new series of forestry equipment that seemed to have particular applications for here in Alaska. Future Forestry Products, Inc. manufactures an Arch Frame for use with an ATV. This arch is strong enough to haul good sized logs up 2000 lbs. capacity, has the advantage of causing low impact, is low cost $1275-$1475, has low maintenance, and is easily maneuverable.
Another interesting piece of equipment is a FELLER-BUNCHER TOOL. This device allows the operator to easily fell hang-ups and to move logs around for easier skidding and loading. Contact Amy Simpson at the Alaska Cooperative Extension office in Fairbanks at 907-474-6363 if you would like a handout describing this equipment and how to purchase it.
3890 University Lake DriveSuite 103, Anchorage, AK 99508 ph: 907-786-7766
1)What is the mission of the Statewide Land Resources Division?
The Statewide Office of Land Management (SOLM) is responsible for the acquisition, management, development and disposal of University Real Property. The Board of Regents has a fiduciary responsibility to prudently manage all University Real Property for the exclusive use and benefit of the University subject to restrictions imposed by law, conveyance documents or gift instruments (Regents Policy P05.11.03).
2) What is the distribution of land and timber volume available for harvesting by the three regions Southeast, Southcentral, and the Interior?
The University does not have a complete inventory of its timber resources, and I can therefore only offer rough estimates of volume available for harvesting. Areas that have been identified for timber sales are those with high value and demand or where there is a forest health problem and a local market.
Known uncommitted commercially operable timber on university property is summarized as follows:
Southeast: 270 MMBF in four locations.
Coffman Cove: Approximately 1 MMBF to be harvested primarily by helicopter.
Edna Bay: Approximately 10 MMBF to be harvested by primarily by helicopter.
Wrangell Narrows: 5 MMBF primarily helicopter.
Gulf Coast: 245 MMBFThe University has a one time timber harvest right on state land near Cape Yakataga, an isolated and very expensive area in which to operate.
Southcentral: 10 MMBF in the Kenai Peninsula currently infested with spruce bark beetles. This timber will be sold in 1998.
Interior: Not inventoried.
3) How much timber sale volume was sold this past year and do you have annual target volumes?
Approximately 6.46 MMBF was sold last year in two sales. Coffman Cove was approximately 6.2 MMBF and the Martin sale was approximately .26 MMBF. We do not have annual volume targets. Sales are scheduled to meet market, forest health, staffing and other considerations.
4) Is SLR interested in the possibility of conducting negotiated timber sales for stimulating small local value-added forest products operations?
SOLM is interested in supporting local value-added forest productions operations. Timber offering must be consistent with Regents policy and draft regulations which require, among other things, fair market value, public notice and a competitive process. Projects must generate a reasonable return after expenses.
Question:
During your presentation here in Fairbanks you mentioned a device or technology for conversion of wood materials to liquid fuel as a possible alternate source of fuel for a kiln operation. I would like to get some reference material for this process if possible.
Answer:
I believe that I mentioned gasification. There is a lot of information available from the US Forest Products Lab (John Zerbe) plus Virginia Tech has a two stage gasifier that ran a diesel generator. Contact Bob Shaffer by e-mail: rschaffer@vt.edu.
Question:
You also mentioned a belief that a coop kiln operation would be difficult to be successfully operated. I was wondering if there is some method of decision making for a small woods operator to go through in order to determine just what equipment would be best suited to fulfill their operational needs both production wise and financially?
Answer:
See the book Opportunities for DH Drying published by the Virginia Forest Products Association, ph: 804-737-5625.
Question:
It sounded like you believe that people tend to build their kilns too small and end up unsatisfied after a short period of operation.
Answer:
What I had hoped to say is that a small kiln is best, but include in your planning the space, facilities, etc. to have an expansion within a year or two. You will find that kiln drying is so profitable and business is so good that you will need to expand.
During the November 19 and 20, 1997, Forest Products and Marketing Workshops held in Fairbanks and Anchorage, Gene Wengert presented the following references for review. We are reprinting that list of documents for those interested in obtaining copies from the listed sources. We are also listing the sawmilling video that Gene reviewed.
Value-Added Wood Products, Miller Freeman, San Francisco, CA
Marketing Forest Products, Miller Freeman, San Francisco, CA
Sawmiller's Guide to Troubleshooting, NE Loggers Association, P.O. Box 69, Old Forge, NY 13420
Successful Sawmill Management, NE Loggers Association, P.O. Box 69, Old Forge, NY 13420
Lumber Defects Caused by Insects, Fungi..., NC State Extension Bull AG-425, Box 7603, Raleigh, NC 27695
Circular Sawmills and the Efficient Operation, US Forest Products Lab, One Gifford Pinchot Drive, Madison, WI 53705
Procedures for Analyzing Sawmill Performance, VA Forest Products Association., P.O. Box 160, Sandston, VA 23150
Selected Sawmilling and Drying Publications, FF #73, Forestry Department, 1630 Linden Drive, Madison, WI 53706
Ideas for Increasing Sawmill Profitability, FF #70, Forestry Department, 1630 Linden Drive, Madison, WI 53706
Moore's Sawmill Price List, 171 Mountain Avenue, Bloomfield, CT
Management Guidelines for Sawmill Operators, U of NH, Extension, 110 Pettee Hall, Durham, NH 03824
Independent Sawmill and Woodlot Magazine, 8 Harlow Street, Suite 3R, Bangor, ME 04401
Catalog from TMS Machinery, P.O. Box 736, Talladega, AL 35161
Planning Guide for Small Wood Products, US Forest Service, S&PF, 1992 Folwell Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108
Sawmill Production of Dimension Parts, US Forest Service, S&PF, 1992 Folwell Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108
Manufacturing Value-Added Products, Gene Wengert's notes, 111pp., copy
A Marketing Guide, NA-TP-09-92, US Forest Service, S&PF, 180 Canfield Street, Morgantown, WV 26505
Uses for Sawdust, Shavings and Waste Chips, US Forest Products Lab, One Gifford Pinchot Drive, Madison, WI 53705
Ad from Baker Products, P.O. Box 128, Ellington, MO 63638
Wood Products Manufacture FPL-ResNote-087, US Forest Products Lab, One Gifford Pinchot Drive, Madison, WI 53705
Characteristics of US Hardwood Wood Comp., Forest Products J 46(5):37-43. 2801 Marshall Court, Madison, WI 53705
Small Sawmill Operator's Manual (Ag Handbook 27), US Forest Products Lab, One Gifford Pinchot Drive, Madison, WI 53705
Manual on Sawmill Maintenance, F913x, Unipub, 4611-F Assembly Drive, Lanham, MD 20706
Economic Feasibility of Products, FPL-GTR-92, US Forest Products Lab, One Gifford Pinchot Drive, Madison, WI 53705
Bark and Its Possible Uses, US Forest Products Lab, One Gifford Pinchot Drive, Madison, WI 53705
Kiln Operators Handbook for W. Canada, Forintek Canada Corp., 6620 NW Maine Drive, Vancouver, BC V6T 1X2
Solar Heated Lumber Dry Kiln Designs, Gene Wengert (90 pp., out-of-print, copy)
Air Drying of Lumber (Ag Handbook 402), US Forest Products Lab, One Gifford Pinchot Drive, Madison, WI 53705
Opportunities for DH Drying, VA Forest Products Association, P.O. Box 160, Sandston, VA 23150
A Brief Primer on Investment Analysis, Gene Wengert (5 pp., copy)
Business Planning for Forest Products, Gene Wengert (4 pp., copy)
Five Approaches to Value-Added Manufacturing, Gene Wengert (5 pp., copy)
Handbook on Portable Bandsaw Sawmills, HB-10, FERIC, 580 Boul. SaintJean, Pointe-Claire, Quebec H9R 3J9
Computer disk on grading, Gene Wengert, 1630 Linden Drive, U of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706
Video: Sawyers Perspective VHS E-603-V, Source: National Hardwood Lumber Association, P.O. Box 34518, Memphis, TN 38184-0518
The conference "How Can the University of Alaska Assist Alaska's Forest Products Industry?" was held on Dec. 3-4, 1997, at the Wood Center Ballroom on the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus. The impetus for this conference was the loss of forest product jobs in Southeast Alaska focusing on community and economic development.
The following comments were derived from presentations made at the conference. These comments do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Alaska Cooperative Extension or the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
The Forest Products Industry: Its Place in the State
Mike Holz, Nenana Timber Co.
I've been here since early 1973 and have worked on the pipeline as a welder, fishing, and racing huskies. About three years ago I realized Nenana needed somethingthere were no jobs. We decided to make some boards and see if they sold.
.....Last year we had 22 employees.
In July this year, a company in Fairbanks asked for about 50 cabin kits, four years in a row. It would be a $1 million contract and require 16 new employees. We bought a small sale from across the state across the counter, but the problem was to find enough timber. Unfortunately the Tanana West sale became too controversial. We asked for negotiated sales but were denied. So I had to walk away from the deal.
Environmental Perspective
Dr. Jan Dawe, Director, Alaska Boreal Forest Council
To paraphrase Jean Mader, the old days of business as usual are over......Industry is having to look more holistically at the forest, at other products and values.
.....With resources rarer, mistakes, and environmental damage, there has come a change to a co-management model. That's what the Alaska Boreal Forest Council is about. We depend on resource managers and university research to define the parameters and depend on citizens (owners) to say where management should proceed.
Information is key, and where better than the university? The university should use its expertise at promoting stewardship and help the community define what it wants. The University is ideally suited to help people feel better about uncertainty. We don't know a lot about the boreal forest, but that's no reason to hold up timber sales. The university can promote adaptive management so that pre-logging and post-logging monitoring can define and readapt management decisions based on how the land responds.
The Forest Products Industry and the University: Assistance with Manufacturing Technology
Tom McLain, Department Head and Professor, Department of Forest Products, Oregon State University, Corvallis
The changes in Oregon's industry include reduced federal timber supply (about 20 percent of what it was 10 years ago), decreased log quality, increased log prices, ecosystem management (timber will be the residue), and salmon restoration. For awhile there was over-harvest of private lands to take advantage of high log prices.
These changes led to mill closures, but it was the smaller mills. Now Oregon is at a more sustainable level of mills. Another change was integration (owning and managing timber lands as well as a mill), technology adoption (processing logs of smaller diameter and different grades, producing other products such as veneer chunks or cants for export), growth of the secondary industry (partly because population grew and consumed more wood products), more importation of raw materials from other places (means there is no limit to production because of local supply), and globalization.
Secondary manufacturing has been the major growth area since 1989. There are now over 900 firms in secondary manufacturing, the bulk in the western half of Oregon, up and down the I-5 corridor. These companies are very diverse: molding/millwork, kitchen cabinets, specialty items (from novelties to catalog items to tourist items), and furniture (of alder and imported oak).
The Forest Products Industry and the University: Assistance with Resource Management
Bob Pfister, Research Professor and Assoc. Director, Montana Forest and Conservation Experiment Station, School of Forestry, University of Montana
MORP: the Mission Oriented Research Program works with industry partners on projects of industry concern such as a solar dry kiln, stand management, small timber harvest, harvest economics, pruning and stand development, Montana's timber supply, and ecosystem management assessment.
In our landscape ecology, design, and management course we incorporate landscape ecology, biodiversity, ecological restoration, multi-resource sustainability, hands-on landscape assessment, team design for alternate objectives, and predicting and evaluating alternate futures.
The Lubrecht Experimental Forest, 28,000 acres, allows us to do research and teaching, to demonstrate management for healthy sustainable ecosystems, to demonstrate cooperative resource programs, and to generate revenue.
Panel Discussion: The Needs of Alaska's Forest Products Industry and University Resources for Industry Assistance
Gary Bowen, Associate Dean, UAS
.....Resources are public and so there's a public process......You need public support for the needs of industry. You must have sustainable developmentconsider the needs of future generations.
.....The University of Alaska Southeast is basically a teaching university. I am retraining displaced mill workers. The university also has trust lands with timber, and this should continue to be available. The university is now putting up for sale about as much as state timber sales.
Kevin Curtis, Forest Products Development Company, Anchorage
.....About 150 million board feet of dimensioned lumber is imported into Alaska each year. Have we really ever had a forest products industry in this state? I feel we never really didwe have pieces of an industry......We should do primary and secondary processing of the material we currently harvest to capture more of the dollars somebody's making. We can start by satisfying domestic consumption needs.
I see a lot of people trying to make a living. They're always asking two things: where can I get a reliable supply and where can I sell my material?.....Seventy to 80 percent of local construction requires graded material.
Don Behrend, Emeritus Professor, College of Environmental Sciences & Forestry, SUNY, and Chancellor Emeritus, UAA
.....I helped write the first six-year plan for the university but nobody looks at it. It says (1986): "Changes in the Alaska economic scene will require support from the university."
Question asked: What could be done with spruce bark beetle kills to use and make them into something?
If people in Alaska won't let us cut dead trees, what makes us think we'll be allowed to cut live trees?
Resource Availability and Regulatory Framework from Alaska Region, USFS
Fred Walk, Timber Director, U.S. Forest Service
.....National Forests were the sources for most of the land now held by Native corporations, the university, and mental health trust lands.
Tongass has 17 million acres, 6.9 million of which are non-forested. Productive forest land is 43 percent tentatively suitable, 16 percent unsuitable, 41 percent productive withdrawn. Available commercial forest land in has gone from 6.4 million acres in 1907 to 700,000 acres in 1997, with 267 million board feet average annual sales.
The Chugach National Forest is 5.9 million acres: 1.1 million acres forest land; 347,000 acres of productive forest land; 94,000 acres suitable, available and capable forest land; 10.6 million board feet annual harvest.
.....We're effectively losing the spruce stand on the Kenai Peninsula. We tried to harvest but were stopped by public resistance. It ended in lawsuits, but time is running out and after two years the wood quality lost 50 percent of its value. The trees are on the ground in four years.
Now we have to deal with the forest change, focusing on regenerating for forest health and recovery of habitat. There are highly flammable grasses and criss-crossed logs that limit animal movement and make fires harder to control.
Research for the Forest Products Industry
Tom Hamilton, U.S. Forest Service Products Lab, Madison, Wisconsin
I visited southeast Alaska in 1996 and made recommendations. (1) Convert the resource to higher valued products. (2) Studies on dead Alaska yellow cedarcan it be used and does it have the same characteristics as live? We looked at strength, durability, finishing, drying, and gluing and found that it retains its strength for 80 years after death. It is very strong and very durable and very resistant to ship worms. It has a color and texture for cabinetry, furniture, and carvings as well as the strength and durability for power poles, pilings, decking, housing, reservoir covers, and bridges.
The University's Role in Assisting Alaska's Forest Products Industry
Bob Wheeler, Extension Forestry Specialist, Alaska Cooperative Extension, UAF
Ecosystem management is a process by which land management decisions can be made for forest areas. It does not, however, provide guidance on what levels of management need to be conducted......It is my belief that the university needs to instill a sense of urgency and direction about how forest planning is being conducted in Alaska. Given the state of our forests, we cannot accept a continued low level of stand management.
Providing for a healthy, diverse, and sustainable forest is helped by having a healthy forest products industry. The maintenance of healthy, diverse, and sustaining forests is important to the long-term stability of the forest and to providing for the needs of society.
The ongoing effects of global warming will be reflected in changes in forest composition and distribution. The northern boreal forest is especially susceptible to climatic changes, and this will be reflected in large-scale forest mortality, modification of forest species composition, and greater risk of more frequent and intrusive forest fires.
Top Ten List of Recommendations
The University's Role in Assisting Alaska's Forest Products Industry
John Fox, Department Head and Professor of Forest Sciences, UAF
The difference between an optimist and a pessimist is the pessimist has more experience......At the university "increase the annual cut" has come to mean the annual budget cut.
The world population will double in 89 years or less. This will mean increased demand for resources. The paradigm in ecology is shifting. Old: balance of nature. Systems closed, self-regulating, equilibrium as a point, succession as fixed, disturbance as exceptional, humans excluded. New: flux of nature. Systems as open, external regulating influences, non equilibrium, succession as variable, disturbance as natural, humans included.
June 26-28, 1998. Elkins, West Virginia. Davis and Elkins College. 1998 Central Appalachian Ecological Integrity Conference: Defining Problems and Solutions for Appalachian Restoration. Sponsored by the Appalachian Restoration Campaign. Workshops include: threats to Appalachian ecosystems (forest mortality, national forest management issues, urban sprawl, and soil and nutrient losses), and reversing the degradation (Central Appalachian Reserve Design, GIS, conservation easements, eco-forestry and certification). For more information, contact ARC, P.O. Box 5541, Athens, OH 45701 ph: 740-592-3968, arc@frognet.net
October 9-10, 1998. Corvallis, Oregon. Oregon State University. Selling Forest Products. For registration information, please contact: Conference Assistant, Oregon State University, 202 Peavy Hall, Corvallis, OR 97331-5707 ph: 541-737-2329, fax: 541-737-4966, duncanp@ccmail.orst.edu
October 14-17, 1998. Lewiston, Idaho. Grand Plaza Hotel. SmallWood '98. Profit Opportunities in Value-Added Wood Products Featuring Innovative Uses of Small Timber: Conference and Exposition.
