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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:
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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
Why is TPO important? • 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
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 -- 2010 & beyond • Maintain base program • Form strategic partnerships • Address emerging issues • Build on regional strengths • Implement national program
TPO Vision -- 2010 & 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 -- 2010 & 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 -- 2010 & 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 -- 2010 & 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 -- 2010 & 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 -- 2010 & 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 -- 2010 & 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