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Maryland Biomass Harvesting Guidelines MD/DE SAF meeting May 25, 2011

Maryland Biomass Harvesting Guidelines MD/DE SAF meeting May 25, 2011 Brian Kittler, Project Director. Presentation Agenda . Considering forest biomass harvesting Developing biomass harvesting guidelines Step-by-step review of guidelines Site visits and CWD sampling.

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Maryland Biomass Harvesting Guidelines MD/DE SAF meeting May 25, 2011

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  1. Maryland Biomass Harvesting Guidelines MD/DE SAF meeting May 25, 2011 Brian Kittler, Project Director

  2. Presentation Agenda • Considering forest biomass harvesting • Developing biomass harvesting guidelines • Step-by-step review of guidelines • Site visits and CWD sampling

  3. What is “Forest Derived Biomass”? Sources: (MN Biomass Harvesting Guidelines)

  4. Multiple Types of Biomass Harvest Single-pass • Integrated harvesting • Whole-tree harvesting and chipping • Even-aged management Multi-pass • Slash removal post sawtimber harvest (double-pass) • Selective harvests and thinnings • Uneven-aged management

  5. Key Roles of Deadwood • Soil productivity • Water quality and aquatic ecosystems • Wildlife habitat and biological diversity • Carbon

  6. Flux in Volumes of LDW Dead wood accumulation in forest stands is constantly in a state of flux – in general stands, have the most LDW when they are very young and very old depending on nature of disturbances and decomposition rates . 13

  7. Deadwood and Biomass Harvesting • What makes a biomass harvest different? • Nutrients? • Sweet spot? • Managing through uncertainty • Monitoring DWM

  8. Forest Biomass Harvesting Guidelines

  9. “All biomass will be sustainably harvested without depriving soils of important organic components for reducing erosion, but will maintain soil nutrients and structure, and will not deplete wildlife habitat or jeopardize future feedstocks in quantity or quality.”- MD Climate Action Plan

  10. Why Guidelines? • Widespread interest in biomass but significant uncertainty in market • Are existing BMPs and related programs sufficient? • Need to fill information / education gaps • Need for balance between addressing risks and capturing opportunity

  11. Why Guidelines? • More adaptable overtime than other forms of influence (i.e., regulation) • Public perception – avoid unnecessary controversy • Key to market access – policy evolution • Precedent of others (MN, WI, PA, MO, MI, ME, Canada, Europe, etc.)

  12. Intended Use of Guidelines • Voluntary • Education oriented • Audience = Triangle of operators, foresters, landowners • Supplement BMPs, etc. • Encourage on-the-ground learning • Encourage adaptive management • Living document

  13. Process Used • Literature review • Policy analysis • Consultative process

  14. Literature Review and Policy Analysis • Ch. 4 - Scientific review • Ch. 5 - Policy analysis

  15. Consultative Process • MD DNR Forest Service • MDE • MEA • Baltimore County Department of Environmental Protection & Resource Management • UMD Extension • UMD Dept. of Ag. & Resource Economics • The Nature Conservancy • Pinchot Institute • USDA NRCS • Private forest landowners • Consulting foresters

  16. Step-by-Step Review of Guidelines

  17. Major Issues Addressed in Guidelines • Deadwood retention • Soil nutrient cycling • Biodiversity • Wildlife habitat • Water quality

  18. Protection of Forest Soils • Determine site suitability (level of risk) • Follow guidance for protection of soils in “all forests” (8 practices) • Follow guidance for protection in applicable forest type (i.e. softwood plantation or mixed-hardwood). (retention of limbs and tops) PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 4 of the GUIDELINES

  19. Other Resources http://www.pinchot.org/gp/Guidelines http://www.forestguild.org/biomass.html#guidelines

  20. Bkittler@Pinchot.org http://www.pinchot.org/gp/Guidelines

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