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Estimating Timber Value in Leave-tree Buffers

A study on estimating timber value in leave-tree buffers for compliance costs offset in WA-DOR Forest Tax, mandated by the "Forest & Fish" Bill. Methodologies include unit identification, tree measurement, volume allocation, value assignment, data analysis, and results summarization. Current progress and budget complications discussed.

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Estimating Timber Value in Leave-tree Buffers

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  1. Estimating Timber Value in Leave-tree Buffers Western Mensurationists Meeting WA-DOR Forest Tax Laurence Reeves

  2. Purpose of Study • “Forest & Fish” Bill (HB 2091, 1999 spec. session) increased Forest Practice requirements • Eligible timber harvests get 16% FET credit to offset compliance costs • Study was mandated to examine the degree to which credit covers costs • Nov 2002 deadline to Legislature

  3. Overview of Methodology • Identify eligible units for cruising • Measure leave-tree volume • Allocate volume between old and new Forest Practice rules • Assign value to volume • Analyze data • Summarize results

  4. Methodology- Unit Identification • Harvest must be completed, tax paid and FET credit received • Credit eligibility based on complying with one or more of six EARRs • Only cruised units with RMZ, wetland and/or steep/unstable slope • Did not cruise units with RMAPs only (no leave-trees) or HCP/WA (non-uniformity)

  5. Methodology- Measuring Trees • 3-person teams using relaskops, tapes, laser rangefinders and MC-5 computer • 100% tree visitation for DBH and specie. FF, bole height and log grade were continually sampled, 20% min target • SuperAce 98 extrapolates FF, bole height and log grade to entire population • L.O.s may request cruise data, some have check-cruised units with similar results

  6. Methodology-Allocating Volume • Lack of consensus whether to measure incremental or total FP rule impact • Decided to cruise all EARR leave-trees then remove trees in SuperAce based on old FP rules and WRT/GRT reqs. • Remaining trees allocated to new FP rules • SuperAce generates 3 volume reports based on total, new and old FP rules

  7. Methodology- Assigning Value • DOR Stumpage Value Tables used to value leave-tree volume • Timber quality codes in Tables are based on % of #2 sawmill grade for DF & WH and % #3 sawmill grade for RA • Export sorts not a factor in cruise or valuation • Values produced for all 3 groups (total, new and old FP rule volume)

  8. Methodology- Analyze Data • Main focus is on credit versus leave-tree value, but also examining % of total FPAs receiving credit and credit qualifier • With roughly 100 cruises statewide, only large strata are possible, such as east vs. west and large vs. small harvester • Harvest units differ widely by size, aquatic resources, timber quality, etc: data are not normally distributed and highly variable

  9. Methodology-Summarize Results • Because of high variability, presenting an average doesn’t tell whole story • Median or weighted-average statistic may give better representation due to large tail • Overall, value of leave-tree buffers tends to be larger than FET credit • Majority of value (and volume) lies in area required by new FP rules • Most FPAs get credit for only RMAPs

  10. Current Status (as of 6/11/02) • Progress: 96 units cruised • 81 westside, 15 eastside • 77 large, 19 small harvesters • 4 with no impact • we have 13 identified units left to cruise • Budget Complications • In March 2002 we had to curtail remote harvest units due to budget crisis

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