HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 12-04-1995 - X-F E
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ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Action Agenda
Item No. X-F
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: December 4, 1995
SUBJECT: Current Forestry Practices and Wood Processing Plants
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DEPARTMENT:Cooperative Extension PUBLIC HEARING YES: NO: X
ATTACHMENT(S) : Report INFORMATION CONTACT: Fletcher Barber
TELEPHONE NUMBER- 2051
Hillsborough -732-8181
Chapel Hill -968-4501
Mebane -227-2031
Durham -688-7331
PURPOSE: To report on current forestry practices in the County and
wood processing plants.
BACKGROUND: At the September 5, 1995 Commissioners' Meeting, the
Board requested information on new wood processing
plants in neighboring counties and possible impacts on
current forestry practices in Orange County.
Cooperative Extension Service, Natural Resources
Conservation Service and N.C. Forestry Service developed
a report highlighting several aspects of forestry.
Fletcher Barber, County Extension Director, will present
the report.
RECOMMENDATION(S) : The Manager recommends that the Board receive
the report as information.
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CURRENT FORESTRY PRACTICES
IN ORANGE COUNTY
THE IMPACT OF NEW ORIENTED
STRAND BOARD NULLS
Prepared for the
Orange County Board of Commissioners
Prepared by:
Fletcher Barber, Jr., County Extension Director, N.C. Cooperative Extension Service, Orange County
Craven Hudson, Area Extension Specialized Environmental Management Agent
Elin L. Ferrell, District Conservationist with (NRCS) Natural Resources Conservation Service
Brad Bowling, County Forest Ranger, N.C. Forestry Service
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Current Forestry Practices in Orange County
& the Impact of New Oriented Strand Board Mills
Current Practice:
Mixed pine and hardwood forests make up a large measure of Orange County's scenic
: beauty. The private landowners who own this resource have a variety of objectives. Some will
preserve the land for its aesthetics and some will hold this land for development, removing the
best timber before homes are built. This group has brought about a new forestry term - the
Development Cut. Development cuts are terrible for forest management since the high quality
seed stock is removed leaving only low value (in commercial terms) trees. This doesn't seem
to be a problem since housing is the main goal and the high quality trees do fill market needs.
Development poses a greater threat to maintaining a useable forest resource than do timber
harvesting practices. Approximately 90% of harvested stands are reforested for future timber
production. In contrast, once an area is developed the remaining timber is, for all intents and
purposes, untouchable.
The third landowner group consists of citizens who see their woodlands as a financial
resource. It may be an insurance policy in case of failing health or a child's college fund.
Others in this group actively manage the forest resource for maximum financial return by taking
advantage of the cost share funds and services of private consultants and local resource agencies
(see Appendix 1). The new mills will be welcomed by these landowners because they give them
markets for non crop trees such as "junk hardwoods" and pine plantation thinnings. Local
Forest Ranger Brad Bowling states it best, "It's like having someone come and pull weeds out
of your garden or croplands and pay you for it."
For the growers who reforest after cutting the final sawtimber crop, reforestation costs
will be greatly reduced because the previously non-commercial trees were removed years earlier.
Previously these "junk hardwoods" had to be killed, burned or piled at the landowners' expense
($25-125/acre). Lower reforestation costs equals less public cost sharing ultimately saving
taxpayers money.
Even landowners who manage for aesthetics will benefit from the new mills. They will
be able to remove undesirable trees to create a more park-like stand. The revenues will enable
them to make other improvements to the aesthetics of their property which ultimately benefits
all Orange County citizens.
The Impacts of New OSB Plants
The Person County Louisiana Pacific Plant's primary raw material need is pine
pulpwood. They plan to get this wood from pine plantation thinnings. They will take some soft
hardwood, but it is not their primary need. LP will not take any oak or hickory. Their 100
truckload/day wood requirement will also include tops from sawtimber.
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LP will offer competitive prices for pine thinnings and non-commercial hardwoods to
Orange County landowners. Since the goal of thinning timber is to provide the best possible
growing conditions for crop trees, the impacts on the forest stand are kept to a minimum. A
log deck usually found near highways is cleared for loading the harvest. Erosion and accelerated
runoff from thinned stands is generally minimal.
The Huber Plant in Crystal Hill, VA., and the Georgia Pacific Plant in Brookneal, VA.,
will use more hardwoods than the LP Plant. These two plants were located in Virginia because
of an abundant wood supply. These plants will concentrate on getting wood that is near their
plants. It will probably be some time before they would n� material from Orange County.
The southside Virginia area is less populated than Orange County. Huber and Georgia Pacific
will have less problems with boundary clarification and other concerns associated with harvesting
timber in more densely populated areas. Also Virginia's reforestation laws have produced an
abundant wood supply in southside Virginia.
The Huber and George Pacific Plants can only mean more competitive prices for Orange
County forest landowners.
Advantages of New Plants:
- Market for previously unmarketable trees
- Better prices
- Lower reforestation costs
- Better forest management and resource utilization
George Pace, Procurement Forester for LP, has offered to host a tour of their new
facility near the Virginia line. We will be glad to arrange a tour showing the entire process
from woods to finished product to help familiarize you with this industry. We believe hands-on
learning is best.
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Appendix 1 S
Page 1
North Carolina Agricultural Cost Share Program
State sponsored program administered at the County level by personnel
designated to the Cost Share Program.
Avg Cost /unit
Cropland Conversion to Trees $162.00/ac
This practice has a minimum 10 year lifespan.
Cost shared at the rate of 75% of the average cost.
The local Soil and Water Conservation District maintains approval
authority for this program. However, the District and Forest Service usually
work very closely in the actual implementation of the practices.
Forestry Incentive Program
Federal Program administered at the County level by Natural
Resources Conservation Service. Practices available cover forestation,
reforestation, Timber Stand Improvement (TSI) and are cost shared on a 50%
basis. -
Requirements are:
At least 10 acres must be in the practice
The practice is deemed necessary by the NCFS
Practices
FP1 - Tree Planting 50% not to exceed **/ac
FP2 - Timber Stand Improvement 50% not to exceed $40.00/ac
FP3 - Site Prep for Natural Regen. 50% not to exceed $60.00/ac
** variable according to species planted
Appendix 1 6
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Stewardship Incentive Program
Federal program administered at the County level by NRCS, NCFS,
NCWRC, CES, CFSA. The program is designed to encourage landowners to
manage their forest lands for economic, environmental and social benefits. The
program assists the landowner in developing and implementing a comprehensive
Forest Resource Management plan: timber, fish, wildlife, water, soil,
aesthetics, recreation.
Eligibility:
must be a non-industrial private forest land of greater than 10 acres
and must have an approved Forest Stewardship Plan.
Cost share and technical assistance is available for plan development and
plan implementation. Cost share rate varies by practice.
Practices include tree planting, prescribed burning, mulching
SIP-1 Plan Development
SIP-2 Reforestation and Afforestation
SIP-3 Forest and Agroforest Improvement
SIP-5 Soil and Water Protection and Improvement
SIP-6 Riparian and Wetland Protection and Improvement
SIP-7 Fisheries Enhancement
SIP-8 Wildlife Habitat Enhancement
SIP-9 Forest Recreation Enhancement
NC Forest Service has technical oversite on all federally cost-shared
forestry practices. Oversite includes assessment of needs, coordinating with
landowners and consultants for installation of practices and final approval of
practices installed. NC Forest Service personnel are familiar with local
consultants, timber harvesters, etc. and are the best choice to coordinate getting
the practices on the ground.
Both NRCS and NC Forest Service work with landowners interested in
forest resource management, with the FS taking the lead role. Landowners can
contact either agency concerning cost-share programs and will be assisted in
applying for the one most suited for their needs. Both NCFS and NRCS work
with individual landowners to provide information and education on proper
forest management.
The main obstacle to the full realization of the federal programs is
uncertain and sporadic funding year to year. These programs offer an excellent
opportunity for those interested in proper forest management.
Appendix 1 7
Page 3
Forest Development Program
F D P
GENERAL: The Forest Development Program funds for cost-sharing are derived from
two sources: 1) an appropriation by the Legislature to the Forest
Development Fund, and 2) an assessment on primary forest products. The N.
C. Department of Revenue is responsible for collecting the assessments.
The Division of Forest Resources administers the Forest Development Program
at the state and local levels; and maintains a list by county of the
primary forest products processors who are subject to the assessment. This
list is to be updated quarterly by each county.
Purpose: To assure forest productivity and provide environmental protection of
the state's woodlands through establishment of forest stands or insuring
adequate regeneration.
Eligibility: A private individual, group, association, or corporation owning
land in North Carolina suitable for forestry purposes. Also, a forest
management plan approved by the Division of Forest Resources must be on
file prior to application for funds. The plan must contain present and
future management recommendations to assure forest productivity and
environmental protection.
Designated Counties: All counties.
Approved Practices: Several practices are approved in four major categories:
1. Site preparation
2. Silvicultural Clearcut
3. Tree Planting or Seeding
4. Timber Stand Improvement (does not include pre-commercial thinning or
fertilization)
Cost-Share Rate: 40% of the actual cost or the established prevailing rate,
whichever is less. - --
Limitations:
A maximum funding of 100 acres each fiscal year at the current prevailing
rate(s) for that practice(s).
--Landowners cannot receive funding on the same acres as those funded
through other cost-share programs during the same fiscal year.
After funding, landowners must initiate work within one year and complete
the project within two years.
Funding Procedures: Applications for funding should be made through local
Division of Forest Resources offices.
Funding will be on a fiscal year, "first come, first served" basis,
depending upon the date the application was received at the state office.
(continued)
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Landowners will be notified by mail of project funding. Landowners must- 1
not begin work on their project until they have received written
notification. Projects where work has begun prior to notification are
subject to forfeiture of funds.
If funds are exhausted during a "program year", applications will be placed
on a "waiting list" and funded on a "first come, first serviced" basis when
funds become available.
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