Study determines how much timber could be harvested
By: Larisa Bogardus , The Independent 01/02/2004
WHITE MOUNTAINS - An estimated 857 million board feet of timber could be harvested in Northern Arizona over the next five years, according to an independent study.
To build a 2,500 square foot home takes approximately 15,000 board feet of lumber. The amount of lumber that could be harvested in Northern Arizona, according to the study, would provide enough lumber for 342,000 homes.
To reach that conclusion, the Coordinated Resources Opportunity Protocol (CROP) study assessed small diameter timber on the five national forests - Apache-Sitgreaves, Coconino, Kaibab, Tonto and Prescott.
"IT's a good first draft," Steve Gatewood of the Greater Flagstaff Forest Partnership told members of the Arizona Sustainable Forests Partnership. "I think it's the first time anybody has looked at all the material available."
The study also breaks material data into classes of 5 inches or less, 5 to 9 inches, 9 to 12 inches, 12 inches and up, and biomass.
Such data is key to attracting new industries to the region, demonstrating the ability to meet production needs.
Louisiana Pacific is developing plans for a compressed wood production plant in the Snowflake area. Savannah Pacific is looking at a developing a multi-purpose mill in Belmont that would include a firewood company, pellet plant, finger joint plant, sawmill and biomass plant using 4-inch to 22-inch materiall
"There's not a lot of infrastructure in the Southwest," Gatewood noted. "This is one of the areas with mature operations and they want to find a niche in the existing infrastructure."
New technologies present new opportunities for industry, Bill Greenwood added.
For example, a company is developing a way to harden ponderosa pine with starch for use as flooring material, while portable "micromills" enable loggers to process material on site.
Although there are few economic development grants available through traditional sources in the coming year, the new Healthy Forests Restoration Act includes grants ranging from start-up capital to new equipment for timber and bioenergy projects.
The legislation also guarantees funding for the Apache-Sitgreaves' White Mountain Stewardship Contract, which will allow the forest to award a contract to thin 15,000 acres a year for 10 years.
"It's quite innovative in terms of federal contracts," said Jon Schendel of the Apache-Sitgreaves.
Dennis
