DNR’s latest Economic and Revenue Forecast is online

Photo: DNR

DNR’s latest economic forecast makes only minor revisions to the department’s revenue expectations for upcoming quarters — which is not particularly good news. The November 2011 DNR Economic and Revenue Forecast raises the department’s expected revenue from timber for the 2011-13 Biennium by 1 percent from the previous outlook. Projected timber revenue in the 2013-15 Biennium is lowered slightly. DNR economists base their outlook on the probability that the U.S. housing market will not see a significant recovery for several years. They also anticipate an easing of the hot export market to China for logs harvested from private lands (state law prohibits export of unprocessed logs from state trust lands). 

DNR also generates revenue for state trusts from other sources, including agricultural leasing, aquatic leases, commercial sites and other sources, but timber sales account for a substantial majority of the total revenues.

With this latest forecast, DNR raises its anticipated timber revenues for the 2011-2013 Biennium from $359.5 million to $361.5 million. The Forecast, which is published quarterly, also lowers the expected revenue for the 2013-2015 Biennium by 5 percent, from $403.3  to $384.9 million. A substantial portion of these revenues go to state trust land beneficiaries including public school construction, universities and several counties.

Read more details in the full report and summary

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Off-and-on closures along part of Tiger Mountain Trail

A timber harvest called KarisRun is scheduled on Tiger Mountain about 2 miles northwest of Highway 18. The timber sale contract also involves road work and replacing culverts with a bridge over a fish-bearing stream.

To protect public safety during the scheduled work and timber removal, Tiger Mountain Trail is temporarily closed from Middle Tiger Trail to the West Side Road. Alternative trails have been provided and rerouted to allow movement through the area. Tiger Mountain Trail in the harvest area is scheduled to reopen November 9 and reclose again in April to continue the harvest. It may seem inconvenient to hikers, but Tiger Mountain is a working forest.

Most of the forest is state trust lands, which are managed to earn revenue for specific trust beneficiaries. In this case KarisRun timber sale on Tiger is on State Forest trust and Scientific School trust lands. This means that part of the much-needed funds will go to county services and education in King County, and part will go to Washington State University.

Reaching more goals than just cutting some trees

When DNR foresters design a timber sale, they not only earn revenue for the trusts, but can accomplish many goals.

DNR’s latest economic forecast lowers revenue expectations

The delayed recovery of the U.S. housing market will keep DNR timber stumpage prices down over the next two to three years. Photo: Danielle Munzing/DNR.

Released in final form this week, the September 2011 DNR Economic and Revenue Forecast lowers the department’s expected revenue from timber and several other natural resources for the 2011-13 and 2013-15 bienniums. DNR economists say the delayed recovery of the U.S. housing market could keep timber stumpage prices down for the next two to three years. 

Largely as a result of lower prices for timber, DNR lowered its forecast of timber revenues for the 2011-2013 Biennium by $18.1 million (five percent) to $359.5 million. The Forecast, which is published quarterly, also lowered expected revenue for the 2013-2015 Biennium by $6.6 million (two percent) to $403.3 million. A substantial portion of the revenue DNR generates goes to state trust land beneficiaries including public school construction, universities and several counties.

Read more details in the full report and summary 

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Recreation Alert: Timber harvest activities in Yacolt Burn State Forest may affect your plans

Click on the map for a larger view of area

Beginning immediately, the Bells Mountain Trail in the northwest part of the Yacolt Burn State Forest is temporarily closed during the week to recreation due to an active timber harvest beginning around mile 4.

The non-motorized trail is open on weekends.

You can access the Bells Mountain Trail from the north through Moulton Falls County Park or from the south by DNR-managed Cold Creek Campground.

Another timber harvest is taking place near the Cold Creek Campground and Day-use Area. This harvest will not create any closures, but it may affect traffic. Expect delays for up to 15 minutes on the 1300 Road. Flaggers will be on duty to manage heavy truck and public vehicle traffic.

For more information, contact Jessica Kimmick, 360-852-3390.

>> Download a map of the Tarbell, Bells Mountain trail system. 

 The timber harvest activity will continue until further notice.
>> Get updates on trail and facility closures and re-openings in Yacolt Burn State Forest.

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Recreation alert: Sections of Sadie Creek ORV trail and road temporarily closed

Sections of Sadie Creek ORV Trail and PA-S 1000 Road are closed due to timber harvest activity. Click on the map for a larger view of the area.

Sections of a road and a trail in the Sadie Creek Off-road Vehicle (ORV) trail system are temporarily closed due to timber harvest activity in the area. For public safety reasons, DNR often closes access to certain areas of forests during timber harvests, especially areas that are popular for outdoor recreation. The Sadie Creek ORV Trailhead is located 8 miles west of Joyce, off Highway 112 in Clallam County.

What’s closed?
The Sadie Creek Trail closure begins where it intersects with the southern end of the PA-S 1300 Road in the southern part of the forest. The trail is closed all the way east to the southern end of the PA- S 1000 Road. The PA-S 1000 Road is closed up to north where it intersects with the PA-S 1450 Road. View a map.

Riders can still access the PA-S 1000 Road from the north via the PA-S 1450 Road.

How long will the trail and road sections be closed?
They are closed until further notice. We’ll update the Olympic Region Web page and post the reopening information on DNR’s blog. For more information, contact Wayne Fitzwater at 360-457-2570 ext. 222.

Timber harvests and recreation
Timber harvest activity on forested state trust lands can sometimes affect recreation access. It’s always good practice to be extra cautious while recreating on forest roads. Log trucks don’t stop quickly. Check DNR’s website for updates about timber activity impacts to recreation on DNR-managed lands at www.dnr.wa.gov/recreation

Do you have your Discover Pass yet?
The pass is your ticket to recreation access on nearly 7 million acres of state lands. Find out more at: discoverpass.wa.gov.

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Recreation Alert: Be extra cautious in Ahtanum State Forest this summer – timber harvest begins Monday

A log truck travels past Tree Phones Campground in Ahtanum State Forest. Photo: Toni Droscher/DNR

Beginning Monday, June 27, outdoor recreationists heading to Ahtanum State Forest can expect to encounter heavy equipment traffic as a timber harvest gets into full swing.

This summer, expect anywhere from 20 to 30 log or chip trucks each day, as well as road graders and water trucks. Always yield to these vehicles. They are big, and they don’t stop quickly.

Harvest activity will affect traffic near the Tree Phones Campground, along the Middle Fork Ahtanum Road to Tampico.

For safety reasons, DNR is closing the large parking area at Tree Phones Campground for use as a staging area for the chip trucks. You can still camp at Tree Phones Campground during the timber harvest.

The timber harvest will continue through late October, depending on weather conditions. Ahtanum State Forest is 30 miles west of Yakima.

If you have a CB radio, monitor channel 14 for truck traffic updates. For more information, contact Ken McNamee, DNR’s Southeast Region Alpine District Manager, 509-925-0937 (office); 509-899-2883 (mobile); or ken.mcnamee@dnr.wa.gov.

Wondering about other recreation areas?
DNR updates its web site with information about seasonal and temporary closures as well as other information you need to plan your outdoor adventure. Visit www.dnr.wa.gov/recreation.

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Recreation Alert: Timber sales will affect access to some trails on Tiger Mountain beginning Friday

Beginning tomorrow, Friday, June 24, timber harvest activity on state trust lands in the Tiger Mountain area will require DNR to temporarily close some trails. As a result of the harvest, traffic will increase on a forest road used for launch access by the paragliding community. The closures will likely continue from May to October this summer and next summer.

What you need to know
Road construction and timber harvest will require DNR to temporarily close a 1.6 mile section of the Tiger Mountain Trail from the Middle Tiger Trail junction south towards the West Side Road (#1000) trail junction. 

The Karisrun timber sale may also require DNR to temporarily close a segment of the West Side Road (#1000), just west of the Iverson Railroad Grade Trail, for a new road bridge installation over Holder Creek. 

Short-term, temporary closures of the west end of the Iverson Railroad Grade Trail may also be required during installation of the road bridge.

We will provide updated information on the timber sale and how it affects recreation access.

Alternate routes
Please use the Middle Tiger Trail and travel the West Side Road (#1000) to bypass the segment of the Tiger Mountain Trail closure. Be cautious and aware of truck and heavy equipment traffic on the West Side Road (#1000) Road.

Timber sales and recreation
Timber activity on state trust lands can sometimes affect recreation access. It’s always good practice to be extra cautious while recreating on forest roads. Log trucks don’t stop quickly.  You can check the web for updates about timber activity and recreation on DNR-managed lands at www.wa.gov/recreation. 

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Wood-based biofuels for aviation in the news

Some of the logging 'slash' and other wood residues left after timber harvests could be converted into fuel for aviation. Photo: DNR.

Using forest biomass to create cleaner, sustainable energy — including jet fuel — is an emerging technology well suited to the Pacific Northwest. A news story on KLPU-FM describes the efforts of Sustainable Aviation Fuels Northwest, a regional consortium exploring the opportunities in producing sustainable aviation fuels.

A guest editorial from the consortium in The Olympian today describes the policy steps of developing a viable Northwest aviation biofuels industry.

The effort got a major boost in mid April when the 2011 Washington Legislature passed a bill authorizing DNR to develop a demonstration program to generate aviation biofuel from wood waste and mill residue. At a biomass conference in January, Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark detailed the aviation biofuel component of DNR’s Forest Biomass Initiative, noting that jet fuel would be one of the highest and best uses for residual forest biomass.

DNR is conducting a forest biomass assessment to determine what volume of biomass from Washington forests is both economically and ecologically available.

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Biomass-to-jet fuel and Community Forest Trust bills signed into law today

Slash and residue from timber harvests and saw mill operations could supply biomass for alternative fuel projects. Photo: DNR.

Governor Chris Gregoire this afternoon signed into law two bills requested by Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark:

House Bill 1422 authorizes DNR to collaborate on the development of a sustainable source of aviation fuel using forest biomass such as logging slash and sawmill wood residues. Working with the state Department of Commerce, Washington State University and the University of Washington, DNR will move forward with a demonstration project for the concept.

“We have an opportunity to bring our timber heritage and our aviation industry together to contribute to a more sustainable energy future,” Goldmark said following the signing. 

Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1421, creating the Community Forest Trust, gives communities a new tool to prevent the conversion of working forests into housing or other types of development. Community Forest Trust lands could help buffer public or private working forests from encroaching development without the expenses of managing them as parkland.

“Protecting working forests protects local timber jobs and economies, but it also preserves the clean water, clean air, wildlife habitat and other values these lands provide to us,” said Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark after the bill was signed.

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Forks Community Hospital looks to timber revenue from DNR-managed trust lands

Forks Community Hospital is a key healthcare resource for western Clallam and Jefferson counties. Photo: donabelandewen@flickr

Residents across a broad swath of the western Olympic Peninsula rely on Forks Community Hospital for emergency, acute and critical care. This vital lifeline is supported in part by revenues DNR earns from managing 92,532 acres of State Forest Trust lands that benefit Clallam County. These trust lands provide vital support to the hospital’s general fund, as well as its emergency department and ambulance service.

Each quarter, DNR reports the earned income and projected revenue from State Forest Lands (formerly known as Forest Board lands) in Clallam and several other Washington counties. Harvesting timber provides most of the revenue, which the counties use to support various taxing districts that provide county services — roads, schools, hospitals, libraries and fire districts.

The lion’s share of revenue earned from the State Forest Trust lands DNR manages stays within the county. For example, during the first quarter of calendar year 2011, State Forest Trust lands in Clallam County generated $1.6 million and are projected to generate $4.4 million in 2011 (about $2.5 million higher than our earlier projections, thanks in part to recovering prices for unprocessed logs). In fiscal year 2010, State Forest Trust lands earned just over $98.7 million.

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