Young Growth Committee

YOUNG GROWTH TECHNICAL COMMITTEE MEETING
12-3-08, KETCHIKAN

The Young Growth Technical Committee heard three proposals for improving the Tongass National Forest young growth inventory to facilitate planning and scheduling of the young growth management activities. Each of theses proposals uses the current inventory data set and incorporates the most recent inventory plot data from 2005 to accomplish this. The proposals use different analysis methods to stratify, extrapolate, and model the 2005 data. Each proposal would also collect additional field data to fill in statistical gaps as identified by their analysis.

Jim McWhorter of Terra Verde presented a proposal for using photo interpretation analysis to continue the work of Mike Sheets (Craig Ranger District) with the 2005 plot data to: stratify the young growth polygons; extrapolate the results; design additional field inventory to improve the statistical representation; and to use the FPS modeling tool for short and long term planning and scheduling.

Ray Granville of Cascade Appraisal presented a proposal to utilize 2005 FS plot data, use the plot data to determine the most appropriate growth and yield tables, and to stratify and map stands using age, aspect, and elevation. Field samples of additional stands would be undertaken to augment FS data. A report would be prepared with the results of the inventory report and identification of current stands with commercial potential.

Dr Bill Schlosser of Kamiak Ridge presented a proposal to use FS young growth data, satellite imagery, and variography to stratify, extrapolate, and model for future planning and scheduling needs.

The YG Committee decided to meet in January to try to reach a consensus on the best proposal to endorse.

YOUNG GROWTH TECHNICAL COMMITTEE MEETING 01-23-09, JUNEAU

The Young Growth Technical Committee heard summaries of inventory proposals from Jim McWhorter and Dr Schlosser. Sheila Spores of the Tongass NF presented the work that the Tongass, and especially Mike Sheets, is doing to improve the accuracy of the Tongass YG inventory.

During the meeting, the committee developed the following recommendations:

1) Complete the timber typing of all TNF young growth stands, excluding those now in Wilderness designations or other land classes that prohibit implementation of silviculture management prescriptions.
Discussion notes:
– Timber typing needs to be done regardless of the inventory system.
– There is tremendous benefit in the consistency of one person doing the timber typing.
– Mike Sheets has already accomplished some of this work and it would be very desirable if he were instructed/allowed to complete typing the rest..
– As a separate project, it would be very beneficial if other lands (e.g., AK Native Corporation, State DNR, Mental Health Trust, etc.) were timber typed in a compatible manner to facilitate development of a data base capable of addressing short and long-term regional timber supply issues.

2) The TNF pursue a stand-based inventory system sufficiently robust to address timber questions regarding how much, what kind, when, and where information to facilitate timber sale planning and to meet other natural resource management needs.
Discussion notes:
– The committee agreed the Terra Verde proposal meets the above criteria.
– As a separate project, it would be beneficial if inventory information from other forest lands (e.g., AK Native Corporation, State DNR, Mental Health Trust, etc.) were compatible with TNF inventory information to facilitate development of a data base to address short and long-term regional timber supply issues.

A teleconference call for 2/2/09 is scheduled for the following purposes:
1) Shelia to report the outcome of the 1/29/09 meeting with the TNF Supervisor, et. al.
2) To identify follow up actions and schedule committee tasks in order to make recommendation to the 2/24/09 – 2/26/09 TFR meeting.

YOUNG GROWTH COMMITTEE MEETING 02-02-09 JUNEAU

The committee met to hear the outcome of Sheila Spores meeting with TNF Supervisors. Sheila reported that the FS would:
Step 1. Complete a photo-inventory of older POW young growth stands.
Step 2. Complete their ground-based plot inventory of POW young growth stands harvested before 1965 (a projected started in 2005).
Step 3. Model young growth yields and a sustainable young growth harvest schedule.
Step 4. Ground sample the next cohort of older POW young growth stands (i.e., 40,000 acres harvested between 1965 and 1969).

Sheila reported that there is support from the Forrest Cole and Charlie Streuli for the FS to get moving on Steps 1 and 2 right away. She reported that the FS was looking at using OPTIONS for modeling young growth (Step 3). The use of OPTIONS may mean that the FS is not interested in using SEALASKA’s FPS model.

Clarence Clark indicated that he is very interested in Steps 1 and 2. John Caouette thought the FS had a good handle on the near-term supply of older young growth on POW. He stated that the near term supply of older commercially ready young growth on POW appears to be consistent with the graduated schedule proposed by Keith Rush, Kirk Dahlstrom, and Clarence Clark. This schedule (2Mbf in 2010, 4Mbf in 2011, 6Mbf in 2012, ..) also is reported in the soon to be released Beck Group study on the transition to young growth timber harvest. Ron Wolfe made a pitch for the FPS model in lieu of using OPTIONS.

YOUNG GROWTH WORKING GROUP

Goal: Recommend strategies and programs that help transition the timber program of Southeast Alaska from a predominately old-growth timber program to a one where the wood supplied to the industry is predominantly young-growth , recognizing multiple management objectives such as regional and local economic development, stability and diversity, habitat maintenance, enhancement and restoration, and timber stand improvement.

News

Future Harvest Level Capacity of Second Rotation Forests – Preliminary Draft Progress Report

Future Harvest Level Capacity of Second Rotation Forests – Power Point Presentation

Documents

Charter
Young Growth Committee Work Plan Approved December 2007

Young Growth Committee Report – October 2008

Chair: Rick Harris
TFR Representatives: Kurt Dahlstrom, Niel Lawrence, Robert Sanderson, Jr., Michael Kampnich