GFC eUpdate [Mar. 26, 2014]

GFC eUpdate

Contents
Report Shows Georgia Forests Remain Sustainable
Prescribed Burning "Watch Outs"
Forest Management Matters
Reforestation Wrap-Up
Forest Utilization Updates
Upcoming Events
GFF Longleaf Classic Golf Tournament
3/27/2014 Hawkinsville, GA
Conservation Field Day for
Landowners, Managers and Professionals
3/27/2014 Guyton, GA
Tree Board Webinar Series
4/1/2014
Forest Certification: From

Report Shows Georgia Forests Remain Sustainable
The Georgia Forestry Commission recently delivered its updated "Forest Sustainability Report" to the 2014 Georgia Legislature, as is required every five years. The new report shows that Georgia's forests continue to be healthy and abundant, providing jobs, ecosystem services and nearly $29 billion to the state's economy annually. The report identifies certain trends that affect ongoing forest sustainability, including urbanization, smaller parcel sizes, property tax systems and the transfer of forest industry-owned lands, and states future actions regarding these issues are needed to ensure long term forest sustainability. To view the full report, click here.
Prescribed Burning "Watch Outs"
Watch Out! Those two words do an excellent job of getting our attention. "Watch out" situations can arise very quickly, so it pays to prepare for surprises ahead of time by knowing about what can go wrong. Will you be burning in the weeks ahead? Prescribed burning is an enormously beneficial forest management tool, but it is one of those jobs that can take a turn for the worse in a flash. Each and every prescribed burn should be fully evaluated for "watch outs." If you're unsure about your specific location and situation, contact your local Georgia Forestry Commission office or another trained prescribed burn practitioner for advice. The Georgia Forestry Commission also offers prescribed burn training through its Prescribed Burn Manager Certification Program. The training is offered in each region of the state throughout the year. For more information, locations and dates, visit our website at www.gatrees.org. For a look at many (but not all) of the "watch outs" for prescribed burning, click here.
Forest Management Matters
Ice Storm had major impact on Georgia timber. GFC foresters estimate Georgia's February 11-13 ice storm resulted in more than $65 million in timber damage. A full report is available, which describes the damage and the highest impact zone, centered around Burke County and westward about 75 miles. Timberland owners in this zone should assess impacts to their property and seek professional forester advice before taking action to ensure long-term goals are carefully considered. Landowners who must perform a complete salvage harvest may wish to apply for costshare for site preparation and reforestation expenses at their local Farm Services Agency office under the Emergency Forest Restoration Program.

the Woods to the Mills and Beyond
4/10/2014 Tifton, GA
Earth Day 4/22/2014
Tree Farm Field Day
4/30/2014 Pulaski County, GA
Forestry: A Foundation for our Future Artwork and
Slogan Deadline 4/30/2014

Our neighboring state of South Carolina took the brunt of this ice storm's wrath, with a much larger zone of impact and about six times the amount of damage that Georgia incurred. Click here for more information.
Forest Roads issue is further clarified by passage of the Farm Bill. It clearly recognizes the "silvicultural exemption" that has been in place since the Clean Water Act of the 1970's. The bill goes beyond the question of whether forest roads are point or non-point sources, and heads straight into the issue of NPDES permits, prohibiting any requirement for them for forest roads. This move should close the door on litigation and further confusion on this subject, and prevent the burdensome NPDES permitting process for forest roads. State forestry Best Management Practices, which are BMP programs that have been in place for decades, provide comprehensive guidance for mitigation of erosion and pollution from forest roads. Congress has recognized this fact and allowed states and their BMP programs to provide leadership in this area. Click here for more information.
Tree Farm field day at Bembry Farm on April 30th. Previous Tree Farmer of the year, Dr. Johnny Bembry, will host an informative field day at his Pulaski County property that will include everything from cost-share and estate planning to wildlife, the economics of forestry, and much more. Details will be posted soon on gatrees.org. The event is co-sponsored by the Georgia Forestry Commission.

Diamondback rattlesnake survey still underway. As you may have heard, this species is being closely examined for potential listing as threatened or endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The information being collected includes a database for snake sightings. If you encounter a diamondback, please take a couple of minutes to fill out the survey at: http://www.ncasi.org/snakesurvey.aspx.
Reforestation Wrap-Up
A busy lifting and packing season is coming to an end at the GFC nursery. Memberships in two tree improvement co-ops, the NC State University Cooperative Tree Improvement Program for loblolly pine and the University of Florida Cooperative for slash pine, continued to afford Georgia landowners the highest quality seedlings available. The Georgia Giant variety again proved popular for its 54-percent greater stem volume at age six, with above average stem straightness and resistance to fusiform rust. The GFC nursery will begin planting these pine seedlings in late April and taking orders for all seedling varieties beginning July 1 for delivery beginning in December '14. In addition, remember GFC offers more than 20 varieties of high quality large hardwood seedlings. Visit our

website for more information at www.gaseedlings.org.
Forest Utilization Updates
Hazlehurst Wood Pellets LLC is Georgia's newest wood pellet plant. Located in Hazlehurst (Jeff Davis County), the mill's first phase will produce 150,000 tons of wood pellets/year utilizing 100% southern yellow pine. Two additional phases will ramp up total production to 450,000 tons of wood pellets/year. The 150,000 and 450,000 tons of pellet production equates to 300,000 & 900,000 tons, respectively, of new pine fiber demand in the region. Georgia now has 10 wood pellet plants.
Greenway Renewable Power, Rollcast Energy's second biomass electricity plant, is slated to begin construction in summer 2014 with commercial operation in 2016. Located in LaGrange (Troup County), the 55 Mw plant will utilize approximately 550,000 tons of biomass fuel per year.
Canadian forest products giant Interfor recently acquired Tolleson Lumber Company's pine sawmills in Perry (Houston County) and Preston (Webster County). In the last year, Interfor also acquired Rayonier's pine sawmills in Baxley (Appling County), Eatonton (Putnam County), and Swainsboro (Emanuel County), followed by the acquisition of Keadle Lumber Enterprises in Thomaston (Upson County). Based on recent estimates, Interfor now owns approximately 25% of the pine sawlog production in the state.
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