Annual report - 1995

e*Pk F600 M 1^5
GEORGIA FORESTRY COMMISSION

DAVID L. WESTMORELAND Director

Jim L. Gillis, Jr Robert Simpson, III James G. Fendig

Chairman, Soperton

Lakeland

Savannah

Gloria Shatto Mount Berry

C. M. Eunice Blackshear

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Georgia Forestry Commission
R O. Box 819 - Macon, Georgia 31298-4599 (912) 751-3500

David L. Westmoreland Director

Governor Zell Miller The General Assembly The People of Georgia
Dear Fellow Georgians:
We take pride in presenting an annual report of the Georgia Forestry Commission which reflects a year of substantial progress.
During the year, 520 private landowners received Forest Stewardship Plans bringing the total in the program to 1,997. These landowners are committed to multiple resource management for timber, wild life, soil, water, and recreation. An additional 23,000 landowners received forestry assistance on 1.28 mil lion acres including timber stand improvement, reforestation, insect and disease, Best Management Prac tices (BMP's), timber harvesting, and federal assistance programs.
In monitoring Georgia's forest health, the Commission aerially treated 1,754 acres in North Geor gia for the control and eradication of the Gypsy Moth. Over 5,200 acres were previously treated. Aerial surveys of 14 million acres of pine were conducted for the detection and control of the Southern Pine Beetle. Forest industry in this state is to be commended for the salvage effort associated with this infestation.
Commission firefighters held the average size fire to 3.21 acres, the lowest on record for our state. Over 300,000 burning permits were issued to individuals for debris and other outdoor burning. Requests from over 6,115 landowners resulted in the plowing of 14,471 miles of presuppression firebreaks.
Georgia has long been a recognized national leader in urban forestry. This year, the Urban For estry Program coordinated and administered funding for the planting of more than 6,200 large trees for local governments and non-profit organizations. Over 1,150 large trees were planted in communities across the state in preparation for the 1996 Summer Olympics. Georgia's Urban Forestry Program provides expert, non-biased technical assistance to local governments, developers, civic and volunteer groups and individu als.
The Hightower Educational Forest was established as a pilot project in Dawson County to intro duce area school children and teachers to the wonders of a working forest. More than 1,000 students visited the forest and learned how forests contribute to their everyday lives from an environmental as well as economic perspective.
Forestry continues to be a major contributor to Georgia's economy. We look forward to another year of continued forestry growth and one committed to serving the needs of the citizens in our state.

David L. Westmoreland Director

Jim L. Gillis, Jr. Chairman, Soperton

C. M. Eunice, Jr. Blackshear

J. G. Fendig Savannah

Gloria Shatto Mount Berry

An Equal Opportunity E,mployer

Robert Simpson, III Lakeland

Cooperating weather conditions, safety conscious citizens, and conscientious fire personnel are respon sible for the best fire year in recent history. Fiscal year 1995 witnessed only 5,913 forest fires and 18,977 acres burned. Records indicate 1957 was the last year with such few forest fires and the acres burned category had to be searched back to 1927 to find less acres burned in a single year.
This extraordinary fire year brings the ten-year aver age down to 9,063 fires per year and 37,235 annual acres burned. The average size forest fire in Georgia in Fiscal Year 1995 was 3.21 acres. The largest blaze for the year was a 253-acre forest fire that occurred in Hancock county in May. Laurens County registered the most forest fires for a single county, with 143 fires that burned 181 acres, and Chattooga County registered the most acres burned, with 124 fires that burned 831 acres. There were 36 forest fires that exceeded 50 acres each and nine fires that exceeded 100 acres each. Fire occurrence in the planted pine fuel type accounted for 15% of the fires and 26% of the acres burned, with the average size fire in this type fuel burning nearly double the average acres per fire in natural timber types.
Nearly three-fourths of the number of fires and acres burned are attributed to careless debris burning and woods arson. Debris burning accounted for 2,622 fires that burned 7,283 acres. Woods arson accounted for 1,474 fires and 6,858 acres. The remaining 1,817 fires were reportedly caused by machine use, 534 fires; mis cellaneous, 398 fires; children playing, 316 fires; smok ing, 231 fires; railroads, 147 fires; lightning, 131 fires; and campfires, 60 fires. Each of these causes accounts

for less than ten percent of the number of fires and acres burned.
THE GREAT FLOOD
Georgia Forestry Commission rangers did not want for lack of work as the Great Flood of 1994 provided uncommon opportunities for even the most enthusias tic workers. The Commission provided assistance in every county affected by the flood, including evacua tion of residents provision of water for use in hospitals, municipal buildings and schools, aerial reconnaissance, refrigerated vans for food and ice storage, assistance with road repairs and road blocks, radio communica tions, installation of sand bags, pumping of flood water from housing; debris removal, and many other services. An estimated 21,000 man hours were provided state wide for flood emergency and recovery efforts. Ma chinery and equipment used by Commission forces were estimated at 113,000 truck miles and 2,500 heavy equipment hours.
FIRE USE ASSISTANCE
Permits issued by Commission personnel for out door burning increases each year as Georgia's public learns about the Forest Fire Protection Act and the re sponsibilities of individuals regarding debris burning. In FY 1995, there were more than 300,000 such per mits issued. A new program under the permit system began in 1995. The provision of an annual permit is now available in counties where the chief forest ranger

chooses to use this tool; an annual permit may be is sued for periodic burning of debris created by yard maintenance activities. Since January 1,1995, the chief rangers have issued more than 8,000 annual permits. Landowners are asked to refrain from burning when the fire danger is high or when atmospheric stagnation may cause poor smoke dispersion.
Landowners requesting permits provide opportuni ties for rangers to offer burning assistance. During the year, some 1,426 landowners received standby assis tance which resulted in the burning of 8,706 acres of agricultural land, 26,631 acres of prescribed burning and site prep burning on forest land, 663 acres for land clearing and 456 brush pile or other debris.
Presuppression firebreaks continue to top the list of services provided by Forest Protection forces across the state. Statewide, 6,115 landowners received firebreaks with an estimated total of 14,471 miles plowed. The proportion of firebreaks harrowed is on the increase with the continued emphasis on purchase of new offset harrows. Another dozen such harrows were purchased this year and issued to areas that make good utilization of such equipment. Traditional firebreaks, plowed with the fire suppression plow, are treated with soil erosion measures such as water bars and water turn outs. Best management practices are followed to protect streamside management zones.
DETECTION, DISPATCH, SUPPRESSION
Georgia's urban sprawl is slowly changing traditional detection, dispatch and suppression methods and strat egies. Forest Protection forces, located at county of fices, integrate with other emergency service agencies on a local level to ensure a comprehensive approach to community protection. Close ties with local 911, fire departments, and other emergency services allow the Commission to play a vital role in response to fire in an urbanized setting. County rangers continue to play tra ditional roles in rural areas, while remaining abreast of change and innovation.
Fire detection and reporting by the general public is

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on the increase. Sixty percent of all forest fires were reported by telephone from the general public in FY 1995. An additional thirty percent were reported by radio, telephone, or in person by a cooperator such as sheriffs' office, forest industry cooperator, fire depart ment, etc. Commission fire detection aircraft were first to discover and report 471 forest fires. Fire towers re ported 128 wildfires. Aircraft play an important role in prompt detection of fires in remote forested areas, pre venting fires of considerable acreage and keeping sup pression costs to a minimum. Commission fire detec tion aircraft check an average of 11 fires per hour flown. Although nearly 98% of smokes checked are legal con trol burns, the safety and status of these burns are im portant to the county rangers. Surveillance by aircraft often prevent rangers from having to visit the site of a control burn. Rangers are also warned of burns that appear to be unsafe or probable to cause a wildfire and many times an aircraft report will prompt a visit to the site by suppression equipment. Information on access to the fires, houses endangered, and dangerous or un usual fire behavior is provided to allow aggressive sup pression by the crews on the ground. Detection of south ern pine beetle infestations is another invaluable ser vice provided by Commission aircraft. In FY 1995, the aircraft flew 622 hours for this purpose in an effort to place foresters on site for evaluation and treatment of beetle infestations.
The Commission continues to maintain 349 trac tor/plow suppression units as the basic forest fire sup pression force in Georgia. Emphasis for improvement currently focuses on more use of water handling appa ratus, as well as a firebreak maintenance program that includes the use of harrows. Two specialized fire sup pression engines were built this year by converting sur plus log skidders into wildland fire engines. These two units are capable of delivering class A foam into forest fire situations where conventional vehicles cannot travel. Such machinery is very capable in protecting houses situated in the wildland/urban interface and for provid ing fire security and mop-up on large control burns.
Dispatch of personnel and equipment to forest fires

as well as a constant monitoring of the situation is para mount to a safe and effective fire program. In some counties, effectiveness has been enhanced by associa tion with 911 systems. This ensures that local rangers are called immediately for all reported fires. In FY 1995, seventy percent of the forest fires were reported during normal working hours. A reported 1,671 fires, or 28%, were reported between the hours of 4:30 p. m. and midnight. For this reason, district offices are staffed with dispatchers until midnight. After midnight, fires are dis patched statewide by a Macon office dispatcher. Indi vidual pagers and radio repeaters allow district and state wide dispatchers to monitor the fire situation.
FOREST PROTECTION SHOPS
Forest Protection operates several equipment shops, including a welding and fabrication shop, mechanic shop, equipment and vehicle paint shop, helicopter maintenance facility, fixed wing aircraft maintenance facility, and a rural fire defense apparatus fabrication shop. These shops operate in support of the fire sup pression efforts statewide.
Agency-operated shops not only provide equipment and services to support field operations, but also are invaluable for the innovation and focused attention to the fire job. Quality work performed adds to the safety and effectiveness of the firefighting. Superior fire equip ment, fabricated at one-third to one-half the market price, is built to be durable and to provide utility be yond equipment that can be purchased. Aircraft are serviced and maintained specifically for the dangerous job of flying forest fires. Specialty equipment built by Commission shops is standardized statewide, making maintenance and repairs a familiar task for all involved. By operating fabrication, maintenance, and repair shops, Forest Protection is able to set priorities for im provement and focus on enhanced protection of our natural resources.

MAINTENANCE AND CONSTRUCTION

The Commission is proud of its capability to be nearly self sufficient in the areas of equipment maintenance and construction of facilities. Forestrangers, who double as carpenters, mechanics, painters, plumbers, etc., helped to stretch the budget in Fiscal Year 1995 by per forming the following maintenance and construction projects:

TRUCKS PAINTED

48

TRACTORS PAINTED

170

PLOWS PAINTED AND/OR REWORKED 220

TRAILERS OR TRUCK BEDS PAINTED

AND/OR REWORKED

212

ENGINES OVERHAULED (TRUCK)

3

ENGINES OVERHAULED (TRACTOR)

2

TRACK SYSTEM OVERHAUL3ED

5

REAR-IN AND TRANSMISSION

OVERHAULED (TRUCK)

5

REAR-IN AND TRANSMISSION

OVERHAULED (TRACTOR)

1

CLUTCH OVERHAULED (TRUCK)

9

CLUTCH OVERHAULED (TRACTOR)

9

BRAKES OVERHAULED (TRUCK)

35

BRAKES OVERHAULED (TRACTOR)

3

HYDRAULIC SYSTEMS OVERHAULED

11

FIREKNOCKER TANKS BUILT

22

FIREKNOCKERS PLUMBED

20

In addition to maintenance and repairs to equipment, specially skilled rangers and foresters perform complete building of new offices, additions, and maintenance of buildings and grounds. In addition to complete con struction of three new offices this year, there were 11 offices completely remodeled, 22 complete county units painted, and more than 30 new county office and fire prevention roadside signs installed. Other projects in cluded new cabinets constructed and installed by rang ers, cement pads and shelters installed for the many new fuel storage facilities, special construction for Ameri cans with disabilities, fair exhibits, and various other projects.

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PRESCRIBED BURN MANAGER CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
Georgia's Prescribed Burn Manager Certification program certifies prescribed burn practitioners through a program of self study, classroom instruction and test ing. During the year, sessions were conducted at Ath ens, Brunswick, and Macon, with 208 practitioners be ing certified.
The program was implemented as a result of the 1992 "Prescribed Burning Act", by a committee of foresters from private industry, cooperative extension, federal and state government.
PHYSICAL FITNESS PROGRAM
The physical fitness program initiated in 1994 was continued through FY 1995, with 269 employees par ticipating in physical testing at Georgia College in Milledgeville and Valdosta State University in Valdosta. Personnel volunteer for treadmill endurance testing, upper and lower body strength, body fat composition, vital signs measurement and cardiovascular efficiency evaluation. Pulmonary function tests, as well as blood screening for cholesterol profiles and glucose levels, were an added offering this year.
Employees interested in improved physical fitness levels will be tested periodically and advised on diet and exercise programs to pursue a healthy lifestyle. Commission policy encourages physical fitness by al lowing employees 30 minutes per day, twice a week, for exercise during normal working hours.
RURAL FIRE DEFENSE
The Rural Fire Defense program was begun in the early 1970's to supplement fire suppression through assistance to rural fire departments in Georgia. At the end of Fiscal Year 1995, there were 1,194 major fire apparatus either loaned or leased to 758 rural fire de partments in 143 Georgia counties. In addition to equip ment, the Rural Fire Defense arm of Forest Protection

offers professional fire planning to help rural depart ments plan station locations, costs, apparatus and man power needed, etc. Master fire plans are in place in 95 counties.
During Fiscal Year 1995, the RFD fabrication shop produced a total of 55 fire apparatus units, including 13 fireknockers, 10 front mount pump tankers, and one each mobile water supply, refurbished fire knocker, 5,000-gallon water tender, and a 3,700-gallon water tender. Also produced for use by Commission rangers were nine 200-gallon quick response units, sixteen 90gallon slip on units, and one custom fabricated log skidder/wildland engine.
Rural fire departments used Commission-built fire apparatus to respond to 17,245 fires in Fiscal Year 1995. An estimated $411,252,545 worth of property was saved by these responses, with a corresponding loss of $90,644,680 due to the same fires.
The Rural Fire Defense staff supports Forest Protec tion during natural disasters. Water handling expertise, plumbing experience, and pump theory knowledge al lowed the staff to provide essential water services to hospitals, schools, and municipal buildings during the flood of 1994. The time-honored relationship with fire departments allowed for maximum coordination for dispatch and use of neighboring fire trucks to aid with response and recovery from the flood.
Georgia is now facing imminent danger from con struction of communities inside and adjacent to forest land. The potential exists for property damage and per sonal tragedy similar to those experienced in the west ern states. The Rural Fire Defense staff offers fire plan ning for endangered communities and advises Forest Protection on methods to cope with such disasters. School programs are being designed to teach the younger generation about the wildland/urban interface.
FIRE INVESTIGATION
The need for a real deterrent to arson fires, as well as a more thorough fire cause determination, has led the Commission to increase efforts in fire investigation.

Eleven of the the thirteen forest protection districts now have woods arson investigators. New investigators in stalled this year are forest rangers who have shown an interest in investigation and are willing to take on extra work in order to provide these services to Georgia landowners. The new forest ranger/investigators at tended the nine-week Georgia peace Officers Standards and Training and each officer meets strict guidelines required by the Peace Officers Council. The required course includes instruction in Georgia criminal law, criminal justice system, ethics and professionalism, ar rest booking procedures, courtroom demeanor and testimony, firearms, mechanics of arrest, crimes in progress and vehicle pullovers.
This increased effort resulted in 161 suspected ar son fire investigations with 13 arraignments, 9 convic tions and and 4 cases settled out of court. Eleven cases remain under investigation and pending. Investigators also handle collection of bad checks and look into bur glaries that occur on Commission property. During Fis cal Year 1995, $3,673.53 was collected on insufficient funds cases and four burglaries were investigated with stolen items recovered in one case.
With one of every four forest fires being caused by the act of an arsonist, valuable natural resources can be protected by determent of this crime. Other forest fire causes, once determined, can be addressed through fire prevention efforts. Increased capability along these lines will prove to be a valuable service to Georgia landowners.
TRAINING
Statewide flooding in July, 1994 and one of the worst western fire seasons on record required extensive sup port by many Commission personnel for extended pe riods of time. Many routinely scheduled training events such as Tactical Fire Simulators, and Fire Schools were cancelled as a result of these natural disasters.
Formal training did resume in the fall, with one semi nar for First Line Supervisors, two tactical fire simula tors, three National Safety Council Defensive Driving

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Courses, and statewide TQM training carried out. Twelve instructors for Georgia Gain were trained and began the teaching of all the first line supervisiors.
GFC personnel receive informal training, including on-the-job instruction from tenured personnel at the county unit level. Training consisted of fire control tech niques, safety, equipment operation and maintenance, fire weather, radio communications, fire organization policies and more.
Three Regional Incident Management Teams were formed, with the mission of providing operational, plan ning, logistical and staff relief on major wildfire and natu ral disaster to district overhead teams. The fully staffed teams are currently undergoing organizational training and are prepared to deploy on short notice.
All aspects of statewide fire control training have been thoroughly scrutinized by a blue-chip Training Review Team, representing all levies of field personnel. As a result of a top to bottom review of ongoing training

programs, several committees were established to re vise or improve existing training and implement new programs. Committees were formed to explore ways to improve New Employee Orientation, Tactical Fire Simu lators, and Continuing Education and Employee De velopment. One committee was formed to create new training opportunities by offering an expanded Incident Command System curriculum to the districts.
A final committee was charged with the tast of de veloping an intense, 3-4 week Fire Academy designed to quickly produce effective firefighters.
FEDERAL EXCESS PROPERTY
Property deemed excess to the needs of the federal

government is available free of charge for use in the Forest Protection program. Federal Law allows Commission property screeners priority credentials at military disposal facilities. Federal Excess Property is limited to fire use only, through an agreement with the USDA-Forest Service. The Commission acquired $2,915,780 worth of property during the year, includ ing 21 trucks for use by rural fire departments, one heavy bulldozer, several forklifts, two motor graders, a UH1H helicopter, two mobile command posts and many items of shop equipment. The Commission currently utilizes an estimated $14 million dollars worth of prop erty acquired through this program. A Forest Protec tion forester administers the program and coordinates the screening activity through Forest Rangers.

TEN YEAR FIRE SUMMARY

Fiscal

No.

Acres

Average

Year

Fires

Burned

Size

1986

11,640 50,417

4.33

1987

7,519 31,150

4.14

1988

16,959 76,711

4.52

1989

8,048 40,528

5.03

1990

6,212 21,520

3.46

1991

7,707 34,567

4.49

1992

10,878 41,306

3.80

1993

5,481 20,448

3.73

1994

10,269 26,726

3.57

1995

5,913 18,977

3.21

Ten

Year

9,063 37,235

4.11

Average

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Forest Protection transformed this surplus log skidder into a wildland fire engine capable of delivering 1,100 gallons of water and class "A" foam to the scene of a forest fire. Advantages include ease on the environment tactics, house protection and deployment in wildfire mop-up functions and prescribed burning activities.

Forestry-related technical information and assistance is provided to Georgia's private forest landowner by the Forest Management Department to enhance their woodlands for economical, social and environmental benefits.
RURAL FORESTRY ASSISTANCE
Rural forestry assistance promotes healthy, vigorous forests capable of providing a renewable and depend able source of forest products for the state's economy. Over 23,897 private forest landowners in Georgia re ceived GFC forest management information and/or assistance on approximately 1.28 million acres during Fiscal Year 1995. Fifty (50) timber marking assists were provided, involving 2.0 million board feet of sawtimber, 4,771 cords of small wood products, and 2,551 seed trees on 1,483 acres. Over 7,917 forest manage ment plans addressing recommendations on 804,076 acres were written.
FOREST STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM (FSP)
The Stewardship Program completed its 6th year and has a cumulative enrollment of 1,997 landowners, in cluding 520 who enrolled in the program this year. The cornerstone of the Forest Stewardship program is the Forest Stewardship plans developed for each landowner in the program. These plans evaluate the landowner's timber, wildlife, soil, water, scenic and recreational re sources and make specific recommendations on how these resources can be better managed and improved.

Since the beginning of the program, 1,497 plans have been developed, and 472 of these were completed in the last year. The unique cooperation between the public and private sectors has continued and strengthened this year as 57 consulting and industry foresters provided 276 of the year's plans for their clients.
The Program also seeks to recognize those landown ers who have demonstrated their commitment to forest stewardship by doing an outstanding job of managing their property. Seventeen landowners were designated as Outstanding Forest Stewards this year, bringing the state total of those receiving this rare and distinguish ing honor to 76.
COST SHARE INCENTIVE PROGRAMS
The Commission is the technical agency responsible for determining specifications necessary for landown ers to install a range of forest practices under four dif ferent cost share incentive programs administered by the Consolidated Farm Services Agency (CFSA) for merly the ASCS. An additional program introduced in 1992 is administered by the Georgia Forestry Commission with assistance from CFSA, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) formerly the SCS, the Department of Natural Resources and the U. S. Forest Service. The incentive programs include:
Stewardship Incentive Program (SIP! - This fed eral program is the companion to FSP Its purpose is to promote multiple resource management practices as identified within a Landowner Forest Stewardship Plan. Eight practices are available under SIR The Commission

serviced 805 SIP requests which included Forest Stew ardship Plans on 29,897 acres, tree planting on 7,905 acres, timber stand improvement on 1,941 acres, soil and water conservation on 34 acres, wildlife habitat management on 830 acres, and recreation on 193 acres.
Agricultural Conservation Program (ACP) - The purpose of ACP is to prevent soil erosion. Since its in ception in 1936, ACP has been responsible for tree planting on 816,656 acres in Georgia. GFC accom plishments in ACP involve preparation of 982 forest management plans which include 15,590 acres of site preparation, 16,978 acres of tree planting, 1,746 acres of timber stand improvement, and 63 acres of site prepa ration for natural regeneration.
Forestry Incentives Program (FIP1 - The purpose of FIP is the optimum production of wood fiber prod ucts. Since its inception in 1975, FIP has been respon sible for tree planting on 327,165 acres in Georgia. GFC accomplishments in FIP for the fiscal year involved preparation of 617 forest management plans which in clude 16,993 acres of site preparation, 17,568 acres of tree planting, 1,312 acres of timber stand improvement, and 94 acres of site preparation for natural regenera tion.
Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) - The Con servation Reserve Program, primarily created to pro vide soil erosion protection and crop base reduction, has not had a sign-up since June, 1992. However, GFC foresters provided technical assistance in preparing nine tree planting plans which include 755 acres of site prepa ration and 728 acres of tree planting.
Tree Assistance Program (TAPI - TAP was created in 1988 to provide financial assistance for renovation or re-establishment of stands of trees damaged by natu ral disaster (drought, flood, hurricane, etc.). During the fiscal year, GFC technical assistance was provided in nine tree planting plans which included 126 acres of tree planting and 42 acres of site preparation.
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REGENERATION
Georgia planted 270,208 acres that were artificially regenerated with seedlings during planting season 19941995. This included 152,097 acres on private lands, 114,347 acres on forest industry lands, and 3,764 acres on government lands. Another 250 acres were regen erated by seven landowners using pine seed through the Commission's direct seeding program.
Mechanical tree planters either owned or operated by the Commission were used by 469 private landown ers to artificially regenerate approximately 6,837 acres.
The Commission still maintains its list of recom mended site preparation, tree planting and herbicide vendors for landowners seeking those services.
Natural pine and hardwood regeneration demon stration sites have been established in 103 counties across the state to show Georgia landowners low-cost methods to bring sites into full production.
Commission reforestation and management forest ers, rangers, and other personnel were instrumental in promoting reforestation and maintaining local forest landowner association committees that keep abreast of sound forest management techniques and new devel opments through regular meetings.
FOREST HEALTH
The Forest Health Unit had many activities to report for fiscal 1995. The number of woodland evaluations for insect/disease problems totaled 47,920 acres and over 30,000 urban trees were inspected concerning tree health. The gypsy moth trapping program was success ful in finding male moths in six counties and placing over 10,000 traps statewide. The gypsy moth eradica tion in Fannin County was conducted over 1,754 acres. The results indicate a highly successful reduction in the population. A smaller cleanup eradication is scheduled for 1996. A root rot survey was conducted in 48 Coastal Plain counties. Over 500 root samples were collected for evaluation at the University of Georgia Plant Pa thology Lab.

The southern pine beetle was rampant in 86 Geor gia counties and is expected to carry on into fiscal 1996. Several other cooperative evaluations were conducted jointly with the U. S. Forest Service.
FOREST WATER QUALITY
Continued urban development and population in creases are placing more pressure on Georgia's com mercial forests to provide for clean water and wildlife habitat. The Commission has an agreement with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Environmen tal Protection Division to educate the forest community and promote the voluntary use of Best Management Practices (BMPs) to control erosion and sedimentation for all silvicultural practices.
Commission foresters advised 2,538 landowners in volving 209,968 acres on protecting water quality. Dur ing the year, approximately 5,519 BMP booklets were distributed to foresters, loggers, and landowners. In addition, 98 BMP talks were given to over 2,435 people.
The department received 99 water quality complaints related to improper logging practices that were investi gated and mediated by Commission personnel.
Sample timber sales contracts which include BMP language are available at all GFC offices.
The Commission's 13 district water quality coordi nators were trained on the proper location, design, lay out and construction and maintenance of forest roads which will aid the forest community when providing advice.
The Commission also conducted a long term tur bidity study (July '93-Sept. '94) on 23 recently harvested sites with streams. Results indicate that there were no significant impacts to water quality from the harvesting operation. Regionwide, the largest average increase ( + 13.15 NTU's) occurred in the Piedmont during high flows. This increase is still well below the state stan dards for turbidity violations.
The Commission plans to conduct a BMP Compli ance survey during FY 1996 to evaluate the imple mentation and effectiveness of BMPs across the state.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT
The Commission provides environmental impact analysis of forest lands affected by proposed Depart ment of Transportation (DOT) road construction. These assessments are necessary to ensure no adverse impact will result from the road construction; however, if ad verse impact is imminent, mitigation between DOT and forest landowners is necessary. GFC involvement in cludes detailed information on affected timber, yard and urban trees, wetlands, watersheds, trees of historical or cultural importance, and endangered plants and ani mals. In Fiscal Year 95 there were 16 assessments con ducted by the Commission for DOT.
FORESTRY & LAND USE FIELD DAYS
A Forestry and Land-Use Exhibition was held in May, 1995, in conjunction with the Pine Tree Festival in Swainsboro. Stations manned by GFC and other personnel included pine straw harvesting, estate plan ning, tax management, forest stewardship, forest water quality, wildlife management, and soil and water con servation.
STATE LANDS ASSISTANCE
Many state agencies request the assistance of the Georgia Forestry Commission each year in handling the sale of timber from their lands. The Commission is charged by law to handle such sales, which involve tim ber cruising to determine wood volumes, timber mark ing, advertising, sending out bid invitations, conduct ing bid openings, negotiating terms, and awarding con tracts to successful bidders. In Fiscal Year 1995, there were 21 timber sales on other state agency lands which involved 11,030 cords of pine pulpwood, 860 cords of hardwood pulpwood, 262 cords of pine chip and sawtimber, 2.59 million board feet of pine sawtimber, 54 thousand board feet of hardwood sawtimber, 1.05 mil lion board feet of pine plywood logs, and 37 thousand

8

board feet of hardwood plywood logs, all with a total value of $1,711 million dollars to the state.
STATE FOREST LAND MANAGEMENT
The Commission owns or manages several proper ties around the state. These lands incorporate forest stewardship (multiple resource) management, includ ing forest products, wildlife, recreation, soil and water conservation, aesthetics, historical and cultural re sources. Forest Stewardship Plans on these lands detail the various activities that occur to benefit the state and general public economically, socially, and environmen tally. The properties include:
Dixon Memorial State Forest - The largest of GFC land holdings (35,708 acres), the Dixon State Forest is located near Waycross. A very biodiverse forest includ ing approximately 15,000 acres of the Okefenokee Swamp, Dixon has been managed by the Commission since 1938. Accomplishments for Fiscal Year 1995 in clude 300 acres of site preparation, 212 acres of tree planting, 1,425 acres of prescribed burning, 79.6 miles of firebreak maintenance, 719 miles of forest road main tenance, and 120,000 faces worked for naval stores.
Revenues received through the sale of various forest products at Dixon totaled $738,815.
Baldwin State Forest - Located near Milledgeville, this 2,628 acre forest has been owned and managed by GFC since 1969. Recreational use of Baldwin is in great demand, with field dog trials held throughout each year and five fish ponds open to the public. GFC ac complishments for the fiscal year include property line sign establishment, tree planting of loblolly pine on 125 acres and site preparation, and a one acre planting of Paulownia for demonstration purposes.
Alamo State Forest - The 146.4 acre state forest near Alamo, in Wheeler County, acquired by GFC in 1993, was involved with several accomplishments during FY 95. Multiple resource management of the forest is di rected by the 1993 Forest Stewardship Plan. Primary

work included maintenance of firebreaks, interior and perimeter roads, fences, gates, storage facilities, camp ing area, pond and goose nesting area, maintenance mowing of wildlife openings, slash pine plantations, right of ways, and road frontage areas for aesthetic appeal. Boundary lines and signs were repaired and replaced. Five school groups and two garden clubs were provided tours of the state forest. Thirty-five cords of firewood was selectively harvested and provided to various GFC county forestry units for winter heating purposes.
Dawson Demonstration Forest - Dawson Demon stration Forest, a 10,130 acre forest located in Dawson County, is owned by the City of Atlanta and managed by the Georgia Forestry Commission and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Activities for FY95 include forest inventory analysis on 834 acres, timber marking on 305 acres, timber sales on 469 acres in volving 2,770 tons of pine and 530 tons of hardwood harvested valued at $34,848, site preparation for artifi cial and natural regeneration on 67 acres, tree planting on 40 acres, pine beetle aerial detection and control in two areas, BMP installation on 163 acres, prescribed burning on 128 acres, and 3 miles of firebreak installa tion. Various maintenance operations included 20.5 miles of roads, 1.5 miles of riding trails, 6 gates, fences, and 6.9 miles of right of way vegetation. A mile of new road construction, including a stabilized and graveled stream ford, was also accomplished.
Paulding Forest - The 10,038 acre Paulding Forest in Paulding County is also owned by the City of Atlanta but managed by GFC and DNR. Activities for FY 95 include mostly maintenance involving illegal dumping, gates, and pine beetle monitoring.
Gracewood Forest - The 538 acre Gracewood For est owned and operated by the Georgia Forestry Commission in Richmond County will be taking on a new direction in FY 1996. In addition to the routine maintenance of the previously established permanent firebreaks, FY 1995 saw the completion of a compre

hensive Forest Stewardship Plan that maps a course for the twenty-first century. Included as part of that map is an extensive and comprehensive development out-
Another landowner, at right, receives a sign from the Commission recognizing him as a "Forest Steward" in Georgia's Forest Stewardship Program - a program in which the owner ofland is dedicated to management ofhis or her forests, soils, water, wildlife and other re sources as recommended by resource specialists.
9

line for a regional Forestry Educational Center. The Forestry Educational Center Proposal calls for
opening access to a tupelo-gum bottom along Spirit Creek; construction of a half million dollar educational facility and museum; development of four separate nature trails; and establishment of myriad forestry-related demonstration sites.
Objectives for FY 1996 include continuing firebreak maintenance; installation of new permanent firebreaks; initial removal of merchantable wood as demo sites are established and the educational center construction site is located; and construetion of the board walk into the tupelo-gum bottom. 1996 will also mark the beginning of the annual prescribed burning program for this forest.
NAVAL STORES
Naval Stores specialists in the Commission answered 95 requests for assistance from landowners, involving 350,000 turpentine faces on 12,600 acres, during the fiscal year. The Naval Stores Conservation Program (NSCP) was in effect for participating producers.
Personnel made performance inspections for the program in Georgia and cooperated with NSCP in the naval stores areas of Alabama, Florida and Mississippi. The Commission cooperated with the American Tur pentine Farmers Association (ATFA) in sponsoring the annual training program at meetings in Baxley and Valdosta.
The Commission assisted the ATFA on one research project involving production and collection methods for high quality pine gum and gave 52 demonstrations to FFA and school classes.

Woodland Owners
Incidental Assists No.
Management Plans
Timber Marked Timber Marked Assists Commercial Harvest Sawtimber Small Wood Products
Harvesting Advice

MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE 1994-1995

No. Acres

23,897 1,278,584

31,079 No. Acres

7,917 804,076

No. Acres M Bd. Ft Cords No. M Bd. Ft. Cords

50 1,483 .2,056 4,771
330 39,323 136,923

Naval Stores

No.

Acres

Planting

Acres

Site Preparation

Acres

Thinned/Natural Regeneration Acres

Artificial Seeding

Acres

TSI & Hardwood Control Acres

Insects & Diseases

Acres

Referrals to Consultants

No.

67 14,642 140,285 198,060 26,472
250 196,075
70,576 512

Commission foresters, in cooperation with the U. S. Forest Service, update Georgia's forest inventory every five years. Two are shown here gathering data on one of the many sample plots used throughout the state to deter mine timber volume and other information.
10

^

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---------------------------------------------

Jhorest Promicts Utilizatn.out,

jMtarkeimg <& Development

The purpose of the Forest Products Utilization, Mar keting and Development Department (FPUM&D) is to provide technical assistance to Georgia's forest prod ucts industry to ensure that the industry remains a strong and stable contributor to the state's economic well-be ing.
Some of the primary objectives are to encourage the efficient use of wood in the manufacturing process, as sist wood users with measures of efficiency in their mill operations, provide data and facts regarding the proper uses of wood to ensure long and reliable lifespans, pro vide the latest technical information on manufacturing of wood products, collect, compile, analyze, and dis seminate market, residue and resource data, assist in the expansion of markets for Georgia's forest products, promote development and use of new and improved forest products, seek the establishment of new forest industries and the expansion of existing industries to enhance employment opportunities, increase markets for fiber, and to generally benefit the state's economy through forest products development.
The overall goals are to extend the state's economy through forest products development and to extend the state's timber supply through a more efficient use of the wood resource.
WOOD BRIDGES

Other components include developing and managing information about wood in transportation and the trans fer of this information and technology to a wide range of users. Benefits include the stabilization and revital ization of the economic well-being of rural economies through service industry development and market ex pansion.
This year, Pike and Jasper counties were selected to receive new demonstration bridges under the auspices of the National Timber Bridge Initiative, which is coor dinated by the FPUM&D Department. In addition to the national program, the department administered funding for the Georgia Bridge program. Under the state program Pike, Monroe, and White counties were se lected to receive vehicular bridges. The cities of Uvalda, Cave Spring, Augusta and Perry received funding for six pedestrian bridges.
Three demonstration wooden bridges were com pleted through the use of state and federal funds. These included completion of demonstration bridges in Union, Meriwether and Oconee counties. A number of addi tional bridges located throughout the state are currently at different stages in the construction process. For the year, 68 requests were handled dealing with various aspects of wooden bridge technology, markets and con struction. Two presentations were made on the wooden bridge programs to development officials.

The timber bridge program is structured to promote new engineering technology in using pressure-treated lumber to replace and/or upgrade bridges on the state's secondary roadways. Efforts are underway to stimu late awareness of viable, efficient alternatives to tradi tional bridge construction techniques and materials.

RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Rural development activities relate to quality of life issues, as well as job creation in rural areas as part of the overall effort to create a sustainable economy that

allows growth, income creation, and a continuation of viable ecotiomic resources, including the forest prod ucts industry. Since much of the state's land area is cov ered by forest resources, development of the state's for est resource base as an income generator is a high pri ority.
Fiber supply issues have been identified as an im portant part of any long-term expansion effort for the state's primary and secondary forest product industries. The Fiber Supply Working Group of the Georgia Pulp and Paper Consortium continues to function in the area of identifying and increasing wood fiber supply poten tial in Georgia. Studies are underway to both quantify available fiber supplies and also to determine methods to increase per acre growth of timber in the state. A landowners survey has been implemented in order to determine landowner's willingness to invest in refores tation efforts and to carry out good forestry practices.
In order to obtain better estimates on future timber supply in the state, the Forestry Commission has ac tively begun participation in the Southern Forest As sessment Consortium, along with the North Carolina Forest Service, several southern universities and col leges, and private industry operating in the South. The goal is to develop reliable growth projection techniques for timber inventory to assist in the estimation and de lineation of future timber supplies in the Southern por tion of the United States with emphasis being placed on Georgia and the surrounding states.
The Department of Industry, Trade and Tourism was assisted during the year with forestry expertise in the answering of forest product trade leads and possible new mill locations in Georgia. There were 24 forest re source and forest residue reports prepared for various clients. The department provided assistance to a new secondary manufacturer during start-up in obtaining benefits from the business expansion act and in the permitting process. This new start-up was responsible for more than 50 new jobs for the community.
There were five new federal rural economic devel opment grants administered by the department this fis cal year. These included a Pelletized Chicken Litter
11

project in Tattnall and surrounding counties, A Rural Forestry Assistance program in northeastern Georgia 13-county area, marketability of Milestone Industrial Park in Grady County, Operation Tree Outreach USA in Miller County, and a Northwest Georgia Tourism map for an 11-county area of northwest Georgia. Continua tion projects include an Outdoor Education Center in Wayne County; Southern Millwork Expansion project in Jasper County; Elsie Holmes Nature Park and Cen ter, Catoosa County; and Wastewood Recovery & Uti lization project in Bulloch County, as well as a commu nity leadership course for one of the Forestry Commission districts. The emphasis is upon job cre ation and improvement in the quality of life for rural communities.
The Commission continues to participate as an ac tive member in the Southern Forest Based Economic Development Council. Activities include participating in the development of training seminars for forest in dustry, residue utilization, the establishment of brochures and booklets outlining information on the forest re source, and related activities dealing with the market ing of southern forest products in order to strengthen local economies and provide employment opportuni ties. This year, through the Council, the department has a seat on the Board of Directors of Georgia Agriculture '96, whose goal is the promotion of agriculture and for estry during the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games. Plans are being developed for forestry representation in the American South Marketplace and Country Store trade show and for a permanent legacy in the Centennial Olympic Park.
Efforts in understanding the benefits of carbon se questration from the state's forest resource, and the po tential development of carbon sequestration incentives to encourage private sector involvement in tree plant ing have been initiated. Discussions with a large elec tric utility were begun to develop a possible tree plant ing cost-share program.
UTILIZATION & MARKETING
The Georgia Wood Using Industries and Forest Prod
12

ucts Marketing Directory continues to be distributed in Georgia, the U. S. and to several foreign countries as a way to solicit interest in Georgia's forest products. The Economic Importance of Forestry brochure was also prepared and distributed in the fiscal year.
Nearly 400 requests were serviced by the depart ment involving a broad range of information, data, sta tistics, and other services provided in the area of wood protection and usage. Areas of assists included such diverse needs from wood users in the state as the dis posal of bark, environmental issues affecting log stor age at log yards, wood stain as a defect in drying, other drying information, exporting of wood products, equip ment selection and sourcing, lumber and log grading, pallet disposal and recycling, sawmill information, shingle production, preservatives, and a large number of miscellaneous assists including the production and sale of nontraditional forest products such as Paulownia trees and woodland perennials.
Disposal of used pallets and the disposal of residue generated at pallet processing plants continued to gen erate service requests. Sixty-one wood energy informa tion requests were fielded during the year. Assists were provided in the areas of chip production and procure
A new hardwood (oak) flooring plant has opened in middle Georgia to take advantage ofthe supply of hardwood lumber avail able forflooring and to uti lize the local labor force to create value-added prod ucts for domestic and ex port markets.

ment, fuel wood markets in general, firewood produc tion, cogeneration and an array of miscellaneous other assists involving wood energy including two wood en ergy presentations to students at Kennesaw College. Efforts are underway in the development of uses for wood waste including recycling, for energy use, and other value-added products.
A seminar on export market development was co sponsored with the U. S. Foreign Agricultural Service. Foreign delegations from France, Argentina, Taiwan, and Bulgaria were hosted. Two groups were assisted with information on co-generation. The department ex hibited at the Southern Forest Products Association "EXPO" trade show in Atlanta, where questions on the forest resource and the forest products industry were fielded. The department serves as an advisor to the Southern Pine Council.
The interim update of Georgia's Fourth Forest Re port entitled "Georgia's Next Forest--Looking Ahead to the Future," highlighting changes occurring in the field of forest resources since 1986, was published. Changes addressed include the population growth of the state and the shift in other variables affecting the forest re source in the last decade.

The Forest Information and Education Department intensified promotional activities during Fiscal Year 1995 through new projects, specialized publications, brochures, pamphlets, news releases, feature stories, videos, exhibits, posters, charts, and film programs.
Promotional activities continued to encourage for est protection, management, and progressive refores tation practices developed through ongoing research. Mass media coverage also continued to address increas ing concerns related to environmental issues. The Commission's role as a vital advocate of good land stew ardship was emphasized in relation to environmental needs.
MAGAZINE
Georgia /breshy Magazine, the Commission's quar terly publication for more almost half a century, won this year's Best Feature of the Year Award from the Magazine Association of Georgia. This marks the second time in three years the Commission has been awarded the prestigious Best Feature Award.
Current issues of Georgia Forestry Magazine can be found in virtually every public library in the state. Commission district and county offices also have lim ited copies available for distribution. Circulation of the magazine reaches a wide range of landowners, forestry oriented industrialists, and the general public.
EDUCATION FORESTS Among the department's new projects is the proposed
establishment of seven Education Forests during the next five years. The forests, ranging from 100 to 36,000

acres located in various sections of the state, will serve as science education learning centers for kindergarten through college.
The Hightower Education Forest, near Dawsonville, is currently operating in initial stages and will serve as a pilot project for development of additional Education Forests.
EXHIBITS
Numerous exhibits were also created by the depart ment to illustrate the increasingly valuable role of for estry in today's changing society. Major exhibits included the Chattahoochee Fair in Columbus, Sunbelt Agricul tural Expo in Moultrie, Georgia National Fair in Perry, Georgia State Fair in Macon, and the Macon Cherry Blossom Festival. Special exhibits were designed for the Commission's Stewardship Management Program.
FORESTRY FIELD DAYS
Forestry Field Day Finals were held at Commission headquarters in Macon for the tenth consecutive year, marking a decade of finals competition for Fiscal Year '94 at headquarters location.
This annual competition promotes student appre ciation of forests and interest in forestry careers. Stu dents and advisors representing regional winning teams from throughout the state compete in state final categories that will send some winners to the national finals.
The Forestry Field Days program is administered by the Georgia Vocational Agricultural Department. The

Commission's Information and Education Department provides publicity for the statewide events.
STATE AND NATIONAL
The department also provided specialized coverage for local, state, and national events. Fiscal Year '95 news releases resulted in thousands of reprints in 35 daily and 141 weekly newspapers. Out-of-state publications also picked up and printed numerous releases.Special articles and photos were provided to various publica tions and organizations on request.
Various publications related to national events were issued by the department during Fiscal Year 1995. Na tional and State programs provided with publicity through the department included Project Learning Tree, Global ReLeaf, Arbor Day, and Champion Trees.
URBAN AND COMMUNITY FORESTRY
The Commission's Urban and Community Forestry program continues to expand to meet the demand of increasing population and housing and commercial development.
Urban forestry grant monies were distributed through three cost-share programs the Commission administers. With the two federally funded programs, the Small Business Administration Tree Planting Program and the Urban and Community Forestry Assistance Program, with the state allocated Georgia Community Tree Plant ing Program - 169 community forestry programs and tree planting projects were funded. A total of $784,071 in grant funds was matched with over $1 to finance projects that planted trees and encouraged citizen in volvement in the creation and support of long-term and sustainable urban forestry programs.
Commission urban foresters made 4,170 site visits to provide urban forestry technical assistance to local governments, volunteer groups and individuals for the year. Planting of 6268 park-size trees for local govern ments and non-profit groups was achieved for 199495. Tree inventories were done in 553 communities, 9
13

city tree ordinances were passed or revised and 46 demonstration planting projects were completed with assistance from the Commission's urban for esters.
Tree City USA continues to be an important vehicle for urban forestry protection and education with five new cities, Blairsville, Cedartown, Eton, Hartwell and McIntyre, becoming certified and 67 communities re ceiving their recertification status. Tree City USA Growth Awards went to 15 Georgia cities.
Project Learning Tree, an environmental education program, is co-sponsored by the Commission. There were 65 training workshops conducted to help bring community forestry issues into the classroom.
The Georgia Trees Coalition, was formed by the Commission in 1991 to plant trees in communities throughout Georgia in preparation for the 1996 Sum mer Olympics. For 1994-95, the Coalition planted 1150 large trees in urban areas, a 400 percent increase over the previous year. These partnership planting projects, including government, business and private citizens, have a value of more than $230,000 in manpower and materials.
The Georgia Urban Forest Council, in partnership with the Commission, continues its urban forestry edu cation mission. The annual conference on "The Renais sance of Southern Arboriculture" was held in Augusta in November, two "Building With Trees" workshops were conducted, and Tree Talks, the quarterly newsletter, was distributed to 1500 Georgia citizens. Membership in creased 25 percent over 1993.
The Commission's Urban and Community Forestry program continues to assist in partnerships with federal and state government agencies, and non-profit and citi zen action groups, in the Cool Communities program. This is a public service program established to encour age partnership development among the diverse envi ronmentally interested agencies and individuals, to in crease public awareness of inexpensive, energy con serving measures and to implement and monitor a sci entific study on the energy-conserving benefit of trees and light colored surfaces.

VIDEO PRODUCTION
The department's video studio during the fiscal year produced the highly successful "What If?" The video, aimed at children from kindergarten through the fourth grade, highlights forest values for young sters in an entertaining way. Many schools in Geor

gia, as well as educators from out of state, have praised the video as an excellent educational tool.
The studio also produced two public service an nouncements, video of the Miss Georgia Forestry Pageant and began work on training video for Commission employees during the year.

The Information and Education Departmentis in charge ofarrangements each pear as the Commission plays host to the FFA Forestry Field Day State finals held on the grounds at the state headquarters in Macon.

14

^--

-< >

0

ie: loresiaiion

TREE IMPROVEMENT
Over 22,000 seedlings were planted in 27 acres of progeny tests during the year. These tests will identify superior individuals for use in future GFC orchards.

The Reforestation Department of the Georgia For estry Commission enjoyed another successful season in Fiscal Year 1995. For the third consecutive year nurs eries, seed orchards, and tree improvement operated on nursery receipts, without taxpayer support. Fiscal Year 95 also marked the first time in Georgia's history that nursery production remained constant for three successive years. This consistency has greatly improved the efficiency and effectiveness with which Georgia landowners are served.

SEED ORCHARDS
The heavy rains of 1994 were not so kind to newly established hardwood plantations at Hint River Seed Orchard. Fifteen percent of the 4400 seedlings planted had to be replanted. An extremely high water table in some areas simply drowned the root systems. Growth of surviving seedlings suffered, too. Many seedlings were weakened, and coupled with the dry summer of 1995, additional losses were realized.

NURSERIES
Walker Nursery, near Reidsville, suffered from a se vere hail storm in the spring of 1994. Approximately one-third of the crop was lost or damaged. Fortunately, the larger crop at Flint River was unaffected by the storm. This kind of loss at a larger nursery like Flint River would, in all likelihood, result in a seedling short age across the state.
The Flint River Nursery, in west-central Georgia, survived the "Great Flood of 1995." Despite being in undated by record rainfall, the deep sandy loam was able to drain and kept the nursery crop from damage. The site is more than two miles from the river channel and close to 60 feet higher in elevation, so the nursery was never really threatened by flooding. However, sev eral nearby bridges were destroyed and visitors had to use circuitous routes to reach the facility.

Along with the replanting of lost plantations, Fiscal Year 1995 saw the establishment of two additional seed collection areas. There are now 22 species of trees es tablished at the Hint River facility for the purpose of supplying seed for future nursery production. The larg est of these orchards, slash and loblolly pines, are pro ducing cones for the first time this year.
At Arrowhead Seed Orchard, 25 acres of land were prepared for new seed orchard establishment. Rust-re sistant selections of loblolly pine were propagated and planted in this area. Establishment will continue for two more years. Seed collections are anticipated in about eight years and will eventually supplant existing rustresistant seed sources.
Hardwood seed collecting, cleaning, and planting continues to be a major part of the seed orchard pro gram. Seed cleaning equipment constructed by the Macon shop has made a big improvement in the qual ity of the seed being planted at the nurseries. In turn, this has improved bed density. It has lead to nursery efficiency and enhanced seedling quality.

View ofnewest rust-resistant seed orchard.

15

They will also rank the clones currently in seed orchards and determine which ones can be removed to further boost the genetic potential of nursery stock.
Two unusual tests were also established this year. One is a test of Slash-Loblolly-Carribean pine hybrids, to determine if the rapid growth of Carribean pine can be coupled with the hardiness of our native yellow pines. The second project will determine the adaptability of loblolly sources from across the species range, and iden tify those clones most suitable for planting in Georgia.

Both projects have long term significance for Georgia landowners.
In 1995, another cycle of breeding was completed in both slash and loblolly pines. Though the comple tion of the breeding cycle represents a lull in pollination efforts, it coincides with an increase in the test mea surement work-load. For the next several years, the major emphasis of tree improvement will be test mea surement and analysis.

16

17

The Forest Administration Department functions in support of the accomplishment of all Forestry Commission goals and objectives. The responsibilities of the department include policy aind procedure ad ministration through the Director's Office, annual bud get preparation and control, accounting functions, pro curement, payroll processing, income coordination, fund disbursement and property control.
Forest Administration coordinates all statewide pro grams directed by the Department of Administrative Services and is responsible for drawing contracts and receiving bids for vendor services. Additionally, the department receives bids and collects and disburses funds from timber sold on all state-owned property, including Dixon Memorial State Forest and other Commission property.
During Fiscal Year 1995, expenditures of the For estry Commission totaled $42,848,747, which included $34,759,932 in state funds. Federal funds and agency earnings comprised the remaining amount.
In Fiscal Year 1995, Commission earnings totaled $4,802,667. Included is $1,595,395 in seedling sales from nurseries, $688,169 from state forest timber sales, $876,222 from counties cost share for fire protection, and $1,642,881 generated by the Commission for ser vices to local governments and the private sector. Ad ditionally, federal funds, including grants and program funds received on a state matching basis, amounted to $3,286,148.

COMPUTER SERVICES
The Computer services facility, located at the State Forestry Center in Macon, is the responsibility of the administration department. The facility houses an IBM AS/400 system which communicates with 17 remote sites throughout the State.
The system has the capability of communicating di rectly with the Department of Administrative Services in Atlanta for the purpose of accessing payroll informa tion, audits, accounting functions, property and motor vehicle information. Additionally, the system accomodates numerous programs which provide a variety of information, including budget information, seedling sales, fire statistics, inventories and forest re source surveys.
The computer facility houses a training area that was introduced in Fiscal year 1994. It provides computer training for Commission employees.
CENTRAL WAREHOUSE
The Administration Department maintains the Commission's Central Warehouse located at the Ma con Forestry Center. Supply items which are utilized on a regular basis by the field units and various depart ments are purchased in bulk quantities and stocked in the Warehouse. A significant savings is realized by the bulk purchase of these stock items.

Warehouse expenditures in Fiscal year 1995 amounted to $970,580, while stock inventory was maintained at approximately $611,817.
PHYSICAL PLANT OPERATIONS Forest Administration is responsible for building and grounds maintenance and security at the Forestry Cen ter in Macon. In addition, Administration personnel assist the field units with construction projects.
Main entrance of Administration Building at Commission's state headquarters in Macon.

18

State Revenue Allotments Governor's Emergency Fund Federal Grants County Protective Units Other Income Total
INCOME BY ACTIVITY
Field Services Reforestation General Administration & Support Total
EXPENDITURES BY OBJECT CLASS
Personal Services Regular Operating Travel Motor Vehicle Equipment Purchases Equipment Purchases Computer Charges Real Estate Rent Telecommunications Per Diem, Fees, & Contracts Capital Outlay Ware County Grant
Total
Number of Employees

ADMINISTRATION 1995
INCOME AND EXPENDITURES

1995

1994

34,679,932 80,000
3,286,148 876,222
3,926,445 42,848,747

33,247,251 0
3,676,539 876,222
3,733,576 41,533,588

35,277,176 1,709,811 5,861,760
42,848,747

34,016,080 1,651,435 5,866,073
41,533,588

29,065,503 7,308,920 161,470 1,343,444 1,741,779 503,710 55,914 937,673 1,380,105 260,229 90,000
42,848,747
804

27,941,105 7,286,337 155,587 1,201,573 1,860,242 381,970 54,763 951,490 1,303,636 306,885 90,000
41,533,588
804

1993
31,452,157 0
3,681,018 876,222
3,633,186 39,642,583
32,096,241 1,757,779 5,788,563
39,642,583
26,527,334 7,368,078 169,193 957,063 1,740,644 275,026 52,247 932,903 1,320,469 210,226 89,400
39,642,583
802

David L. Westmoreland Director

Approximate Cost of Press Time and Paper Only: COST: $1088.00 QTY: 1000