2002 annual report

TABLE OF CONTENTS
FOREST MANAGEMENT ......................................................................... 3 FOREST PROTECTION ............................................................................ 9 REFORESTATION ................................................................................... 13 FOREST PRODUCTS UTILIZATION, MARKETING, & DEVELOPMENT ............ 15 FOREST INFORMATION AND URBAN & COMMUNITY FORESTRY ................. 17 FOREST ADMINISTRATION ..................................................................... 20

Governor Roy E. Barnes
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

H. G. Thomas New Louisville

Jim L. Gillis, Jr., Chairman Soperton

James G. Fendig Savannah

Larry S. Walker Oglethorpe

P. W. Bryan, Jr. Thomasville

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LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR
The Georgia Forestry Commission is pleased to detail another year of outstanding accomplishments for FY02.
Over the past several months key Commission personnel and a facilitator from the Office of Planning and Budget have been at work developing our 2003 Strategic Plan. Our findings, recommendations, and six goals with twenty-one objectives set to achieve these goals were incorporated into matrices developed by the Georgia Merit System, Office of Planning and Budget, and the Georgia Technology Authority. Our goals for year 2003 are: (1) Reduce the damage caused by wildland fires to Georgia's forest resources, citizens, and property, (2) Improve the health and productivity of Georgia's forestland, (3) Implement and encourage forest management practices that improve and protect water and air quality, (4) Assist Georgia communities of J. FREDERICK ALLEN all sizes in the management of greenspace and natural resources in the urban environment and at the wildland/urban interface, (5) Provide information and education on the protection, management, and value of Georgia's forest resources, and (6) Improve the diversity, competence, and skills of the GFC workforce.
Skills of the Forest Protection Department were put to the test due to severe drought conditions in Georgia this year. There were 10,369 forest fires in FY02 with 45,332 acres burned. To the Commission's credit, the average size fire still remains under five acres with the average size fire in 2002 being 4.37 acres.
Some of our best news may be that our Georgia Forests Forever Mobile Classroom is having a tremendous impact on students throughout Georgia. In FY02, 13,420 students experienced the classroom. A test was given to the students asking forestry related questions before they enter the classroom. Another test was given after students have been through the classroom. Records indicate a 26% improvement in test scores after the classroom experience.
The sustainability of Georgia's forests continues to improve through active multiple resource management of the 92% of privately owned forestlands. More than ever, forest landowners are becoming aware of the need to conserve, manage, and protect our State's forests and related resources to ensure a balanced, stable, and enduring forest environment. Reforestation and afforestation is keeping pace with harvest; a resurgence of the longleaf pine forest ecosystem has appeared; more land is being set aside as "greenspace" statewide; and communities are realizing the importance and value of forested urban areas.
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FOREST MANAGEMENT

Forestry-related technical information and assistance is provided to Georgia's forest landowners by the Forest Management Department to enhance their forestlands for economical, social and environmental benefits.
RURAL FORESTRY ASSISTANCE
Rural forestry assistance promotes healthy, vigorous forests capable of providing a renewable and dependable source of forest products for the state's economy. Approximately 8,514 forest landowners in Georgia received GFC forest management information during FY2002 with 5,960 forest management plans written addressing recommendations on 685,550 acres. Prescribed burning assistance was given on 82,937 acres.
FOREST STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM (FSP)
The Stewardship Program completed its eleventh year and has a cumulative enrollment of 3,655 landowners, including 273 who enrolled in the program this year. This covers 975,940 total Georgia acres. The cornerstone of the Forest Stewardship Program is the Forest Stewardship Plan developed for each landowner in the program. These plans evaluate the landowner's timber, wildlife, soil, water, scenic and recreational resources and make specific recommendations on how these resources can be better managed and improved. A total of 310 plans covering 97,538 acres were written in FY2002. The unique cooperation between the public and private sectors has continued and strengthened this year as 28 consulting and industry foresters provided 207 plans on 47,406 acres for their clients.
The Program also seeks to recognize those landowners who have demonstrated their commitment to forest stewardship by doing an outstanding job of managing their property. Twenty-two landowners were designated as Outstanding Forest Stewards this year, bringing the state total of those receiving this rare and distinguishing honor to 171 covering 136,847 acres.

Forest Stewardship Program Accomplishments in FY2002:
Five High Schools participated in the "Future Forest" Program resulting in approximately 150 acres of reforestation and 20 acres of wildlife habitat improvement.
Ten landowners planted 500 acres of longleaf pine under the Partners for Fish & Wildlife Program. (A partnership with USFWS, GFC, and the Longleaf Alliance)
Participated in two TAG (Team Agriculture Georgia) workshops for underserved landowners.
Continued the Wildland-Urban Interface Pilot Project that combines Forest Stewardship, Wildfire Protection, and Urban & Community Forestry. The pilot areas are Camden and White Counties.
Maintained the "Virtual Forest" website to show landowners how different forest stands should be managed.
Held a GROWS (Georgia Recognizes Our Woodland Stewards) Landowners Field Day at Charlane Plantation in Twiggs County.
Provided assistance to the GA Envirothon and Regional FFA Field Days.
Published one document on quail management, and one Activity Log Book for forest taxation record keeping.
COST SHARE INCENTIVE PROGRAMS
The Commission is the technical agency responsible for determining specifications necessary for landowners to install a range of forest practices under three different cost share incentive programs administered by the Farm Services Agency (FSA). An additional program introduced in 1992 is administered by Georgia Forestry Commission with assistance from FSA, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Department of Natural Resources, and U. S. Forest Service. The incentive programs include:

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Stewardship Incentive Program (SIP) - This federal program is the companion to FSP. Its purpose is to promote multiple resource management practices as identified within a Landowner Forest Stewardship Plan. Seven practices are available under SIP. The Commission serviced 5 SIP requests on 164 acres.
Forestry Incentive Program (FIP) - The purpose of FIP is the optimum production of wood fiber products. Since its inception in 1975, FIP has been responsible for tree planting on 440,988 acres in Georgia. GFC accomplishments in FIP for the fiscal year involved preparation of 375 forest management plans which covered 14,343 acres.
Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) - The Conservation Reserve Program, primarily created to provide soil erosion protection and crop base reduction, was expanded to improve wildlife habitat. Commission foresters provided technical assistance in preparing 589 tree planting plans which covered 21,228 acres. In Georgia, 80,071 acres of trees were planted with CRP funds.
REGENERATION
Georgia planted 332,747 acres that were artificially regenerated with both hardwood and pine seedlings during the 20012002 planting season. This included 191,088 acres on private lands, 138,912 acres on forest industry lands, and 2,747 acres on government lands. Georgia has lead the south in tree planting for the past 19 consecutive years. Based on the survey findings, some 374 million seedlings are produced by private and public nurseries with the state.
The Commission still maintains its list of recommended site preparation, tree planting and herbicide vendors for landowners seeking those services. This listing can be found at the GFC website: www.gfc.state.ga.us.
FOREST HEALTH
The Forest Health Unit of the Georgia Forestry Commission saw an unprecedented outbreak of southern pine beetles throughout the northern half of the State. Over 9,000 spots of infestation were

detected during the year. The outbreak began in the summer of 2000 and is expected to decline during 2003 provided rainfall and other factors are improved. Each Spring the GFC deploys traps baited with southern pine beetle attractants that measure or predict the level of beetle activity for that year. The GFC began using the traps in 1986 as a means of forecasting beetle activity.
GFC foresters evaluated seedling survival on 42,503 acres during the year. Insect and disease advice was provided to over 1,800 landowners on more than 71,000 acres of forestlands.
Over 6,000 gypsy moth traps were deployed in 51 counties across the State. Seven male gypsy moths were trapped in four counties: White County-1 moth; North Fulton County-2 moths; Gwinnett County-3 moths; and Hall County-1 moth.
The GFC conducts an annual Asian longhorned beetle survey. Over 60 warehouse sites that receive goods from China packed with solid wood material were visited during the year. The Asian longhorned beetle has been found in New York, Illinois and New Jersey. The beetle could be very devastating to hardwoods in Georgia if it gets introduced.
FOREST WATER QUALITY
The Commission has a contract with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Environmental Protection Division (GAEPD) to coordinate the state's forestry water quality program. The major responsibilities include Best Management Practices (BMP) education in an effort to minimize erosion and sedimentation from all silvicultural practices; complaint investigation and remediation; and BMP monitoring.
During the year, 128 BMP talks were given to over 3,936 people. Eighteen of the talks were presented to loggers and foresters participating in the American Forest and Paper Association sponsored Sustainable Forestry Initiative's Master Timber Harvesters' Program. Participants are able to interact with various experts speaking on the Sustainable Forest Initiative, silviculture, wildlife habitat, endangered species,

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wetlands, water

quality, harvest

planning, business

management,

OSHA rules,

workers'

compensation, and

safety management.

This educational

program has been in

place

since

December 1995 and

as of July 2002;

approximately

2,120 persons have

completed the 3-day

course and maintained their MTH status. Most of the

major timber companies now require loggers to attend

these MTH workshops in order to deliver wood to

their yards. The GFC maintains a list of MTH timber

buyers on its web site and a link to the UGA MTH

list of all participants. The BMP manual is also on

the web site.

The department received 105 water quality complaints related to forestry practices that were investigated and mediated by Commission personnel. Documentation has been received on 80 of those of which 17 were considered no problems. Fifty-three have been resolved and 27 remain pending of which 4 have been turned over to the appropriate regulatory agencies.

Sample timber sale contracts and invitations to bid, which include BMP standards, are available at all GFC offices.

In an effort to determine if our educational efforts are effective, the GFC began the next statewide BMP implementation survey in June 2002. Data will be collected on 421 randomly selected sites to measure BMP implementation rates. These sites have experienced forestry activities within the past two years, preferably within the last six months. By ownership, 62% of the sites will be on non-industrial private forest (NIPF) land, 29% will be on forest industry land, and 9% will be on public land. Sites cover all geographic regions of the state. A preliminary

report should be available by January 2003. During the previous 1998 survey, of the 43,906 acres evaluated, 98% were in compliance with BMPs. This was a 6% increase from the 1992 survey. (More detailed information can be obtained by calling 1-800-GA-TREES.)
The GFC began a statewide process of monitoring a sample of both pre-suppression and wildfire firebreaks for BMPs at the end of the year. Data will be available for the next annual report.
In its 2002 biennial report, the GAEPD identified 800+ water quality impaired stream segments in the state and is under a federal court consent order that requires well over 1,100 Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for various pollutants to be developed by 2004 to improve conditions in these streams. It has been estimated that the fish communities (biota) in 17% (197) of these segments are impaired due to nonpoint sources of pollution which includes silvicultural operations.
The GAEPD has contracted with many of the Regional Development Councils to write TMDL Implementation Plans to meet the TMDL requirements and is expecting the GFC to assist in the development of the forestry component for those plans. According to the federal requirements and proposals, there has to be "reasonable assurance" that BMPs will be implemented in order to meet the TMDL requirements. This could involve permits, written silvicultural plans, plan reviews, performance bonds, or BMP monitoring of every forestry operation within the watershed of a listed stream for a period of 5 years or until the stream is evaluated again during the next GAEPD River Basin monitoring cycle and at that time is either deleted from or kept on the list for another five years.
In the plans for sediment impaired watersheds, the GFC has proposed to conduct monthly BMP assurance monitoring of active forestry operations instead of the permit, harvest plan, performance bond, and review process. Once the TMDL Implementation plans are developed, they must be submitted to the USEPA and put out for public comment. Afterwards,

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the plans must be approved by the federal court and if approved, becomes a part of the federal consent order.
During January through May 2002, the GFC conducted a pilot BMP Assurance Monitoring Project to determine the manpower needed and projected expense to implement this desired TMDL monitoring program. The project was conducted in four of the districts to represent the four physiographic regions (Mountains, Piedmont, Upper Coastal Plain, and Lower Coastal Plain) of the state. Active sites were identified by air, on the ground observations, county records, and by request. Logger, timber buyer, landowner, and receiving mills information were identified. With landowner permission, GFC personnel conducted an initial BMP audit to provide any needed advice to prevent problems. A final examination was conducted once the operation was completed. There were approximately 116 site inspections made. Results indicate that a 10-15% increase in BMP implementation rate was achieved in the final inspection. This clearly demonstrates a pro-active approach of providing "reasonable assurance" that BMPs are being implemented. The GFC plans to implement this monitoring program statewide beginning January 2003.
The GFC has been involved in the State River Basin Planning effort. The plans include FIA (Forest Inventory and Analysis) data, BMP implementation rates, and plans for implementation measures. Plans completed so far include Chattahoochee, Flint, Coosa, Tallapoosa, Oconee, Savannah, and Ogeechee Basins. Completion of plans for the Ochlockonee, Satilla, St. Marys, and Suwannee River Basins is expected in 2003.
The GFC is a partner with the Upper Ocmulgee River Resource Conservation and Development Council and has been involved in a streambank revetment (stabilization) demonstration project along the Etowah River adjacent to the Hightower Educational Forest in Dawsonville, GA. The streambank of the river was experiencing tremendous erosion and sloughing into the river resulting in the main channel moving away from the City of Dawsonville's water supply intake.

The revetment project will utilize two methods using natural materials: tree stems and tops and log cribs to shore the bank up and divert the channel back toward the water intake.
The GFC is a partner in the USFS Large-scale Watershed Initiative on the Chattooga and Conasauga Rivers in Georgia. Through federal grants, the GFC is funding the writing of a TMDL Implementation Plan for eight streams listed for sediment and fecal coliform impairment in the Chattooga Basin and a private landowner riparian buffer demonstration also in the Chattooga.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT
The Commission provides environmental impact analysis of forestlands affected by proposed Department of Transportation (DOT) road construction. These assessments are necessary to ensure no adverse impact will result from the road construction; however, if adverse impact is imminent, mitigation between DOT and forest landowners is necessary. GFC involvement includes detailed information on affected timber, yard and urban trees, wetlands, watersheds, trees of historical or cultural importance, and endangered plants and animals. In FY02, there were 69 assessments conducted by the Commission for DOT.
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 timber cruising to determine wood volumes, timber marking, advertising, sending out bid invitations, conducting bid openings, negotiating terms, and awarding contracts to successful bidders.
In FY02, there were 32 timber sales on other state agency lands which involved 92,502 tons of pine pulpwood, 19,049 tons of hardwood pulpwood, 9,895 tons of pine chip-n-saw, 33,761 tons of pine sawtimber, 5,084 tons of hardwood sawtimber, all with a total value of 2.416 million to the state.

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STATE FOREST LAND MANAGEMENT
The Commission owns or manages several properties around the state. These lands incorporate forest stewardship (multiple resource) management, including forest products, wildlife, recreation, soil and water conservation, aesthetics, historical and cultural resources. Forest Stewardship Plans on these lands detail the various activities that occur to benefit the state and general public economically, socially, and environmentally. The properties include:
Dixon Memorial State Forest - The largest of GFC forests holding 35,708 acres, the Dixon Memorial State Forest is located near Waycross, Georgia. It is a very bio-diverse forest including approximately 15,000 acres of the Okefenokee Swamp. Dixon has been managed by the Commission since 1938. Accomplishments for FY2002 include one total harvest timber sale involving (4) planted pine stands averaging 54.66 acres each and 39 years of age. Volumes and values of wood in the timber sale were as follows: 5,247.39 cords of pine timber (including pulpwood, chip-n-saw and poles), for a total of $493,086.72. Timber stand improvement thinnings were conducted on 8 stands of planted pines averaging 44 acres each for a total of 352 acres. This generated approximately $108,969.47. Other accomplishments include 189.64 acres of tree planting, 260 miles of firebreak maintenance, and 589 miles of road and ditch maintenance. Revenues received through the sale of various forest products at Dixon totaled $614,822.26. Expenses amounted to $184,075.43 resulting in approximately $430,746.83 in net revenues.
The Herty Building at the Forest was a host to over 1,200 persons attending a total of 28 natural resources educational programs.
Dawson Forest - Dawson Forest, a 10,130-acre forest located in Dawson County, is owned by the City of Atlanta and managed by the Georgia Forestry Commission. Forest management activities for FY2002 include the administration of one timber sale contract and two timber salvage contracts involving a total of 146 acres. Timber salvage totaled 1010 tons of pine pulpwood, 1010 tons of pine sawtimber,

and 682 tons of hardwood pulpwood. Harvest activities occurred on 176 acres during the year with 57 inspections made of the harvest operations. Timber volumes harvested during the year through normal sale contracts, which were initiated in 2001 and 2002, included 1649 cords of pine pulpwood, 617 cords hardwood pulpwood, 616 MBF pine sawtimber, and 238 MBF hardwood sawtimber. Best management practices were applied to the harvest areas and to roads accessing these areas by Commission personnel following timber harvests. They involved the harrowing and seeding of a distance of 1.3 miles of sections of timber haul roads and 5 acres of log loading areas within 4 forest stands. Forest regeneration activities included 40 acres of site preparation to control unwanted vegetation and tree planting on 106 acres. Seedling survival surveys were performed on 55 acres. Prescribed burning was performed on 8 stands totaling 330 acres. Maintenance and construction of access facilities included: 27.1 miles of road grading, applying gravel to 4.5 miles of roads, installation of 32 signs, construction of two gates, repair of five gates, and mowing of 13.4 miles of roadsides. Property boundary lines were located by survey with staff compass and painted for a distance of 1.2 miles.
The Forest and/or staff were host to 706 persons attending a total of 27 natural resource educational programs. Approximately 120 contacts were made during FY2002 and 1,350 pieces of literature were distributed. The recreational trail program, which is a cooperative effort of Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division and the Georgia Forestry Commission, provided 25 miles of horse and bicycle trails for public use. In addition to the many hunters and fishermen using the Forest, an estimated 5300 persons used the horse and bike trail network during the year.
Paulding Forest - The 10,038-acre Paulding Forest in Paulding County is also owned by the City of Atlanta, but managed by the GFC. Forest management activities for FY2002 include the completion of one prior timber sale contract, one timber salvage contract, and the initiation of one operator-select harvest contract. Volumes of wood

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harvested in the timber sale were reported previously. Timber salvage totaled 816 tons of pine pulpwood, 817 tons of hardwood pulpwood, and 1,307 tons of pine sawtimber. The timber harvest areas totaled 94 acres with 21 inspections made of the harvests.
Forest regeneration activities included 194 acres of site preparation to control unwanted vegetation and 86 acres of tree planting. Prescribed burning was performed on 4 stands totaling 105 acres.
Other related activities included: 7.2 miles of property boundaries surveyed, flagged, and painted, with an additional 15 miles of boundary line painted; installation of one new gate; grading of 4.5 miles of roads; application of gravel to 2.5 miles of roads; installation of 15 signs; and distribution of 150 pieces of literature to recreational users of the Forest.
GEORGIA'S FOREST INVENTORY/ FIA
Forest Inventory & Analysis (FIA) implementation for FY02 included completing 89% of Panel 3 plot remeasurement, which is the fourth panel of Georgia's five year cycle. Panel 3 was reduced to a 12% sample due to the short timeframe, in which 8% of the plots had been revisited. Some 679 plots were remeasured including Forest Health Monitoring (FHM) Phase 3 (P3) plots during the summer of both 2001 and 2002. Panels 4 and 5 will be combined for FY2003 for a combined 24% sample.

While the FIA periodic survey system provided current forest data only every eight (8) to ten (10) years, that time cycle in today's fast paced information age seemed insufficient to most individuals and groups associated with forest and related resources. Information collected from an annual FIA permanent sample (panel) is "blended" in with data from the previous four years data to create an annual update of the entire state. Each year afterwards, a new twenty percent permanent sample will be blended with the most current four year data compilation, thus giving a "running" or "rolling" annual update on Georgia's forest inventory.
Data from Georgia's first two panels is posted on the USDA Forest Service's website (www.srsfia.msstate.edu). Every five years, a complete and detailed publication will be made available to document a completed survey cycle.
Other southern states currently involved with the annual FIA inventory process include Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.
Data processing under FIA involves the USDA Forest Service Southern Research Station in Asheville, NC, Starkeville, MS, and the new headquarters in Knoxville, Tennessee. In addition, quality control is directed through the USDA Forest Service in coordination with the states.

The "National Hexagonal Grid" was implemented in Georgia's old Panel 3 (FY01 & renamed panel 7). This "Grid" is a nationally designed system for uniformly spacing sample plots throughout the nation and will be continued in Georgia until all plots have been redistributed. It establishes a standard of one sample plot per every 5,936 acres. FHM plots have always been on a "hexagonal grid" with one FHM or P3 plot for every 94,976 acres. The merger of these two program elements results in a 16:1 ratio of P2/P3. All states will eventually adopt this grid system at the next opportune time in their remeasurement cycle.

FIA currently involves a modified forest inventory collection system similar to the old periodic FIA.

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FOREST PROTECTION

Georgia experienced 10,369 wildland fires in FY 2002 burning 45,332 acres for an average sized fire of 4.37 acres. There were 83 homes and 226 other structures with damages by wildfire estimated at $3,874,660.
An extended drought period in the fall months of 2001 lead to a large number of fires particularly in the North Georgia mountains. Hardwood leaf fall coupled with dry weather conditions greatly contributed to the wildfire problem experienced during this period. Extended drought also continued into the coastal Georgia counties throughout the winter of 2001-2002 contributing to several large wildfires.

in artificial stands than in natural stands (3.9 acres). This shows a reversal in a trend toward more acres burned in artificial stands than in natural stands.
Okefenokee Fires A series of large wildfires were experienced in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge in southeast Georgia. The fires began in March 2002 and continued through June 2002. There were three large fires named as follows: Number One Island Fire, Blackjack Island 02 Fire and Bay Creek Fire. These fires were later grouped into a complex called the Blackjack Bay Complex. The final acreage burned in this complex of fires was 124,104.

Careless burning of debris continues to be the leading cause of wildfire, contributing 51% of the total number of forest fires. Arson or incendiary fires are the second leading cause, contributing 17% of the total number of fires. Although lightning fires contributed only 3% of the total number of fires, the average sized lightning fire was nearly 11 acres. These lightning caused wildfires burned 3,394 acres or 7% of the statewide acres burned this year.

The Georgia Forestry Commission held an active role in the suppression of these fires. A total of 155 GFC personnel, 54 GFC Tractor/Plows, 12 GFC Type 6 Engines, 3 GFC Helicopters and 4 GFC Fixed Wing Airplanes assisted on these fires in cooperation with other public agencies and private cooperators. The Incident Command Structure was in place throughout the entire incident that greatly facilitated the task of controlling these fires.

Wildfires in artificially regenerated stands were more destructive than in artificially regenerated stands. 48% of the total acres burned were in natural stands, however, the average size fire (7.1 acres) was more

These fires burned the most acres on record in the Okefenokee Swamp Refuge for any given series of fires since 1954-55 when a series of fires over a several month period burned 318,000 acres.

FISCAL YEAR 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 TOTAL
TEN YEAR AVERAGE

GEORGIA FORESTRY COMMISSION TEN-YEAR FIRE SUMMARY

NUMBER OF FIRES 5,482 10,269 5,911 10,669 7,224 6,579 11,005 11,688 8,392 10,369 87,675
8,767

ACRES BURNED
20,469 36,773 18,920 40,062 22,998 36,660 47 ,458 71,595 41,574 45,332 381,839
38,183

AVERAGE SIZE 3.73 3.58 3.20 3.75 3.18 5.57 4.31 6.13 4.95 4.37 42.77
4.27

Fires by Cause

Railroad 3%
Misc. 6%

Smoking 3%

Campfire 1% Children 4%

Machine Use 11%
Lightning 5% Incendiary 18%

Debris Burning 49%

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Western Fire Fighting Crews The Georgia Forestry Commission sends fire-fighting personnel to western states during summer months to assist with large wildfire incidents. The fire fighters GFC sent are well trained and certified to fight fires on large incidents. GFC fire fighters are only sent when the fire danger in Georgia is minimal. GFC fire fighters receive valuable training when fighting fire in the western states.
During the summer months of 2001, the Georgia Forestry Commission sent one Type 2 hand crew to California and 11 individuals were assigned to various overhead positions, mostly in Oregon.
Communications The GFC maintains an extensive communications system throughout the state. This communications is vital for the safety of our fire fighters. Many of our radios need replacing due to age. Surveys and evaluations are done to determine what needs replacing.
In FY 2001-2002, with the help of federal grant funds, we were able to purchase 242 portable radios and chest packs. Also purchased were 70 mobiles used for vehicles, 30 mobiles and remotes used as base stations and 5 aircraft radios.
FIRE USE ASSISTANCE
Fire is an important tool in the resource management kit of Georgia homeowners, farmers and foresters when trying to accomplish their diverse goals. The Georgia Forestry Commission issued 307,970 permits this year for such outdoor burning operations as agricultural residue disposal, land clearing, and prescribed burning of forestland.

fire dependent ecosystems. This year the Forestry Commission issued 20,545 permits for forest resource management prescribed burns involving more than 827,895 acres.
The issuance of 14,874 permits for burning debris from land clearing operations such as clearing road and power line rights-of way, clearing construction sites and converting forestland to agriculture resulted in burning 57,108 acres.
Although a permit is not required by Georgia's farmers for agricultural practices such as burning crop residue, pastures or overgrown fields, they must notify the Forestry Commission prior to burning for this purpose. The Commission answered 17,918 calls, resulting in 314,980 acres of agricultural burning.
The Georgia Forestry Commission offers hands-on prescribed burning assistance by offering personnel and equipment to assist with outdoor burning activities. Burning assistance was provided to 2,438 landowners, with 1,612 forest landowners prescribed burning almost 88,380 acres of forestland.
Pre-suppression firebreak plowing is one of the most popular and most requested services offered by the Forestry Commission. 29,402 miles of firebreaks were plowed for 9,424 forest landowners planning a prescribed burn or who just wanted the wildland fire protection provided by freshly plowed firebreaks.
Fire Use Assistance by the Georgia Forestry Commission helps Georgia's forest landowners reach their management goals, and it may also help in the prevention of catastrophic wildland fire.

Homeowners wishing to burn limbs and leaves were issued 254,633 of the permits.

Prescribed burning of forestland is used to reduce heavy accumulations of forest fuels, to maintain certain wildlife habitats, for site preparation for reforestation activities, and to reduce competition from understory vegetation. Prescribed fire is also used to maintain important

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Hands-on assistance for burning operations and WEATHER FORECASTING

firebreak plowing provide our best direct opportunity for fire prevention.

The weather office continues to improve on the weather forecasts and fire danger information. In this

PRESCRIBED BURN CERTIFICATION

fiscal year, the weather office extended the 2-day-4period forestry weather forecasts to 3-day-5-period.

The Prescribed Burn Act of 1992 allows the Georgia BI and KBDI graphs for the last 4 weeks were added

Forestry Commission to certify prescribed burners. in the fire weather website to help rangers and

This is accomplished through a one-day training foresters to identify trends in their area. Fire danger

session followed by a comprehensive test. A college rating information for University of Georgia's Georgia

or other institution of higher learning sponsors most Automated Environmental Monitoring Network were

of the sessions.

posted in our weather website to supplement our

weather station network. Weather forecasts and fire

During the year, prescribed burn practitioners danger information are used for prescribed burning

attended four certification sessions conducted and fire suppression purposes.

throughout the state. These four sessions successfully

trained 158 participants and certified 94 bringing the The weather office secured federal grants worth over

total number of certified burners to 1588.

$200,000 to upgrade the computer equipment in the

weather office and to expand and upgrade the Georgia

This program insures a basic level of knowledge for Forestry Commission's weather station network. The

those who practice prescribed burning in Georgia, weather office will commence the work outlined in

thus maximizing accomplishments and minimizing the grant in the next fiscal year.

problems associated with fire and smoke.

The weather office continues to provide forestry

FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT

weather forecasts to North Carolina Division of

The Forest Protection Department is responsible for Forest Resources.

writing specs for the equipment purchased and used for wildland firefighting. We are continually looking

FABRICATION SHOP

for equipment of higher standards and to meet our During the FY02 year, the Fab Shop has fabricated

unique needs.

twenty-four mobile water supply tanks, made changes

and repairs to fifty-three fire suppression plows, and

During the past year different pieces of equipment also built fourteen new plows. Made upgrades and

have been purchased to accomplish this goal.

changes because of safety to 46 tractor units (doors,

windshields, and wire repair to brush

CRAWLERS Type 1 3 - BRON 150 FLT Type 4 2 - TD-9H Dressta Type 5 4 - JD 550H and 1 JD 450H LGP

TRUCK/TRACTORS 10 Sterling LT9500

guards). Fabricated four new V-blades, also, changed edges and repaired eighteen others. Built one firebreak harrow, repaired 20 others.

Machined 38 harrow axles and

ENGINES

TRANSPORTS

supplied the field. Supplied 42 Sieco

Type 6 5 - Ford F-550 4x4 Type 7 13 - Ford F-250 4x4

2 Peterbilt Model 330 style for lift harrows and fire plows. Worked on 15 trailers and transports,

mounted six sets of ramps and

We also purchased a D-7000 compact crawler to try twelve sets of fenders, received and filled 95 metal

in an urban area. The D-7000 is towed behind a type requests plus numerous other projects (toolboxes, water

6 engine and allows Rangers to have both water and tanks for trucks & tractors, light box, etc.)

a tractor plow unit on the scene of an urban/wildland

interface fire.

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The Georgia Forestry Fabrication Shop stands committed to the support needs of our customers by supplying both repairs and new quality fire suppression equipment.
AIR OPERATIONS

Additional program highlights include:
14th Biennial Georgia Fire Equipment Show held at Perry, Ga.
20 Basic Fire Fighter's training courses were taught to fire departments through the VFA grant

The Georgia Forestry Commission has returned to service two more Cessna 180 airplanes during 2002. This brings our aircraft fleet to a total of 18 airplanes and 3 helicopters. During the spring of 2002, the contract air patrol for District's 3 and 6 were discontinued. District's 2 and 5 are now providing air patrol in those districts. The three helicopters provided a 100 percent response rate to fire suppression around the state.

Assistance to Burn Building classes
"Helping Hands" program sold 754 full sets of PPE. 576 were under the 50/50 grant serving 140 departments and 178 were sold at full price. No outstanding requests left over.
Awarded 70 grants to counties under a 50/50 matching formula generating $280,000 worth of PPE purchases for Rural Fire Departments

Georgia Forestry Commission's airplanes accumulated 8,550 flight hours for FY02. The contract air patrol vendors flew a total of 1,560 hours. Over 200 hours were flown in support of insect surveys and the helicopters flew 200 hours of fire suppression. The majority of the hours were flown in support of fire detection.
The airplane pilots detected 1,568 wildfires, worked on 1,667 wildfires with ground crews and confirmed/ reported 59,157 controlled burns.

FIRE PREVENTION
The Georgia Forestry Commission now has nine fire prevention specialists available for mobilization to areas in Georgia that may experience high fire potential. The Fire Prevention Team process also provides a format to target future events such as the 4th of July, the October 1 resumption of outdoor burning in affected counties, and hunting seasons where increased occurrences of outdoor fire use can be predicted.

GFC is currently developing a retirement and procurement schedule for the airplanes. The funds for five replacement airplanes and two helicopter overhauls are being requested in the budget.

There were 1,927 Total Fire Prevention Programs with 1,422 Forestry Programs for FY02.
A sample of FY02 Wildland Fire Prevention activities follows:

RURAL FIRE DEFENSE PROGRAM
Increased wildfire occurrence along with urban and rural growth continues to prompt service requests from fire departments statewide. For FY 2002, a total of 37 work orders were processed. There were 11 fire knockers and 12 front mount pumpers built. Four fire knockers and one front mount pumper were refurbished. In addition, there were nine miscellaneous requests handled.

Mobilized the first ever Fire Prevention Team to Rome District in November 2001
The Caps for Kids Program UGA Basketball and Gymnastics Player Cards and
Smokey Nights
Georgia National Fair

The number of units in operation now total 1,283 pieces of equipment located at 719 fire stations in 141 counties.

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REFORESTATION

NURSERIES
Another successful year was had at Flint and Walker Nurseries. Although seedling sales continued to slump the seedling crop was better than ever and morale at both facilities remained strong. In our people's mind's there was never a " shortfall in reforestation." Last fall we fumigated thirty acres at Flint and 15 acres at Walker. We are projecting between 700 and 750,000 hardwoods in the ground and around two million longleaf and thirty million loblolly and slash pines. These are all available for the 2002 2003 lifting season. Our Flint nursery continues to work very closely with researchers with the US Forest Service on finding alternatives to methyl bromide, which is scheduled for a phase-out in production by 2005. We also work closely with and grow seedlings for the University of Tennessee, US Forest Service, National Wild Turkey Federation, and Tennessee Wildlife Authority. This coming year there will be many more! We currently serve between 2,500 and 3,000 customers with technical assistance and provide what has been called by many forestry professionals the best bare root planting stock in the United States and possibly the world.

collected 193 pounds of Slash and Loblolly Rust Resistant, and 1,865 pounds of hardwood seeds. Rust Resistant Slash and loblolly collections at Bartram Educational Forest were excellent, totaling 1,916 pounds. County unit personnel supplied 5,178 pounds of hardwood seeds. All seeds planted at GFC nurseries are first sent to the seed conditioning facility in Macon where they are cleaned and conditioned for immediate planting or placed in cold storage for future planting.
Additional hardwood seed production areas were established at Arrowhead and Flint River Seed Orchards. Gobbler Sawtooth Oak was established at Arrowhead. Gobbler Sawtooth can be planted on a variety of sites as well as the regular Sawtooth that the Commission presently sells. The difference between the two is that the regular Sawtooth produces a much larger acorn, making the smaller Gobbler acorn a more highly desired food for wild turkey. It is expected that seedlings will be available for sale in five or six years. A first generation Northern Red Oak area was also established at Arrowhead. The seedlings for this area were grown from acorns collected from select trees throughout its natural range in Georgia. A second generation Cherrybark Oak seed production area was established at Flint River Seed Orchard. Seedlings for this area were grown from acorns collected from select trees from the first generation production area at Arrowhead. These seed producing areas will provide high quality acorns and will be the foundation for future tree improvement work.

SEED ORCHARD

TREE IMPROVEMENT

FY02 was an excellent production year for the seed orchard program with over 6.8 tons of cleaned seed collected. Flint River Seed Orchard continues to produce significant yields with 3,632 pounds of Premium Slash and Improved Loblolly, and 912 pounds of hardwood seeds. Arrowhead Seed Orchard

In FY02 three progeny tests of clones in the Georgia Forestry Commission's advanced generation rustresistant loblolly seed orchard were measured. These data will be used to rank the clones and identify the very best individuals for current and future seed production. This orchard is rapidly approaching

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production age and careful thinning, based on these genetic evaluations, will ensure that the fastest growing and most disease resistant clones are parenting the seedlings offered in Commission nurseries. Four other tests were also evaluated. Combined, these seven trials consisted of close to 10,000 trees, covering 13 acres.
Three tests of advanced generation slash pines were established in the winter of 01-02. These tests will identify breeding candidates as well as provide valuable information on the clones currently providing Premium Slash Pine seeds. Armed with these genetic evaluations, the orchard can be thinned to increase the genetic potential of the remaining trees, further improving the quality of Georgia Forestry Commission nursery stock.
In cooperation with other state and industry organizations, the Georgia Forestry Commission also established a trial of selected loblolly clones from Florida and South Georgia. This four and a half acre test is part of a region wide series of plantations that will evaluate this previously untapped source of fast growing loblolly pine. Other organizations are establishing sister trials of the same trees in locations across the region. The number of trees tested and the varieties of sites sampled will provide information robust enough to make regional recommendations for these trees.
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FOREST PRODUCTS UTILIZATION, MARKETING, & DEVELOPMENT

Forest Products Utilization, Marketing and Development (FPUM&D) provides technical assistance to Georgia's forest products industry to ensure that the industry remains a viable competitor in the global marketplace while contributing to the state's economic well-being.
Primary objectives include encouraging the efficient use of wood in the manufacturing process. Wood users are also assisted with measures of efficiency in their mill operations by providing data and factual information regarding the proper uses of wood to help ensure a long and reliable life span. The latest technical information on manufacturing of wood products, and collecting, compiling, analyzing, and disseminating market, residue, and resource data is also provided. The overall goals are to enhance the state's economy through forest products development and to extend the state's timber supply by encouraging a more efficient use of the wood resource.
RURAL DEVELOPMENT

forest product industries. The Fiber Supply Working Group of the Georgia Initiative in Pulp and Paper Technology continues to function in the area of identifying and increasing wood fiber supply potential in Georgia. Research proposals submitted by academia are evaluated with state and industry input to identify projects that will help to maintain the global competitiveness of the pulp and paper industry in Georgia.
The Department of Industry, Trade and Tourism was assisted during the year with forestry expertise in answering forest product trade leads and resource related questions. In cooperation with the Southern Research Station over 50 forest resource and residue reports continue to be downloaded from the Internet each month. New investment in Georgia's forest products industry totaled $60 million and created 1,029 new jobs. Business expansions in the forest products sector totaled over $76 million and created an additional 306 jobs cushioning the impact of a slowing economy.

Rural development activities relate to quality of life issues as well as job creation in rural areas of the state as part of the overall effort to maintain a sustainable economy. This allows growth, income creation, and a continuation of viable economic activities, including production from the forest products industry. Georgia's commercial forests cover approximately 24 million acres of a total land base of nearly 37 million acres. The continued development of the state's forest resource base as an income generator is a high priority. During the year it was determined that the State's Economic Impact of Forestry Model is obsolete. A new model is scheduled for development during FY 2003.
Issues concerning fiber supply continue to be identified as an important part of any long-term expansion effort for the state's primary and secondary

The Commission received a US Forest Service Rural Community Assistance Grant to determine the protocol for utilizing material from thinnings or land clearing operations to produce a premium mulch and soil amendment. The research was conducted in cooperation with the Two Rivers Resource Conservation and Development Council. Results of the study will be published next year.
The Commission continues to participate as an active member of the Economic Development Committee of the Southern Group of State Foresters. The thirteen southern state forestry agencies along with the US Forest Service work jointly on sustainable development of the region's forest resource.

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UTILIZATION AND MARKETING
The department coordinates the Timber Products Output study updates in conjunction with the USDA Forest Service Southern Research Station. Information obtained by the studies are used in updating the Timber Products Output Report and the Georgia's Wood-Using Industries and Forest Products Marketing Directory. Both publications are posted on the department web page. In FY 2002 the department began the update for the 2001 Timber Products Output Report and the 2002 Georgia's Wood-Using Industries and Forest Products Marketing Directory. Requests for copies of previous editions of the publications were received from all over the United States and several foreign countries.
Over 300 technical information requests were serviced by the department involving a broad range of information, statistics, and other services provided in the area of wood products and usage. Areas of assistance included lumber drying, pine straw, international trade, biomass energy, equipment selection, and sources of wood supply for various manufactured articles and specialty forest products.

The department continues to be active as advisor and member of the Southern Pine Council, the GA Tech Center for Economic Development Services, and a member of the Georgia Economic Developers Association.
WOODEN BRIDGES
The Forestry Commission's demonstration wooden bridge program was terminated during FY 2001. During the FY2002 five previously funded bridges were completed. Numerous questions about modern wooden bridges were addressed. As a result of the program local communities have been educated on the value of modern wood bridges as a viable option to traditional concrete and steel. Several communities now include wooden bridges as part of their development plans. The bridges, constructed from treated southern yellow pine, promote the increased utilization of native species. In addition, employment at local sawmills and treating facilities will be stabilized because of the increase in demand.

Foreign delegations from several nations including Japan, Argentina and the Czech Republic were hosted in the fiscal year. Sites visited included primary and secondary wood processors, along with wholesalers, retailers, building supply operations, construction sites and lumber quality control/grading agencies.

Additionally, the Forestry Commission was represented at various forest product trade shows including the IWF and Forest Products Expo in Atlanta.
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FOREST INFORMATION AND URBAN & COMMUNITY FORESTRY

EDUCATIONAL FORESTS
The Georgia Forestry Commission's educational forests are managed forests offering students of all ages hands-on field studies about Georgia's forest resources. Hightower and Spirit Creek Forests operate with one full-time coordinator. Bartram Educational Forest now has two full time people.
Teacher feedback to evaluation requests continue to reflect a strong interest in the programs offered at the forests. Attendance to the forests during fiscal year 2002 were as follows:
Bartram Educational Forest, located in Milledgeville, served 9,555 people through 176 programs with a teaching component. The forest also serves as a recreational outlet to several groups each month.
Hightower Educational Forest, located north of Gainesville, provided 220 programs to 3,678 students at the forest. Another 118 outreach programs serviced 2,595 students.
Spirit Creek Educational Forest, located south of Augusta, served 2,500 students and 394 accompanying adults through 131 educational classes.
Spirit Creek Educational Forest was named a Stewardship Forest this year indicating an excellent job is being done managing the property for timber, wildlife, soil and water, recreation, and aesthetics. Two mobile classrooms were donated by the Richmond County Board of Education and are in the process of being renovated. Natural Resource Conservation Education (NRCE) grant funds from the USDA Forest Service made possible the purchase of a Kawasaki 4x4 mule which has provided invaluable assistance to the forest's programs and operation. The entire forest was thinned.

A bathroom was built at the Bartram Educational Forest. Timber sold from the forest provided funds to purchase the materials and Commission personnel constructed it.
MOBILE CLASSROOM
The Georgia Forests Forever Mobile Classroom completed its second full year traveling to middle schools during the 2001-2002 school year. The educational message of sustainable forestry was shared with 13,420 students representing 76 Georgia middle schools. Generator problems provided schedule challenges throughout the year. Generator repairs during the summer of 2002 will, hopefully, minimize generator challenges during 2003. Teacher and student feedback continued to be consistently positive and appreciative. Additional instruction from urban Project Learning Tree was provided to students at urban schools during the year. Instructors were funded through an Urban and Community Forestry grant.
After the school tour was completed, the classroom visited several events including the May Festival in Griffin, Home Depot Grand Openings in Loganville and Peachtree City, a Boy Scout Jamboree in Milledgeville, and a Farm Bureau Convention in Macon.
A new coordinator was hired November 2001 to facilitate the program.

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GENIE INSTITUTE
The GENIE Institute (Georgia Environmental Network In Education) conducted its fourth year at the Joseph W. Jones Ecological Research Center in Newton, Georgia. A week-long residential teacher workshop, it provides Georgia teachers, representing kindergarten through grade 12, an opportunity to increase their content knowledge and awareness of Georgia's natural resources and integrate what they learned into the classroom. The workshop is a cooperative effort with the University of Georgia's Warnell School of Forest Resources and the Joseph W. Jones Ecological Research Center. Funding was provided by the Jones Center and an Eisenhower Higher Education grant applied for by the School of Forest Resources.
OTHER EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
The Georgia Forestry Commission hosted the State FFA (Future Farmers of America) Forestry Field Day. This year the event was co-hosted with, and took place at, the Charlane Plantation in Twiggs County. This event is administered by the Georgia Department of Education's Vocational Agricultural Department. It was renamed Forestry Career Development Event (CDE) in 2001. High school students test their knowledge and skills in 11 events covering such topics as reforestation, tree identification, forest management, and timber stand improvement. The annual event helps establish appreciation of forestry among the students and interest in forestry careers. The Commission also provides coverage and publicity for the state event and the regional competitions.
The Howard E. Bennett Forestry Museum, located in Macon at the Georgia Forestry Commission headquarters, had 86 entries in the guestbook with many representing two or more individuals or a class group.

Cooperation from Fire Protection, Forest Stewardship, and Urban and Community Forestry programs made it possible for each District to be supplied with a professional display board and three exhibit graphics to service exhibit requests.
URBAN & COMMUNITY FORESTRY
The Urban & Community Forestry (U&CF) Program provides communities with resources to help citizens become more aware and appreciative of the benefits of a healthy and sustainable urban and community forest. In 2002, the Urban & Community Forestry Program continued to offer new workshops and educational opportunities for foresters, citizens and partners.
To encourage citizen involvement in building long-term and sustainable urban forestry programs in their communities, the U&CF Grant Assistance Program provided federal costshare funding for 34 community-based projects in 2002. An additional $5,000 was awarded for a large scale watershed project. The 2002 Program Focus was again on the Five-Year Plan for Georgia's Urban & Community Forest. A total of $415,910 was allocated. Recipients matched this with $256,969 in cash, and $399,370 in in-kind services and contributions. Five grant writing workshops were held in Albany, Eatonton, Fulton County, Rome, and Waycross in April of 2002.

Personnel throughout the state provided information about forestry in Georgia using displays and exhibits. The North Georgia Mountain Fair, the Georgia National Fair, and the Sunbelt Agricultural Expo continue to be three of the largest fairs where Commission personnel provide exhibits and materials to educate the public about forestry in Georgia.

The Commission continued to promote the Georgia Model Urban Forest Book and developed a Demonstration Project with USDA Forest Service funds. The project proposes a new development model for communities that places trees at the same level of importance as other critical infrastructure. It provides Georgia's citizens and local officials with

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the information and resources necessary to organize community support for the urban forest and plan for development with green infrastructure in mind. The book is divided into four chapters, Why an Urban Forest, Space for the Urban Forest, Building an Urban Forest, and Measuring Success. The Book is being presented to audiences across the state including engineers, architects, planners, and city officials. The Demonstration Project involves partnerships with Atlanta Habitat for Humanity, Arabia Mountain Heritage Area, Park Pride and Trees Atlanta.
The Commission conducted the statewide Arbor Day Ceremony at the Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Milledgeville. White oaks were planted in honor and in memory of Georgia's veterans. The Georgia Military College Band and the Georgia National Guard Youth Challenge Academy Color Guard performed for state officials, representatives of numerous veterans' organizations, and the general public. Fifth grade student, David Patterson, received the State Arbor Day Poster Contest Award.
Arbor Day in Georgia: Ideas, Materials, and Resources was developed to help teachers implement Arbor Day programs. The packet contained informational materials, tips for organizing Arbor Day events, and Urban Forestry Activity Books for children; 1,000 copies were distributed throughout the state. In addition, Tim Womick presented the Trail of Trees Program at nine schools, and participated in Arbor Day ceremonies at Grant Park and Zoo. More than 2,500 students, teachers and parents enjoyed Tim's message about Arbor Day.
The Tree Ordinance Development Guidebook was distributed to help communities with the revision of an existing or development of a new tree ordinance. In addition the Guidebook was made available to download from the Georgia Forestry Commission Web site.
The Cities of Dahlonega, Eatonton, Hapeville, Senoia, and Snellville received first-time Tree City USA certifications for outstanding accomplishments. Ninety-one communities received recertification, for a total of ninety-six Tree City USAs in Georgia. Nine

cities received the Tree City USA Growth Award. Athens-Clarke County, Cornelia, Covington, Dalton, Gainesville, Macon, Newborn, Oxford, and Savannah were recognized for programs that demonstrated environmental improvement and higher levels of tree care.
The Georgia Forestry Commission delivered the 2002 Atlanta Urban Resources Partnership (AURP) Program, which promotes partnership development among diverse, environmentally interested agencies and groups through urban and community forestry projects. Commission personnel assisted with three grants in metropolitan Atlanta. A total of $150,000 was allocated.
The Commission worked with the Georgia Urban Forest Council (GUFC) to host several educational programs across the state, a Basic Tree Care Workshop Series by Dr. Kim Coder of the University of Georgia, and an annual conference and awards program in November, "Best Management Practices." More than 100 people attended the conference.
A Workshop series titled, "Practical Marketing Solutions: Reaching Your Community to Value Trees and Greenspace" was delivered in the cities of Dalton, McRae, and Savannah by the Marketing Consultant of the Georgia Forestry Commission. The workshop was designed specifically to help create public awareness of the value of trees to residents, elected officials and resource managers. More than 200 participants have learned how to create a marketing plan and campaign that helps them better communicate with target audiences and the general public. ate with target audiences and the general publi Commission foresters provided technical assistance with tree ordinance development, project management, cultural practices, educational activities, and partnership development to communities in Georgia.

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FOREST ADMINISTRATION

FOREST ADMINISTRATION

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Forest Administration's primary function is to provide administrative support for all activities that the Georgia Forestry Commission engages in and to provide administrative resources to ensure the established goals and objectives of the Commission can be met. These resources include budget development and control, coordination of income, fund disbursement, accounting functions, informational technology, procurement, processing of payroll, employee benefits, property control, and central warehouse operations.
Total expenditures of the Forestry Commission for July 1, 2001 June 30, 2002 (Fiscal Year 2002) were $47,280,086. This total included $38,063,706 in state appropriated funds, $4,494,092 in federal grants and program funds, and $4,722,288 in Commission earnings. The earnings were comprised of $1,1,272,472 in tree seedling sales from state nurseries, $715,699 in timber sales revenue from state forests sales, $882,096 in county cost share funds for wildfire protection services, and $1,852,021 generated from pre-suppression fire break plowing, co-op agreements and other services provided to local governments and the private sector.
The Main Office Complex is located on Riggins Mill Road in Macon, Georgia. The Personnel Office is located at the West Gate entrance to Stone Mountain Park in Stone Mountain, Georgia. Field offices are comprised of 12 District Offices that provide administrative and supervisory support for ten to 17 county offices each. Additionally, there are two tree seedling nursery sites that grow and provide pine and hardwood seedlings for sale to the public. The Forestry Commission employs a total of 719 personnel when fully staffed.

Forest Administration manages the Forestry Commission Information Technology section located at the State Forestry Center in Macon. The Information Technology section is responsible for the Computer Services, Telecommunications, Data Communications and Geographic Information Systems activities of the Forestry Commission. This section operates a local area network and a wide area network with connectivity to the GTA Georgia Online Network in Atlanta, the Internet, each of the twelve District Offices, the Personnel Office in Atlanta and both Nurseries. There is also an IBM AS-400 minicomputer, which provides connectivity to the GTA Mainframe in Atlanta.
The Information Technology Section maintains a local area network at each of the 12 District Offices, the Personnel Office and the Nurseries, which provides access to local file and print services and connectivity to the wide area network. The forestry network is TCP/IP based and wide area network connectivity for the Commission is provided through the GTA Frame Relay backbone. The GTA Georgia Online Network provides the Forestry Commission with access to Peoplesoft (Phoenix), the GTA Intranet and the Internet. Forestry Commission connectivity to Peoplesoft is three tier utilizing the local file servers as the application server and the local print server for print distribution. Peoplesoft provides the financial and human resource systems for the Commission.
The Information Technology section maintains a public Internet web site and home page for the Commission. The Commission public web site provides general information about each of the Commission departments including Forest Protection, Forest Management, Reforestation and Information and Education. The public web site also provides fire danger weather reports and electronic versions of a number of Commission publications. Electronic mail services for

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the Commission are provided through a mail server located at the Central Office in Macon.
The Information Technology section develops and maintains the application systems, which support the specialized information requirements of the Commission. These information systems include Seedling Sales, Forest Management, Fire Statistics, Warehouse Management as well as several other specialized applications. All application systems are currently provided on a World Wide Web based Secure Intranet.
The Information Technology section coordinates and supports the Geographic Information System activities of the Forestry Commission. The Information Technology section is responsible for the development of current and future strategies for GIS and GPS for the Commission.
The Information Technology section is developing strategies for the use of GIS/GPS data in forest management activities and wildfire prevention and response. The Information Technology section is responsible for coordination of all IT functions and resource needs with the Georgia Technology Authority.
CENTRAL WAREHOUSE OPERATIONS

suppliers as possible and all vendors, including minority businesses, are encouraged to participate in the purchasing activities. The Forestry Commission participates in the federal excess property program and is able to screen and access property of considerable value for wildfire control use. These items are available at no cost to the state (Disposition of federal items that become surplus to the Forestry Commission is handled through public auctions in association with the federal General Services Administration.) State property disposition is handled through the state Department of Administrative Services, Surplus Properties Division.
PHYSICAL PLANT OPERATIONS
The Central Headquarters site is located on a 40-acre tract on Riggins Mill Road in Macon, Georgia. State headquarters offices for forest fire protection, forest management, information and education, utilization and marketing, reforestation, and administrative functions are located at the Center. Maintenance of plant facilities and grounds as well as security for the Headquarters' site is a function of the administrative department. The Department of Corrections contracts with the Forestry Commission to provide inmate crews for grounds maintenance activities at the Headquarters' site.

The Central warehouse is located at the Macon Center. Items utilized on a continuous basis and which can be purchased in bulk quantity at considerable savings are stocked in the warehouse along with specialty items difficult to find on the open market. In FY2002, the total amount of warehouse issues to the field units and state headquarters totaled $1,023,150. Warehouse inventory value is normally maintained at approximately $500,000.

PROPERTY ADMINISTRATION

The acquisition, accountability records, and disposition of physical property is the responsibility of the administration department. Purchasing procedures are designed at the agency and state levels to encourage business activities with as many

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INCOME & EXPENDITURES

FUNDING SOURCE
State Funds Federal Funds Agency Funds
Total Funds
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 Tax Southern Forest World Grant Year 2000 Contracts Total Expenditures
EXPENDITURES BY PROGRAM
Reforestation Field Services General Administration & Support
Total Expenditures
NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES

FY 2002
$38,063,706 4,494,092 4,722,288
$47,280,086

FY 2001
$37,354,639 3,299,050 6,041,146
$46,694,835

FY 2000
$35,752,878 2,721,600 5,633,257
$44,107,735

$31,298,994 8,440,669 158,139 1,584,162 2,174,460 371,661 19,091 790,914 48,543 0 60,000 28,500 0 2,304,953
$47,280,086

$31,150,283 8,149,412 197,647 1,434,403 2,110,955 391,015 12,430 882,778 2,277,412 0 60,000 28,500 0 0
$46,694,835

$29,535,624 7,693,354 182,605 1,216,996 1,663,000 900,323 23,708 772,187 2,024,574 0 60,000 28,500 6,864 0
$44,107,735

$1,677,548 40,090,105 5,512,433
$47,280,086
719

$2,045,092 38,900,288 5,749,455
$46,694,835
722

$2,299,142 36,467,108 5,341,485
$44,107,735
722

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J. Frederick Allen Director