Transcript Available Fiber Supply for Energy Production in Maine

Biomass Availability
in New England
Kenneth M. Laustsen
Biometrician,
Maine Forest Service
NEGCC Annual Meeting
May 31, 2006
Discussion Points
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What is Biomass
Where is it concentrated in NE
State/Region Estimates & Per Capita
Biomass Components
Harvest Drain (ME example)
Partitioning to 3 Biomass Baskets
Caveats and Concerns
What is Biomass
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Usually a very general term used to convey interest
in a very specific component of:
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forest inventory, i.e. the aggregation of fiber contained in
multiple above and below ground components and
combinations of live/dead, standing/down,
trees/saplings/shrubs.
primary processing of fiber by the ton, i.e. mill-delivered
pulpwood, whole tree chips, hog fuel
secondary residuals, i.e. bark, sawdust, shavings, and
tertiary, i.e. mulch
Needs to be always put into context – For the most
part I deal with in the woods, forest inventory
estimations.
Where is it concentrated?
Average total biomass volume per timberland acre, 2003
100
90
80
70
60
Dry Tons
per Acre
50
40
30
20
10
-
CT
MA
ME
NH
RI
VT
New England
How much is there on timberland?
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Biomass of all standing trees
(above/belowground; live/dead; saplings)
(Million Tons, Dry Weight)
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CT
MA
ME
NH
RI
VT
NE
159
285
990
386
29
346
2,195
7%
13%
45%
18%
1%
16%
Which residents have the biggest
share?
Average Total Biomass, Dry Tons per Capita
New England
158
VT
569
RI
28
NH
312
ME
777
MA
45
CT
47
-
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
Biomass Components
Average dry tons/acre, New England, 2003
20
Sawlog
18
16
Poletimber
14
Stumps
& Roots
12
10
Saplings
8
Cull
Trees
6
Upper
Stem
Branches
4
2
-
Salvable
Dead
Trees
Foliage
Harvest Drain to Inventory (ME Basis)
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The 2003 growth:removal ratio is estimated to be
0.97 to 1.06 depending upon tree quality and
acreage base used.
The total annual harvest of traditional products can
be calculated as a percentage of the respective
standing inventory.
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Southwest ME (9 Counties) = 1.65%
Downeast ME (6 Counties) = 1.93%
Northern ME (1 County) = 2.21%
Statewide = 1.86%
A Calculated Leap of Faith or
A Fated Leap in Calculations
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I purport and propose
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That as acres are accessed for the harvest of
regular products (pulpwood, sawlogs, biomass
chips, etc.), additional biomass components can
be removed concurrently, using the same
equipment, and be piled roadside.
Furthermore, these additional products will be
removed in the identical proportion as the existing
product mix (approx. 2% of available inventory).
Added harvest generates additional
Biomass
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The bulk of existing harvest draws from the growing
stock inventory, i.e. quality bolewood (a somewhat
fuzzy statement).
I propose that additional biomass components for
harvest can include:
- Branches
- Salvable Dead Trees
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- Cull Trees
- Saplings
Consider how much of the above is already severed
and left onsite to decay before you let loose the wolf
trees, snags, birds and bees on me for even
suggesting such a cleaning.
Nonetheless, what are the opportunities?
Southwest ME/NH/VT Biomass Basket
Proposed Biomass Availability for 5 Pulp & Paper Mills located in Southwest Maine
Inventory Estimates for an approximate 60 mile drain radius of the inclusive mills,
dry weight basis, 2002
(Thousand Dry Tons)
Species Group
All Species
Bolewood
Annual Harvest
All Species
Timber Sized (5.0" DBH+)
Growing Stock
Cull
Branches Foliage Stump and Roots Total
274,544
39,074
17,843
86,240 40,596
2%
643
Timber
Total
458,297
668
Nontimber
Species Group Salvable Dead Trees
All Species
Annual Harvest
All Species
Saplings Seedlings Shrubs
5,316
66,918
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88
43
1,102
Proposed Biomass Components Available for annual recovery along with existing harvest activities
1996 - 2001 Average Harvest Proportion of Particpating Maine Counties
Nontimber Grand
Total
Total
72,277 530,574
Addl. Annual Biomass
Availability
2,500
Downeast ME (Only) Biomass Basket
Proposed Biomass Availability for 5 Pulp & Paper Mills located in Downeast Maine
Inventory Estimates for an approximate 60 mile drain radius of the inclusive mills,
dry weight basis, 2002
(Thousand Dry Tons)
Species Group
All Species
Annual Harvest
All Species
Timber Sized (5.0" DBH+)
Growing Stock
Bolewood
Branches Foliage Stump and Roots
186,481
28,627
15,244
60,182
2%
554
Cull
Total
32,389
Timber
Total
322,923
627
Nontimber
Species Group Salvable Dead Trees
Saplings Seedlings Shrubs
All Species
6,577
88,963
Annual Harvest
All Species
127
4,440
Nontimber
Total
99,980
1,721
Proposed Biomass Components Available for annual recovery along with existing harvest activities
1996 - 2001 Average Harvest Proportion of Particpating Maine Counties
Grand
Total
422,903
Addl. Annual Biomass
Availability
3,028
Northern ME (Only) Biomass Basket
Proposed Biomass Availability for a Pulp & Paper Mill located in Northern Maine
Inventory Estimates for an approximate 60 mile drain radius of the inclusive mill,
dry weight basis, 2002
(Thousand Dry Tons)
Species Group
All Species
Annual Harvest
All Species
Timber Sized (5.0" DBH+)
Growing Stock
Bolewood
Branches
Foliage
Stump and Roots
52,900
7,763
3,840
16,853
2%
171
Cull
Total
8,109
Timber
Total
89,465
179
Nontimber
Species Group Salvable Dead TreesSaplings
Seedlings
All Species
1,244
22,510
Annual Harvest
All Species
27
Shrubs
1,374
Nontimber
Total
25,128
497
Proposed Biomass Components Available for annual recovery along with existing harvest activities
1996 - 2001 Average Harvest Proportion of Particpating Maine Counties
Grand
Total
114,593
Addl. Annual Biomass
Availability
875
Caveats
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Estimates reflect an in-woods inventory and are
undiscounted for the usual/unusual losses in felling
and skidding to a roadside location.
Estimates do not account for the actual owner’s
willingness to sell this additional biomass material.
Estimates are not adjusted for existing intrastate
(overlapping mill wood baskets) or pending interstate
(PSNH boiler retrofit in Portsmouth) (2 pending/new
Wood Pellet facilities) competition for existing
supplies, much less additional supplies.
Harvest of saplings is controversial, may need to
adjust that component estimate.
The Concern!
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How to balance additional removals of
biomass material against the competing
claims and interests of biologists (wildlife
habitat), ecologists (biological diversity),
environmentalists (ecological services like
carbon sequestration) to effect a sustainable
harvest.
Questions/Comments
Contact Info:
Kenneth M. Laustsen
207-287-3135
[email protected]