Forest Service timber sales debated

Alexis Barker
NLJ News Editor
 
Disagreement over how much logging should be allowed in the Black Hills National Forest came to a head on Friday when roughly 180 people attended — more than 20 of them speaking, at a U.S. Forest Service virtual meeting to discuss a proposed reduction in logging numbers. 
Stakeholders representing both sides of the debate were allowed to speak for 10 minutes each during a three-hour virtual meeting. The meeting was originally scheduled to be in person, but the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a virtual meeting. 
“I know it may be hard and some things may be difficult to share or challenging to hear,” said Jennifer Eberlien, acting regional forester for the Rocky Mountain Region, to kick off the meeting. 
The topic affects the livelihood of many, as well as resources within the Black Hills, she said. 
“There is no single correct answer we are looking at. We have to establish a pathway towards sustainability. We have shared stewardship,” Eberlien said. 
Andrew Johnson, acting forest supervisor for the Black Hills National Forest, added that in the 23 years since the last forest plan was developed, there have been an unprecedented number of fires and a mountain pine beetle epidemic that changed the forest. The data presented was gathered to track the future of the forest and figure out the sustainable yield for the long-term.
The numbers were based on science, according to Hobie Perry, acting FIA program lead for the Northern Research Station. Scientist Mike Battaglia, a research scientist with the Forest Service’s Rocky Mountain Research Station, said that he relied on science to make his decisions and that those results had been through rigorous review by other scientists. 
The Forest Service plan allows for 181,000 CCF of timber (CCF is a unit of volume equal to 100 cubic feet) to be sold. Research was conducted using aerial imaging and test plots over the past few years to determine if this number was sustainable moving into the future. 
It was determined, according to Perry, that the forest’s volume of living trees suitable for logging, known as sawtimber, is 5.9 million CCF. Forest Service research indicates that the number needs to be at least 12 million to maintain the current allowable harvest. 
Scenarios presented included a variety of mortality rates, growth rates and harvest scenarios but the overall findings were that current harvest rates will deplete the forest if harvest rates are not changed. 
According to Battaglia, scenario one represented a continuation of the 2019 harvest level of 153,534 CCF and a high mortality rage of 2.98%, similar to 2019, and a growth rate of 2.5%. 
Scenario two suggested that the standing volume required to sustain yield of 181,000 CCF, from the forest plan, using a growth rate of 2.5% and a long-term mortality of 1.04%. 
“Scenarios three through six show a reduction in harvest from 153,534 CCF (2019) to a lower level between 70,000 to 115,000 CCF and with various future mortality rates,” Battaglia said. 
Several individuals allowed to speak during the meeting supported the idea of decreasing the allowable harvest in the Black Hills, while the other side of the table spoke in favor of maintaining harvest levels. 
Speakers included several representatives from environmental groups, conservation groups and retired foresters, all calling for a reduction in harvest numbers. 
“The harvest level needs to be reduced to allow the sawtimber to increase to a number that will support the future,” said Jim Margandant, spokesman for the Sierra Club.
Norbeck Society President Bob Burns said that the problem is just beginning if harvest numbers are not decreased and that the agency should be allowed to carry
out its mission of sustaining the forest. 
Dave Mertz, representing a group of Forest Service retirees, said that conditions in the Black Hills National Forest have significantly changed and because of that it is time to change the forest plan, as stated in the National Forest Management Act. 
“In order to meet the continued high harvest level, the leadership of the Black Hills National Forest has had to take many actions that conflict with long-term sustainability,” Mertz said, noting that he is not picking on any specific group or suppliers. 
“Some out there say we need to keep cutting as much as possible, and I wonder if they know the impacts on the forest,” Mertz said. “No one will be cutting saw logs for another 100 years.” 
He added that if harvesting numbers aren’t changed, then they are just “kicking the can down the road.” 
“We have to have the courage to do the right thing,” Mertz said. 
Representing the other side of the debate were several representatives from the logging industry, as well as two state foresters, who shared concern over the numbers presented in the report and the impact a decrease would have on the industry. 
“I took a serious look at the numbers, and I have some big concerns. The assumption of mortality bugs me,” said Jim Neiman, of Neiman Enterprises, a third-generation timber products producer. 
Neiman said that he does not want to destroy the forest by over cutting but that he doesn’t want to see the forest take back over and risk another pandemic or significant wildfires. 
Ben Wudtke, representing the Black Hills Forest Resource Association, said that basing the harvest rate on “loose science and calculations” could produce future epidemics and fires. He said that he has serious concerns with the “likely miscalculations” in the report and that these discrepancies can play a role in determining inventory. 
“I’m not just concerned about the health and well-being of our companies and our employees,” said Tim Danley, owner of Forest Products Distributors. “I am concerned about the long-term health.”
He noted that his family and employees use the Black Hills National Forest for more than just logging and that they recreate there often. 
“I deploy we do not make any changes to the timber sale program. You want to shut down industry because of feelings,” Danley said. 
Jack Baker, with Baker Timber Products, also expressed concern with the data used to determine the appropriate yield for the forest. South Dakota State Forester Greg Josten said that when he read the report, he thought it was unusual. 
Wyoming State Forester Josh Van Vlack noted issues with the numbers in the report.  He also questioned other aspects of the report.
“I am curious why the stakeholder group was not used to create the scenarios,” he said, noting that the original discussion suggested that the group would work together throughout the process. 
“I am not confident the questions were answered,” Van Vlack said. 
The Forest Service promised that the discussion about decreasing the harvest in the Black Hills National Forest had just begun. 
“We have heard lots of information, lots of questions and lots of view points. We appreciate everyone’s time and attention to the data and the continued process,” Eberlien said.
Johnson reminded those attending the virtual meeting that the documents presented were drafts and that the comment process was currently open.