Ochoco and Deschutes National Forests
Office of Communications
Working as One to Serve Central Oregon
www.fs.fed.us/r6/centraloregon
For immediate release: September 12, 2003—5 p.m.
Contacts: Roland Giller, Office of Communications, 541/383-5653
Cindy Glick, Ochoco and Deschutes N.F., 541/383-5495
Bob Rummer, USDA Southern Research Station, 334/826-8700
Machine May Develop Markets for Fuels Reduction Slash
LA PINE, Ore.—Timber industry representatives, environmentalists and forest
researchers from across the country will be in Central Oregon next week scrutinizing the
performance of a machine that might develop new markets for material from projects
intended to reduce wildland fire threats.
On Tuesday, the Timberjack 1490D will begin collecting and bundling forest
residue from three locations in La Pine. The machine uses twine to form 30-inch bundles
that are 10-foot long and will be on hand for a public demonstration on the Crooked
River National Grassland near Prineville on September 24.
Scandinavians have used the equipment extensively to bundle tree limbs, brush
and other small woody material for heat or energy generation. Typically, the evenlyspaced managed forests of Scandinavia differ from the United States in terms of density,
species, soils and terrain.
That is why USDA Forest Service research scientists, contactors, industry groups
and environmentalists have observed the machine as it made its North American debut,
traveling to eight sites in Oregon, Idaho, Montana and California this summer. The
studies will help them make sound business and resource management decisions about
the machine's capabilities, costs and environmental impact.
A recent federal study found that at least 110 million dry tons of nonmerchantable biomass could be removed from timber stands in western forests threatened
by catastrophic fires. Disposal of woody debris is problematic because small biomass
now has little commercial value, while open burning reduces air quality, creates health
risks and brings the threat of escaped burns.
However, wood chip fired boilers produce far less particulates and greenhouse
gases. Markets for wood chips exist in Central Oregon and the future of biomass
facilities such as on the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs depend upon stable
supplies.
Representatives from several national forests, John Deere, Oregon Department of
Forestry, Warm Springs Forest Products and the Bureau of Land Management will be on
the Crooked River National Grassland September 24, observing how the bundler
maneuvers in various conditions, impacts the ground and operates in a cost-efficient
manner.
The demonstration will be from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. A tour of the Warm Springs
Forest Products co-generation facility will follow the field demonstration. Contact Cindy
Glick, site coordinator, at 541/383-5495 before September 22 to attend the
demonstration.
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