Moving Biomass for Resilient Forests 3/5/2014
Contact Information: San Luis Valley Fiber, Phil Seligman 303-731-3113, 719-588-5437
Synopsis: This project addresses forest biomass transportation, the most costly barrier to forest
product and biomass utilization, by incorporating multimodal transportation systems. Working with
interested and impacted stakeholders, including federal, state and local officials; non-profit and
other non-governmental organizations; forest product industry and supporting businesses; and
other communities, this project will focus on reducing the costs of biomass utilization and
increasing the quantity and quality of hazard fuels mitigation. This project will have many steps, the
first of which will create a framework that will encourage business development and investment
opportunities and establish infrastructure and agreements to economically extract and transport
forest biomass to conversion facilities.
Background: The forests in south central Colorado are at extreme risk to wildfire as evidenced by
the 2012 and 2013 fire season, including the West Fork Fire Complex. Resulting impacts to the
ecology and economy have long term negative impacts on communities, water resources, jobs and
tourism. The only solution will be a multi-faceted, public-private partnership to reducing fire risk,
improving forest health and increasing the financial opportunities that result in investment, job
creation and strengthening local economies. Through this partnership, this project will address
social, environmental and economic concerns. Local non- profits and partners have a strong desire
to enact emergency and long term actions that will improve forest resiliency; economic stability and
development; and create healthier and resilient forests with full-value forest products chain. This
chain involves maximizing production of high-value, solid sawn products that can be used to offset
the costs of producing the low-value forest products.
Social: Jobs and economic development will improve opportunities for local businesses, community
investment and tourism. Strong partnerships exist at local, state and federal levels creating
opportunities for collaboration and leveraging of resources and needs.
Ecological: Forest health, especially spruce beetle kill and drought, has created dangerous
conditions for unprecedented large and destructive wildfires. Traditional forest fuels treatments
(pile and burn) are costly and wasteful and can only be implemented when the weather
cooperates. Meanwhile, the Rio Grande watershed is at risk to fire related erosion and pollution.
Economic: Forest restoration activities depend on viable industry and local businesses—and are
underpinned by the need for favorable economic extraction costs. With diesel fuel at $4 a gallon
and long highway hauls to markets, transportation costs can constitute 60-80% of the material
removal costs.
Solution: The time is perfect to implement a new model for economically feasible, environmentally
beneficial and socially developmental forest treatment projects that will:
 Address high transportation cost barriers with alternative transport systems.
 Bring all levels of government, non-profit, elected, business and research.
 Reduce negative impacts to the environment in air and water quality, improve diversity and
habitat quality, and effect more resilient forests for the future.
 Create jobs and economic opportunities. Estimate 200-300 jobs by the end of year 3.
Methodology: Develop log and biomass loading facilities for the San Luis Valley that will reduce
fossil fuels costs and create a beneficial economic environment for forest and fire hazard
treatments by working with a variety of partners on the social, environmental and economic issues
facing the SLV. Looking at multi-modal systems makes sense.
Partners and roles:
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Future West, Western Landowners Association, San Juan-Chama Watershed Partnership
and the Chama Peaks Land Alliance focus on watershed restoration and fire recovery;
Stewardship cooperative (in process)- focus on forest treatments, stewardship agreements,
and biomass extraction;
Land management entities from Rio Grande and Carson National Forests; State trust lands;
Chama Ranches- Gary Harris- and Trinchera Ranch; and The Bureau Of Indian Affairs
San Luis Valley Fiber, LLC Phil Seligman and partners logging operations and biomass
transportation; rail and end-user, value-added merchandizing.
Engage research to validate management models to change high cost/low value paradigms.
Iowa-Pacific Holdings- Ed Ellis, Ed Pajor sidings and infrastructure and San Luis & Rio Grande
Railway- Matt Abbey rail service to Walsenburg. Union Pacific Rail Road rail service to domestic
markets and ports for overseas markets.
Short term: 1 month to 1 year
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Establish local office and capacity to manage and develop project (prior to spring).
Stewardship agreement in place (4-6 months).
Formation of a supply cooperative to implement stewardship agreement.
Establish 4 rail sidings including clean-up and security (6 months).
Identify and secure funding sources to accomplish start-up.
Establish economic incentives to attract and retain industry (ie Enterprise Zone).
Engage the Rocky Mountain Research Station in monitoring.
Engage the USFS R2 (Rocky Mountain Region) Regional Office.
Mid term: 1-3 years
1. Increase infrastructure capacity to 500,000-1,000,000 tons per year.
2. Secure sales and shipping contracts for domestic and international markets.
3. Develop container ramp to facilitate outbound container shipping and inbound receipts for
SLV merchandizing.
4. Improvements in regional mill, timber harvest and conversion facilities and capacity.
5. Demonstrating forest recovery and fire hazard reduction success.
6. Attract new industry and equipment investment in projects for fire management.
Long term: 3-7 years
1. Attract biomass energy facilities (CHP, pellets and/or ethanol) or nanotechnology facility.
2. Demonstrate forest health benefits and resulting water quality improvements.
3. Have trade with end users in long-term supply relationships.