Incentives for biomass utilization at the Federal level

Presented at the Can forests meet our energy needs? The future of forest biomass in Colorado conference, February 21, 2008, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado.Dr. Marcia Patton-Mallory is currently responsible for coordinating the woody biomass efforts of the USDA Forest Service across National Forest System, State and Private Forestry, and Research and Development programs, serving as an executive liaison and coordinator between the USDA Forest Service and other Federal agencies, State organizations and private interests. Previously, she was worked as a researcher with the Weyerhaeuser Company and the US Forest Service and also in research management positions in the US Forest Service including Director of the Rocky Mountain Research Station, which covers 14 of the states in the Interior West. She was a congressional fellow in the US Senate working on Energy and Natural Resources issues, and is a member of the Western Governor's Biomass Task Force, working on their clean and diversified energy initiative. She received her B.S. in Wood Science and Technology and also her M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Structural Engineering all from Colorado State University. She is also a Distinguished Alumna in the Warner College of Natural Resources

2003. Countering misinformation concerning big sagebrush. USDA-Forest

). The authors state and discuss eight purported "axioms" regarding the ecology and management of big sagebrush. Publication of this report has generated a great deal of interest about the present state of science regarding big sagebrush and its relation to fire, grazing, and wildlife habitat. In addition, concerns have been expressed about some of the interpretation and analyses contained in the paper and the language in which they are expressed. The views expressed by the authors are their own and do not reflect the policy or views of the USDA Forest Service. We acknowledge and respect the concerns that have been expressed about the tone and language used in this paper, and apologize to anyone who might have been offended. This would normally not have passed peer and policy review prior to publication by the Rocky Mountain Research Station. We strive to be a source of quality and unbiased scientific information. In light of the large distribution this publication has already received, I believe it is important to take positive action to provide opportunity for rebuttal and to publish a subsequent document that more broadly clarifies the debate and uncertainty about the ecology of big sagebrush. The Rocky Mountain Research Station is in the final stages of publishing a thorough book-length synopsis of current information on big sagebrush by Dr. Bruce L. Welch. We have completed extensive scientific peer review and careful policy review of this book, and this new publication will be a more complete and authoritative reference on the ecology of big sagebrush. In response to the interest and debate expressed related to the initial paper and in recognition of the considerable uncertainty that remains in the scientific literature regarding the larger science issues about big sagebrush, we invite interested scientists to help us better present a diversity of views on this topic. During the next year, we will assemble and publish a subsequent paper that discusses these issues further and helps provide a broader understanding and synthesis of the areas of disagreement on ecology and management of big sagebrush. We will include alternative perspectives on the "axioms" contained in the paper by Welch and Criddle, and also seek to achieve a level of synthesis and consensus as to the present scientific understanding, what areas of uncertainty and disagreement remain, and what research is needed to help resolve these uncertainties. To express your views, to clarify debate on these topics, and to indicate your interest in participating as an author or co-author for the subsequent paper, please contact Dr. Jack B. Waide, Assistant Station Director for Research at (801) 625-5406 or e-mail [email protected]. We would appreciate receiving your input no later than January 30, 2004. This paper examines the scientific merits of eight axioms of range or vegetative management pertaining to big sagebrush. These axioms are: (1) Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis) does not naturally exceed 10 percent canopy cover and mountain big sagebrush (A. t. ssp. vaseyana) does not naturally exceed 20 percent canopy cover; (2) As big sagebrush canopy cover increases over 12 to15 percent, bare ground increases and perennial grass cover decreases; (3) Removing, controlling, or killing big sagebrush will results in a two or three or more fold increase in perennial grass production; (4) Nothing eats it; (5) Biodiversity increases with removing, controlling, thinning, or killing of big sagebrush; (6) Mountain big sagebrush evolved in an environment with a mean fire interval of 20 to 30 years; (7) Big sagebrush is an agent of allelopathy; and (8) Big sagebrush is a highly competitive, dominating, suppressive plant species

Back to the Future: Forest Service Rangeland Research and Management

The Rangelands archives are made available by the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries. Contact [email protected] for further information.Migrated from OJS platform March 202