Trees in California’s forests are dying at alarming rates, creating both problems and opportunities for rural communities and local economies with deep roots in the timber industry.
The California Natural Resources Agency in mid-October issued a set of recommendations on how to make better use of dead or dying trees, while promoting long-term forest health, carbon sequestration and rural economic development. The agency’s report is the latest in a growing effort to define and promote a new generation of forest-products that goes beyond traditional lumber to capture and emerging “biomass” industry.
The report, “Recommendations to Expand Wood Products Markets in California” outlines actions, policies and pilot programs to encourage the use of biomass. The report was released the same week Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC) and the University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources convened experts and interest groups to begin defining how biomass-related activities could advance the sustainability and prosperity of rural regions. Several participants in that session continued the conversation at the 2017 California Economic Summit, which took place last week in San Diego.
“There is a critical need to bolster our biomass processing capacity and expand uses for wood products not only to handle dead trees in the short term but also to assist with ongoing forest management and restoration,” California Secretary for Natural Resources John Laird said. “This can and should be done in a manner that advances California’s climate change goals and creates opportunities for rural communities.”
The report’s recommendations include:
• Remove Barriers to Market and Create Pathways for Success: To attract investors, state agencies can facilitate the permitting process, support product testing, align regulatory requirements and address financing challenges.
• Promote Innovation: Create an infrastructure that would bring new wood products from California to the market.
• Invest in Human Capital: Work closely with California’s public technical colleges and higher education systems to train the workforce needed to support the new industry.
From California Economic Summit: https://caeconomy.org/reporting/entry/tree-die-off-can-turn-into-opportunity-for-californias-rural-economies