ARRA Project (WBS)#: LXHAB1310000

Project Title: HRB Lakeview Biomass Removal I

Index Map Locator #: 15

State: Oregon

Unit: BLM - Lakeview District

Description:

Timber sales, forest thinning projects, rangeland restoration activities and fuels reduction treatments all generate residual biomass. This low-value material can be removed and utilized: (1) to power biomass cogeneration facilities; (2) as clean chips for hardboard; (3) for miscellaneous products such as firewood, posts and poles; and (4) as logs for milling. Klamath Falls and its surrounding areas have the infrastructure in place to utilize biomass. However, this material has historically been burned or left on site because the end value of the products produced is less than removal costs.

Recovery Act Funding:

Project funding will be used to supplement contractor expenses associated with removing biomass from BLM-managed lands in Klamath and Lake counties. This includes costs related to cutting, yarding, chipping and transporting this material.

Benefits:

Removal of biomass from these BLM-managed lands will create jobs, decrease wildfire hazard, reduce smoke emissions, promote forest and rangeland health, restore wildlife habitat and help protect the wildland urban interface.

Updates:

September 2009, the Lakeview District issued two task orders under the existing Gerber Stew stewardship contract for approximately $230,000 of work. Project work has been initiated and is anticipated to be completed by September 30, 2011. These projects include the removal of approximately 13,000 tons of biomass and yarding of 80 acres of submerchantable material that will subsequently be removed as biomass.