From Gregory.R.Lord at maine.gov Tue Dec 30 06:11:55 2008 From: Gregory.R.Lord at maine.gov (Lord, Gregory R.) Date: Tue, 30 Dec 2008 06:11:55 -0500 Subject: [Foresters] Licensed Forester News - December 30, 2008 Message-ID: Building the Carbon Markets to Improve Forest Management Markets for carbon emissions, normally measured in metric tons of CO2 emissions or their equivalent in other gases, are created when companies are required to, or voluntarily agree to, limit their emissions. Emitters buy carbon allowances when it is cheaper for them to so than it is to reduce their emissions. Emitters sell allowances when they can reduce their emissions more cheaply than what the allowances are worth. Allowing trading in carbon allowances spurs creativity and reduces the overall cost of reducing atmospheric greenhouse gases. The global markets for carbon allowances are expected to be worth more than $100 billion by the end of the year, and if the US adopts an emissions cap-and-trade scheme, more than 3 trillion by 2020 - one of the largest commodity markets in the world. Beyond reducing atmospheric greenhouse gas levels, cap-and-trade programs, and the markets for carbon allowances and offsets which result, present an opportunity to improve forest management, provide a new revenue stream for landowners; and hence, an additional incentive for keeping forests as forests. The benefits to forests could be achieved either through offset projects, or by using the proceeds from the sale of carbon allowances (essentially permits to emit carbon) to support programs which promote keeping forests as forests and forest management which sequesters additional carbon when compared with business-as-usual management. The last session of Congress considered several bills that would have established a national cap-and-trade program, and President-Elect Obama has indicated his support for dealing effectively with climate change through such a program. The Maine Forest Service has been in the forefront of state, regional, and national discussions about how to capitalize on the opportunities that forests present for reducing atmospheric greenhouse gas levels. For more on this topic, go to the MFS website at http://www.maine.gov/doc/mfs/mfs/topics/carbon/. ########## Forest Rangers Discover Water Quality Violation in Steuben On December 5th, 2008, Forest Rangers from the Department of Conservation, Maine Forest Service, Forest Protection Division found what they are calling a serious water quality violation in the Washington County town of Steuben. Ranger Courtney Hammond of Jonesboro found an illegal water crossing on a timber harvest off Dyer Bay Road. He came across the violation while leading an investigation of timber trespass on an adjacent woodlot. As Ranger Hammond conducted his inspection of the timber trespass, he observed a skidder trail which led directly to a stream. Upon closer inspection, it appeared that a skidder had driven through the stream several times and allowed large amounts of sediment to enter the water and travel downstream. Soon after, Ranger Hammond observed the skidder pulling a twitch of wood across and through the stream, causing further damage. Forest Rangers found muddy water downstream from a logging operation in Steuben. District Ranger Jeff Currier, who was with Ranger Hammond on the investigation, stopped the skidder after it crossed the stream, and ordered the operator to cease using the crossing, telling the operator that it was a clear violation of state law. Maine law prohibits logging or construction activities that cause displaced soil to wash into a protected natural resource. According to the Rangers, the siltation continued all the way down to the tidal water. The skidder driver complied with the order immediately and discontinued using that skid trail. Before leaving the site, the Rangers offered suggestions to avoid stream crossings in the future. By installing temporary skidder bridges and working with a licensed forester (who could pre-plan skid trails that avoid stream crossings) water quality violations can be avoided. The Rangers then contacted the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to request an investigator inspect the violation and determine what remedial steps might be taken to prevent further damage. Jim Beyer, an investigator with the DEP's Bureau of Land and Water Quality office in Bangor joined Ranger Hammond at the Steuben site and agreed that it was a serious violation. It is likely that DEP will file charges against the logging contractor. Maine's Forest Rangers enforce rules and regulations relating to timber harvesting and routinely conduct joint investigations with the Department of Environmental Protection. Last year, Maine's 57 Forest Rangers conducted over 30,000 inspections across Maine while enforcing laws dealing with the forest and forest preservation. These inspections include looking for and preventing water quality, clearcutting, timber theft and trespass, litter and other environmental law violations. Contact information: Kent Nelson, Maine Forest Service, 287-4989 District Ranger Jeff Currier, 441-2580 ########## FRA MAINE INDUSTRIAL FORESTRY FORUM MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT >From Forest Resources Association Inc. WHEN: Thursday, Jan. 8, 2009 WHERE: Jeff's Catering, Brewer, Maine TIME: PLEASE NOTE EARLY STARTING TIME 3:30 - 4:00 PM Registration 4:00 - 5:30 PM Equipment Presentations 5:30 - 6:15 PM Social "Hour" 6:15 - 6:45 PM Buffet Dinner 6:45 - 7:15 PM Outstanding Logger Award 7:15 - 8:45 PM Equipment Presentations COST: FRA Members - $20 Non-members - $30 Students - $15 with valid ID Payable at the door. We anticipate a large turnout. Pre-registration is required to assure an accurate head count for meals! TOPICS: FORESTRY EQUIPMENT UPDATE - The Latest And Greatest In Wood Energy Production Equipment decisions are critical to any operation. Following last year's successful program, at this month's Forum area equipment dealers will share news on the latest developments and what's coming for equipment that can help make your operation more successful, specifically highlighting those products related to wood energy production (harvest systems, chippers, grinders, etc.) that can economically handle lower value, smaller diameter stems and currently unused, available fiber. Guest Speakers: Bandit / Chadwick-Baross / Milton Cat / Nortrax / Oliver Stores / Tigercat 2008 NORTHEAST REGION OUTSTANDING LOGGER PRESENTATION Anthony Madden, A.W. Madden Inc., Milford, ME Tony Madden comes from a family with four generations of logging experience. After starting with his father's operation, he formed his own company in 1980. Tony has built his business into a versatile, well respected operation that excels in safety, forest management and running the business. Please join us to learn more about his operation as FRA and Stihl, Inc. honor A. W. Madden, Inc. with the 2008 NE Region Outstanding Logger Award. Thanks to our local equipment dealers for generously underwriting this January Forum. We anticipate a large turnout. Pre-registration is required to assure an accurate head count for meals! Please e-mail or fax this response form by Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009 to: Forest Resources Association, Jswan93426 at aol.com or FAX: 866-437-7252 Questions? Contact Joel Swanton at 207-745-2435 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------ FRA Jan. 8, 2009 MAINE INDUSTRIAL FORESTRY FORUM PRE-REGISTRATION RESPONSE FORM Name(s) of people attending: ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ Company: _______________________________________ Phone: __________________________________________ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://mailman.informe.org/pipermail/foresters/attachments/20081230/4e735f31/attachment-0001.html -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... 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