Northwest Environmental Forum - Publications and Reports

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://digital.lib.washington.edu/handle/1773/2156

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Ecosystem Services Markets
(2005-10-27) Robbins, Alicia
The term “ecosystem services” refers to indirect ecosystem functions such as water purification, flood control, carbon sequestration, climate regulation, and soil and nutrient cycling, as well as recreation or aesthetics-associated tourism. Four types of ecosystem services are of particular relevance for forested ecosystems — carbon sequestration, biodiversity protection, watershed protection or hydrological services, and aesthetics. Many agencies and concerned citizens are beginning to recognize the role these services play and the need to compensate those who manage the lands that provide them. Reasonable efforts at economic valuation can allow ecosystem services to be considered on a par with marketed ecosystem goods. There are three types of markets through which ecosystem services can be traded: self-organized private deals that are negotiated business-to-business or business-to-community; trading schemes, in which industries can trade credits below an established cap; and public payment mechanisms through which public agencies purchase services. This paper reviews examples of existing markets for ecosystem services in the United States and internationally, focusing on forest-lands. It includes a discussion of opportunities for the Pacific Northwest. It also lists databases of international clearinghouses of information on ecosystem services valuation and markets. The paper includes an appendix describing the principles of conservation economics and valuation methodologies for estimating the value of environmental variables.
Recent Efforts by States to Incentivize Working Forests
(2005-11-03) Murray, Sarah
Many states are using property tax reductions and the purchase of conservation easements to encourage landowners to maintain forestland and ease development pressures. This summary excludes those programs. A few states have implemented, or are considering, additional incentives for working forests. At least two states (Maine and Virginia) are conducting studies to explore alternative approaches. Meanwhile, in 2001, Minnesota began a program that provides direct payments to landowners who agree to keep their forestland undeveloped for at least eight years, while Oregon recently approved the creation of “community forest authorities” that can levy bonds to finance the purchase of community forestlands. A short summary of these developments by state follows. This is the result of an exhaustive survey of the states in the Fall of 2005.
Conservation Organizations: What They Do and Why They Do It
(2005-10-24) Malone, Lindsay
Partial Abstract: As development pressures increase throughout the United States, communities have recognized that land conservation is an important tool to manage growth and protect critical land and water resources. Across the country there is increasing recognition that land conservation efforts can help create healthier, more livable, and economically sound communities. And with this recognition the number of land conservation organizations and the acres of land that they protect have been on the rise. To date, conservation organizations in Washington have protected more than 725,000 acres of resource lands including working forests, farmlands, open space, wildlife habitat and other ecologically sensitive areas.
Centuries of Change in Pacific Northwest Forests: Ecological Effects of Forest Simplification and Fragmentation
(2005-10-24) Swanson, Mark
The forests of the Pacific Northwest have undergone significant changes in the relative proportions of various forest types, including dramatic reductions in certain habitats such as oldgrowth forests and early successional habitat rich in woody debris. Intensive forest management practices have resulted in the simplification of forest structure through reductions in certain structural elements such as coarse woody debris, snags, and canopies with high spatial variability. The loss of old-growth forests to timber harvest and land-use conversion has resulted in a condition of fragmentation, creating spatial isolation of remaining patches and significant reductions in interior habitat conditions required by certain organisms. The ecological effects of forest simplification and fragmentation in the Pacific Northwest are reviewed, and management actions to reduce negative consequences are briefly discussed.
Examining Washington’s Working Forest Stakeholders
(2005-11-02) Nelson, Peter
The conversion of working forests to other uses has emerged as an issue in Washington forest policy. This paper: 1) identifies and broadly characterizes the primary stakeholders involved in the Working Forest Forum, 2) explores some of the values at stake in the forest conversion issue, and 3) advances a possible explanation for current collaborative efforts within the working forest conversion network.
The Status of Washington State’s Forest Practice Habitat Conservation Plan: Its Origin, Objectives and Possible Value for Different Landowners
(2005-11-01) Calhoun, John
Partial Abstract: The purpose of Washington State Forest Practice Rules is to regulate certain forest operations – especially harvesting and road construction – on private lands to protect public resources. These public resources include water, wildlife, cultural resources and soil productivity. The purpose of the Federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (Clean Water Act) is to protect plant and animal species threatened with extinction and to protect the nation’s waters from pollution. The Forest Practices Division within the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the regulating agency for the Forest Practice Act. The proposed Forest Practices Habitat Conservation Plan (FPHCP) will acquire federal assurances that forest practices operating in compliance with state rules will meet federal requirements under the ESA and also meet requirements under the Clean Water Act.
Current Land-Use Laws and Zoning: Impacts on Private Forestlands
(2005-10-24) Nelson, Peter
Partial Abstract: Private industrial and non-industrial forest landowners in Washington face federal, state, and local regulations concerning the practice of commercial forestry. Such regulations certainly impact decisions related to conversion of forestlands into other uses. This paper briefly describes relevant laws and regulations governing forestry operations in Washington, including the State Forest Practices Act (FPA), the State Forests and Fish Rules (FFR), economic mitigation programs associated with those rules, federal Habitat Conservation Plans (HCP’s), conservation easements, forestry and conservation tax issues, and the State Growth Management Act (GMA).
How the Public Perceives Forestry (and Why It Matters)
(2005-10-24) Murray, Sarah; Nelson, Peter
Partial Abstract: This paper examines public perceptions of forestry — including how they are formed, what factors influence them, what some of the current perceptions of forestry in the Northwest are, and the implications for the forest conversion issue. One of the main concepts reviewed is that of social acceptability, which describes a judgment process in which individuals compare alternatives and decide which is the most acceptable practice or condition.
Innovative Responses to the Forest Practices Permitting Process
(2005-10-24) Robbins, Alicia
Partial Abstract: Several suggestions for easing the burden on small landowners are included and described in this paper. The first suggestion described is to extend the period of the permit from its current two years to five years. A second option is to increase the application exemption from those who cut less than 5,000 to those who cut less than 20,000 board feet per year. A third option is for the DNR to work with landowners to develop a long term (up to 15 years) management plan submitted in conjunction with their Forest Practices Application. The last option discussed would require the DNR to continue to increase its level of service provided to small landowners by assuming the responsibility of completing the FPA/N.
Implications of Working Forest Impacts on Jobs and Local Economies
(2005-10-24) Lippke, Bruce; Mason, Larry
The sustainability of working forests and the infrastructure of mills and other forest uses are to a substantial degree interconnected. The impact of working forests on rural jobs has been of special interest given the dependence of timber dominant communities on forest-related jobs. We summarize what is known about the number of jobs supported by working forests in Washington, both direct and indirect, whether they are lost if a mill closes, where these jobs are located, what impact closures have on mill infrastructure and investments to remain competitive, and the probable impact of closures on timber harvest and forest management. We note that the decline in log exports over the last decade has more than offset the decline in Washington’s harvest, resulting in a stable to increasing capacity for lumber production. We also characterize the impact of changes in forest management on the infrastructure. We assume a general theme that ensuring viability of working forests to provide integrated economic and ecological outputs is an important public priority.
Forest Products Export Trends Update for the Pacific Northwest Region
(2005-10-24) Perez-Garcia, John; Barr, J. Kent
This paper updates the analysis completed in 1999 (Lippke et. al, 1999) on export trends in forest products from the Pacific Northwest (PNW). Two recent events warranted this review ⎯ the collapse of the Asian economies beginning in 1997 and the strength of the U.S. housing market from 1991 to present.
Private Forest Landownership in Washington State
(2005-10-24) Erickson, Ara W.; Rinehart, James
Economically Sustainable Working Forests:
(2005-10-24) Zobrist, Kevin
Economic viability is an important part of the sustainability of working forests. With landowners facing increasing regulatory complexity, increasing demand for a diversity of forest outputs, and economic pressures to convert to non-forest uses, it is important to understand the financial principles that drive economic viability. A fundamental principle is that the value of money is time-sensitive such that present costs and benefits carry greater weight than those in the future. This has profound implications given the long-term nature of forestry investments. The principles of compounding and discounting allow for equivalent comparisons of costs and benefits occurring at disparate times. These principles are the key to understanding the economic value of land and timber, and they allow for analysis of economic optimization relative to both timber and non-timber values. Likewise they allow for analysis of the economic impacts of policy measures such as taxes and regulations, providing important insights to help policymakers to better achieve goals and avoid unintended consequences.

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