WESTERN FORESTRY LEA DERSHIP COALITION
Status of State Forests & Climate Change Activities in the West
DRAFT
As of January 30, 2009
Western States were asked by WFLC to complete a questionnaire on forest and climate change related activities
within their State. The information received from the States is summarized below and will be periodically updated.
This document is intended to provide resource managers, stakeholders and decision-makers with ready access to
information on State-level climate change activities related to forests in the western US.
State: ALASKA
Contact: ??
Forests and Climate Change Website: ??
State Initiatives:
 ??
Accomplishments:
 In 2006, the Governor established The Alaska Climate Impact Assessment Commission. A report was
released by the Commission on March 17, 2008 outlining potential effects of climate change on the state.
Included in the report is an assessment of the potential impacts climate change will have on forestry and
wildfires, along with other natural resources. The report also recommends seven next steps for the state
legislature to take to better prepare the state for changing climate conditions. None of these next steps relate
to forestry, however one does call for more research to fully understand the impacts of climate change on
Alaska’s environment.
Future Actions:
 ??
State: ARIZONA
Contact:
Cam Hunter, Acting State Forester
1110 West Washington, Suite 100
Phoenix, AZ 85007
[email protected]
Forests and Climate Change Website: http://www.azclimatecchange.gov
State Initiatives:
2850 Youngfield Street, 4th Floor, Lakewood, Colorado 80215
Phone # (303) 445-4362; FAX # (303) 239-3811
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F-1 Forestland Protection form Developed Uses: Reduce the rate at which existing forestland and forest
cover are cleared and converted to developed uses or damaged by development that reduces productivity.
o Goal - Given the considerable carbon storage potential of forest and woodlands in Arizona, and the
trend of loss of these vegetation types in the past two decades, we propose that policy initiatives
decrease the conversion of forest and woodlands to urban and other developed uses to 50% or less
of the rate of loss to these uses during the 1987 – 1997 period by 2010 and continuing through 2020.
F-2 Reforestation/Restoration of Forestland: Expand forest Cover (and associated carbon stocks) by
regenerating or establishing forests in areas with little or no forest cover at present.
o Goal -430,000 acres of forestland impacted by wildfire restored to stocking rates of 47 tons of above
ground biomass per acre (on average depending on forest type). Explore potential for additional
benefits in restoring forests impacted by insect damage.
F-3a Forest Ecosystem Management – Residential Lands: Manage sustainable thinning or biomass
reduction from residential forestland (intended to address fire and forest health issues) so that harvested
biomass is directed to wood products and renewable energy instead of open burning or decay. This option is
directed at forestlands bordering residential areas (the wildland-urban interface or WUI). Option F-3b is
directed at forests in non-WUI areas.
o Goal – Wildfire and other threats to forest health and sustainability, and community safety have led
to a number of initiatives within the state of Arizona to reduce biomass in residential forests and
woodlands. Most of these efforts include some emphasis some emphasis on utilizing the extracted
the extracted woody biomass for wood products and/or energy production, rather than eliminating
these materials through open burning, or storage or decay off site. It is recommended that a
reasonable goal of utilizing 50% or more of biomass extracted from residential lands for wood
products and/or energy is recommended to be achieved by 2010 and continuing through 2020.
F-3b Forest Ecosystem Management – Other lands: Increase sustainable thinning biomass from forests and
direct the harvested wood and wood waste to wood products and renewable energy. This option is directed
at forests in non-WUI areas.
o Goal – Work Group Members recommended that that the current and planned fuels treatment s in
Arizona be accelerated, so that all high priority areas (e.g., in valuable watersheds and habitats) are
treated by 2015 and continue 2020.
F-4 Improved Commercialization of Biomass Combustion, Gasification and Combined Cycle: Accelerate
the rate of technology development and market deployment of biomass combustion, gasification and
combined cycle (BGCC) technologies.
o Goal – Goal Levels: 10 megawatts of biomass energy between 2006 and 2010, and additional 25
megawatt between 2010 and 2020 (or equivalent amount of new biomass thermal energy).
Accomplishments:
 As of this date no accomplishment report has been produced.
Future Actions:
 None reported.
State: CALIFORNIA
Contact:
Doug Wickizer
Staff Chief, Environmental Protection
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
(916) 653-5602
[email protected]
Cathy Bleier
Climate Action Coordinator
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
(916) 657-0561
[email protected]
Forests and Climate Change Websites:
 California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE): http://www.fire.ca.gov/
 California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection: http://www.bof.fire.ca.gov/
 California Resources Agency: http://www.climatechange.ca.gov/
 California Air Resources Board (CARB): http://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/forestry/forestry.htm
 California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA):
http://www.climatechange.ca.gov/climate_action_team/index.html
State Initiatives:
 Governor Executive orders related to climate affecting forestry:
o S-20-04: Reduce grid based energy purchases for state-owned buildings by 20% by 2015
o S-03-05: Reduce GHG emissions to 2000 levels by 2010, to 1990 levels by 2020 and to 80% below
1990 levels by 2050.
o S-06-06: Produce 20% electricity from biomass by 2010, and produce in-state 20% of biofuels by
2010, 40% by 2020, and 75% by 2050.
 Legislation related to climate and energy affecting forestry:
o AB 32 California Global Warming Solutions Act (2006) authorizes California Air Resources Board to
ensure GHG reductions to 1990 levels by 2020.
o SB 812 (2002) requires California Climate Action Registry to develop protocols for forest
conservation and conservation-based forest management projects.
o SB 85 (2007) requires state agencies to consider, implement and report on their own GHG
emissions reductions. See report card.
 Governor’s Climate Action Team (CAT) – Interagency team convened by CalEPA to implement programs
and report progress on GHG Reduction Executive Order (S-03-05)
 Climate Change Research Center: California Energy Commission develops and implements cross-cutting
research program on climate change, GHG inventory, climate impacts, mitigation and adaptation
 Climate Adaptation Team: Resources Agency develops interagency strategy for adapting to climate change.
 California Biomass Collaborative Interagency effort to identify biomass and promote biomass utilization
Accomplishments:
 CAT reports (2006, 2007) include analyses of five forestry strategies for reducing GHG emissions:
reforestation/afforestation, forest conservation, forest management, fuels reduction/biomass, and urban
forestry
 AB 32 Implementation (Scoping Plan): Includes forestry strategies, input by stakeholders, and commitment
by Board of Forestry to implement and enforce forestry measures.
 Forestry protocols: California Climate Action Registry developed protocols for reforestation, forest
conservation, forest management, and urban forestry projects which were then approved by the Air
Resources Board.
 Forestry Adaptation Strategy: CAL FIRE develops preliminary strategy for reducing impacts from climate
change on forested landscapes. (ongoing with completion 1 st half 2009)
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Forestry research priorities for mitigation and adaptation: CAL FIRE develops recommendations for Climate
Change Research Plan (ongoing with completion 1st half 2009)
Research reports and publications from California Energy Commission include forestry studies (searchable
website).
CAL FIRE State Forest demonstration project of forest management protocols, funding through WESTCARB
and CA Energy Commission.
California Bioenergy Action Plan - The California Bioenergy Interagency Working Group developed plan to
increase the use of biomass for energy and fuels.
Air Board’s GHG inventory includes estimates of forest emissions and sequestrations.
Future Actions:
 Forestry protocols are being amended to facilitate use by public agencies and timberland landowners.
 Develop protocol for fuels management project.
 Improve state GHG inventory methods for forests
 Encourage development of cap and trade markets for forest carbon to expand implementation of forestry
mitigation efforts
 Examine bottom-up and top-down GHG reporting methods for forestry activities
State: COLORADO
Contact:
Joseph A. Duda
Forest Management Division Supervisor
Colorado State Forest Service
970-222-8690
[email protected]
Forests and Climate Change Website: none.
State Initiatives:
 The State of Colorado will take the lead in expanding renewable energy resources and opportunities for
Colorado’s economy, for Colorado’s environment, and for Colorado’s energy independence. This will be
charted by advancing Colorado’s New Energy Economy.
 Colorado State University, “The Green University,” has several existing and new green initiatives
underway, including production of 2 million seedlings annually by the Colorado State Forest Service in an
operation unmatched by any university in the country. In addition, CSU is expanding its research capacity to
support healthy, sustainable communities worldwide; growing tomorrow’s green workforce; developing
partnerships with industry to put the latest knowledge about climate change, alternative fuels, and carbon
sequestration to work; and continuously expanding our commitment to a sustainable campus by emphasizing
recycling, green construction, alternative transportation, and responsible stewardship of our resources
 The Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS) provides natural resource management assistance to
landowners across Colorado, and manages Colorado’s Forested State Trust Lands. Through the Colorado
Wood Utilization and Marketing Program (COWOOD), we partner with the Governor’s Energy Office, USFS,
BLM, businesses, and private landowners to identify and develop forest products for energy use — forest
products that would otherwise go unused.
Accomplishments:
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The CSFS partnered with the Governor’s Energy and the Colorado Division of Air Quality to install and
monitor a wood heating system on the Front Range of Colorado, which has high air-quality standards. The
objective is to demonstrate the newest clean technology for wood as a heat source.
The CSFS developed a Woody Biomass Utilization Short Course for professionals in the forest management
and renewable energy fields. The emphasis of the short course is on using wood to produce energy.
The Colorado Forest Products Campaign, a program of the Colorado State Forest Service, promotes wood
products made from Colorado Wood. The program provides a venue to discuss the benefits of forest
management and its impact on carbon sequestration.
The CSFS continues to explore the range of energy conservation systems for public and private facilities
through its relationship with the Governor’s Energy Office.
Future Actions:
 The CSFS is working to develop a revolving loan fund for renewable energy applications that use wood to
assist new business establishment.
 The CSFS continues to work with entrepreneurs to explore the use of wood as an alternative to traditional
building materials and services.
 The CSFS is exploring the expanding role of urban and community forests on the impact and management of
carbon sequestration.
State: HAWAII
Contact: ??
Forests and Climate Change Website: ??
State Initiatives:
 The state’s previous climate action plan was completed in 1998. In June 2007, the Governor signed the
Global Warming Solutions Act, which mandates that by December 2009 a greenhouse gas emissions
reduction task force must prepare a work plan and regulatory mechanisms through which to implement the
plan. The Act also set emissions targets at 1990 levels by 2020.
Accomplishments:
 ??
Future Actions:
 Legislation introduced: SB 266 Establishing a Global Warming Task Force
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2009/bills/SB266_.HTM
State: IDAHO
Contact:
Richard F. Furman
Strategic Issues and Program Development Specialist
St. Joe Area Office
1806 Main Ave.
St. Maries, ID 83861
208-245-4551
[email protected]
Forests and Climate Change Website: none.
State Initiatives:
 In the fall of 2007, the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), at the direction of Governor Butch
Otter, initiated a comprehensive Greenhouse Gas Inventory of state agencies. Each agency completed an
energy-use inventory which was used by DEQ to determine their carbon footprint. Each department was
then asked to develop and execute a Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan. Annually, each department will be
required to collect and review its energy use to determine compliance with its Greenhouse Gas Reduction
Plan.
 The Idaho Office of Energy Resources (http://www.energy.idaho.gov) is sponsoring an effort entitled the
Idaho Strategic Energy Alliance. This effort established a Governors Council to provide guidance to a Board
of Directors. The Directors oversee a group of Task Forces targeting specific sectors of the economy that
can contribute to solving issues surrounding energy use. The Department of Lands is involved with two task
forces, Forestry and Carbon Sequestration.
Accomplishments:
 The Department of Lands completed its Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan February, 2008 with action points
to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
 The Carbon Sequestration Task Force (formerly the Governors Carbon Sequestration Advisory Committee)
through the Idaho Soil Conservation Commission and Department of Agriculture has provided materials to
websites for public information, education and outreach about carbon sequestration issues and the carbon
credit trading market (http://www.oneplan.org/CarbonSequestration.shtml).
 The Forestry Task Force is building a report that will detail the potential contributions of the forestry sector to
energy independence and also make recommendations of how this sector can contribute to the overall
reduction of carbon emissions.
 The creation of a Climate Change Committee within the Idaho Department of Lands to review the status of
current research and model predictions. The Committee is preparing guidance for field personnel to help
them in making on-the-ground decisions concerning the management of endowment trust lands.
Future Actions:
 Continue implementation of actions in the Greenhouse Gas Reduction plan.
 Monitor climate change issues and update the guidance as necessary and provide on-the-ground assistance
to field staff as appropriate to promote productive, resilient, and healthy working forests.
 Assess opportunities to implement projects that promote healthy and resilient forests, bring economic
diversity to the forestry sector, contribute to a reduced carbon footprint and fit the Department of Lands long
range Strategic and Asset Management Plan.
State: KANSAS
Contact:
Larry Biles
State Forester
785-532-3309
[email protected]
Forests and Climate Change Website: none
State Initiatives:
 Conservation trees growing and distribution program (approximately ½ million seedlings per year).
 Forest management services (approximately 4 person years) for the state’s 2.2 million forested acres as well
as windbreak and shelterbelt design services.
 Urban Forestry management services for the state’s 600 organized communities. One hundred (114) are
Tree City USA’s with a combined tree management and maintenance budget of over $12 million.
Accomplishments:
 Conservation tree plantings: 997 acres of windbreaks, 17 acres of riparian plantings, 21 acres of woodlots,
and 161 acres of wildlife habitat
 206 forest management plans for 10,542 acres of important resource areas
 571 acres of timber stand improvement
 Two alfalfa dehydrating plants converted to wood fired drying
Future Actions:
 Riparian tree plantings to address sedimentation of federal reservoir issues
 Cooperative with Kansas City metro area counties and cities in conserving green space
State: MONTANA
Contact:
Julia Altemus
Forest Policy Specialist
(406) 542-4314
[email protected]
Julie Anderson
Fuels for Schools Program Assistant
(406) 542-4280
[email protected]
Forests and Climate Change Website: http://www.deq.mt.gov/ClimateChange
State Initiatives:
 Montana DNRC Biomass Utilization and Fuels for Schools and Beyond (FFS&B) program promotes the
utilization of forest residues through providing financial and technical assistance to public facilities to install
wood biomass energy systems. DNRC partners with federal and state agencies, organizations, and
businesses to explore and pursue other opportunities for biomass utilization (i.e. biomass co-generation,
cellulosic ethanol, production of bio-oils, pellet fuel, animal bedding). DNRC has entered an agreement with
The Climate Trust, a carbon offset broker, which allows facilities that have installed wood biomass energy
systems under the FFS&B program to sell their carbon offsets.
 The Montana Climate Change Action Plan (released November 2007) includes several forestry-related state
policy recommendations including: expand the use of forest biomass residues as a feedstock for energy use
(direct combustion and liquid fuels); preserve forested open space and working lands; maintain afforestation
and reforestation programs including those in urban areas; improve management and restoration of existing
stands; and expand the use of wood products for building materials.
 Montana is a partner in the Western Climate Initiative which is considering the inclusion of forestry-related
projects in their offset system (afforestation/reforestation, forest management, forest
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preservation/conservation, forest products). WCI is also recommending a program design that considers
biomass combustion to be carbon neutral, and therefore not to be included in the cap-and-trade program.
Montana Governor’s 20X10 Initiative has directed all state agencies to reduce facility energy requirements by
20 percent by the end of 2010. Montana DNRC Forestry and Trust Lands Management Divisions are leading
by example in developing and implementing an energy conservation plan that will improve energy efficiency
and reduce waste in facilities and operations, improve fuel efficiencies in transportation and meeting
management, and employ conscientious landscape planning.
Accomplishments:
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As part of the DNRC Fuels for Schools and Beyond program, ten public facilities have installed wood
biomass energy systems, and one more projects is in design. The ten biomass-burning facilities currently
operating are estimated to offset a total of 4,421 metric tons of CO2 offsets per year, while also minimizing
other air emission impacts and risks associated with open slash pile burning and severe wildfires .
DNRC co-hosted a national workshop on implementing wood biomass energy systems in Missoula, MT
October 2007.
DNRC Trust Lands Management Division continues to manage for healthy and resilient forests, mindful of
the uncertainty of the ecological effects of climate change on forests.
DNRC participates in discussions, work groups and conferences addressing challenges to and opportunities
for forestry related to climate change (i.e. developing WFLC Climate Change and Western Forests policy,
participating in the design of WCI regional GHG cap and trade system, exploring forest carbon sequestration
and offset potential, tracking research developments about climatic trends and effects on forests.)
DNRC and USFS co-hosted a Wood To Energy Workshop in Helena, MT December 2008.
Future Actions:
 Biomass utilization: DNRC will pursue development of biomass utilization incentives including changes in
Montana’s Renewable Portfolio Standards. DNRC will support efforts to develop wood biomass cogeneration plants at interested mills. DNRC aims to set up a pilot test of biomass harvest approaches on
state trust lands in an effort to demonstrate economic results to trustees and therefore encourage utilization
as an alternative to slash pile burning at project sites.
 DNRC Forestry Division is working to develop a climate change policy for the 111th Congress including the
role of forests in carbon-capture and carbon-storage mechanism, low-carbon biofuels, renewable energy
sources, and the western water supply.
 Implement DNRC Forestry and Trust Lands Management Divisions’ energy conservation plan.
State: NEBRASKA
Contact:
Becky Erdkamp
Education & Outreach Specialist
Nebraska Forest Service
107 Entomology Hall, P.O. Box 830815
Lincoln, NE 68583-0815
402-472-9869
[email protected]
Forests and Climate Change Website: http://www.nfs.unl.edu , www.retreenebraska.unl.edu
State Initiatives:
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ReTree Nebraska: ReTree Nebraska is a 10-year cooperative initiative to reverse the decline of Nebraska’s
community forests by promoting the proper planting and care of 1 million trees across Nebraska by 2017.
ReTree Nebraska also strives to increase the species diversity of Nebraska’s community forests (to protect
our community forests from destruction due to insects and diseases, such as those experienced in the past—
Dutch Elm Disease, chestnut blight, pine wilt, etc.—and those yet to come—emerald ash borer, Asian
longhorned beetle, etc.) and educate the public of the value and benefits of healthy, managed community
forests.
Woody Biomass Energy: The Nebraska Forest Service is working with a variety of stakeholders to foster
the expansion of woody biomass energy utilization across the state for heating, cooling, biofuels and
industrial applications.
Fuels Reduction: Using state and federal funds, the Nebraska Forest Service works with landowners in
Sioux, Dawes and Sheridan counties (in Nebraska’s Pine Ridge, an area with overly dense Ponderosa Pine
forests), as well as the Niobrara Valley (an ecologically unique combination of central hardwood forests,
overly dense ponderosa pine/eastern redcedar forests and remnants of northern boreal forests) to protect
lives and property by reducing the threat of catastrophic wildland fire through fuels reduction activities.
Great Plains Tree & Forests Invasives Initiative: Invasive species, such as emerald ash borer (EAB) pose
a serious threat to the tree resources of the northern plains. Working in collaboration with state forestry
agencies in Kansas, North Dakota and South Dakota and USFS researchers across the country, Nebraska is
engaging in a regional initiative to prepare for the arrival of invasive species.
Accomplishments:
 ReTree Nebraska: To date more than 200 volunteers in more than 80 communities across Nebraska have
lent their support and enthusiasm to ReTree Nebraska. These amassadors will provide local energy to the
effort and mobilize tree planting and care projects in their communities and surrounding areas. To date more
than 8,000 tree plantings have been reported to ReTree Nebraska. Because species diversity is a hallmark
of healthy community forests , ReTree Nebraska has worked with Nebraska’s nursery industry to develop a
list of species that perform well in Nebraska but are underplanted. ReTree Nebraska participating nurseries
are promoting these preferred species with special tree tags that allow consumers to easily identify and
select these trees. Additionally, NFS recently worked with both Lincoln and Omaha (Nebraska’s two largest
metropolitan areas) to collect data for updated community tree. This data will allow each city to effectively
manage and preserve its forest resources.
 Woody Biomass Energy: The Nebraska Forest Service has worked with five facilities to complete woody
biomass conversion feasibility studies (all of which were positive) and is working with an additional five
facilities that are interested in or currently conducting feasibility studies. In August 2008, NFS had the
opportunity to educate both Senator Ben Nelson and members of the state Unicameral’s Natural Resources
Committee about Nebraska’s woody biomass potential. Additionally, NFS is conducting a study to determine
the amount of wood available in the waste stream, identify potential consumers of wood energy, explore the
potential of producing value-added wood products and geospatially map the state’s available wood resource.
 Fuels Reduction: Since 2001, more than 6,000 acres have been treated in the Pine Ridge and Niobrara
Valley. These fuels treatment activities have generated more than $1 million in economic development
impacts for the areas.
 Great Plains Tree & Forests Invasives Initiative: Nebraska, Kansas, North Dakota and South Dakota
recently completed survey work of 200 rural and urban plots throughout each state. This survey was
designed to generate a clearer picture of each state’s tree resource so forestry and other natural resource
professionals know what areas may be most at risk to different types of approaching invasive insects. As part
of the Great Plains Initiative’s effort to develop a citizen-based monitoring and detecting network, states also
distributed EAB detection kits throughout the region. The kit includes ash and EAB identification resources,
as well as materials for mailing suspected EAB to professionals for identification.
Future Actions:
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ReTree Nebraska: ReTree Nebraska will continue working with ambassadors promoting the proper planting
and care of trees to meet its goal of 1 million trees by 2017. For more information about ReTree Nebraska
visit www.retreenebraska.unl.edu.
Woody Biomass Energy: Based on results of our study, NFS will continue identifying facilities that may
benefit from wood energy use and continue working with state and federal legislators to develop funding
mechanisms to make the conversion to wood energy feasible for facilities of all sizes. Using survey results
NFS will geospatially map the state’s available wood resource so institutions and investors interested in
becoming involved with wood energy are able to make informed decisions.
Fuels Reduction: More than 3,000 acres in the Pine Ridge and Niobrara Valley are under contract for fuels
treatment. NFS will continue its fuels reduction activities in these areas and expand fuels treatment work into
Scotts Bluff and Banner counties.
Great Plains Tree & Forests Invasives Initiative: Because the initial focus of the Great Plains Initiative is
emerald ash borer, the states will work together to develop state- and region-wide education and outreach
activities to educate citizens about emerald ash borer and how they can get involved in prevention, detection
and mitigation efforts. Additionally, the group will work to identify and cultivate markets for the vast quantities
of waste wood generated by trees lost to EAB and other invasives. This potentially has implications for
woody biomass energy use and rural economic development throughout the northern Plains. The resource
inventory will continue in 2009 with an additional 200 plots anticipated for survey in each state. This second
year of analysis will enrich the data gathered by the 2008 resource inventory and provide an even clearer
picture of the region’s tree and forest resources.
State: NEVADA
Contact: ??
Forests and Climate Change Website: ??
State Initiatives:
 ??
Accomplishments:
 In April 2007, the Governor established the Nevada Climate Change Advisory Committee, which released its
recommendations for climate change mitigation on May 31, 2008. The report includes 28 recommendations,
including one for the development of a sequestration initiative which involves establishing an interagency
research program/partnership to explore viable terrestrial CO2 sequestration site locations and management
options in the state. Additionally, the Committee recommends that the state encourage awarding of
technology grants to research institutions for the mitigation of coal burning emissions and the development of
cost-effective carbon capture and sequestration technologies. The Committee also recommends promoting
biomass for heat and power to reduce fossil fuel consumption.
Future Actions:
 ??
State: NEW MEXICO
Contact: Carol Bada
EMNRD-Forestry Division
1220 S St. Francis Drive
Santa Fe, NM 87505
(505) 476-3334
[email protected]
Forests and Climate Change Websites:
 www.emnrd.state.nm.us/FD
 www.nmenv.state.nm.us/cc/
 www.nmclimatechange.us
 http://www.nmdrought.state.nm.us/ClimateInfo.html
State Initiatives:
 NM became the first state to be a member of the Chicago Climate Exchange in September 2005.
http://www.nmclimatechange.us/ewebeditpro/items/O117F6943.pdf
 Signed the Western Regional Climate Action Initiative on February 26, 2007 along with four other western
states (AZ, CA, OR, and WA). See document at
http://www.nmenv.state.nm.us/aqb/GHG/Docs/Western_Regional_Climate_Action_Initiative.pdf
 NM is a member of the Western Climate Initiative which is a regional cap and trade program to reduce
greenhouse gases. See document at http://www.nmenv.state.nm.us/OOTS/documents/PR-WCICandT-9-2308.pdf
Accomplishments:
 New Mexico signed the Governors’ Declaration on Climate Change. The state’s Climate Change Advisory
Group completed an action plan in 2006, which contains provisions to protect forest land from developed
use, improve forest health and restoration on residential lands and other lands, and to convert agricultural
land to grassland or forestland. New Mexico’s emissions reduction target is to meet 2000 emission levels by
2012, 10 percent below 2000 levels by 2020, and 75 percent below 2000 levels by 2050.(
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www.nmclimatechange.us).
EMNRD-Forestry Division personnel are on committees for the New Mexico Forest and Climate Change
Workshop to be held on November 20, 2008.
Future Actions:
 Continue implementation of the WCI cap and trade program.
 EMNRD-Forestry personnel attendance and participation in the New Mexico Forest and Climate Change
Workshop.
 January 09: New Bills Introduced to the Legislature are House Bill 167 (Alt. Energy for Schools)
http://www.nmlegis.gov/Sessions/09%20Regular/bills/house/HB0167.pdf and House Bill 98 (Fees for GHG
Reporting Registry) http://www.nmlegis.gov/Sessions/09%20Regular/bills/house/HB0098.pdf
State: NORTH DAKOTA
Contact:
Tom Claeys
Forestry and Fire Management Team Leader
916 East Interstate Avenue
Bismarck, ND 58503
701-328-9945
[email protected]
Forests and Climate Change Website: none
State Initiatives: none at this time.
Accomplishments: none at this time.
Future Actions:
 Future action and opportunities will be evaluated within the State Forest Assessment process.
State: OREGON
Contact:
Jim Cathcart
Oregon Department of Forestry, Forest Resource Trust Manager
(503) 945-7493
[email protected]
Forests and Climate Change Website: http://egov.oregon.gov/ODF/PRIVATE_FORESTS/carbon.shtml
State Initiatives:
 Forest Resource Trust – Forest Establishment Program – In 1999 received $1.5 million in carbon dioxide
emission offset funding from the Klamath Co-Generation Project in south central Oregon. The $1.5 million
payment meets, in part, requirements of the co-generation project’s site certificate as issued by the Oregon
Energy Facility Siting Council. The offset practice is forestation on non-industrial private lands. Forestation
is converting lands that once were forested, but currently in agricultural, range or poorly stocked forest use,
back into healthy, productive forests through site preparation, tree planting, seedling protection and
vegetation control. The offsets will be measured and reported by the Oregon Department of Forestry and
then retired by the Oregon Energy Facility Siting Council per the requirements of the site certificate.
 Oregon House Bill 2200 – Passed by the 2001 Oregon State Legislature and signed into law. House Bill
2200 establishes State Forester authority to sell forest carbon offsets from Oregon Department of Forestry
managed forest lands. Requires the State Forester to develop an accounting system for measuring and
reporting forest carbon offsets. Sets up the Oregon Department of Forestry as a potential aggregator of
forestry carbon offsets by giving the State Forester the authority to enter in agreements with non-federal
forest landowners for the purpose of marketing carbon offsets. Affirms the role of the Oregon Board of
Forestry with respect to developing voluntary principles and standards for the accounting of forest carbon
offsets. Establishes an advisory committee to assist the Board in developing principles and standards for
carbon accounting.
 The Climate Trust – The Climate Trusts is a non-governmental organization that provides new power plant
developers access to the monetary path to meeting Oregon’s Carbon Dioxide Emission Standard through
carbon offsets. New power plant developers provide monies to The Climate Trust; The Climate Trust then
funds specific carbon offset projects to produce and accrue the necessary offsets.
 Oregon Board of Forestry – Forestry Program for Oregon – Adopted in 2003, the Forestry Program for
Oregon sets forth the Oregon Board of Forestry’s strategic vision for Oregon’s Forests for the 2003-2011
period. The Board’s strategy is framed around internationally recognized criteria and indicators for
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sustainable forest management. One criterion is carbon storage and the corresponding Forestry Program for
Oregon strategy is “Enhance carbon storage in Oregon’s forests and forests products”. The Board identified
seven specific actions for implementing the strategy: 1) maintain and increase Oregon’s forestland base, 2)
develop tools to predict how forest management and wildfire affect forest carbon pools, 3) promote
landowner understanding of the potential role of forests in carbon storage, 4) promote the development of
markets for forestry carbon offsets, 5) promote the use and reuse of Oregon wood products, 6) promote local
markets for Oregon wood products, and 7) promote greater consumer awareness of the environmental
advantages of using renewable and recyclable forest products.
Governor’s Advisory Group on Global Warming – The purpose of the advisory group was to recommend
greenhouse gas emission reduction goals for Oregon and recommend specific actions Oregon can take to
move toward meeting the emission reduction goals. The recommended actions fall in the following areas: 1)
Integrating Actions, 2) Energy Efficiency, 3) Electrical Generation and Supply, 4) Transportation, 5) Biological
Sequestration, 6) Materials Use, Recovery and Waste Disposal, and 6) State Government Operations.
West Coast Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnership (WESTCARB) – Initiated in 2003; one of 7
regional carbon sequestration partnerships funding by the U.S. Department of Energy designed to
investigate primarily geological sequestration technologies; though 3 of the 7 partnerships have a terrestrial
sequestration component. WESTCARB is led by the California Energy Commission and the scope of the
terrestrial work is Arizona, California, Oregon and Washington. The purpose of the terrestrial component is
to assess the current status and trends of terrestrial carbon stocks, identify opportunities for increasing the
carbon sink potential of these stocks and to demonstrate the feasibility of terrestrial sequestration project
activities.
Community Forest Authorities – Created by the 2005 Oregon Legislature, a Community Forest Authority
(CFA) is a quasi-municipal corporation that can be established by counties and cities in Oregon to issue taxexempt bonds for the purpose of funding the purchase of working forests. State law specifies how a CFA
works and the limitations of its authority. CFAs are one of potentially a number of tools needed to maintain
working forests, and ultimately help ensure the achievement of the overall policy goal of the Board of
Forestry of maintaining sustainable forests for Oregon across a range of management objectives ranging
from wood production emphasis to active management that may emphasize other resource values such as
fish and wildlife.
Forest Biomass Working Group -- Established in November 2005 to help accomplish the State’s biomass
energy and utilization of forest biomass goals. Reducing fuel loads through the utilization of forest biomass
from overstocked forests would improve overall forest health, diversity and resiliency and reducing pollution,
including carbon dioxide, from wildfires and prescribed burns.
Climate Change Integration Group – The group was charged to develop a climate change strategy for
Oregon that provides long-term sustainability for the environment, protect public health, consider social
equity, create economic opportunity, and expand public awareness; and to make a preliminary assessment
of the how the state should prepare for adaptation to the impacts of climate change.
Oregon Forest Carbon Stakeholders (FCS) Working Group – A core group of forest industry, family
forest landowner and conservation interests formed to develop and provide the Oregon Governor’s Office
information and strategies for how forestry and forest lands can be part of the Western Climate Initiative
(WCI). The group’s goal is to develop recommendations on the offset design elements, project types and cobenefits of including forests as an eligible source of carbon offsets for the Western Climate Initiative’s cap
and trade program.
Oregon Global Warming Commission – House Bill 3543 (passed by the 2007 Oregon Legislature)
formally established greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals for Oregon and created the Oregon Global
Warming Commission and the Oregon Climate Change Research Institute. The Global Warming
Commission is charged to develop recommendations for the 2009 Oregon Legislature that further key
element’s of the Governor’s 2009 Climate Change Agenda, including: 1) cap and trade programs, 2)
adaptation to lower water quantity and reduced snowpack, 3) energy efficiency and greening of building, the
workforce and transportation, and 4) assessing climate change impacts to agricultural, forest, fish and wildlife
resources.
Accomplishments:
 Forest Resource Trust – Forest Establishment Program: $0.8 million has been obligated to 600 acres;
forestation is certified as free-to-grow on 61 of those acres. $0.4 million is available for new forestation
projects.
 The Climate Trust – Forestry: The Climate Trust has funded 3 forest carbon offset projects – Deschutes
Riparian Reforestation (Oregon), Preservation of Native Northwest Forest (Washington) and Rainforest
Restoration (Ecuador).
 Oregon Board of Forestry – Forestry Program for Oregon: The Oregon Board of Forestry in 2007
adopted Sustainable Forest Management Indicators for measuring accomplishments under each of the
Forestry Program for Oregon strategies. The indicator for the carbon storage strategy is the quantity (and
trends) in carbon stocks on forestlands and in forest products. The identified actions for achieving the
carbon storage strategy are being implemented through current policies and incentives.
 Governor’s Advisory Group on Global Warming: Identified three significant actions for offsetting
greenhouse gases through biological sequestration: 1) reduce wildfire severity and extent from forest fuel
treatments, 2) maintain the forest land base, and 3) forestation. These actions are being implemented
through current policies and incentives.
 WESTCARB: Phase 1 baseline and carbon sequestration opportunity reports are completed for Arizona,
California, Oregon and Washington. Phase II terrestrial sequestration pilots established in Shasta County,
California and Lake County, Oregon. The pilots are demonstrating the feasibility (and developing accounting
protocols) of forestation, forest management and conservation and forest fuel treatments to reduce wildfire
severity and extent as carbon offset technologies.
 Forest Biomass Working Group: Final report providing specific recommendations on how forest biomass
can achieve the goals of Oregon’s Renewable Energy Action Plan submitted to the Renewable Energy
Working Group in January 2007.
 Climate Change Integration Group: Final report (2008) calls for Oregon to immediately begin preparing for
climate change including prioritizing actions that increase the resiliency of Oregon’s natural systems such as
forests to the effects of climate change and incorporating climate change mitigation and adaptation in current
planning efforts.
 Oregon Forest Carbon Stakeholders (FCS) Working Group The group has completed Phase I of its
work: 1) consensus support and recommendation that forestry needs to be an eligible source of carbon
offset projects in the WCI and 2) initial discussion and vetting (but no consensus achieved) on forestry
protocol approaches to the design elements of baseline/additionaity, permanence and leakage.
 Oregon Global Warming Commission: First meeting of the Forestry Subcommittee to the Natural
Resources Committee of the Global Warming Commission – providing background information on efforts
addressing forests, carbon and climate change - was held on July 7th.
Future Actions:
 WESTCARB: Completion of pilot spatial modeling effort in Lake County, Oregon that researches whether
conducting planned wild land fire hazard reduction fuel treatments at the landscape scale can result in a net
reduction carbon dioxide emissions from wildfire (compared to the untreated landscape); and if so,
investigate whether such modeling can meet a measurement and reporting standard sufficient to be eligible
as carbon offsets.
 Community Forest Authorities: Deschutes County is pursuing the development of a CFA for the Bull
Springs Tree Farm/Skyline Forest.
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Forest Biomass Working Group: The group has initiated its second phase and is working on the following
themes: 1) Community Outreach, 2) Federal Policy, Supply and Management, 3) Research and Monitoring,
4) Biofuels and BioProducts Support, and 5) Community and Economic Development.
Oregon Board of Forestry – Forestry Program for Oregon: The first comprehensive assessment of
Oregon’s forests (all ownerships) using the Board Sustainable Forest Management Indicators will be
completed in 2010.
Legislation: Oregon's Senate Bill 80 - which is Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski's proposed approach to
implementing can and trade regulation in Oregon
http://www.leg.state.or.us/09reg/measpdf/sb0001.dir/sb0080.intro.pdf
State: PACIFIC ISLANDS
Contact: ??
Forests and Climate Change Website: ??
State Initiatives: ???
Accomplishments:
 ??
Future Actions:
 ??
State: SOUTH DAKOTA
Contact:
Greg Josten
Service Forestry Program Administrator
605-394-2279
[email protected].
Forests and Climate Change Website: http://www.state.sd.us/doa/Forestry/
State Initiatives: none at this time.
Accomplishments:
 South Dakota is advocating the use of wood for energy. One facility has converted from fossil fuel to wood
fuel for its boiler. One other facility is planning conversion; others are considering wood as an alternative
fuel.
Future Actions:
 Training in ecosystem services markets.
 Continue to advocate woody biomass for energy.
State: UTAH
Contact: ??
Forests and Climate Change Website: ??
State Initiatives:
 The Governor’s Blue Ribbon Advisory Council on Climate Change completed its climate action plan in
October 2007. The plan includes recommendations to increase forest health risk reduction programs, protect
forest land by reducing conversion to non-forest uses, promote urban and community trees, expand the use
of forest biomass feedstocks for energy production and promote the production of biomass fuels, and
increase fire management and risk reduction programs.
 On June 20, 2008, the Utah Department of Environmental Quality set a greenhouse gas reduction goal for
the state, seeking to reduce emissions to 2005 levels by 2020. The agency plans to achieve these reductions
through increased reliance on renewable energy sources, policies to reduce energy demand and increase
efficiency, mass transit policies, and participation in the Western Climate Initiative’s cap-and-trade program.
Accomplishments:
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Future Actions:
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State: WASHINGTON
Contact:
Craig Partridge
Policy Director, Washington Department of Natural Resources
360- 902-1028
[email protected]
Forests and Climate Change Website:
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2007 Climate Advisory Committee - Forestry Technical Workgroup report:
www.ecy.wa.gov/climatechange/interimreport/122107_TWG_for.pdf
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2007 Preparation and Adaptation Workgroup Report (the Forestry chapter is pp. 53-69):
www.ecy.wa.gov/climatechange/CATdocs/122107_2_preparation.pdf
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The current website for the Forest Sector Workgroup on Climate Change Mitigation, set up in response to
2008 legislation (ESSHB 2815). www.ecy.wa.gov/climatechange/2008FA_for.htm
State Initiatives:
 In February 2007, the Governor signed a bill that set greenhouse gas reduction goals and created a Climate
Advisory Team. The state set emission targets at 1990 levels by 2020, 25 percent below 1990 levels by
2035, and 50 percent below 1990 levels by 2050. In February 2008, the Climate Advisory Team released an
interim report with recommendations on how to address climate change in Washington. The Advisory Team
was assisted by five working groups, including a Forestry Working Group, which focused on restoration,
sustainable forest management, wood energy, and carbon sequestration. Preparation and Adaptation
Working Groups (PAWGs) were also created; the Forestry PAWG works to identify impacts that climate
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change will have on growth, pests, and fires, along with preparation and adaptation strategies to address
these impacts. Some of the forestry measures included in the interim report are reduced conversion to nonforest cover, expanded urban and community forests, improved forest health, enhanced carbon
sequestration in forests, and expanded use of biomass feedstocks.
In March 2008, the Washington Governor signed the Climate Change Framework/Green Collar Jobs Act.
This policy directs the Department of Ecology to submit a comprehensive plan to the legislature outlining
measures to reach previously set emissions targets and provide an update on the state’s involvement with
the Western Climate Initiative, particularly with the development of the multisector cap and trade design
process. The plan is due at the end of 2008.
Accomplishments:
 The state has created a 2008 Schedule of Actions, which includes some recommendations regarding the
Western Climate Initiative and its development of a market based system. These include changes to the
greenhouse gas reporting requirements of WCI for implementation of the market based system and
recommendations on how local governments might participate in the system and on how forestry and
agricultural lands and practices may voluntarily operate as credits or offsets in the system. 
 Washington State Forest Sector working group has provided recommendations to the state legislature, and
details are at: www.ecy.wa.gov/climatechange/2008FAdocs/11241008_forestreportversion2.pdf
Future Actions:
 For 2008, the state Climate Action Team will continue the work completed by the Climate Advisory Team.
The primary purpose of the Action Team is to transform the comprehensive recommendations developed in
2007 by the Advisory Team to a small number of focused, refined, and effective actions that the Governor
and Washington legislature can implement to address climate change in the state.
State: WYOMING
Contact:
John Etchepare
Director of the Wyoming Department of Agriculture
307-777-6569
[email protected]
Bill Crapser
Wyoming State Forester
307-777-7586
[email protected]
Forests and Climate Change Website: http://slf-web.state.wy.us/forestry.aspx
State Initiatives:
 Wyoming does not currently have a climate action plan.
Accomplishments:
 The state did establish the Wyoming Carbon Sequestration Advisory Committee through the Wyoming
Carbon Storage Law. Work for the Committee has been authorized for 2001-2009. The Committee will
provide the state with scientifically-sound information and advice concerning management practices and
economic activities to store carbon in agricultural and forest lands. The Committee also works to educate the
public about carbon sequestration. Members of the Committee include representatives from the Wyoming
State Forestry Division and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Future Actions:
 None planned at this time.
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Wertz, Megan. Draft Version - Oct. 14, 2008. State and Regional Initiatives on Climate Change. Unpublished paper on file
with R&D, U.S. Forest Service.