Regional Analysis of
Woody Biomass Resources
North Carolina‟s
Southeast Region
Prepared by:
Gelbert, Fullbright & Randolph Forestry Consultants, PLLC
8394 Six Forks Road, Suite 203
Raleigh, North Carolina 27615
www.GFRforestry.com
(919) 841-0089
The information contained in this report is the property of North Carolina’s Southeast Commission. The methodology for gathering the
information is property of GFR Forestry Consultants and cannot be used without permission.©
The information contained in this report is the property of North Carolina’s Northeast Commission. The methodology for gathering the
information is property of GFR Forestry Consultants and cannot be used without permission.©
Table of Contents
A. Executive Summary
B. Objective and Methodology of the Assignment
1. Data Collection
2. Terminology
3. Assumptions
4. Regional Historic Wood Prices
Figure B.1 Southeast Region 15 Year Wood Cost
5. Current Market Price of Materials
6. Southeast Region Competition
Figure B.2 Southeast Region Paper Mill Overlap Analysis Map
Figure B.3 Southeast Region Competition
Figure B.4 Southeast Region Competition Map
7. Southeast Region Sawmills and Residuals
Figure B.5 Southeast Region Hardwood Sawmills
Figure B.6 Southeast Region Hardwood Sawmills Map
Figure B.7 Southeast Region Sawmill Residuals
8. Review of Logging Infrastructure
9. Southeast Region Land Use Changes
Figure B.8 Southeast Region Timberland Ownership Change
Figure B.9 Percent Loss of Total Crop & Forest Land, 1987-2007
Figure B.10 Projected Decrease in Total Forest and Crop Land, 2007-2027
C. Southeast Region Study Area
1. Study Area
Figure C.1 Southeast Region Counties
Figure C.2 Southeast Region Counties Map
2. FIA Data & Methodology
3. Summary of Southeast Region, North Carolina
4. Potential Opportunities
Figure C.3 Southeast Region Pulpwood & Biomass Availability
Figure C.4 Southeast Region Pine Pulpwood Volume
Figure C.5 Southeast Region Hardwood Pulpwood Volume
Figure C.6 Southeast Region Biomass Volume
D. Southeast Region County Summaries
1. Bladen County, North Carolina
Figure D.1 Bladen County Pulpwood & Biomass Volumes
Figure D.2 Bladen County Pine Volume
Figure D.3 Bladen County Hardwood Volume
Figure D.4 Bladen County Biomass Volume
Figure D.5 Bladen County Timberland Ownership Change
2. Brunswick County, North Carolina
Figure D.6 Brunswick County Pulpwood & Biomass Volumes
Figure D.7 Brunswick County Pine Volume
Figure D.8 Brunswick County Hardwood Volume
Figure D.9 Brunswick County Biomass Volume
Figure D.10 Brunswick County Timberland Ownership Change
3. Columbus County, North Carolina
Figure D.11 Columbus County Pulpwood & Biomass Volumes
Figure D.12 Columbus County Pine Volume
Figure D.13 Columbus County Hardwood Volume
Figure D.14 Columbus County Biomass Volume
Figure D.15 Columbus County Timberland Ownership Change
4. Cumberland County, North Carolina
Figure D.16 Cumberland County Pulpwood & Biomass Volumes
Figure D.17 Cumberland County Pine Volume
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Figure D.18 Cumberland County Hardwood Volume
Figure D.19 Cumberland County Biomass Volume
Figure D.20 Cumberland County Timberland Ownership Change
5. Hoke County, North Carolina
Figure D.21 Hoke County Pulpwood & Biomass Volumes
Figure D.22 Hoke County Pine Volume
Figure D.23 Hoke County Hardwood Volume
Figure D.24 Hoke County Biomass Volume
Figure D.25 Hoke County Timberland Ownership Change
6. New Hanover County, North Carolina
Figure D.26 New Hanover County Pulpwood & Biomass Volumes
Figure D.27 New Hanover County Pine Volume
Figure D.28 New Hanover County Hardwood Volume
Figure D.29 New Hanover County Biomass Volume
Figure D.30 New Hanover County Timberland Ownership Change
7. Pender County, North Carolina
Figure D.31 Pender County Pulpwood & Biomass Volumes
Figure D.32 Pender County Pine Volume
Figure D.33 Pender County Hardwood Volume
Figure D.34 Pender County Biomass Volume
Figure D.35 Pender County Timberland Ownership Change
8. Richmond County, North Carolina
Figure D.36 Richmond County Pulpwood & Biomass Volumes
Figure D.37 Richmond County Pine Volume
Figure D.38 Richmond County Hardwood Volume
Figure D.39 Richmond County Biomass Volume
Figure D.40 Richmond County Timberland Ownership Change
9. Robeson County, North Carolina
Figure D.41 Robeson County Pulpwood & Biomass Volumes
Figure D.42 Robeson County Pine Volume
Figure D.43 Robeson County Hardwood Volume
Figure D.44 Robeson County Biomass Volume
Figure D.45 Robeson County Timberland Ownership Change
10. Sampson County, North Carolina
Figure D.46 Sampson County Pulpwood & Biomass Volumes
Figure D.47 Sampson County Pine Volume
Figure D.48 Sampson County Hardwood Volume
Figure D.49 Sampson County Biomass Volume
Figure D.50 Sampson County Timberland Ownership Change
11. Scotland County, North Carolina
Figure D.51 Scotland County Pulpwood & Biomass Volumes
Figure D.52 Scotland County Pine Volume
Figure D.53 Scotland County Hardwood Volume
Figure D.54 Scotland County Biomass Volume
Figure D.55 Scotland County Timberland Ownership Change
E. Southeast Region Sustainability
Figure E.1 Regional Sustainability Model
F. Review of Programs
1. Review of the Renewable Fuel Standard Cellulosic Biomass Program
2. Review of the Biomass Crop Assistance Program
3. Review of Wood Certification Systems
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A.
Executive Summary
The 2010 US Forest Service Forest Inventory Assessment (FIA) resource data indicates that within the
Southeast Region of North Carolina there are 3.0 million acres of timberland supporting 29.5 million tons of
pine pulpwood and 50.1 million tons of hardwood pulpwood potentially available for use by the biofuels
industry (green tons). At the time of the 2010 assessment the annual growth was 2.1 million tons of pine and
1.2 million tons of hardwood. The removals were 960,000 tons of pine and 697,000 tons of hardwood. The
percent difference in the growth to removals for the area was 73.3% for pine and 56% for hardwood,
indicating more wood was grown than was removed. The total biomass for the region is 32.1 million tons.
Land use changes that have diverted land from timberlands to development have not been significant across
the region. Based on the 2010 FIA data, the region lost 2.1% (66,000 acres) of productive timberland
compared to the 2002 survey. Future projections of forest and crop land are forecasted to be between 2% and
4% with the majority of the acres expected to be lost from crop land.
Regional competition for wood is currently depressed for all products. The largest user in the region is the
International Paper Mill at Riegelwood, NC. The mill makes different paper grades and fluff pulp, and
consumes pine and hardwood pulpwood and biomass. Yildiz Entregre – USA has begun exporting pine
chips from the Port of Wilmington. There is one large consumer of biomass for energy and power
production. The Capital Power facility in Southport consumes 350,000 tons of biomass annually. There is a
small chip mill run by Edwards Wood Products in Scotland County. Depending upon sourcing plan for a
potential biomass using facility, the Edwards Wood Products mill could be viewed as a competitor or a
supplier. Based on interviews with area wood suppliers, the region could use additional wood consuming
facilities.
The current market for pine and hardwood pulpwood delivered to facilities in the Southeast Region is $26.50
and $24.00 per ton, respectively. Hardwood sawmill residual chips are $28.50 and hardwood dust is $23 per
ton. The annual production quantity of pine sawmill chips is approximately 456,800 tons and pine sawmill
dust is 234,600 tons. The annual production quantity of hardwood sawmill and chip mill chips is
approximately 308,750 tons and sawmill dust is 37,500 tons. The total hardwood usage is 1,480,000 tons.
Estimated consumption that comes directly from within the region is 960,677 tons for pine and 546,357 tons
for hardwood. Using our overlapping methodology, these estimates match very close to the FIA data
estimates. Estimated total consumption of pine pulpwood within the region is 2,700,000 tons. It is important
to note that some of the wood for the region‟s mills will come from outside of the Southeast Region. Current
prices for pine pulpwood stumpage are $7.00 and hardwood stumpage prices are $2.00 per ton. Biomass
stumpage prices are minimal and are reported at below $1 per ton.
We believe that there is potential opportunity for a biofuels facility in Richmond and Sampson counties. The
tons per acre for pine, hardwood, and biomass are good for these counties. The counties have little pressure
from regional competition and currently do not have any wood using facilities. These areas also have a good
transportation infrastructure for roads and rail.
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B.
Objective and Methodology of the Assignment
The information in this report will be used by North Carolina‟s Southeast Region to provide potential
biofuels manufacturers with a basic understanding of the forest resources industry and forest materials
available in the region. This report does not include any non-woody source of supply such as agricultural
residues, municipal solid waste, or herbaceous crops. A finer level of site specific detail would be needed for
a manufacturer to determine if a location is suitable.
Disclosure: For this assignment Gelbert, Fullbright and Randolph Forestry Consultants, PLLC (GFR)
synthesized information from anecdotal and empirical data as well as formal and informal interviews from
various companies and individuals with knowledge of raw material resources in the Southeast Region of
North Carolina. GFR did disclose the nature of the project to all companies and individuals that we used as a
source. GFR is currently, and has in the past, provided resource consulting services to clients for similar
projects. GFR will not release information in this report to parties other than the Biofuels Center of North
Carolina and the North Carolina Southeast Commission unless a release is obtained. Requests for copies of
this report should be channeled through GFR so that proprietary methods used in this report is not released.
All client information is confidential.
1. Data Collection: GFR utilized its internal data, acquired publicly available data, phone surveys
and other research to estimate the quantities of forest resources suitable for the production of
biofuels. Unless otherwise stated all wood volume data and cost is expressed as green tons (i.e.
50% moisture content). This report will report on:
a. Hardwood & pine pulpwood prices – current and historic volumes and prices
b. Biomass prices – current volumes
c. Current competitors for the materials including an estimate of their wood consumption
d. Manufacturing residue (sawmills)
e. Land use changes
f. Reported future competitors for the materials
g. Complementary sources of hardwood, pine, and biomass mill residuals
2. Terminology used in this report:
a. „ pulpwood‟ means low value trees that are not suitable for lumber.
b. „biomass‟ means waste material from a sawmill, chip mill, or material remaining after a
logging operation. Biomass will typically include bark and may have some level of soil
attached. We also use the term biomass to describe the growing stock in the FIA data.
c. „roundwood‟ means that the wood will be processed as a whole tree.
d. „in-woods whole tree chips‟ means chips produced in the forest from roundwood without
bark, limbs and tops.
e. „sawmill chips‟ and „sawmill dust‟ refers to material produced at a manufacturing facility as a
bi-product of the lumber making process. These chips and dust will be free of bark.
f. „dirty chips‟ are trees that have been processed with a biomass chipper that include the bark.
3. Assumptions: GFR Forestry Consultants, PLLC has prepared this report based on current
information and assumptions that we believe are reasonable. The information and assumptions
used in preparing this report are subject to uncertainties. Therefore, the conclusions drawn from
this information are uncertain and the actual results may differ materially from those projected.
The information should be considered a “snapshot” of the current markets and future consideration
of the region for a biofuels facility should verify all data. The “Potential Opportunities” section in
the report is based on our previous experience with biofuels companies and the types of locations
NC Southeast Commission - Biomass Resource Study - September 2011
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that they have interest in. A specific biofuels company may have very different economic and
resource requirements that would likely alter the assumptions we made in our determining our
“Potential Opportunities”.
4. Regional Historic Wood Prices: The fifteen year wood cost data for the region shows a gradual
increase in stumpage and delivered cost. The majority of the increases have come from logging
and transportation cost. The delivered rate for pine pulpwood over the period was $11.88 to
$25.71 per ton and $7.24 to $24.34 per ton for hardwood pulpwood. Stumpage prices have stayed
relatively flat in a range from $2.24 to $8.92 per ton for pine pulpwood and $.69 to $5.62 per ton
for hardwood pulpwood. It is important to note that these wood cost are the average prices for the
year. A given quarter may be significantly higher or lower based on weather condition and other
factors in the market.
Southeast Region Wood Cost
$30.00
$25.00
$ / ton
$20.00
Pine Stumpage
$15.00
Pine Delivered
$10.00
Hdwd Stumpage
Hdwd Delivered
$5.00
1976
1978
1980
1982
1984
1986
1988
1990
1992
1994
1996
1998
2000
2002
2004
2006
2008
2010
$0.00
Figure B.1 Southeast Region 15 Year Wood Cost
5. Current Market Price of Materials: Based upon our market knowledge and the responses to our
phone surveys we have found the following ranges represent current market prices for fiber
delivered to the mills in the region.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
Hardwood roundwood
Hardwood whole tree chips
Hardwood dust
Hardwood Sawmill Chips
Pine roundwood
Pine whole tree chips
Biomass
$23.00 to $25.00 per ton
$30.00 to $35.00 per ton
$22.00 to $25.00 per ton
$27.00 to $30.00 per ton
$25.00 to $28.00 per ton
$35.00 to $38.00 per ton
$21.00 to $25.00 per ton
*All delivered prices include freight
6. Southeast Region Competition: The competition for pine and hardwood pulpwood within the
region is a paper mill, a chip exporting facility, and 1 biomass facilities. The paper mill and
exporting facility utilizes roundwood and chips and the biomass facilitie utilize only dirty chips.
The mills are:
a. International Paper – Riegelwood, NC
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b. Yildiz Entregre – USA, Wilmington, NC
c. Capital Power, Southport, NC
The International Paper, Riegelwood paper mill produces various paper products and fluff pulp. The
mill is the largest consumer of pulpwood products in the region.
Yildiz Entregre – USA is a pine chip exporter out of the Port of Wilmington. The estimated 40,000
tons of chips per month are exported to Turkey to be used in the manufacture of medium density fiber
board. Yildiz appears to be a solid business for the area but previous export markets shipping from
the same location have been temporary in nature. It is reported that Yildiz has potential to export
more than 40,000 tons per month if the vessels and wood are available for shipment.
Capital Power in Southport is a combined heat and power facility producing 103 megawatts of
electricity and 1080 million pounds per hour of steam for the adjacent Archer Daniels Midland plant.
The facility has the capacity to use 350,000 tons of biomass per year.
It is important to note that mills outside the region will have an effect on the region. The effect of
those mills outside the region will be accounted for in the Phase Three site specific study.
The competition for hardwood pulpwood has remained stable with IP Riegelwood being the primary
consumer. IP Riegelwood is the largest consumer of hardwood pulpwood in the region. It was
reported that some hardwood pulpwood was being chipped for the power plants due to high inventory
levels at the paper mill.
The competition for pine pulpwood has increased since the Yildiz Entregre port facility opened in
2011. Yildiz Entregre and IP Riegelwood are the primary consumers of pine pulpwood in the area.
The biomass power facility consumes approximately 350,000 tons of biomass for power a year.
Based on the relatively high prices reported for the Capital Power facility at Southport, there may be
some pine and hardwood pulpwood being utilized for this plant. Typically, these type facilities
would utilize waste material that cannot be used by the paper mill. The IP Riegelwood mill biomass
consumption has not been included because they create a considerable amount of their own biomass
from the processing of pulpwood. However, they do purchase fuel chips from in-woods producers.
It is important to remember that not all of this volume will be procured from within the identified
region. Also, the direct competition for a specific site will vary from the total consumption of these
mills. Typically, the majority of wood procured by a facility will come from within 75 miles of the
facility for paper mills and 50 miles for biomass mills. Paper mills have the ability to make purchases
further than 75 miles and sawmills tend to make purchases closer than 75 miles. Biomass facilities
typically procure waste wood from within 50 miles. To correct for wood that is procured outside the
region we have used GFR‟s Geographical Information System (GIS) and applied an overlap
methodology to estimate the volumes that would be procured in the region. Figure B.2 below
illustrates the procurement area of the regions paper mill and export facility and show the significant
areas outside of the Southeast Region from which wood can be purchased. Based on this analysis we
have determined that 960,677 tons of pine pulpwood, 546,357 tons of hardwood is in theory
consumed within the region. This overlap methodology analysis allows us to “true up” the effect of
wood usage in the region. The analysis does not, however, take into effect mills outside the region
that will procure wood from within the region. The Phase Three site specific studies will take into
affect all facilities around a site both inside and outside the Southeast Region.
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Figure B.2 Southeast Region Paper Mill Overlap Analysis Map
Southeast Region Competition
Paper Mill
Chip Export
International Paper - Riegelwood
Yildiz Entregre USA
Figure B.3 Southeast Region Competition
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Figure B.4 Southeast Region Competition Map
7. Southeast Region Sawmills and Residuals: The pine and hardwood sawmills in the region could
be considered complementary to the biofuels industry. Sawmills produce residual chips and dust
from the manufacture of lumber. A telephone survey of manufacturing locations that produce
woody residuals was conducted. All manufacturers for the Southeast Region were pine and
hardwood sawmills. We estimate that there are 765,550 tons of clean chips and 272,100 tons of
dust produced annually. The chips typically are sold to the paper mills and the dust is either used
at the sawmill for steam and lumber drying or will be sold to wood burning power plants. Most
mills also produce a small amount of shavings that may be usable to the biofuels industry. It is
important to note that shavings are typically priced too high for use as a biofuels feedstock. Some
of the respondents would not divulge their annual production of residuals. We were, however,
able to get an estimate based on the annual board footage that the mill produces and applied that to
industry conversion rates based on the type of sawmill. The Georgia Pacific mill at Whiteville,
NC is currently closed. The company said they have plans to re-open the facility as the economy
improves. We have included the GP facilities residuals in our analysis for this report. There have
been a significant amount of hardwood sawmills that have closed over the past 10 years.
The Edwards Wood Products Chip Mill at Laurinburg is the only hardwood chip mill in the region.
We have elected to count this mill as complementary to the biofuels industry since these chips do
not go outside the region. The combined sawmill and chip mill hardwood chip production is
250,000 tons annually. The chips are supplied to an area paper mill.
NC Southeast Commission - Biomass Resource Study - September 2011
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Southeast Region Hardwood Sawmills
Sawmill
County
Turn Bull Lumber
Bladen
Marsh Road Lumber
Corbett Package Co
Edwards Wood Products
Bladen
New Hanover
Scotland
Figure B.5 Southeast Region Hardwood Sawmills
Figure B.6 Southeast Region Hardwood Sawmills Map
Figure B.7 shows an estimate of the amount of chips and dust produced by the mills in the region. It
is important to note that some of the residual may go outside the region for use at pulp and paper
mills.
Southeast Regional Saw & Chip mill Residuals
Product
Pine
Hardwood
Chips
456,800
308,750
Dust
234,600
37,500
Shavings
97,080
Figure B.7 Southeast Region Sawmill Residuals
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8. Review of Logging Infrastructure: There is a well-established supply infrastructure for the
Southeast Region for all products. The majority of the crew types in the region produce
roundwood. This source has historically been the least expensive segment of delivered material.
There is also a significant amount of in-woods chipping capacity as well. The in-woods chipping
crews have the ability to provide paper quality debarked pine and hardwood chips. Several of the
contacts we spoke with said that there have been several fuelwood (chips not debarked and
unsuitable for the manufacture of paper) chippers added to round wood crews over the past few
years to supply the wood-fired power plants. The wood suppliers that we interviewed reported
that there has been a significant amount of logging capacity lost to downsizing or business closure
over the past several years. Mill closures have decreased the demand for wood, thus putting a
strain on the logging operations. Anecdotal evidence from surveys suggests that currently most
logging jobs in the area are operating at less than full capacity. Survey respondents reported that
on average they could produce an additional 15% of current production volume if markets allowed.
Our experience has shown that both logging and trucking will expand and contract with economic
conditions and the wood markets. In this region, additional consumption from biofuels facilities is
not expected to be an issue from the logging infrastructure side of the equation.
9. Southeast Region Land Use Changes: We have utilized information from the Natural Resources
Conservation Services (NRCS) Natural Resource Inventory (NRI) for the land use change portion
of the report. The data documents North Carolina‟s land use over the past 20 years. The data is
collected similar to the way the FIA data is collected. The data can be used on a regional basis but
is limited on a county by county basis. For future projections we have utilized a report prepared by
the Environment North Carolina Research and Policy Center (ENCRPC). The report was
originally published in 2007 but we believe the projections are still relevant. It is important to
remember that the maps below include forest and crop land. As a result, we believe the percent
change figures over-estimate the impact land use changes may have to forest land. We “true the
data up” with the regional data provided by the FIA survey.
The majority of the Southeast Region from 1987 to 2007 lost between 5% and 8% of its forest and
crop land to development. The exception to that is Sampson County which lost between 8% and
11%. Based on the FIA data for 2010, the productive forest land in the region lost 2.1% (66,000
acres). The statistical error rate for the forest land data is 3.03%. Therefore, we believe this is a
good estimate of loss. Figure B.9 below shows the land ownership in the region. The balance of
the Timberland acres lost is in crop land and Other Forestland. It stands to reason that crop land,
although more expensive per acre, is less expensive to site prepare and develop than forest land.
Much of the region remains rural and forest land and crop land are still the best uses of the land.
Also, much of the land in the coastal region has poorly drained soils, subject to high a water table.
In an effort to expand development, agriculture and production forestry, coastal plain landswere
converted from swamps by ditching and draining.. The land that was easiest to drain is developed
and used for crop land. The remaining lands could be drained, but still may not have been suitable
for development and crop land. These remaining lands were then used for production forestland.
In more recent years, Federal and State law have placed strict limitations on the practice of
ditching and draining of wetlands; making the conversion of wetlands increasingly less likely.
These lands are typically the last acres to be developed and are, in fact, expected to remain
forestland into the foreseeable future.
Looking forward, the ENCRPC has projected that from 2007 to 2027 the loss of crop and forest
land in the region will be between 2% and 4% of the land base. We believe the trend of
developing crop land before forestland will continue and thus have little effect on the
NC Southeast Commission - Biomass Resource Study - September 2011
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commercial/production forestland in the region. Based on their projections we believe that land
use changes with forestland will be minimal.
NC Southeast Region Timberland Ownership Change
2010 Ownership by Type
Land Use - Major
Timberland
Other Forestland
Nonforest
Census Water
Total
5,077,349
3,041,925
24,196
1,690,680
320,550
Wildlife/Fed
6,049
6,049
-
Dept of Defense
96,654
96,654
-
State/County
222,048
215,999
6,049
-
Private
2,741,369
2,723,222
18,147
-
Other
2,011,229
1,690,680
320,550
2002 Ownership by Type
Land Use - Major
Timberland
Other Forestland
Nonforest
Census Water
Total
5,098,606
3,107,696
6,288
1,676,946
307,677
Wildlife/Fed
-
Fed/Defense
106,989
106,989
-
State/County
135,959
135,959
-
Private
2,871,035
2,864,748
6,288
-
Other
1,984,622
1,676,946
307,677
Change (2002-2010)
Timberland
Other Forestland
Nonforest
Census Water
Acres
(65,771)
17,908
13,734
12,873
Figure B.8 Southeast Region Timberland Ownership Change
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Figure B.9 Percent Loss of Total Crop and Forest Land, 1987-2007
*data from the NRCS and ENCRPC 2007 report
Figure B.10 Projected Decrease (%) in Total Forest and Cropland, 2007-2027
*data from the NRCS and ENCRPC 2007 report
NC Southeast Commission - Biomass Resource Study - September 2011
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C.
Southeast Region Study Area:
1. Study Area: The 11 counties in the Southeast Region constitute the study area. See Figure C.1
for counties involved.
Southeast Region Counties
Bladen
Hoke
Robeson
Brunswick
New Hanover
Sampson
Columbus
Pender
Scotland
Cumberland
Richmond
Figure C.1 Southeast Region Counties
Figure C.2 Southeast Region Counties Map
2. FIA Data and Methodology: GFR utilized the U.S. Forest Service Forest Inventory and Analysis
(FIA) data for this project. FIA reports on status and trends in forest area and location; in the species,
size, and health of trees; in total tree growth, mortality, and removals by harvest; in wood production
and utilization rates by various products; and in forest land ownership. The Forest Service has
significantly enhanced the FIA program by changing from a periodic survey to an annual survey. The
survey consists of sampling forest and non-forest data from permanent plots established from years of
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surveys. The surveys are conducted annually with up to 20% of the plots taken in a given year. It
should be noted that the larger the sample size of the survey the better the data will be. This means
that much of the county level data will have larger error rates. The county level data should only be
used to obtain a general idea of the resources for the county. We also examine the region as a whole
which provides a much better estimate of the volumes and acres in terms of error rates. The Phase
Three site specific data is expected to be the best way to look at the region and will provide better
information to biofuels companies. It should be noted that the volumes listed in this report are the
best data available for a project of this scale.
The FIA “Timberland” option was used for the volume, growth, and removals data so that only
forests that can be legally or logistically harvested were used in the volume determinations. As an
example the volumes of wood from a National Wildlife Recreational Area would not show up in the
“Timberlands” option because it wouldn‟t normally be available for harvest. We feel it is best to use
the “Timberlands” option because it provides the most accurate data for this type of project. The FIA
timber data is characterized as follows:
a. Pulpwood size includes trees from a 5” diameter at breast height (dbh) to an 11” dbh tree.
b. Biomass is all material 1” to 4.9” dbh above ground (tops, limbs, and saplings). We advise
that only 60% of the biomass can or will be harvested.
c. Total Available is the amount of wood available to harvest that is suitable for the biofuels
industry. This category could be thought of as the growing stock in the area. The category
includes all volume from a 5” dbh tree to a 40” dbh tree and trees classified pulpwood,
topwood, or Grade 4 & 5 sawtimber. Grade 4 & 5 sawtimber isn‟t accepted by area sawmills
due to defects and thus can be used as a lower value product. We have not included any
higher value sawtimber data in this report due to the cost of the logs.
d. Growth is the amount of wood that has grown from the “Total Available” stock.
e. Removals are an estimate of the material that has been removed due to logging activity.
f. The percent difference in Growth to Removals is a way to determine if more volume is being
grown or being removed from an area.
The land and ownership data from FIA is characterized as follows:
a. The FIA data for land and land use change is derived from the US Census Bureau. The total
acres for any given county from the 2002 FIA data and the 2010 FIA data show acreage
differences due to a change in how the Bureau of Census calculated the acreage between the
two samples. This change in methodology only allows us to see basic trends in forestland
acreage and not exact acre change.
b. “Timberland” is considered forests that have the ability to grow more than 20 cubic feet of
timber per acre per year thus indicating a productive forest.
c. “Other Forestland” is considered forests that do not have the ability to grow more that 20
cubic feet of timber per acre per year. These forest are typically dry mountain ridge tops or
swamps that contain water most of the year.
d. “Non-forest” is land that has never supported forests or land formerly forested where timber
production is precluded by development or other uses.
e. “Census Water” are Streams, sloughs, estuaries, canals, and other moving bodies of water 200
feet wide and greater, and lakes, reservoirs, ponds, and other permanent bodies of water 4.5
acres in area and greater.
3. Summary of Southeast Region, North Carolina: The Southeast Region as a whole has good
growing stock for pulpwood and biomass. The pine pulpwood stocks have a percent difference in
growth to removals of 73.3% and hardwood is 56% both indicating more growth than removals.
NC Southeast Commission - Biomass Resource Study - September 2011
Page 15 of 43
Both the pine and hardwood stocks appear to be sustainable based on the growth to removals
aspect. There is 10.6 tons per acre of biomass per timberland acre across the region. This is a
moderately high amount of biomass per acre and indicates that the pine and hardwood pulpwood
will be sustainable in the future.
The logging and soil conditions in the region range from wet swamps in many of the eastern
counties to dry rolling hills in the western portion of the region. In general when the soil
conditions are wet, we see higher logging cost. As a result of this trend the areas to the east
would typically expect to have overall higher logging and delivered cost, and will have difficulty
delivering wood in the winter. There is a good infrastructure of “shovel” logging crews that can
work in wetter soils. Logging conditions in the western portion of the region are much better for
most of the year and result in overall lower logging cost. These areas typically have
“conventional” logging crews that do not need specialized logging equipment to operate in wet
weather condition.
The region as a whole has almost 60% productive forestland and has lost 2.1% since the 2002.
The 60% productive forestland is higher than many of the areas we have studied and speaks to the
large amount of forest products available to the area. Overall growth for hardwood in the region
is similar to other areas we have studies and is at 2.5%. The pine stocks however are growing at
an average rate at 7.0%. For pine to grow in the coastal areas of the region the land must be
ditched and drained. There is considerable swamp and low lands in the areas close to the coast
with year round standing water that will cause growth rates overall to be much lower for
hardwood. There is considerable biomass growing stock also available providing for future
feedstocks for the biofuels industry.
4. Potential Opportunities: We have listed below potential opportunities for biofuels production in
the region. It should be noted that our thoughts on potential opportunities are based on
assumptions for the end product for a biomass using facility including, feedstock characteristics,
supplier profile, pricing parameters. If a biofuels facility has a different set of economic
characteristics for their project then more/less opportunities are possible.
Richmond County in the western portion of the region appears to be a good location for a biofuels
facility. The county has 8.9 tons per acre of pine pulpwood and 6.6 tons per acre of hardwood
pulpwood. The biomass portion of the feedstocks is 10.34 and is one of the top biomass areas in
the region. Reports from area wood dealers stated that the area has very little demand for wood
purchases because of the distance to current wood markets. The closest consumer of wood is the
Domtar Paper Mill in Bennettsville, SC. The county sits between two small chip mills in Anson
and Scotland County and is close to the region‟s largest residuals market at Edwards Wood
Products. There is also very good access to rail services in the southeastern portion of the county.
Sampson County in the northern portion of the region also has biofuels location potential. The
county has 6.58 tons per acre of pine pulpwood and 9.27 tons per acre of hardwood pulpwood.
The biomass portion of the feedstocks is 9.85 tons per acre. The counties to north outside of the
region have few markets for pulpwood. There are no significant wood consuming facilities in the
county. There is very good transportation infrastructure with Interstate 40 and a CSX rail line to
Clinton. This county also has a very high growth to removals difference indicating more potential
feedstocks are being grown than removed.
NC Southeast Commission - Biomass Resource Study - September 2011
Page 16 of 43
Southeast Region Pulpwood and Biomass Volumes
Pine Pulpwood
2010
2007
2002
1990
Total Available
29,548,878
Average
Hardwood Pulpwood
2010
2007
2002
1990
Growth
2,070,586
1,885,620
2,139,381
2,216,087
2,077,919
2010 % Difference***
Total Available
Growth
50,149,698
1,239,806
1,093,625
1,226,415
1,371,557
1,232,851
Average
2010 % Difference***
Biomass*
Total Available
2010
32,154,642
2007
30,621,410
2002
32,147,338
1990
33,704,154
* only approx. 50% can be recovered
** All volumes in green short tons
*** % Difference in Growth vs. Removals
Removals
960,328
1,069,348
1,384,254
899,412
1,078,335
73.3%
Removals
697,032
668,556
919,641
675,537
740,192
56.0%
Figure C.3 Southeast Region Pulpwood & Biomass Availability
Southeast Region
Pine Pulpwood Volume
2,500,000
2,000,000
1,500,000
Growth
1,000,000
Removals
500,000
0
1990
2002
2007
2010
Figure C.4 Southeast Region Pine Pulpwood Volume
NC Southeast Commission - Biomass Resource Study - September 2011
Page 17 of 43
Southeast Region
Hardwood Pulpwood Volume
1,600,000
1,400,000
1,200,000
1,000,000
800,000
Growth
600,000
Removals
400,000
200,000
0
1990
2002
2007
2010
Figure C.5 Southeast Region Hardwood Pulpwood Volume
Southeast Region
Biomass Volume
34,000,000
33,500,000
33,000,000
32,500,000
32,000,000
31,500,000
31,000,000
30,500,000
30,000,000
29,500,000
29,000,000
1990
2002
2007
Biomass
2010
Figure C.6 Southeast Region Biomass Volume
NC Southeast Commission - Biomass Resource Study - September 2011
Page 18 of 43
D.
Southeast Region County Summaries:
1. Bladen County, North Carolina: The significant wood using industry in the county is Turn Bull
Lumber. The sawmill located in Elizabethtown produces grade lumber and sawmill residuals.
There is a biomass to power facility in the county but is currently not operating. The general
logging and soil conditions in the county are characterized as good but can be limiting during
periods of high precipitation. The growth to removals for pine is positive at 92.8% indicating
there is almost twice the growth to removals. The hardwood resource is currently limiting
showing a -24.5% difference in growth to removals indicating more hardwood is being removed
than is growing. All previous surveys show a positive growth to removals difference. It is
unknown when or if this trend will turn around. Typically, as a resource is reduced to these levels
logging activity moves out of the area and the resource will recover. The biomass portion of the
forestland has 9.4 tons per timberland acre and is considered moderate for future pine and
hardwood pulpwood growth potential. The county appears to be losing timberland to non-forest
sources but still is 71.7% productive forestland.
Bladen County, NC
Pulpwood and Biomass Volumes
Pine Pulpwood
Total Available
Growth
Removals
2010
2,671,366
315,279
115,416
2007
354,922
152,693
2002
294,549
153,760
1990
317,280
171,340
320,507
148,302
Average
2010 % Difference***
92.8%
Hardwood Pulpwood
Total Available
Growth
Removals
2010
2,795,898
178,411
228,955
2007
151,632
63,952
2002
211,370
153,207
1990
168,854
89,550
177,567
133,916
Average
2010 % Difference***
-24.8%
Biomass*
Total Available
Tons/acre
2010
3,729,232
9.39
2007
3,725,502
2002
4,095,270
1990
3,938,976
* only approx. 50% can be recovered
** All volumes in green short tons
*** % Difference in Growth vs. Removals
Figure D.1 Bladen County Pulpwood & Biomass Volumes
NC Southeast Commission - Biomass Resource Study - September 2011
Page 19 of 43
Bladen County, NC
Hardwood Pulpwood Volume
Bladen County, NC
Pine Pulpwood Volume
250,000
400,000
350,000
200,000
300,000
250,000
150,000
200,000
Growth
150,000
Removals
Growth
100,000
100,000
Removals
50,000
50,000
0
0
1990
2002
2007
1990
2010
Figure D.2 Bladen County Pine Volume
2002
2007
2010
Figure D.3 Bladen County Hardwood Volume
Bladen County, NC
Biomass Volume
4,200,000
4,100,000
4,000,000
3,900,000
3,800,000
Biomass
3,700,000
3,600,000
3,500,000
1990
2002
2007
2010
Figure D.4 Bladen County Biomass Volume
Bladen County, NC
Timberland Ownership Change
2010 Ownership by Type
Land Use - Major
Timberland
Nonforest
Census Water
Total
552,935
396,969
146,334
9,632
State
48,142
48,142
-
Private
348,827
348,827
-
Other
155,966
146,334
9,632
2002 Ownership by Type
Land Use - Major
Timberland
Nonforest
Census Water
Total
572,643
411,673
141,839
19,131
State
37,205
37,205
-
Private
374,468
374,468
-
Other
160,971
141,839
19,131
Change (2002-2010)
Timberland
Nonforest
Census Water
Acres
(14,704)
4,495
(9,499)
Figure D.5 Bladen County Timberland Ownership Change
NC Southeast Commission - Biomass Resource Study - September 2011
Page 20 of 43
2. Brunswick County, North Carolina: There are two significant wood using industries in the
county. Coxwood Industries purchases pine sawtimber to be used as power poles. All of their
residual products are used in a boiler system to produce steam. The Capital Power Southport
facility purchases biomass to burn for steam and electricity. The general logging and soil
conditions in the county are characterized as wet and can be limiting during periods of high
precipitation. Specialty wet weather logging crews are able to work on these soils in almost any
weather conditions. The growth to removals for both pine and hardwood are positive indicating
that the resource is sustainable. The biomass portion of the forestland has 9.5 tons per timberland
acre and is considered moderate for future pine and hardwood pulpwood growth potential. Like
many coastal NC counties, Brunswick County experienced significant residential development in
the 1990‟s and early 2000‟s and appears to be losing timberland to other forestland and nonforestland sources but still is 58% productive forestland.
Brunswick County, NC
Pulpwood and Biomass Volumes
Pine Pulpwood
2010
2007
2002
1990
Total Available
2,480,059
Average
Hardwood Pulpwood
2010
2007
2002
1990
Total Available
3,070,004
Average
Biomass*
Total Available
2010
3,888,996
2007
3,736,646
2002
3,759,418
1990
3,660,522
* only approx. 50% can be recovered
** All volumes in green short tons
*** % Difference in Growth vs. Removals
Growth
323,810
297,458
232,949
455,928
327,536
2010 % Difference***
Growth
174,007
168,967
102,044
150,804
148,955
2010 % Difference***
Tons/acre
9.53
Removals
229,606
293,906
298,132
166,336
246,995
34.0%
Removals
26,546
29,453
106,563
130,436
73,250
147.1%
Figure D.6 Brunswick County Pulpwood & Biomass Volumes
NC Southeast Commission - Biomass Resource Study - September 2011
Page 21 of 43
Brunswick County, NC
Hardwood Pulpwood Volume
Brunswick County, NC
Pine Pulpwood Volume
500,000
450,000
400,000
350,000
300,000
250,000
200,000
150,000
100,000
50,000
0
1990
2002
2007
200,000
180,000
160,000
140,000
120,000
100,000
80,000
60,000
40,000
20,000
0
Growth
Removals
2010
1990
Figure D.7 Brunswick County Pine Volume
2002
2007
Growth
Removals
2010
Figure D.8 Brunswick County Hardwood Volume
Brunswick County, NC
Biomass Volume
3,950,000
3,900,000
3,850,000
3,800,000
3,750,000
3,700,000
Biomass
3,650,000
3,600,000
3,550,000
3,500,000
1990
2002
2007
2010
Figure D.9 Brunswick County Biomass Volume
2010 Ownership by Type
Land Use - Major
Timberland
Other Forestland
Nonforest
Census Water
2002 Ownership by Type
Land Use - Major
Timberland
Other Forestland
Nonforest
Census Water
Brunswick County, NC
Timberland Ownership Change
Total
Dept of Defense
State
697,297
6,049
12,098
407,903
6,049
12,098
12,098
133,617
143,679
Total
688,615
424,026
6,288
118,366
139,936
Other Federal
6,288
State
Private
401,854
389,756
12,098
-
Other
277,296
133,617
143,679
Private
424,026
417,739
6,288
Other
258,302
118,366
139,936
Change (2002-2010)
Acres
Timberland
(16,123)
Other Forestland
5,810
Nonforest
15,251
Census Water
3,743
Figure D.10 Brunswick County Timberland Ownership Change
NC Southeast Commission - Biomass Resource Study - September 2011
Page 22 of 43
3. Columbus County, North Carolina: Columbus County has the most wood using facilities in the
region. The West Fraser Sawmill at Armour, NC is a large consumer of pine sawtimber. This
mill has significant pine residuals that would be useful to the biofuels industry. International
Paper has a paper mill at Riegelwood, NC that consumes significant volumes of pine and
hardwood pulpwood. Georgia Pacific has a plywood mill and sawmill at Whiteville that is
currently closed. The general logging and soil conditions in the county are characterized as wet
and can be limiting during periods of high precipitation. The growth to removals for both pine
and hardwood are positive indicating that the resource is sustainable. The biomass portion of the
forestland has 12.8 tons per timberland acre and is considered high for future pine and hardwood
pulpwood growth potential. The county has 62% productive forestland but has shown a 10.8%
drop in Timberland over the past 8 year.
Columbus County, NC
Pulpwood and Biomass Volumes
Pine Pulpwood
2010
2007
2002
1990
Total Available
2,029,965
Average
Hardwood Pulpwood
2010
2007
2002
1990
Total Available
4,972,135
Average
Biomass*
Total Available
2010
4,858,592
2007
4,713,124
2002
5,296,580
1990
6,238,962
* only approx. 50% can be recovered
** All volumes in green short tons
*** % Difference in Growth vs. Removals
Growth
210,940
194,039
292,114
331,245
257,085
2010 % Difference***
Growth
197,717
175,094
184,585
232,794
197,547
2010 % Difference***
Tons/acre
12.80
Removals
149,607
140,532
305,358
147,366
185,715
34.0%
Removals
112,230
128,121
116,345
86,288
110,746
55.2%
Figure D.11 Columbus County Pulpwood & Biomass Volumes
NC Southeast Commission - Biomass Resource Study - September 2011
Page 23 of 43
Columbus County, NC
Pine Pulpwood Volume
Columbus County, NC
Hardwood Pulpwood Volume
350,000
250,000
300,000
200,000
250,000
200,000
150,000
150,000
Growth
Growth
100,000
Removals
Removals
100,000
50,000
50,000
0
1990
2002
2007
0
2010
1990
Figure D.12 Columbus County Pine Volume
2002
2007
2010
Figure D.13 Columbus County Hardwood Volume
Columbus County, NC
Biomass Volume
7,000,000
6,000,000
5,000,000
4,000,000
3,000,000
Biomass
2,000,000
1,000,000
0
1990
2002
2007
2010
Figure D.14 Columbus County Biomass Volume
Columbus County, NC
Timberland Ownership Change
2010 Ownership by Type
Land Use - Major
Timberland
Nonforest
Census Water
Total
609,062
379,528
216,691
12,842
State
17,298
17,298
-
Private
362,230
362,230
-
Other
229,533
216,691
12,842
2002 Ownership by Type
Land Use - Major
Timberland
Nonforest
Census Water
Total
618,664
421,429
183,870
13,365
State
6,288
6,288
-
Private
415,141
415,141
-
Other
197,235
183,870
13,365
Change (2002-2010)
Timberland
Nonforest
Census Water
Acres
(41,901)
32,821
(523)
Figure D.15 Columbus County Timberland Ownership Change
NC Southeast Commission - Biomass Resource Study - September 2011
Page 24 of 43
4. Cumberland County, North Carolina There are no significant wood using facilities in the
county. The general logging and soil conditions in the county are characterized as dry for much
of the county and many areas can be accessed year round. Loggers from the coastal areas will
move to this region in the wetter months to operate on dryer soils. The growth to removals data
for both pine and hardwood is positive. The biomass portion of the forestland has 11.85 tons per
timberland acre and is considered high for future pine and hardwood pulpwood growth potential.
The county has 53% productive forestland.
Cumberland County, NC
Pulpwood and Biomass Volumes
Pine Pulpwood
2010
2007
2002
1990
Total Available
863,726
Growth
78,040
76,793
78,577
62,576
73,996
Average
2010 % Difference***
Hardwood Pulpwood
Total Available
Growth
2010
2,316,259
60,899
2007
36,372
2002
96,965
1990
165,668
89,976
Average
2010 % Difference***
Biomass*
Total Available
Tons/acre
2010
2,640,572
11.85
2007
2,523,270
2002
2,906,810
1990
2,576,456
* only approx. 50% can be recovered
** All volumes in green short tons
*** % Difference in Growth vs. Removals
Removals
27,974
46,198
4,020
51,902
32,524
94.5%
Removals
59,443
113,358
55,733
55,897
71,108
2.4%
Figure D.16 Cumberland County Pulpwood & Biomass Volumes
NC Southeast Commission - Biomass Resource Study - September 2011
Page 25 of 43
Cumberland County, NC
Hardwood Pulpwood Volume
Cumberland County, NC
Pine Pulpwood Volume
90,000
180,000
80,000
160,000
70,000
140,000
60,000
120,000
50,000
100,000
Growth
40,000
80,000
Removals
30,000
60,000
20,000
40,000
10,000
20,000
0
1990
2002
2007
Growth
Removals
0
2010
1990
Figure D.17 Cumberland County Pine Volume
2002
2007
2010
Figure D.18 Cumberland County Hardwood Volume
Cumberland County, NC
Biomass Volume
3,000,000
2,900,000
2,800,000
2,700,000
2,600,000
Biomass
2,500,000
2,400,000
2,300,000
1990
2002
2007
2010
Figure D.19 Cumberland County Biomass Volume
2010 Ownership by Type
Land Use - Major
Timberland
Nonforest
Cumberland County, NC
Timberland Ownership Change
Total
Fed/Defense State/County
31,971
19,597
415,499
31,971
19,597
222,904
192,596
-
Private
171,336
171,336
-
Other
192,596
192,596
2002 Ownership by Type
Land Use - Major
Timberland
Nonforest
Total
408,212
205,618
202,594
Private
170,161
170,161
-
Other
202,594
202,594
Fed/Defense
21,961
21,961
-
State/County
13,496
13,496
-
Change (2002-2010)
Acres
Timberland
17,286
Nonforest
(9,998)
Figure D.20 Cumberland County Timberland Ownership Change
NC Southeast Commission - Biomass Resource Study - September 2011
Page 26 of 43
5. Hoke County, North Carolina: There are no significant wood using facilities in the county. A
significant amount of the county‟s forestland is made up of Fort Bragg Army Instillation. The
general logging and soil conditions in many areas of the county are characterized as dry. The
growth to removals data is positive for both pine and hardwood indicating a sustainable and
growing pulpwood forest. The biomass portion of the forestland has 12.6 tons per timberland
acre and is considered high for future pine and hardwood pulpwood growth potential. The county
has 72% productive forestland but a large portion of the county is within Fort Bragg‟s boundaries.
Fort Bragg has an active forest management program on the base but it is primarily Long Leaf
Pine restoration and is not likely to contribute significantly to the wood supply.
Hoke County, NC
Pulpwood and Biomass Volumes
Pine Pulpwood
2010
2007
2002
1990
Total Available
677,698
Growth Removals
48,101
18,674
40,612
21,355
47,551
2,077
82,536
16,191
54,700
14,574
Average
2010 % Difference***
88.1%
Hardwood Pulpwood
Total Available
Growth Removals
2010
1,530,712
58,169
9,850
2007
64,425
7,830
2002
35,688
9,965
1990
43,711
17,012
50,498
11,164
Average
2010 % Difference***
142.1%
Biomass*
Total Available
Tons/acre
2010
2,149,208
12.64
2007
2,042,274
2002
1,864,300
1990
1,276,074
* only approx. 50% can be recovered
** All volumes in green short tons
*** % Difference in Growth vs. Removals
Figure D.21 Hoke County Pulpwood & Biomass Volumes
NC Southeast Commission - Biomass Resource Study - September 2011
Page 27 of 43
Hoke County, NC
Pine Pulpwood Volume
Hoke County, NC
Hardwood Pulpwood Volume
90,000
70,000
80,000
60,000
70,000
50,000
60,000
50,000
40,000
30,000
40,000
Growth
30,000
Removals
10,000
10,000
0
0
2002
2007
Removals
20,000
20,000
1990
Growth
1990
2010
Figure D.22 Hoke County Pine Volume
2002
2007
2010
Figure D.23 Hoke County Hardwood Volume
Hoke County, NC
Biomass Volume
2,500,000
2,000,000
1,500,000
1,000,000
Biomass
500,000
0
1990
2002
2007
2010
Figure D.24 Hoke County Biomass Volume
Hoke County, NC
Timberland Ownership Change
2010 Ownership by Type
Land Use - Major
Timberland
Nonforest
Total
237,870
170,051
67,819
Fed/Defense
58,635
58,635
-
State
5,799
5,799
-
Private
105,618
105,618
-
Other
67,819
67,819
2002 Ownership by Type
Land Use - Major
Timberland
Nonforest
Total
243,127
178,061
65,066
Fed/Defense
78,741
78,741
-
State
-
Private
99,321
99,321
-
Other
65,066
65,066
Change (2002-2010)
Timberland
Nonforest
Acres
(8,010)
2,753
Figure D.25 Hoke County Timberland Ownership Change
NC Southeast Commission - Biomass Resource Study - September 2011
Page 28 of 43
6. New Hanover County, North Carolina: There are two significant wood using facilities in the
county. Corbett Packaging has a veneer mill that purchases hardwood logs and produces wood
waste for the Capital Power facility. Yildiz Entregre – USA purchases pine roundwood and chips
at the Port of Wilmington for export to Turkey. A large part of the county is the City of
Wilmington. The county has only 19% timberland and is the most populated county in the
region. This area could be considered for a biofuels facility if the facility needed export
capabilities from the port. Both pine and hardwood appear to be sustainably managed but there is
very little resource in the county. The biomass portion of the forestland has 3.2 tons per
timberland acre and is considered very low for future pine and hardwood pulpwood growth
potential.
New Hanover County, NC
Pulpwood and Biomass Volumes
Pine Pulpwood
2010
2007
2002
1990
Total Available
333,683
Growth
30,140
32,021
18,177
14,424
23,690
Average
2010 % Difference***
Hardwood Pulpwood Total Available
Growth
2010
213,704
13,448
2007
8,566
2002
10,325
1990
23,942
14,070
Average
2010 % Difference***
Biomass*
Total Available
Tons/acre
2010
136,430
3.18
2007
138,014
2002
136,092
1990
195,186
* only approx. 50% can be recovered
** All volumes in green short tons
*** % Difference in Growth vs. Removals
Removals
9,192
9,865
0
7,492
6,637
106.5%
Removals
9,215
7,532
11,500
2,514
7,690
37.4%
Figure D.26 New Hanover County Pulpwood & Biomass Volumes
NC Southeast Commission - Biomass Resource Study - September 2011
Page 29 of 43
New Hanover County, NC
Pine Pulpwood Volume
New Hanover County, NC
Hardwood Pulpwood Volume
35,000
30,000
30,000
25,000
25,000
20,000
15,000
20,000
Growth
15,000
Removals
10,000
10,000
0
2002
2007
Removals
5,000
5,000
1990
Growth
0
2010
1990
Figure D.27 New Hanover County Pine Volume
2002
2007
2010
Figure D.28 New Hanover County Hardwood Volume
New Hanover County, NC
Biomass Volume
250,000
200,000
150,000
100,000
Biomass
50,000
0
1990
2002
2007
2010
Figure D.29 New Hanover County Biomass Volume
New Hanover County, NC
Timberland Ownership Change
2010 Ownership by Type
Land Use - Major
Timberland
Nonforest
Census Water
Total
221,104
42,901
78,375
99,828
State
4,454
4,454
-
Private
38,447
38,447
-
Other
178,203
78,375
99,828
2002 Ownership by Type
Land Use - Major
Timberland
Nonforest
Census Water
Total
224,433
46,120
80,219
98,094
State
7,905
7,905
-
Private
38,215
38,215
-
Other
178,312
80,219
98,094
Change (2002-2010)
Timberland
Nonforest
Census Water
Acres
(3,219)
(1,844)
1,734
Figure D.30 New Hanover County Timberland Ownership Change
NC Southeast Commission - Biomass Resource Study - September 2011
Page 30 of 43
7. Pender County, North Carolina: There is no significant wood using facilities in the county.
The general logging conditions in the county are considered wet natured with most sites available
for harvest six to eight months out of the year. The growth to removals for the county is good
with pine and hardwood growth twice that of removals. The biomass portion of the forestland has
9.3 tons per timberland acre and is considered moderate for future pine and hardwood pulpwood
growth potential. The productive timberland acres in the county are 72% and appear to be
growing with acres being removed from cropland. The Angola and Holly Shelter Game Lands
are in this county. Both areas have active forest management programs but should not be
considered as open market sources as they are government managed.
Pender County, NC
Pulpwood and Biomass Volumes
Pine Pulpwood
Total Available
Growth Removals
2010
2,739,071
322,756
108,078
2007
260,549
112,073
2002
553,457
305,604
1990
456,140
109,996
158,938
Average 398,225
2010 % Difference***
99.7%
Hardwood Pulpwood
Total Available
Growth Removals
2010
3,920,945
109,108
28,347
2007
77,791
25,630
2002
166,869
72,468
1990
137,989
72,705
49,788
Average 122,939
2010 % Difference***
117.5%
Biomass*
Total Available
Tons/acre
2010
3,954,030
9.30
2007
3,747,884
2002
3,578,550
1990
4,409,288
* only approx. 50% can be recovered
** All volumes in green short tons
*** % Difference in Growth vs. Removals
Figure D.31 Pender County Pulpwood & Biomass Volumes
NC Southeast Commission - Biomass Resource Study - September 2011
Page 31 of 43
Pender County, NC
Hardwood Pulpwood Volume
Pender County, NC
Pine Pulpwood Volume
180,000
600,000
160,000
500,000
140,000
120,000
400,000
300,000
200,000
100,000
Growth
80,000
Removals
60,000
20,000
0
2002
2007
Removals
40,000
100,000
1990
Growth
0
2010
1990
Figure D.32 Pender County Pine Volume
2002
2007
2010
Figure D.33 Pender County Hardwood Volume
Pender County, NC
Biomass Volume
5,000,000
4,500,000
4,000,000
3,500,000
3,000,000
2,500,000
2,000,000
1,500,000
1,000,000
500,000
0
1990
2002
2007
Biomass
2010
Figure D.34 Pender County Biomass Volume
Pender County, NC
Timberland Ownership Change
2010 Ownership by Type
Total
State
Private
592,405
58,540
378,708
Land Use - Major
425,150
52,491
372,659
Timberland
12,098
6,049
6,049
Other Forestland
116,446
Nonforest
Census Water
38,711
-
Other
155,157
116,446
38,711
2002 Ownership by Type
Land Use - Major
Timberland
Other Forestland
Nonforest
Census Water
Other
166,438
137,190
29,248
Total
590,701
424,263
137,190
29,248
State
47,817
47,817
-
Private
376,446
376,446
-
Change (2002-2010)
Acres
Timberland
887
Other Forestland
12,098
Nonforest
(20,744)
Census Water
9,463
Figure D.35 Pender County Timberland Ownership Change
NC Southeast Commission - Biomass Resource Study - September 2011
Page 32 of 43
8. Richmond County, North Carolina: There are no significant wood using facilities in the county.
The general logging conditions in the county are considered good with most sites available for
harvest ten months out of the year. The growth to removals for the county is very good for both
pine and hardwood. The hardwood growth has decreased over the past two surveys year but
removals also reduced. The biomass portion of the forestland has 10.3 tons per timberland acre
and is considered high for future pine and hardwood pulpwood growth potential. The productive
timberland acres in the county are steady at 76%. Reports from industry professionals indicated
that Richmond County could have potential for a Phase Two site.
Richmond County, NC
Pulpwood and Biomass Volumes
Pine Pulpwood
Total Available
Growth Removals
2010
2,193,625
235,833
152,886
2007
247,435
117,999
2002
231,723
124,459
1990
198,442
80,846
119,048
Average 228,358
2010 % Difference***
42.7%
Hardwood Pulpwood
Total Available
Growth Removals
2010
1,627,154
72,729
33,162
2007
58,131
37,075
2002
189,303
105,757
1990
113,932
22,729
49,680
Average 108,524
2010 % Difference***
74.7%
Biomass*
Total Available
Tons/acre
2010
2,539,940
10.34
2007
2,404,704
2002
2,696,994
1990
2,385,222
* only approx. 50% can be recovered
** All volumes in green short tons
*** % Difference in Growth vs. Removals
Figure D.36 Richmond County Pulpwood & Biomass Volumes
NC Southeast Commission - Biomass Resource Study - September 2011
Page 33 of 43
Richmond County, NC
Hardwood Pulpwood Volume
Richmond County, NC
Pine Pulpwood Volume
200,000
180,000
160,000
140,000
120,000
100,000
80,000
60,000
40,000
20,000
0
300,000
250,000
200,000
150,000
100,000
Growth
Removals
50,000
0
1990
2002
2007
2010
1990
Figure D.37 Richmond County Pine Volume
2002
2007
Growth
Removals
2010
Figure D.38 Richmond County Hardwood Volume
Richmond County, NC
Biomass Volume
2,750,000
2,700,000
2,650,000
2,600,000
2,550,000
2,500,000
2,450,000
2,400,000
2,350,000
2,300,000
2,250,000
2,200,000
1990
2002
2007
Biomass
2010
Figure D.39 Richmond County Biomass Volume
2010 Ownership by Type
Land Use - Major
Timberland
Nonforest
Census Water
Richmond County, NC
Timberland Ownership Change
Total
Wildlife/Fed State/County
321,304
6,049
21,996
245,586
6,049
21,996
66,267
9,451
-
Private
217,541
217,541
-
Other
75,718
66,267
9,451
2002 Ownership by Type
Land Use - Major
Timberland
Nonforest
Census Water
Total
335,306
275,200
57,507
2,600
Private
246,245
246,245
-
Other
60,106
57,507
2,600
Change (2002-2010)
Timberland
Nonforest
Census Water
Figure D.40
Acres
(29,614)
8,760
6,851
Pender County Timberland Ownership Change
Wildlife/Fed
6,288
6,288
-
State/County
22,667
22,667
-
NC Southeast Commission - Biomass Resource Study - September 2011
Page 34 of 43
9. Robeson County, North Carolina: There are no significant wood using facilities in the county.
The general logging conditions in the county are considered good with most sites available for
harvest nine months out of the year. The growth to removals for the county is good for both pine
and hardwood. The biomass portion of the forestland has 12.2 tons per timberland acre and is
considered high for future pine and hardwood pulpwood growth potential. The productive
timberland acres in the county are increasing and currently are at 55%. Area wood dealers report
that much of the wood from this county will go to a Domtar Paper Mill in Marlboro County, SC.
Robeson County, NC
Pulpwood and Biomass Volumes
Pine Pulpwood
Total Available
Growth Removals
2010
1,517,752
204,570
98,803
2007
162,050
109,097
2002
144,588
59,938
1990
57,245
64,971
83,202
Average 142,113
2010 % Difference***
69.7%
Hardwood Pulpwood
Total Available
Growth Removals
2010
3,954,526
163,506
147,353
2007
147,728
193,387
2002
109,235
142,962
1990
138,931
77,574
140,319
Average 139,850
2010 % Difference***
10.4%
Biomass*
Total Available
Tons/acre
2010
4,102,926
12.15
2007
3,788,052
2002
4,278,994
1990
4,512,710
* only approx. 50% can be recovered
** All volumes in green short tons
*** % Difference in Growth vs. Removals
Figure D.41 Robeson County Pulpwood & Biomass Volumes
NC Southeast Commission - Biomass Resource Study - September 2011
Page 35 of 43
Robeson County, NC
Pine Pulpwood Volume
Robeson County, NC
Hardwood Pulpwood Volume
250,000
250,000
200,000
200,000
150,000
150,000
Growth
100,000
Growth
100,000
Removals
50,000
50,000
0
1990
2002
2007
0
2010
1990
Figure D.42 Robeson County Pine Volume
2002
2007
2010
Figure D.43 Robeson County Hardwood Volume
Robeson County, NC
Biomass Volume
4,600,000
4,400,000
4,200,000
4,000,000
Biomass
3,800,000
3,600,000
3,400,000
1990
Removals
2002
2007
2010
Figure D.44 Robeson County Biomass Volume
Robeson County, NC
Timberland Ownership Change
2010 Ownership by Type
Total
State/County
Private
327,179
Land Use - Major
608,543
10,564
327,179
Timberland
337,743
10,564
Nonforest
264,462
Census Water
6,338
-
Other
270,800
264,462
6,338
2002 Ownership by Type
Land Use - Major
Timberland
Nonforest
Census Water
Other
260,624
255,885
4,739
Total
599,502
338,878
255,885
4,739
State/County
-
Private
338,878
338,878
-
Change (2002-2010)
Acres
Timberland
(1,135)
Nonforest
8,577
Census Water
1,599
Figure D.45 Robeson County Timberland Ownership Change
NC Southeast Commission - Biomass Resource Study - September 2011
Page 36 of 43
10. Sampson County, North Carolina: There are no significant wood using facilities in the county.
The general logging conditions in the county are considered good with most sites available for
harvest seven months out of the year for conventional logging. The growth to removals for the
county is very good for both pine and hardwood. The growth to removals is double for both pine
and hardwood. The biomass portion of the forestland has 9.85 tons per timberland acre and is
considered moderate for future pine and hardwood pulpwood growth potential. The productive
timberland acres in the county are decreasing and currently are at 44%.
Sampson County, NC
Pulpwood and Biomass Volumes
Pine Pulpwood
Total Available
Growth
Removals
2010
1,790,302
210,618
38,955
2007
150,726
47,684
2002
191,396
84,653
1990
169,092
49,171
180,458
55,116
Average
2010 % Difference***
137.6%
Hardwood Pulpwood Total Available
Growth
Removals
2010
2,522,500
149,435
26,319
2007
150,407
26,049
2002
94,290
74,700
1990
173,903
120,830
142,009
61,974
Average
2010 % Difference***
140.1%
Biomass*
Total Available
Tons/acre
2010
2,687,094
9.85
2007
2,472,324
2002
2,349,170
1990
3,229,970
* only approx. 50% can be recovered
** All volumes in green short tons
*** % Difference in Growth vs. Removals
Figure D.46 Sampson County Pulpwood & Biomass Volumes
NC Southeast Commission - Biomass Resource Study - September 2011
Page 37 of 43
Sampson County, NC
Hardwood Pulpwood Volume
Sampson County, NC
Pine Pulpwood Volume
200,000
180,000
160,000
140,000
120,000
100,000
80,000
60,000
40,000
20,000
0
250,000
200,000
150,000
Growth
100,000
Removals
50,000
0
1990
2002
2007
2010
1990
Figure D.47 Sampson County Pine Volume
2002
2007
Growth
Removals
2010
Figure D.48 Sampson County Hardwood Volume
Sampson County, NC
Biomass Volume
3,500,000
3,000,000
2,500,000
2,000,000
1,500,000
Biomass
1,000,000
500,000
0
1990
2002
2007
2010
Figure D.49 Sampson County Biomass Volume
Sampson County, NC
Timberland Ownership Change
2010 Ownership by Type
Total
State
Private
262,740
Land Use - Major
612,790
10,096
262,740
Timberland
272,836
10,096
Nonforest
339,886
Census Water
68
-
Other
339,954
339,886
68
2002 Ownership by Type
Land Use - Major
Timberland
Nonforest
Census Water
Other
315,184
313,285
1,899
Total
584,864
269,680
313,285
1,899
State
9,988
9,988
-
Private
259,692
259,692
-
Change (2002-2010)
Acres
Timberland
3,156
Other Forestland
0
Nonforest
26,601
Census Water
(1,831)
Figure D.50 Sampson County Timberland Ownership Change
NC Southeast Commission - Biomass Resource Study - September 2011
Page 38 of 43
11. Scotland County, North Carolina: There is one significant wood using facility in the county.
Edwards Wood Products is a large manufacture of hardwood pallet stock. This hardwood
sawmill will produce large volumes of sawmill residuals that will be of use to the biofuels
industry. Edwards Wood Products also has a chip mill that produces hardwood chips for their
paper mill customers. The general logging conditions in the county are considered good with
most sites available for harvest nine months out of the year. The growth to removals for the
county is good for both pine and hardwood with growth being twice the removals tonnage. The
biomass portion of the forestland has 8.9 tons per timberland acre and is considered moderate for
future pine and hardwood pulpwood growth potential. The productive timberland acres in the
county are decreasing but are still significant at 67%.
Scotland County, NC
Pulpwood and Biomass Volumes
Pine Pulpwood
Total Available
Growth
Removals
2010
1,085,794
90,501
11,137
2007
69,016
17,948
2002
54,300
46,254
1990
71,180
33,801
71,249
27,285
Average
2010 % Difference***
156.2%
Hardwood Pulpwood Total Available
Growth
Removals
2010
876,803
62,376
15,613
2007
54,511
36,170
2002
25,741
70,440
1990
21,029
0
40,914
30,556
Average
2010 % Difference***
119.9%
Biomass*
Total Available Tons/acre
2010
1,257,198
8.96
2007
1,132,002
2002
1,056,212
1990
1,052,532
* only approx. 50% can be recovered
** All volumes in green short tons
*** % Difference in Growth vs. Removals
Figure D.51 Scotland County Pulpwood & Biomass Volumes
NC Southeast Commission - Biomass Resource Study - September 2011
Page 39 of 43
Scotland County, NC
Hardwood Pulpwood Volume
Scotland County, NC
Pine Pulpwood Volume
100,000
90,000
80,000
70,000
60,000
50,000
40,000
30,000
20,000
10,000
0
1990
2002
2007
80,000
70,000
60,000
50,000
Growth
40,000
Growth
Removals
30,000
Removals
20,000
10,000
0
2010
1990
Figure D.52 Scotland County Pine Volume
2002
2007
2010
Figure D.53 Scotland County Hardwood Volume
Scotland County, NC
Biomass Volume
1,300,000
1,250,000
1,200,000
1,150,000
1,100,000
Biomass
1,050,000
1,000,000
950,000
1990
2002
2007
2010
Figure D.54 Scotland County Biomass Volume
Scotland County, NC
Timberland Ownership Change
2010 Ownership by Type
Total
State
Private
13,463
126,890
Land Use - Major
208,540
13,463
126,890
Timberland
140,353
Nonforest
68,187
-
Other
68,187
68,187
2002 Ownership by Type
Land Use - Major
Timberland
Nonforest
Other
70,640
70,640
Total
202,239
131,598
70,640
State
13,261
13,261
-
Private
118,337
118,337
-
Change (2002-2010)
Acres
Timberland
8,755
Nonforest
(2,453)
Figure D.55 Scotland County Timberland Ownership Change
NC Southeast Commission - Biomass Resource Study - September 2011
Page 40 of 43
E.
Southeast Region Sustainability:
Figure E.1 below shows a theoretical model of the pulpwood (pine and hardwood) available each
year considering two different theoretical forest rotation lengths – 30 and 35 years. The purpose of
the model is to determine how many tons would be available each year using certain assumptions.
First we determined the average tons per acre (26.2) using the total available pulpwood tons divided
by the total timberland acres. We then determined the acres available to harvest in a 30 year (101,398
acres) and 35 year (86,912 acres) forest rotation length. We then multiply the acres available for
harvest by the average tons per acre. This tells us (in theory) how many pine and hardwood pulp tons
would be available under the two different rotations lengths each year. We then add the estimated
area residuals (1,134,730 tons) and subtract the total effective competition for the region (1,507,034
tons). The remaining volume is the theoretical amount of pine and hardwood pulpwood that will be
available each year to harvest.
Based on the model there is a significant amount of pine and hardwood pulpwood that would be
available each year as a feedstock for the biofuels industry. It is important to note that sustainability
rates will vary based on
1. The major species type – pine or hardwood
2. The location of the facility
3. The effective competition within the procurement radius of the facility
The forest rotation length has been decreasing over the past decade. Traditionally timberlands in this
area have been grown to 50 years and older. Current timberland management is closer to a 30 year
forest rotation length.
Regional Sustainability Model - Pine and Hardwood Pulpwood
3,041,925
Total Timberland Acres *
Total pulp tons
Average tons / acre **
Rotation Length in years
Acres harvested yearly
Average tons available/year
Plus Area Residuals
Less Effective Area
Competition
79,698,576
26.2
30 Yrs
101,398
35 Yrs
86,912
2,656,619
1,134,730
2,277,102
1,134,730
1,507,034
1,507,034
Est. of Available Pulpwood
2,284,316
1,904,799
* acres for the region
** Total pulp and topwood tons divided by Total Timberland Acres
***acres exclude Federal and Wildlife lands
Figure E.1 Regional Sustainability Model
NC Southeast Commission - Biomass Resource Study - September 2011
Page 41 of 43
F.
Review of Programs
1. Review of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) Cellulosic Biomass Program: The RFS2
provides incentive to develop and produce biofuels from cellulosic sources. The Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for establishing and implementing regulations to ensure
that the nation‟s transportation fuel supply contains the mandated biofuels volumes. Some of the
specifics of the program for biofuels are:
a. A credit-trading program where 1 gallon of cellulosic biomass ethanol or waste derived
ethanol is equal to 2.5 gallons of renewable fuel.
b. A cellulosic biomass industry producing 250 million gallons in 2013
c. Loan Guarantee Programs of $250 million per facility
d. $650 million Grant Programs for cellulosic ethanol
e. The program creates an Advanced Biofuels Technologies Program of $550 million.
The current version of the RFS contains significant restrictions that add cost and reduce the
available feedstocks for the program. The significant drawback of the program as it relates to the
biomass feedstocks are:
f. The eligible feedstocks allowed by the EPA at this time are restricted to wood grown from
plantations, logging debris left over after timber harvest, or material from pre-commercial
thinnings. This restrictive definition of allowable feedstocks will prevent much of the
hardwood that is available in the region to be used by the biofuels industry.
g. Mill residuals are not allowed as a feedstock for the biofuels industry.
h. The RFS has a requirement that the wood being used by the biorefinery must be under a land
management plan and be certified in a “silvicultural product certification system”. The
systems available to the private landowner in the Southeast Region would be the American
Tree Farm System or the Sustainable Forestry Initiative. Both of these certification systems
have a cost and could prove to be prohibitive to the landowner or the biorefinery. The cost to
certify forest for the RFS depends on the volume of wood coming from an individual
landowner.
There are many firms working to get the RFS changed to allow a better mix of feedstocks that
represent the forest of North Carolina. It is thought that the RF3 will incorporate changes that
better reflect the available feedstocks while maintaining environmental quality and sustainability.
2. Review of the Biomass Crop Assistance Program: The Biomass Crop Assistance Program
(BCAP) provides financial assistance through matching payments to owners and operators of
agricultural and non-industrial private forest land who wish to establish, produce, and deliver
biomass feedstocks to a qualified biomass conversion facility. For the purposes of this report we
will only look at forest biomass. The program is administered through the Farm Services Agency
of the US Department of Agriculture and was initiated to incentivize loggers and landowners to
collect biomass feedstocks and deliver them to approved facilities. The facilities would use the
feedstocks to produce energy.
BCAP provides two categories of payment assistance:
a. Matching payments: a matching payment is available to a producer of biomass IF the biomass
is collected for:
i. Improvement of forest health (pre-commercial thinnings)
ii. Restoration of ecosystems
iii. Fuel load reductions to mitigate fire hazards
NC Southeast Commission - Biomass Resource Study - September 2011
Page 42 of 43
There is very little of this activity in the region and therefore prevents landowners and biomass
producers from participating in the program.
b. Establishment payments: The program allows for an annual payment for the establishment
and maintaining of biomass feedstock farms. These project areas are established specifically
to grow biomass to produce energy. The biomass could then be harvested and supplied to an
approved energy producing facility and a matching payment be received for the feedstock.
There are currently no project areas that have been established in North Carolina.
3. Review of Wood Certification Systems: There are three main forest certification schemes that
are utilized in the U.S. They are: American Tree Farm System (ATFS), the Forest Stewardship
Council (FSC), and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI). The majority of the land that is
certified in North Carolina is ATFS and SFI. The three standards have similarities in that they all
provide for good sustainable forest management while protecting other values of the forest. FSC
and SFI are typically used for larger landowners (greater than 10,000 acres) that need on-product
labeling and can afford the cost associated with this type of certification. ATFS is designed to
allow a smaller landowner to certify their wood sustainable while operating within a certification
framework that provides for the majority of the standards that FSC and SFI require. The major
attributes for these certification system are:
a. Management plans – management plans provide a road map for the landowner insure they are
periodically reviewing issues associated with their forest. We like to say the management
plan is the road map accounts for the landowner‟s objectives and spells out ways to
accomplish those objectives.
b. Laws – the systems require that the landowner abide by all applicable laws.
c. Reforestation and Afforestation – the systems require that the landowner insure that a harvest
forest be regenerated either by natural or planting.
d. Environmental – this requirement insures that the landowner use best management practices
to provide for air, water and soil protection
e. Wildlife and Biodiversity – this requirement provides some framework for the landowner to
improve wildlife habitat and consider biodiversity in their forest management
f. Aesthetics – the systems require that the landowner consider the visual aspects of
management with an emphasis on harvested sites
g. Historic, Archeological, Cultural, Geologic, Biologic, or Ecological Characteristics will be
considered in the property and a plan will be in place to protect these features.
h. Use of professionals, contractors, contracts, harvest monitoring – this standard encourages
landowners to work with professionals for forest practices to insure that the activities are done
correctly.
The certification systems have other requirements but the above list captures the majority of the
requirements. The certification systems are designed so that good forest management is applied
and that sustainability of forest products is insured. These systems do have a cost to the
landowner but they are a good tool to insure sustainability of the resource while considering other
important aspects. The systems also give buyers of forest products knowledge about how the
forest was managed, harvested, and reforested. That being said, in this region the markets have
not been willing to pay significantly more for the wood produced from certified sustainable forest.
NC Southeast Commission - Biomass Resource Study - September 2011
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