HomeMy WebLinkAbout022222cabs01 JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA REQUEST
TO: Board of County Commissioners
FROM: Mark McCauley,Interim County Administrator
DATE: February 22, 2022
RE: Presentation to the Board of County Commissioners on the County's Forestry
Program
STATEMENT OF ISSUE: In early 2019 the Board of Commissioners approved a contract
with Chickadee Forestry to conduct a sustainable forestry feasibility study. Malloree
Weinheimer, principal and owner of Chickadee Forestry presented her findings to the Board later
that year. Based on the result of the feasibility study the Board approved a contract with
Chickadee Forestry to create a sustainable forestry program for Jefferson County.
Malloree subsequently briefed the Board on the plan for developing the program which included
selective thinning on a number of forested county properties. Thinning efforts have been
completed and the contract with Chickadee Forestry has expired.
ANALYSIS: Today's presentation will report the results of the program thus far and will
inform the Board regarding the recommended future of the Jefferson County Sustainable
Forestry Program.
FISCAL IMPACT: This presentation has no fiscal impact.
RECOMMENDATION: Listen to the presentation, ask clarifying questions, and provide
direction to staff regarding the future of the Jefferson County Sustainable Forestry Program.
REVIEW BY:
Mark McCaule nterim County Admi 44tor Date
1 of 3
Jefferson County Forest Management Update and 5 Year Proposal
proposal of activities
Completed workForest management priorities5 yearNext steps
Overview of Presentation
risk forests for forest restoration
-
2021 Pilot Project
Feasibility Study
-
Focused on environmental (forest inventory), economic (financially viable), and community (dispersed parcels, how to manage for community benefits)Selective thinning in highForest management
policyEconomic stability and community development
Contracts to Date 2019 2020Forest health improvement and ecological restoration
Selective harvests for forest health improvement at Gibbs Lake, Chimacum Park, and Trailhead Park500+ trees planted with volunteers Recognition in PT Leader, Strait Up, Living Future,
Portland Airport
Forest management plans and policiesForestry advisors, contractor relationships, community partnersLocal jobs, education on forestry, case studies and metrics, lessons learnedForest
health improvement:
1202-2020
Harvest Overview
Trailhead Park
potential for more growth and
timelines, costs, and how to budget
metrics for expanding local wood
Fire, climate change adaptation, and
Community partnerships opportunitiesOutreach & education Focus areas recreation were biggest areas of interestEconomic viability economy with forest management practicesSelective harvesting
for restoration projects in the future
Lessons Learned
Where to Next? Forest HealthClimate Change AdaptationFire Risk MitigationLocal Wood/JobsRecreation & Conservation
5 Year Proposal
Monitoring program, data collection on harvests and selected forest areasWork with local volunteers and schools to set up monitoring programData will help inform future forest health
management needsJefferson County leader in proactive forest managementGrants with WA State, Jeff CD
Forest Health
topic
will
this
forests
region
in
on
for
collection
region
in
date
database
sequestration
lacking
build
Monitoring,helpDataAdaptive managementChickadee staff expanded, research focusCarbon
Climate Change Adaptation
risk
-
research
high
Firewise
ontinued
c
/education
for
Local fire dept partnership Model forests for demonstrating OutreachGrantson best management Selective thinning in areas
Fire Risk
Working with local contractorsContinuing work to build capacity for local wood salesTraining opportunities for forestry and stewardship
Local Wood & Jobs
Partnerships with local environmental conservation groups to align effortsReconveying/protecting key/at risk forest habitat Focusing on ecotourism, recreation as a key driver and asset
for the county and regionBike trails, walking trails, camping, etcFormalize forestry policies with county for permanent protection
Recreation & Conservation
May
and
sales
March
in
wood
e
due
2026
-
Proposed Scope ofWork 2022Seed funding for initial planning, budget creation, and grant writingGrantsContinuReplanting landings, weed managementMonitoring program establishedFull proposal
budget, and scope of work completed for 2023
Investment has already been made in understanding what it takes to manage forests balancing economy, ecology and communityContinue conservation and prioritize ecotourism, local forest
products, and grants as revenue to balance management costsJefferson County has opportunity to become a model of forest management
Final Thoughts
Thank You