Colorado eyes biomass for forest management

June 30, 2011, Fort Collins, CO – The Colorado
State Forest Service (CSFS) has appointed a diverse group of forestry,
economics, and alternative energy professionals to promote development of a
market for woody biomass, including beetle-killed timber, as an energy source.
Created through Senate Bill 11-267, the Colorado Forest Health Act of 2011, the
purpose of the Colorado Forest Biomass Use Work Group is to promote forest
health, woody biomass energy development, and sustainable markets that
encourage active, sustainable forest management. The work group will identify
barriers to the biomass industry in Colorado and methods to support a forest
products industry in the state. It also will recommend ways the CSFS can
maximize its effectiveness in providing information about using woody biomass
to citizens and industry.

“The cost-per-acre for forest management
will continue to increase without a sustainable, market-based approach,” says
Joe Duda, CSFS Forest Management Division supervisor. He notes that the group
hopes to develop recommendations supporting active forest management and
promoting woody biomass as an energy resource in Colorado.

The group will provide an initial report by
Nov. 1 and submit a final report to the Colorado House of Representatives by
Jan. 1, 2012.