Accomplishing Forest Restoration with Biomass Harvesting Methods

Eagle Lake Ranger District
Lassen National Forest

Restoration Projects

"Back to the Past"

The Lassen National Forest and Eagle Lake RD have been utilizing biomass harvest operations for various silvicultural, fuels and forest restoration projects since 1982. At this time, there are 7 plants within reasonable haul distance from the Forest that have the capacity of 164 megawatts of electricity; enough for 164,000 homes.

Since the implementation of the HFQLG Act in 1999, the Forest and District have concentrated the use of biomass harvest operations on fuel reduction and forest restoration projects.

The following examples illustrate the effectiveness of biomass harvest operations in three types of restoration projects: restoration of an old growth retention area (OGRA), an aspen enhancement project, and various fuel break or DFPZ projects on the Eagle Lake RD.

Mowers OGRA Prior to Thinning

P1 - Mowers old growth restoration project 6/19/00

Mowers OGRA After Thinning

P2 9/8/00

These photographs reflect the effectiveness of utilizing biomass harvest operations to restore an eastside pine old growth retention area to its pre-settlement condition. Prior to harvesting, the stand averaged 380 trees per acre and approximately 95% of those trees were in the 2-8 inch dbh category. After treatment, the stand averages 35 trees per acre, which range in size from 18-50+ inches in diameter. The post treatment stand structure is more reflective of pre-settlement stand conditions on the District.

The District utilized a service contract with an embedded timber sale to implement this project. The cost to the government was $129.32 per acre. The contractor removed an average of 18 green tons per acre of biomass or 1,944 green tons for the 108 acre stand.