Cy
Phillips came into ownership of what is now called the Phillips Ranch just
after the turn of the last century.
The land is located at the mouth of the Rocky Cr. drainage, north of
Colville. It consists of +3000
acres of forest and pasture at 2,400-3,000ft elev., with many very dense, mixed
species stands. There are adjacent similar stands on federal lands of at least
6,000-8,000 acres. Much of this forest was heavily logged prior to 1910.
Intense stand-replacement fires in the late 1920's and early 1930's converted
the forest to a dense, small diameter, even-aged stand(s). Currently, the
stands are in poor health, overstocked with fuel and are economically
unproductive. There is little or no quality wildlife habitat with 15,000-20,000
stems per acre in much of the forest.
Few animals or birds can penetrate and successfully use such stands.
The
private land managers have decided to take action to restore the health,
productivity and diversity of their forest, as well as reduce the threat of
wildfire. Several prescriptions have been employed in different stands,
depending on size and species distributions. Shelter-wood cuts, selective
harvests, and small clear-cuts have all been applied. By dispersing these treatments,
fuel breaks have been installed and more vigorous species have been planted
(Ponderosa pine, Western larch and Western white pine).
Costs,
at times, have been underwritten by removals from other parts of the
forest. For example, one or two
small clear-cuts, yielding over 80% pulpwood, which is removed at a loss, can
be done if an adjacent unit with larger, marketable material is also
included. This allows both the
logging contractor and the landowners to receive a positive return on the
operation. On other sites within the ranch, the prescription is for 18-foot
spacing, leaving a mixed over-story stand of the most dominant trees of mixed
species. By Òthinning from belowÓ, the best trees are left and ladder fuels and
overall fuel loading are reduced to acceptable levels.
No
scientific studies documenting the stand enhancement have been completed as of
yet, but it is obvious that the forest health and productivity has been
improved. The professional forester for the Phillips Ranch project first worked
with the landowners to determine project goals, prescriptions, permitting,
contract compliance and oversight for the project. One important and
overarching criterion is that the various projects must pay for themselves and,
if possible, provide net positive income for the Phillips Ranch trust. To
reduce preparation costs, Òexample plotsÓ of one to five acres are marked for
the operator to cut first. Once the example plots are completed and inspected,
the operator is on his own, and marking is not required. Periodic spot checks
provide assurance that compliance follows the contract specifications.
Equipment
and operators will vary. The current operator must generate approximately
$2,500/day to cover costs, regardless of the material being worked on. A minimal
cost/benefit analysis has been performed on these prescriptions. However, even the untrained eye can see
the increase in wildlife use and the reduction in fuels, as well as the future
increase in forest growth and productivity. The family's philosophy is that
with ownership and the knowledge of forest needs comes the responsibility to be
good stewards. The PhillipÕs Ranch
is committed to good stewardship that will pay off now and for the generations
to come.
The
Colville Community Forestry Coalition believes that the Phillips Ranch project
provides a good working example of how Òstewardship authorityÓ can be used on
the Colville National Forest to accomplish the goals of forest health and fuels
reduction. It is understood that the specific prescriptions for each site will
vary significantly depending upon many factors. The Coalition is willing to
work with the Forest Service on the design of such a stewardship project and to
be the liaison with the public. The Coalition has discussed the possibility of
acting as the general contractor for such a project and looks forward to
further discussion with the Forest Supervisor and his staff.
Costs and Income (as of Fall
2003) on the Phillips Ranch Project:
1. HewSaw logs (4,5Ó to 11Ó) bring a mill price of $42-$58/ton. The logging cost and delivery to the
mills was $33-$38/ton. The "Net" return to the landowner
was $9-$25/ton.
2. Pulp sold at the mill for $17-$20/ton. With costs the
same or higher than sawlogs; the "Net" return to the landowner was a
LOSS of $16-$23/ton.
3. Tons per acre of Hewsaw and pulp material varies from
20-60 tons, depending upon the site.
4. The ÒprofitÓ can vary from $150 to $800 per acre.
5. Tree planting costs (where necessary) are
$120-$150/acre.
6. Administration costs are $4/ton. Site preparation
(slash burning, etc.), are calculated for each different unit and prescription.
7. Road maintenance costs, taxes, etc. are all ÒextraÓ
and have to be covered by the project income.