The program is run by the USDA Forst Service State and Private Forestry Technology Marketing Unit (TMU). All materials are on the TMU website (righthand column of website).
The national program is intended to help improve forest restoration by using and creating markets for small-diameter material and low-valued trees removed from hazardous fuel reduction and forest health activities. These funds are targeted to help communities, entrepreneurs, and others turn residues from hazardous fuel reduction and forest health projects into marketable forest products and/or energy products.
In the past successful grant applicants have typically purchased either harvesting or processing equipment to add value to woody biomass. Check out the 2009 projects list and map to get an idea of successful projects.
There are a number of key changes from previous years:
- Funding amount: potentially up to $10m available – not guaranteed [up from $4m in previous years]
- Individual projects: $50,000 (min)-$350,000 (max) [up from $250,000 max previously]
- Allocation of funds: 50% of funds will target high priority National Forests. The other 50% will target low priority National Forests and other eligible forests [previously targeted National Forests only].
- Timeline:
- Pre-application deadline November 20th 2009
- Full application deadline April 2nd 2010
We will post further information here as necesssary. Look out for some grant workshops soon.
The Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering at UC Davis recently completed an assessment of the available technologies for forest biomass harvesting which could be appropriate for use in the Sierra Nevada. The work was funded by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CALFIRE). The aim of was to lower the net cost of reducing fire danger in forested areas of the central Sierra Nevada and improve the feasibility of utilizing removed biomass for useful energy
The report assessed equipment such as the John Deere 1490D Slash Bundler
The report is available in PDF format on the California Biomass Collaborative website here. There is also a page which has a compilation of videos of the various types of equipment in use. This is a great resource to help people understand the complex range of in woods equipment that is now available.
Much of the new equipment combines tasks in an attempt to become more efficient when compared to traditional single task machines (for example a feller, forwarder, skidder, processor or chipper). Other new pieces of equipment are single task, for example a slash bundler, but they aim to make forest biomass operations more efficient.
This Silvatech 878 CH chipper-forwarder collects slash and chips it in the forest prior to unloading into a truck at a landing
Most of this equipment is very expensive and the output product (usually chip) has a low value compared to traditional forest products (such as saw logs). The equipment is also highly specialised making it difficult to use for other tasks. Additonally much of the equipment is designed to work with cut to length systems rather than whole tree harvesting systems as practiced in California.
The report outlines the fundamental principles of efficiency for mechanised forestry operations and contains significant analysis on the operational costs of different systems. It concludes with recomendations to utilize existing equipment in the Sierra Nevada and also suggests modifications and new equipment ideas that could be applicable to the area.
Links:
Compilation of equipment videos
This is a reminder that pre-applications for the Forest Service 2009 Woody Biomass Utilization (WBU) Grant need to be postmarked by November 7 2008. If you have project ideas for that will utilize woody biomass material from National Forests in California there is still time to put together a proposal. The application package is at the Technolgy Marketing Unit website
Please contact Gareth Mayhead to discuss any project ideas. We can provide guidance as to whether an idea has a chance of success.
WBU Grants range between $50,000-250,000. Match funding of 20% of the total project budget is required. The following is a partial listing of previous equipment that has been purchased with the assistance of the program (nationwide) to give you an idea of what works.
In Woods Equipment:
- Forwarder
- Feller buncher
- Chipper
- Grinder
- Loader
Value Added Processing:
- Post and rail processor
- Pressure treatment cylinder
- Log shavers
- Doweling machine
- Laminating equipment
- Edger
- Wood fired dry kiln
Bioenergy Facilities:
- 1MW cogeneration facility
- Biomass fueled rotary dryer
- Turbine upgrade
The 2008 WBU grant funded 3 projects in California:
- Densified fuel manufacturing facility
- Feller buncher
- Log merchandizing system
You have a chance of success with this grant if you hit the primary objective of increasing the amount of acres treated on high priority National Forest System (NFS) lands. High priority means Fire Regime Condition Class (FRCC) II or III or Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) areas. Projects need to result in the additional treatment of NFS forest land (acres). While the application package does not give much guidance as to appropriate acres we know from previous experience that small scale projects (less than 100 acres) have little chance of success.
Therefore small scale heating systems (for example in schools) are not really appropriate for this funding stream (although you can still apply if you want). The 2008 Farm Bill has provisions for funding community biomass installations in Title IX (Energy). I have added a simple pdf fact sheet on Title IX here. Some of these sections in the Farm Bill are not yet funded - check the USDA 2008 Farm Bill website for further information. I will also add simplified information to this site when it is available.
The key with this grant as with any other is to ensure that your project fits with the grant objectives and that you follow the instructions closely. Many businesses think that they have no chance of success but as we have seen in the past if you have the right project you will score well and have a chance of success. If you have a project idea contact us now and we can help you decide if it is right for this program.
The Forest Service 2009 Woody Biomass Utilization Grant has been announced in the Federal Register and in grants.gov. Application package and announcements are available at the TMU website. There is also a list of regional representatives who can assist with questions. Gareth Mayhead is available to help potential applicants from California .
This program awards grants to projects that utilize biomass material from fuels reduction and forest health projects on National Forest System (Forest Service) lands. Projects need to benefit hundreds of acres per year in norder to be in with a chance of success.
Previous successful grants have financed a variety of projects including in woods processing, primary and secondary processing equipment. If the project meets the grant objectives then your change of success is relatively high. If you have any project ideas please contact us.
This could be funded by the WBU grant if it adds value to federal forest biomass
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