Developing Best Management Practices for Harvesting Woody Biomass

Given the recent boom in ethanol production, more and more woodlot owners are interested in producing ethanol from woody biomass. To help Missouri landowners, natural resource managers, loggers, equipment operators and contractors make informed and appropriate decisions about harvesting woody biomass, a group of partners received a grant to develop Best Management Practices (BMPs). This group will draft recommendations based on the best available scientific information about harvest effects on forestland sites and natural communities.

How will BMPs be developed?

A 15–member, interdisciplinary technical committee will draft BMPs for woody biomass harvesting based on the best scientific information available. The committee will give guidance based on issues generated from a diverse group of stakeholders from environmental, landowners, governmental, and forest industry groups. The technical committee is made up of scientists from the following range of expertise: soil science, wildlife biology, hydrology, forest management, forest ecology and silviculture.

What is the development schedule? 

We intend to hold the stakeholder meeting on October 31, 2007. The technical committee will meet periodically from November, 2007 through May, 2008.

What are the benchmarks? 

We hope to post a rough draft of the BMPs for stakeholder review early spring 2008. We will announce the comment period after the rough draft is posted. 

Partners and Important Links

Project Contact

John Tuttle
Missouri Department of Conservation
P.O. Box 180
Jefferson City, MO 65102
Phone: 573-522-4115, ext. 3304
John.Tuttle@mdc.mo.gov