Tag Archives: forestlands

Hawkins pleased Methow Valley biochar project funded in Senate budget proposal

Sen. Brad Hawkins is pleased to see support for a North Central Washington biochar project included in the Senate operating budget proposal released today.

Hawkins said the budget appropriation is the product of discussions he has had with C6 Forest to Farm, a federally recognized 501(c)3 nonprofit in the Methow Valley. Hawkins discussed the project with the organization during both his 2019 and 2020 listening tours. Representatives Mike Steele and Keith Goehner of the 12th District are also supporters of this funding request.

Biochar is a charcoal-like product produced through pyrolysis, a process that superheats biomass without burning. A demonstration project is planned to produce biochar from excess forest waste to reduce risk of wildfire to improve soil in agricultural lands and sequester carbon.

The Senate’s proposed 2021-23 operating budget includes $160,000 in funding toward a biochar research and demonstration project and initial efforts toward full-size operation of an industrial-sized facility in the Methow Valley. The budget proviso for the biochar project can be viewed here.

“I’m pleased the Senate budget proposal includes this funding and hope it will be retained in the final budget approved by the Legislature,” said Hawkins. “Our state must continue our active forest health efforts if we are ever to get in front of the growing costs of fighting wildfires. This includes strategic thinning and responsible prescribed fire. Figuring out a good way to repurpose the harvested biomass – without burning it – is definitely something that should be supported.”

Wildfires have had a devastating impact on North Central Washington. Engaging in responsible forest management practices to clear small-diameter trees, woody debris, and logging slash throughout timberlands can help significantly reduce wildfire risk.

The Senate’s operating budget proposal will receive a public hearing in the Senate Ways and Means Committee tomorrow. The committee is expected to vote on the budget on March 29.

What supporters are saying

“As the Commissioner of Public Lands leading the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, I recognize the critical role this effort plays in helping meet our forest health needs. C6’s desire to turn wildfire fuels in our forests into a product with market value represents the type of innovative approach needed to move forward our forest health, public safety, and rural development goals.”

Hilary Franz, Washington State Commissioner of Public Lands

“I’m excited to support this effort and first learned of C6 from Tom and Gina McCoy in 2019 during a listening tour stop in Twisp. This demonstration project makes sense on many levels and could have big benefits if it proves successful. I’m glad it is gaining support.”

Brad Hawkins, State Senator, 12th District

“I appreciate all of the hard work being done to pursue this very worthwhile investment in our forest health through the use of biochar. I look forward to supporting this budget proviso in the House.”

Mike Steele, State Representative, 12th District

“This is a worthwhile and innovative project using our forest resources. With the potential benefits of biochar to forest health and agriculture it is promising to see this happening right here in the 12th District.”

 Keith Goehner, State Representative, 12th District

The 2021 legislative session is scheduled to end April 25.

Ways and Means Committee passes Hawkins’ bill to implement utility-wildfire group’s recommendations

Another hurdle has been cleared for legislation sponsored by 12th District Sen. Brad Hawkins to implement recommendations by the Electric Utilities Wildland Fire Prevention Task Force on ways to prevent wildfires.

Senate Bill 5158 was approved late today by the Senate Ways and Means Committee. The proposal now goes to the Senate Rules Committee, which acts as a final gate before bills can reach the Senate floor for a full Senate vote.

Hawkins’ proposal would direct state Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz to work with the Utility Wildland Fire Prevention Advisory Committee to implement recommendations recently offered in this report issued in December 2020. According to Hawkins’ bill, this would be accomplished by Aug. 1 and the group’s work would be maintained and updated on the Department of Natural Resources’ website.

“I’m very excited that the bill has been approved by the Senate’s Ways and Means Committee, the committee that develops the Senate budget,” said Hawkins. “This is a very important step in the process because it’s an indicator that it could be included and funded in the budget. Our state’s electric utilities have stepped up in a big way to support this bill, which is very helpful. If our utilities and DNR can keep working together to implement these key recommendations to avoid wildfires and utility liability, that would be a huge benefit for our state and its PUDs.

“These recommendations are very important to many of my utilities, especially considering the 12th District’s recent history of devastating wildfires,” added Hawkins. “It is important to keep the momentum going for this group, finalize its recommendations, and ensure ongoing communications with the Legislature.

“I’m very excited to be partnering with Chelan PUD and DNR on this bill. Commissioner Hilary Franz and her staff have been awesome to work with in past years and we accomplished some great things together in my first Senate term. I look forward to keeping that going this year as I begin my next term.”

During Senate Bill 5158’s public hearing in the Ways and Means Committee on Feb. 8 (click here to view hearing), Chelan County PUD General Manager Steve Wright provided key testimony and appreciates Hawkins’ sponsorship of the bill. Wright said, “Commendation to Senator Hawkins. This is an important step to address the collaboration necessary to address a pervasive risk like wildfire that could impact everyone in Chelan County.”

George Caan, executive director of the Washington PUD Association, agrees with the importance of this bill.

“The Washington PUD Association supports Senate Bill 5158,” Caan said. “This legislation will continue the important collaboration between the Department of Natural Resources and electric utilities, including public utility districts, to protect our electricity systems and our state forests from the threat of wildfires.”

Franz previously spoke to the bill and her positive working relationship with Hawkins. Franz said, “A big ‘thank you’ to Senator Hawkins and his leadership on this bill and to all the stakeholders who took time to be part of the task force during a year of uncertainty. We had long-overdue and difficult conversations that brought us to consensus on many issues that will support all our wildfire prevention work as well as post-wildfire processes. The recommendations in this bill will solidify our work and ensure we keep the momentum of the task force going.”

Under SB 5158, advisory committee membership would include representatives of entities providing retail electric service, including:

  • one person representing each investor-owned utility;
  • two persons representing municipal utilities;
  • two persons representing public utility districts;
  • two persons representing rural electric cooperatives;
  • one person representing small forestland owners;
  • one person representing industrial forestland owners;
  • other persons with expertise in wildland fire risk reduction and prevention; and
  • no more than four other persons designated by the public lands commissioner.

Hawkins is proud of his strong partnership with DNR. During Hawkins’ first term as 12th District senator, three of his bills related to forest health or wildfire prevention were passed by the Legislature and signed into law. DNR worked diligently alongside him for each effort.

  • In 2017, the Legislature approved SB 5546, which directs DNR to set up a framework for assessing the health of fire-prone lands and treating them. It sets a specific goal of assessing and treating 1 million acres over 16 years, most likely through prescribed fire and mechanical thinning. The bill also includes a stakeholder process and biennial progress reviews to the Legislature.
  • The second measure, Senate Bill 5270, which was passed unanimously by both legislative chambers and signed into law by the governor in 2017, removes the “temporary” label from the contract-timber harvest program operated by DNR. The program allows the agency to hire someone to harvest timber and sort the logs, after which DNR can sell them. It began in 2003 and was expanded by lawmakers in 2009.
  • In 2018, SB 6211 became law. It gives DNR immediate authority to handle revenue and authorize spending under the Good Neighbor Authority agreement signed by DNR and the U.S. Forest Service in 2017.

(Photo caption: A hillside burns during the Chelan Complex and First Creek fires near Chelan in August 2015.)

Hawkins’ bill to implement utility-wildfire group’s recommendations approved by key Senate committee

Two years ago, the Legislature created the Electric Utilities Wildland Fire Prevention Task Force, which focused on ways to prevent wildfires. Senate Bill 5158, sponsored by 12th District Sen. Brad Hawkins to implement its recommendations, was unanimously approved today by the Senate Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources and Parks Committee.

Hawkins’ proposal would direct state Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz to work with the Utility Wildland Fire Prevention Advisory Committee to implement recommendations recently offered in this report issued in December 2020. According to Hawkins’ bill, this would be accomplished by Aug. 1 and the group’s work would be maintained and updated on the Department of Natural Resources’ website.

“These recommendations are very important to many of my utilities, especially considering the 12th District’s recent history of devastating wildfires,” said Hawkins. “It is important to keep the momentum going for this group, finalize its recommendations, and ensure ongoing communications with the Legislature.

“I’m very excited to be partnering with Chelan PUD and DNR on this bill,” added Hawkins. “Commissioner Hilary Franz and her staff have been awesome to work with in past years and we accomplished some great things together in my first Senate term. I look forward to keeping that going this year as I begin my next term.”

During Senate Bill 5158’s hearing on Jan. 19 (click here to view hearing), Chelan County PUD General Manager Steve Wright provided key testimony and appreciates Hawkins’ sponsorship of the bill. Wright said, “Commendation to Senator Hawkins. This is an important step to address the collaboration necessary to address a pervasive risk like wildfire that could impact everyone in Chelan County.”

George Caan, executive director of the Washington PUD Association, agrees with the importance of this bill.

“The Washington PUD Association supports Senate Bill 5158,” Caan said. “This legislation will continue the important collaboration between the Department of Natural Resources and electric utilities, including public utility districts, to protect our electricity systems and our state forests from the threat of wildfires.”

Franz previously spoke to the bill and her positive working relationship with Hawkins. Franz said, “A big ‘thank you’ to Senator Hawkins and his leadership on this bill and to all the stakeholders who took time to be part of the task force during a year of uncertainty. We had long-overdue and difficult conversations that brought us to consensus on many issues that will support all our wildfire prevention work as well as post-wildfire processes. The recommendations in this bill will solidify our work and ensure we keep the momentum of the task force going.”

Under SB 5158, advisory committee membership would include representatives of entities providing retail electric service, including:

  • one person representing each investor-owned utility;
  • two persons representing municipal utilities;
  • two persons representing public utility districts;
  • two persons representing rural electric cooperatives;
  • one person representing small forestland owners;
  • one person representing industrial forestland owners;
  • other persons with expertise in wildland fire risk reduction and prevention; and
  • no more than four other persons designated by the public lands commissioner.

Hawkins is proud of his strong partnership with DNR. During Hawkins’ first term as 12th District senator, three of his bills related to forest health or wildfire prevention were passed by the Legislature and signed into law. DNR worked diligently alongside him for each effort.

  • In 2017, the Legislature approved SB 5546, which directs DNR to set up a framework for assessing the health of fire-prone lands and treating them. It sets a specific goal of assessing and treating 1 million acres over 16 years, most likely through prescribed fire and mechanical thinning. The bill also includes a stakeholder process and biennial progress reviews to the Legislature.
  • The second measure, Senate Bill 5270, which was passed unanimously by both legislative chambers and signed into law by the governor in 2017, removes the “temporary” label from the contract-timber harvest program operated by DNR. The program allows the agency to hire someone to harvest timber and sort the logs, after which DNR can sell them. It began in 2003 and was expanded by lawmakers in 2009.
  • In 2018, SB 6211 became law. It gives DNR immediate authority to handle revenue and authorize spending under the Good Neighbor Authority agreement signed by DNR and the U.S. Forest Service in 2017.

(Photo caption: A hillside burns during the Chelan Complex and First Creek fires near Chelan in August 2015.)

 

12th District legislators sponsor Methow Valley biochar project

Following discussions in recent years with C6 Forest to Farm, a federally recognized 501(c)3 nonprofit in the Methow Valley, the 12th District lawmakers have agreed to support the organization by seeking funding for a biochar demonstration project.

Biochar is a charcoal-like product produced through pyrolysis, a process that superheats biomass without burning. C6 Forest to Farm is planning a demonstration project to produce biochar from excess forest waste to reduce risk of wildfire, improve soil in agricultural lands, and sequester carbon.

Wildfires have had a devastating impact on North Central Washington, including in the Methow Valley. The local legislators recognize that engaging in responsible forest management practices to clear small-diameter trees, woody debris, and logging slash throughout timberlands can help significantly reduce wildfire risk.

The 12th District legislators have requested $160,000 in the 2021-2023 state operating budget, a relatively modest amount, to assist C6 Forest to Farm for work toward a biochar research and demonstration project and initial efforts toward full-size operation of an industrial-sized facility in the Methow Valley. For more information, see C6 Forest to Farm.

What Supporters are Saying

“Conversion of excess biomass into biochar designed for specific benefits is rapidly gaining attention, particularly for its potential to sequester significant amounts of carbon. Our legislators’ support will allow C6 Forest to Farm to move forward rapidly with research on designing biochars made from local forest waste materials for a range of valuable products. Such research lays the groundwork for productively using the excess forest fuels that feed extreme, destructive wildfires.”

Tom McCoy, Executive Director, C6 Forest to Farm

“C6’s approach is to establish local infrastructure to cleanly and efficiently process forest waste materials into “biochar” (a scientifically produced charcoal). Biochar production offers the opportunity to sequester about half the carbon contained in the forest waste materials, with little CO2 release, and produces a highly stable soil amendment that can significantly increase crop yields by helping to improve our agricultural soil health. Biochar, contained in the soil, is an enormous asset for our farms. C6’s efforts will create good jobs and spinoff economic development in rural areas. To me, this is a win-win for the environment and our economy.”

John Willett, Founding Board Member, C6 Forest to Farm

“I’m excited to support this effort and first learned of C6 from Tom and Gina McCoy in 2019 during a listening tour stop in Twisp. This demonstration project makes sense on many levels and could have big benefits if it proves successful. I’m glad it is gaining support.”

Brad Hawkins, State Senator, 12th District

“I appreciate all of the hard work being done to pursue this very worthwhile investment in our forest health through the use of biochar. I look forward to supporting this budget proviso in the House.”

Mike Steele, State Representative, 12th District

“This is a worthwhile and innovative project using our forest resources. With the potential benefits of biochar to forest health and agriculture it is promising to see this happening right here in the 12th District.”

Keith Goehner, State Representative, 12th District