December 19, 2007

In case you were away from the news media over the last two weeks.....on December 2-4^th 15"-20" of rain fell on the Chehalis watershed. The WFFA office was closed December 4-7 due to flooding. On the second floor, we were spared flood damage, but the KITI Radio Station had 14" of water inside on the first floor. This building's damage was "minor" compared to many businesses and residents in the area.

A mighty wind storm, over on the coast, accompanied the flooding. The wind damage has been compared to the epic 1962 Columbus Day storm and hundreds of thousands board feet of logs are estimated as having broken off or blown down in our coastal counties. We have many members of our association who have been impacted.

On a drive from Olympia to Raymond last week, I witnessed incredible sights of blown over and broken off timber. I saw what I consider to be the worst case scenario for a tree farmer, while on a tour of Greg and Sue Pattillo's. After years of management, the loss of young conifers blown over before reaching maturity was staggering. Many in our state today do not understand the determination and commitment needed, and also the risk, in planting seedlings, and taking care of them until the time of harvest.

The December storms in Washington did not directly hit every tree farm, yet the potential to impact the log market place is likely to be felt by each one of us. Hundreds of thousands of board feet of logs now lay on the ground. Of course the log market place is already at a longtime low. Tom Fox, a Lewis County contract logger, is concerned about the long term effect of this wood coming to market. He recently stated, "I recommend that tree farmers get their wood off the ground and to market as quickly as possible."

Many of us "feel" disasters when they strike close or at least close to your heart, and our hearts go out to all the residents and businesses impacted by these storms.

Sincerely,

Rick Dunning, Executive Director

I-5 flooding Interstate 5 over- pass at Exit 77 in Chehalis near the Veterans Memorial Museum. December 2007.

Storm related meetings scheduled

Pacific Chapter Hurricane Assessment

Wednesday, December 19, 2007 6:30 pm

PUD meeting room in Raymond

Contact: Greg Pattillo (360) 942-3048

IN RESPONSE TO RECENT HURRICANE DESTRUCTION OF LOCAL TREE FARMS

The damage to our tree farms in the western half of the county ranges from severe to nearly total destruction. We need your early damage estimates so we can consolidate this information.

Please estimate acres by age class of timber damaged and an idea of board foot volume laying on the ground or severely leaning. If you can't make this meeting, then call Greg Pattillo and give him this information.

· At this meeting we plan to have someone from the DNR Small Forest Landowner Office, Pacific County Conservation District

and NRCS.

· We will discuss the damage, possible government assistance, Forest Practice Applications for this situation and silvicultural

information regarding down but rooted trees, leaving some good trees, and starting over.

· Tree farmers and others interested, please attend.

· Any available loggers, please attend. We need to discuss possibilities with you.

Blowdown Summit

Friday, December 21, 2007 9 am to Noon

USFS Olympic National Forest Headquarters

Willaby Room in Olympia

Host: American Forest Resource Council

PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT OF STORM DAMAGE AND CLEAN-UP OPTIONS

Directions: I-5 to Exit 104 (Highway 101), go one mile to second exit (Black Lake Boulevard). Turn left at the light at end of ramp onto Black Lake Boulevard. Proceed 500' to first light, turn right into USFS parking lot.

Preliminary agenda:

Open/Introductions: Bob Dick, AFRC

Opening Comments: Doug Sutherland, Commissioner of Public Lands

Landowner Assessments:    Non-industrial landowners
                                         Industrial Landowners
                                         DNR
                                         USFS

Harvest System assessment: WCLA

Purchaser/Mill capacity/assessment: AFRC members

Regulatory Assessment: DNR

Round Table -- Next steps: tasks, assignments, problems to be solved, etc.

Closing Comments