FIA's TPO Vision:Where we are and need

to go

Todd Morgan – University of Montana

James Bentley & Tony Johnson – SRS FIA

Ron Piva & Chris Woodall – NRS FIA

National FIA User GroupFebruary 24, 2010

What is TPO?Part of FIA that provides information on wood useAccomplished with:

• Mill surveys• Logging utilization studies• Firewood and other studies• Phase-2 (plot) data

Currently delivered by 3 regional programs

• Timber products and logging residues are “components of change” • Accurate accounting of removals, wood use, and carbon• Not duplicated within FIA or USDA FS• Source of consistent local, regional, and national primary data

Why is TPO important?

Current Situation – Staffing & Funding

North: 24 states, 3,500+ mills2 part-time TPO analysts$90 – 130k annual FIAUn-quantified cooperator matchSouth: 13 states, 2,000+ mills3 full-time TPO analysts, 1 statistical asst.,1 grad student$410k annual FIAEstimated annual cooperator match – $170,000 for mill surveys (~ $200/mill)+ $130,000 for utilization studiesWest: 13 states, 1,200+ mills3 full-time TPO analysts, 1 dba, 1 student$300 – 315k annual FIA$90 – 130k annual contractor match

Current Situation – Research Approach

Mill surveys:• Cycle length, content, administration, and response rates differ by region and among states.• State cooperators provide substantial information.• TPO staff and tech support are often over-extended.• Demands for current data are growing.

Current Situation – Research Approach

Logging utilization studies:• Growing & non-GS sources• South and West use very similar methods.• Substantial changes in utilization since 1980s & 1990s.• A regional (Southern) utilization data entry program exists that has National capabilities. • Needs and opportunities to develop more current information are growing nationwide.

Current Situation – Outputs

All regions are providing:• Reports on timber products through mill surveys.• Updated data for the FIA-TPO web site.• Information and support for 5-year state reports.• Information and assistance to data users.• Additional outputs:

– Peer-reviewed journal articles– Poster and oral presentations– Region-specific web content

TPO Goals

• Continue delivering necessary information• Increase data timeliness and accessibility• Become a more nationally consistent program

TPO Vision -- 2010 & beyond

• Maintain base program• Form strategic partnerships• Address emerging issues • Build on regional strengths• Implement national program

TPO Vision -- 2010 & beyondProducts covered by the TPO Program• Traditional products (current):

• Solid wood products • Fiber products

• Emerging products (need to ensure surveyed):

• Woody biomass products• Other products to possibly include:

• Non-timber forest products• Secondary wood products/residue

TPO Vision -- 2010 & beyondBase TPO program

• 5-year (or shorter) cycle in all states• Reports on mill surveys & utilization studies• On-line interactive database:

• Compatible with NIMS• Similar to current FIA-TPO web site• Updated as surveys & studies completed• Highly detailed (county, species, product, owner, etc.)

Continue meeting demands of current users !

TPO Vision -- 2010 & beyond

Emerging Issues• Woody biomass supply & bio-energy uses• Sustainability implications• Economic impacts• Carbon implications and accounting of wood use• Secondary wood products ?• Non-timber forest products ?

Evolve to meet demands of current & future data users !

TPO Vision -- 2010 & beyond

Strategic Partnerships• State agencies, other Federal, & universities• Utilize a mix of information sources & expertise• Deliver base program & ancillary products• Recognition of contributions

Cooperate to meet current & new demands !

TPO Vision -- 2010 & beyond

University Cooperators• Multi-state TPO research centers• Forestry & forest products programs

• SAF and/or SWST-accredited• Undergraduate exposure to FIA & TPO • Masters level - support base TPO program• PhD level research – enhance TPO program

On-the-job training of our future workforce !

TPO Vision -- 2010 & beyond

Regional Strengths• Local knowledge & experience • Training field crews

Nationalize

• Leadership & organization• Base TPO program with regional “add-ons”• Annual updates to TPO ?

TPO Vision -- 2010 & beyond

Concerns

• National vs. regional leadership of TPO• Sufficient staffing/funding • Stabilizing— not standardizing —

programs• Formal procedure for counting

cooperator contributions• Continuation of on-going agreements

between western FIA units and BBER

Questions