Hurricane Katrina: Forestland Impacts, Extension Responses, and Lessons Learned Glenn Hughes, Extension Forester, MSU Extension Service, Purvis [email protected]

Hurricane Katrina: Forestland Impacts, Extension Responses, and

Lessons Learned

Glenn Hughes, Extension Forester, MSU Extension Service, Purvis

[email protected]

Hurricane Katrina

Topics for TodayImpact of Katrina on Mississippi’s forestlandExtension Service responsesUrban forestry situationLessons learned

Sawtimber Stand, Forrest County

Forestland Damage$888 Million worth of timber destroyed

Pine Sawtimber—$487 MM-----------55% of loss

Hardwood sawtimber—$136 MM----15% of loss

Pine pulpwood—$129 MM-------------15% of loss1-2 years worth of annual timber harvest down or damaged in one day 65% of forestland affected owned by individuals or families

• 80% of loss is in 10 southernmost counties

• Loss is 60 times greater than the worst loss to southern pine beetles

• Additional losses occurred due to ring shake, stress, and bark beetle mortality caused by drought in 2006

Indirect Losses

How Did Extension Respond?

Salvage and Timber Taxation Workshops36 workshops held2,245 landowners attended217,396 acres owned$6.6 million economic value to landownersTimber Taxation post-Katrina publication and pptTimber salvage guidelines and ppt developed

Ag Communications—radio, TV, webInvasive Species and Bark Beetle Workshops (9)Restoration and Recovery Workshops (6)

Timber Salvage and Taxation

Workshop

Ag Communications filming private

landowner

Loblolly, Slash, Longleaf Pine TrialPlanted by private landowner in 1985Planted 3 southern pine species, thinned about 4 years before KatrinaBefore salvage conducted, cruised timber to assess damage

Loblolly—16% of trees undamagedSlash—52% of trees undamagedLongleaf—64% of trees undamaged

Differences in type of damage

Urban Forestry ImpactsDevastated coastal forests; live oak did bestMany pines along coast survived winds but died in 2006 due to inundation, wind, drought, and bark beetles. Catastrophic in storm surge areas.FEMA regulations prohibited tree removal if a tree was leaning less than 30 degreesSeveral partners (Supervisor, Extension, USFS, others) developed plan to inventory dead trees in developed areas

Urban Forestry (cont’d.)USFS provided GPS equipment and trainingVolunteer Certified Arborists inventoried selected residential areasInventoried trees overlaid onto existing maps using GISExtent of problem and cost to correct presentedFEMA agreed to remove standing dead trees within 125 feet of a pre-existing structure

Lessons Learned

Landowners:Don’t panic or over-react to damageDon’t expect significant income from pulpwoodDo learn if you are eligible to claim a Casualty Loss Do keep track of your “basis” (investment) in your timberDo diversify your holdings by having wind-tolerant species of different ages

Lessons Learned (cont’d.)

ExtensionAn event of this magnitude will overwhelm your organization. Period.You’ll not do everything right, but just do somethingBe careful of burnout. This can become a 24/7 job.PTSD may affect you or members of your staffIdentify, expand, and work with partners

Summarizing

Catastrophic events will happenKatrina damaged some $888 million of timberExtension was active in conducting a variety of educational programs helping landownersExtension made a difference in peoples livesI hope you never use any of this information

The end…or just a new beginning???

Last, on behalf of all Mississippians,

THANK YOU!!!

For your efforts in helping us recover from Katrina.

Documents

Hurricane Katrina: Forestland Impacts, Extension Responses, and Lessons Learned Glenn Hughes, Extension Forester, MSU Extension Service, Purvis [email protected]