"Forest Disaster": Letter from the SC Forestry Commission

In a letter from State Forester, Henry "Gene" Kodama, timber buyers and the entire forestry community have been called on to take all reasonable action to facilitate prompt salvage of any damaged timber that has been impacted by the recent ice storm from February 11-13, 2014.

Are you a forest landowner who must now "implement unscheduled harvests" in an effort to salvage some value from your damaged timber? You are not alone in your plight.

In his letter, the South Carolina State Forester has advised timber professionals like Johnson Land & Timber in Horry County that one way we can help landowners is to ask current clients to consider extending existing contracts on undamaged pulpwood timber. This step, Kodama says, will increase the amount of ice-damaged wood to be salvaged. Where it is possible, he says EVERY scheduled harvest of undamaged timber that can be postponed will aid in the overall salvage effort.

Also, did you realize you could possibly obtain cost-share assistance from your local FSA office? If you are a forest landowner who needs to clearcut and replant due to the heavy ice damage, you can go to the FSA office in your county and sign up for the Emergency Forest Restoration Program. If you are a landowner in CRP, contacting the FSA BEFORE harvesting is REQUIRED; for others, it is highly recommended for others. The EFRP signup in South Carolina began on March 5th and ends on May 9th for counties in the affected area.

For additional information about EFRP, you can go to this link:
https://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/webapp?area=home&subject=diap&topic=efrp#P45_1675

To facilitate this FSA process, please bring the following: a plat of your property and a letter from a registered forester stating that due to heavy damage inflicted by the ice storm, a salvage harvest and replanting is necessary. A map showing the area needing reforestation would also be helpful.