Browsing by Author "Becker, Dennis R."

Now showing 1 - 12 of 12
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    2010 Outlook for Forest Biomass Availability in Minnesota: Physical, Environmental, Economic, and Social Availability
    (University of Minnesota, 2010-10) Becker, Dennis R.; Klapperich, Jonathan J.; Domke, Grant M.; Kilgore, Michael A.; D’Amato, Anthony W.; Current, Dean A.; Ek, Alan R.
    The growing interest and investment in forest biomass for energy production in Minnesota has created the need for accurate estimates of supply. This report estimates the total physical supply of residual forest biomass in Minnesota using a spreadsheet based Forest Age Class Change Simulator (FACCS) to model changes in forest growth and productivity at different harvest target levels, biomass retention levels, forest type, ownership, and biomass attribute (e.g., bolewood, limbs and tops). The findings are presented statewide and by region for different harvest levels and forest management scenarios. Total economic and social availability are further modeled for private woodland owners to determine the probability of their willingness to sell biomass in conjunction with ongoing forest management activities.  The results provide a transparent analysis of biomass availability that illuminates policy dialogue and planning regarding the incremental increases in demand for forest biomass and the level of production that is ecologically sustainable within an area.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Assessment of Carbon Flows Associated with Forest Management and Biomass Procurement for the Laskin Biomass Facility
    (University of Minnesota, 2008-11-22) Domke, Grant M.; Ek, Alan R.; Becker, Dennis R.; Espeleta, Javier F.; D’Amato, Anthony W.; Reich, Peter B.; Suh, Sangwon; Kilgore, Michael A.; Current, Dean A.; Hoganson, Howard M.; Burk, Thomas E.; Blinn, Charles R.
    This carbon life cycle analysis of forest-derived biomass was developed as part of a larger assessment by Minnesota Power detailing fuel supply, fuel procurement plans, and project engineering for a new 26-megawatt biomass generation facility in Hoyt Lakes, Minnesota. Forest-derived biomass is a renewable fuel that can be procured locally from forest harvest residues, mill residues, material from early thinnings and land cleaning, short rotation woody crops, brush, and urban wood waste. Energy generation from renewable fuels like forest biomass may dramatically alter the carbon balance in comparison to the use of fossil fuels like coal or natural gas. This study identifies the source and rate of carbon accumulation by tracking key inputs and outputs from forests through the conversion, regrowth and management activities over a 100-year period—the net carbon impact.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    An assessment of Norwegian family forest owner interest in carbon offset programs and comparisons to the Lake States
    (University of Minnesota, 2015-06) Håbesland, Daniel; Kilgore, Michael A.; Snyder, Stephanie; Becker, Dennis R.; Solberg, Berger; Sjølie, Hanne Kathrine; Lindstad, Berit Hauger
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Benchmarking Minnesota’s Environmental Review and Permitting Processes for Forestry and Mining Industries: A Comparative Assessment
    (University of Minnesota, 2008-06) Aylesworth, Ryan J.; Becker, Dennis R.; Kilgore, Michael A.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Central Minnesota Private Landowner Attitudes Toward Off-Highway Vehicle Access
    (University of Minnesota, 2008-08) Becker, Dennis R.; Wilson, Grant L.
    In 2007, the Central Minnesota Sustainable Development Partnership contracted the Department of Forest Resources at the University of Minnesota to study private landowner perceptions of off-highway vehicle (OHV) use. This study characterizes how private forests and seasonal recreation lands in an eight-county region are used and the willingness of landowners to allow OHV access. The following results provide officials in the Minnesota counties of Becker, Cass, Crow Wing, Hubbard, Morrison, Otter Tail, Todd and Wadena with information about how best to manage for the increasing demand for places to ride OHVs and identifies the scope of conflict and use on private lands.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Evaluating Wood Energy Opportunity Zones: Integrating Social and Biophysical Project Planning
    (2011-11) Becker, Dennis R.
    A forest-based bioeconomy may simultaneously address national security concerns and climate change and promote economic development while facilitating forest health treatments and wildfire risk reduction. This research accelerates wood energy development using information on the social, financial, and environmental aspects of facility siting to identify “opportunity zones” adjacent to national forests.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    The Integration of Cumulative Environmental Impact Assessments and State Environmental Review Frameworks
    (University of Minnesota, 2009-01) Ma, Zhao; Becker, Dennis R.; Kilgore, Michael A.
    Cumulative impact assessment (CIA) is the process of assessing a proposed action’s cumulative environmental effects in the context of other past, present, and future actions, regardless of who undertakes such other actions (CEQ, 1978). The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is generally acknowledged as the first legislative impetus behind CIA. It established a framework under which federal agencies are required to consider project-specific and cumulative environmental impacts of proposed projects prior to their undertaking. NEPA applies to federal actions, but many projects occur as a result of non-federal actions and are subject to formal environmental review administered by state governments. In contrast to the rich literature on federal efforts, little is known about state environmental review and CIA policies and practices. Through a review of state environmental laws, rules and agency-prepared materials, this report identifies 37 states with formal environmental review processes. It further describes the landscape of state efforts, and establishes and applies a two-tier framework to characterize state policies and procedures. A national mail survey of state environmental review program administrators was then conducted. Twenty-nine programs across the country were identified with CIA requirements. More than half of these programs have adopted various documentations, scales, baselines, criteria, methods, and coordination practices for assessing cumulative impacts. The findings further suggest that a program with comprehensive and consistent environmental review policies and procedures does not necessarily imply extensive CIA requirements and practices. In addition, this report discusses the barriers to and opportunities for effective CIA. Program administrators across the country are facing similar challenges regarding the inability of existing state environmental review frameworks to favorably structure CIA implementation and the technical difficulties associated with conducting CIA. Ideas were proposed for overcoming CIA barriers, including developing explicit procedural guidelines and increasing collaboration among government agencies. However, regardless the nature and characteristics of their programs, the administrators generally feel unsuccessful improving CIA practices. Finally, this report discusses the policy implications for assessing cumulative impacts within the context of state environmental review. It also suggests that future research is needed for exploring alternative frameworks under which cumulative impacts may be more effectively analyzed.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Overcoming Barriers to Forest Bioenergy Production in Minnesota.
    (Minneapolis: Center for Urban and Regional Affairs, 2012) Becker, Dennis R.; Eaton, Laura
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    The Role of Local Stakeholders in Water Resource Management: Characterization and Diffusion of Minnesota Lake Improvement Districts
    (University of Minnesota, 2009-08) Steiger-Meister, Kaitlin; Becker, Dennis R.
    The Lake Improvement District Statute of 1976 (Chapter 378 MN Statutes 2005, § 103B.501 to 103B.581) and resulting Lake Improvement Districts represent one of Minnesota’s lesser-known citizen-driven water resource management initiatives. Loosely coordinated through the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR) Division of Waters, diffusion of the program has been slow. MN DNR records from 2009 indicate that after over three decades there are only 32 active Lake Improvement Districts (LIDs) in Minnesota. Using LIDs as an inroad to study the connection between water policy and citizen participation in water stewardship activities, the project’s findings expose the strengths and weaknesses of LIDs in structuring citizen participation in lake management activities. These findings broadly inform future water policies aiming to have citizen participation in water resource management activities as a policy outcome. This research is timely as Minnesota, with the assistance of the University of Minnesota, begins to build a 25-year framework to guide the protection, conservation and enhancement of surface water quality and quantity. A key finding is that the citizens who attempted LID formation often found themselves attempting to be recognized stakeholders in a complex water governance system that they perceived to be as impenetrable as it was intimidating. As indicated by project interviews, it took a threat to either their homes or way of life to motivate citizens to overcome their aversion to policy and government to pursue formation of a LID and take responsibility for local lake management. Findings therefore provide a useful starting point for understanding citizen perceptions of the state’s water governance system and perceived challenges to actively participating in surface water management activities.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    State Forestry Programs, Budget Strategies, and the Recession
    (University of Minnesota, 2011-01) Schroeder, Jenna; Becker, Dennis R.; Kilgore, Michael A.
    State forestry departments provide a broad range of services to their states, including wildfire prevention and suppression, monitoring, managing, and generating revenue from state-administered forest lands, providing timber and biomass to industry, improving wildlife habitat, providing forest-based recreation opportunities, and assisting private landowners through financial assistance programs and education and technical forestry assistance. Additionally, services such as conducting vegetation management for other agency divisions have typically been an expected role. Collectively, these are viewed as important environmental and economic services affecting the economy and quality of life in states. However, the ability to provide these services is increasingly in jeopardy because of reduced state (and in some instances federal) funding allocated as a result of the current financial recession. This study seeks to identify the extent to which reduced funding has affected state forestry programs and characterize ways in which states are responding. The intent of compiling this information is to provide the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota Legislature, and forestry departments in other states ideas for how to maintain important forestry services and functions in light of decreasing fiscal resources.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    State Woody Biomass Utilization Policies
    (University of Minnesota, 2008-12) Becker, Dennis R.; Lee, Christine
    Woody biomass utilization can make significant contributions to renewable energy production, wildfire risk reduction, and enhancement of forest health. It may also provide economic and community development opportunities. Consequently, a number of policy initiatives have been implemented in recent years at both the federal and state level to address particular challenges with using woody biomass. The purpose of this database is to provide a comprehensive, up-todate guide to woody biomass legislation for each state in the country.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Sustainable Forest Feedstock for Bioenergy Production: Environmental, Economic, and Social Availability
    (2010) Becker, Dennis R.; Klapperich, Jon; Domke, Grant; Kilgore, Michael A.; D'Amato, Anthony W.; Current, Dean; Ek, Alan R.
    Despite the potential for significant utilization in the production of bioenergy and biofuels, little is known of the economic, environmental, and social availability of forest biomass or the cumulative effects of increased demand. Past studies have estimated total physical biomass available without taking into account the range of constraints imposed by transportation distances, harvest costs, environmental laws, or site access. Supply estimates are further complicated by uncertainties about the willingness of private landowners to sell timber or thin forests for biomass. The result is a potential overestimation of supply that threatens the viability of new and existing businesses, and the sustainability of the forest resource. Study results are presented on the long-term physical availability of forest biomass across northern Minnesota and Wisconsin to compare to measures of environmental, economic, and social availability. Variations in management intensity are modeled to illustrate changes in volume under different sustainability thresholds and implications for increasing the use of biomass for bioenergy production in the Lake States.