Todd Morgan, Director of Forest Industry Research for the Bureau of Business and Economic Research, School of Business Administration at the University of Montana recently a very thoughtful presentation concerning the woody biomass energy potential held in Montana's forests - especially its dead and dying federal forests. Among the highlights:

Since 1987, there has been an 88 percent decline in timber harvesting on federally-owned national forests in Montana

Forest growth exceeds harvesting by 7.4 to 1 and net growth, which is growth minus mortality, is 2.3 to 5 times the annual harvest

Tree mortality in federal forests in Montana exceeds harvest by a factor of 11.6 to 1

There are 136 million dry tons of dead tree standing in Montana forests - 85 percent of it in federally owned national forests

Within one-half mile of all existing forest roads, considering trees up to 100 years old, on slopes not exceeding 40 percent or trees larger than 10.9 inches in diameter, there are 93.1 million dry tons of harvestable biomass in Montana forests.

To view a PDF of Mr. Morgan's presentation, click below.

Todd Morgan's Biomass Presentation