Balu ForestManagement Plan

Alachua County Board of County Commissioners Meeting

June 28, 2011

1988 – Search for new landfill site began, 11 potential sites evaluated

Balu Forest Acquisition and Management History

1997 – Site Echo purchased

1999 – Columbia Timber Company produced first management plan Ecological restoration, timber management, recreation

2000 – Site Echo renamed Balu Forest

2001 – Columbia Timber Company produced second management plan Name change, direction from Board for longleaf restoration

2003 – Columbia Timber Company produced third management plan Forest Stewardship Certification

2007 – Management of Balu Forest assigned to EPD

2011 Management Plan

Section I: Introduction

Section II: Purpose

Section III: Natural and Cultural Resources

Section VII: References

Section IV: Timber Resources

Section V: Site Development

Section VI: Stewardship Needs

Section VIII: Stewardship Plan Implementation Timeline and Budget

2011 Management Plan Objectives

Maintain the site for possible use as a future solid waste management facility.

Restore the ecological communities.

Produce income by growing timber using sustainable forest management.

Provide passive public recreation.

Manage timber to create uneven-aged longleaf pine dominated forest.

Maintain and enhance wildlife habitat and wildlife corridor values.

Conserve soil and watershed values.

Manage tract in environmentally sound manner minimizing use of herbicides.

Comply with and exceed Florida BMP standards for silviculture.

Projected costs and revenues through 2020:

one time and recurring costs up to $337,630

estimated timber revenue $334,400

Annual Recurring Management Costs

Prescribed burning (450 ac) $11,250Road mowing $ 5,500Firebreak maintenance $ 3,750Fence maintenance $ 1,250Monitoring $ 250Mailing $ 60

Total $22,060

One-time Management Costs

Plant LLP $47,500Road maintenance $40,000Fencing/Boundary posting $25,500Exotics control $21,900Sign development $ 4,000Misc. maintenance $ 190

Total $139,090

Stand Type AcresYear

PlantedYear to

Thin Timber Class

Slash pine plantation South stand West stand

6163

1967 20112015

PolePly Log

Pine PulpChip & Saw

Natural mixed pine 485 1995 regen.

2012 (20%)2017 (20%)

Ply LogPine Pulp

Chip & Saw

Planted longleaf 717 2002 2026Pine Pulp

Chip & Saw

$ 334,400