Date: 09/04/2015
Final
Colorado Forest Restoration Studies
WILDFIRE MATTERS REVIEW COMMITTEE
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01:51 PM -- Colorado Forest Restoration Studies
Dr. Tania Schoennagel, forest ecologist at the University of Colorado at Boulder, spoke about the need for forest restoration in low elevation ponderosa pine forests following fire suppression and ground fuel buildup. Dr. Schoennagel contrasted low elevation ponderosa pine forests with high elevation subalpine forests and discussed how forest restoration works differently in these forest types. Dr. Schoennagel also spoke about the impact of bark beetles in subalpine forests across the west, including the impact on wildfire risk, and the wildfire risk in the WUI.
Dr. Schoennagel responded to questions from the committee regarding the reason for the decline in the mountain pine beetle, the impact of bark beetles on forest health, the impact of mitigation, and the life cycles of bark beetles.
Dr. Schoennagel's presentation and written testimony are provided in Attachments Q and R.
150904 AttachQ.pdf
150904 AttachR.pdf
02:23 PM
Dr. Tony Cheng, professor in the Department of Forest and Rangeland Stewardship at Colorado State University, spoke about the work he does with the Colorado Forest Restoration Institute (CFRI), the Southern Rockies Fire Science Network, and the Center for Managing Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Risk (WUI Center). Dr. Cheng spoke specifically about his work as Director of CFRI, including detailing the two Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration (CFLR) Projects ongoing in the state and CFRI's work to monitor the effectiveness of projects funded by the Wildfire Risk Reduction Grant program. Dr. Cheng also detailed mapping efforts being undertaken by the WUI Center.
In response to a question from the committee, Dr. Cheng indicated that reports from the CFRI and other information about CFRI can be found at coloradoforestrestoration.org.
A copy of Dr. Cheng's written testimony is provided in Attachment S.
150904 AttachS.pdf
02:45 PM
Dr. Schoennagel and Dr. Cheng responded to questions from the committee regarding the overall health of Colorado forests and current forest management, and details regarding the high resolution mapping.