[Carpenter Prairie Discussion] Fw: biomass

[Frank Oberle]

Policy and Policymakers


In Washington, the popularity of the USDA's Biomass Crop Assistance Program has soared, with the number of qualifying facilities now exceeding 280. The Biomass Crop Assistance Program assists agricultural and forest land owners and operators with matching payments for the amount paid for the collection, harvest, storage and transportation of eligible material by a qualified Biomass Conversion Facility.


Conservationist,
       I believe the time has come here in Missouri to begin a very strategic plan
on how we can become not only serious players in the biomass industry, but how can
we improve wildlife habitat at the same time. I will emphatically state there is
known scientific evidence that will validate this claim--especially all CRP lands that
currently--and maybe futuristically--are enrolled in a plant material--like fescue and 
brome--that has very little environmental benefits. 
     In order to move an idea forward there has to be action. And there is no action
until there is movement. My passion and cause for our state is to add wildlife,
environmental and green energy benefits for Northern Missouri. How do we add
value to an economically depressed area? Firstly, like a Doctor's oath of promise 
for receiving his degree: "Never to do Harm."  We need to emulate nature's blueprint
and follow a path of least resistance. It is always more difficult to bend mother
nature to our wants, than it is to assimilate to an ideology that heeds to bending
with her.
      One known truth evident here in N. Missouri is that we can grow native grass and
broadleaf legumes. Cellulosic's greatest asset is that indigenous plant material suited to the soil and climate adds to the success of the project. We have the potential of
rebuilding CRP with an ecologically sound plant material that will boost biodiversity 
and reviving rural economies. 
     Please do not take my word for any of this, use the science at hand. There
are entrepreneurs willing and hoping for such an opportunity. Does anyone 
out there have any suggestions on where or how to begin this endeavor? We have 
nearly 1.5 million acres of CRP here in Missouri. One plan could be that once
the re-established CRP acres of any single tract of ground was deemed ready
to be engaged into a regime of biomass/wildlife management rotation, one forth to one
third of the tract would be allowed to be harvested in the months of October
through January. There would be no rental penalty for the landowner to pay if the plant material was used in some biomass project. The next designated portion to be
harvested--rather it be one third to one forth--would be eligible for a late spring burn 
to encourage both forb growth and grass development. When there is plenty of
thatch build-up, there are less forbs that will have vigorous growth. We have
experienced this fact in our production fields. It works like this. Plants store starches
and sugars in their roots systems. In early spring, if there is a canopy of thatch which
creates enormous shade, when the emerging plant sends it first two basal leaves 
for light scouting, perennial and long lived native plants will not take the risk of
expending large amounts of root reserves to overtake the canopy--just too risky. 
    There are many possibilities that could be worked out. Currently, though, I believe
we could be passing on a great opportunity to rebuild our landscape to a vegetation that is suited to attract and sustain our rare and declining wildlife, but too, the biomass entrepreneurs. It also would be good for pollinators, producers and weaning our
nation's dependency on imported fossil fuels. I'm not saying the above is the perfect set of blueprints for a run away success story, however, I can say with wisdom and discernment that CRP could use a make-over that gives the customer--our hard working American taxpayers--real dividends for their investment.
     In the beginning of the Conservation Reserve Program, the goals of preventing soil erosion and cleaning up our streams was an industrious and very successful 
conservation accomplishment. We have progressed immensely in the field of understanding and implementing native plant communities and the adverse affects of toxic and invasive fescue. The research going on at NRCS's Plant Material Center and 
MU's Bradford Farm will yield much to the enhancement of a myriad of wildlife and biomass concerns. Thanks to all those partners supporting these exigencies.   fo











 
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