SLVEC's Position
on Biomass

SLVEC believes that any biomass operation in the San Luis Valley must be appropriately scaled and  ecologically sustainable.

 

1. THE PERCEIVED FIRE RISK WILL NOT BE SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED BY REMOVAL OF DEAD  TREES.

 

2. THE RIO GRANDE NATIONAL FOREST IS RECOVERING AND VULNERABLE TO ADDITIONAL  DISTURBANCE. 

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3. A large-scale operation that uses 1000 or more acres of material from  the RGNF annually may adversely affect habitat for several wildlife species, including the  federally listed Canada lynx and species of conservation concern.

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4. Large scale tree removal  would also delay or thwart the ecological recovery that is underway following the recent spruce beetle outbreak. 

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Documents: 

- Biomass Ecosystem Council Position Paper

- Summary of Issues Concerning Biomass