Full Project Title: Assessment of harvesting and transportation capacity for conducting forest fuel reduction treatments in Idaho and Oregon 

Project Identifier Number: WCS11

The research team is assessing the capacity for and cost of implementing forest fuel reduction treatments in Idaho and Oregon.

Fuel reduction treatments are needed across millions of acres. However, the treatments are not possible without the capacity to harvest and transport woody biomass from forests to wood-energy facilities and mills.

This capacity is limited in many areas due to an aging workforce; lack of recruitment of new woods workers, drivers, and business owners; rising costs; and safety concerns.

The assessments will be useful to people who are planning fuel reduction treatments. The research will also inform decision-makers and targeted investments to increase treatment capacity and project success.  

This project is funded by the 40803 provision of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This research supports the agency's Wildfire Crisis Strategy.