Master of Natural Resources Professional Papers

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    2012 North Carolina Energy Conservation Code: Environmental and Economic Impacts
    (2016) Janaro, Julia
    JANARO, JULIA Master of Natural Resources – Policy and Administration Technical Option. Environmental and Economic Impacts of the 2012 NC Energy Conservation Code in North Carolina Successful strategies for natural resources management are intended to connect long-term environmental solutions and benefits with present-day action, policies, and investments. While a Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) is required for any major environmental policy (Hsu & Loomis, 2002), it is also a means to address the interests of multiple stakeholders - and to ensure that the limited resources available for implementation are used as effectively as possible. The difficulty in a CBA for a building code analysis is determining the viewpoint. The perspective may reflect the first costs of the contractor, or the long-term homeowner to whom these costs are passed down. This exercise is especially relevant in addressing natural resources demand that is directly tied to the well-being of a population or its economy – for example, creating safe and comfortable buildings for life and work. The energy demand from the building sector is a substantial component of the national energy economy. Policy tools to manage, plan, and optimize efficiency for this demand are necessary for both our economic and environmental future. Connecting the increased energy efficiency of construction practices with reduced strain on energy and land resources is not a new concept. National initiatives developed in cooperation with energy utility companies have reported that improving energy efficiency “is one of the most constructive, cost-effective ways to address the challenges of high energy prices, energy security and independence, air pollution, and global climate change in the near future.” (National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency Vision, 2008). With the building sector consuming roughly 40% of U.S. energy consumption (US Energy Information Administration, 2015), there is tremendous opportunity for building energy policies to proactively address these growing issues. North Carolina population growth has been outpacing the national average since the 1940s. The most recent projections for continued increased growth, along with the urbanization trends of the current population, will have a tremendous effect on social and environmental resources. Demand for new housing units is expected to increase to 2.46 million new housing units by the year 2050 (UNC Carolina Population Center Carolina Demography, 2013). While the residential construction market is often seen as a positive harbinger of a state’s immediate economic health, there are long-term economic and environmental implications resulting from the energy demand associated with these structures. In North Carolina, new residential and commercial buildings are subject to compliance with the requirements of the 2012 North Carolina Energy Conservation Code (NCECC). The 2012 NCECC represents 30% energy improvement for commercial buildings and 15% energy improvement for residential buildings over the 2006 NCECC performance requirements. The NCECC is typically modeled after the most recent version of the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), written by the International Code Council. The 2012 NCECC was only adopted after a highly contentious and year-long debate between representatives from home-builder organizations and environmental groups. While code updates are not typically contested, the efficiency goals of the code document (with 30% energy efficiency requirements for residential construction) sparked concern from the construction industry. In fact, the code has been regularly contested by North Carolina legislators even after it went into effect. While disagreements over the policy may seem to pit economic interests against environmental ones, this project assesses whether energy performance requirements might effectively be positive from both perspectives. The goal of this project is to 1) Develop a cost-benefit analysis for individual homeowners of the actual first-cost and longterm savings implications of the NCECC, 2) Identify the broader environmental impact potential of these energy policies, and 3) use these findings to identify recommendations for the next updates to the Energy Conservation Code. Census data, economic projections, detailed energy code analysis, and energy payback data were all used to integrate the localized, state-wide, ecological, and economic concerns of North Carolina energy code policy. Ultimately, the optimal energy conservation policy for North Carolina (and the one that can be supported by the widest range of stakeholders) will need to balance all these scales and types of considerations. The intent of this project is view energy efficiency policy from a broader perspective, to increase the effectiveness of an existing policy resource, and to contribute to the ongoing dialogue concerning energy demand from the building sector. Energy efficiency policy is a pragmatic approach to natural resource demand that speaks to key aspects of North Carolina’s personal, economic, and environmental well-being. There is great potential for finding and achieving a common interest – and acceptable policy direction - amongst those stakeholders.
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    A Cost-Benefit Analysis of South Korea's Biodiesel Mandate
    (North Carolina State University. College of Natural Resources, 2011-05-09) Sim, Jinsu
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    A proposal for reclassification of the Walnut Creek Wetland to a nature preserve
    (North Carolina State University. College of Natural Resources, 2015-04) Graham, Sherry
    Graham, Sherry Anne. A proposal for reclassification of the Walnut Creek Wetland to a Nature Preserve. (Under the direction of committee chair Dr. Gary Blank and committee members Dr. George Hess and Dr. Roger Moore). The Walnut Creek Wetland Center opened in September of 2009 aiming to increase awareness about the benefits wetlands provide. The center is situated in a 48 acre wetland owned and managed by the City of Raleigh Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department. Although establishment of the Walnut Creek Wetland Center was brilliant, the surrounding open space still requires procedures and funding to address problems like invasive species, erosion, poor access to the wetland, lack of properly trained staff to handle spontaneous arrivals of unattended children, and influxes of litter washed from upstream. The land surrounding the center is categorized in different use classes, with none of them being preserve or park. The 48 acre tract is designated as greenway by Raleigh Parks, which is a land use class managed more for human access rather than protection of natural resources. In 2011, the City of Raleigh Parks Recreation and Cultural Resources adopted criteria to guide establishment of nature preserves. The Walnut Creek wetland has never been formally assessed for suitability as a nature preserve but according to my estimation, it meets five of the first eight Nature Preserve criteria and all of the additional criteria for a total of 10/13. Hence, I propose a formal assessment prior to expenditure of bond funds. In this document I set forth factors to make this a high priority for natural resource managers within the City of Raleigh. Factors set forth as motivation for reclassification are: (1) Socio-economic motivation (2) Historical land use, specifically how it informs future land use (3) Current inventory assessments of wetland function and habitat (4) Adherence to the City of Raleigh 2030 Comprehensive Plan and hence the newly adopted Parks Recreation and Cultural Resources System Plan. Research on these four factors confirmed that the neighborhood just north of the WCWC is one of the most economically depressed in the city. Current quality of ecosystem function and habitat are medium in the wetland, which indicates potential for restoration. Biodiversity and human access are low but bond funding will eventually be available. Historical research shows that rich habitat once did exist; even now a relatively diverse habitat exists despite a two-mile proximity to a major metropolitan area in a sustained period of population growth. In response to population growth the City of Raleigh adopted the System Plan. The Parks Recreation and Cultural Resources System Plan sets forth the current Level of Service for Nature Preserves by establishing that each citizen should live within five miles of a Nature Preserve. There is not a preserve within a 5 mile radius of the majority of citizens in southeast Raleigh. Establishment of a Preserve in the Walnut Creek Wetland would satisfy this Parks Recreation and Cultural Resources objectives by increasing level of service while protecting ecosystem services. In anticipation of a Master Plan, the wetland is being proposed for designation as a Nature Preserve with funding, management, and protection beyond that of a traditional park. A unique proximity to both downtown and connection to other protected properties makes habitat improvement in the Walnut Creek wetland an ideal resolution for the immediate neighborhood, urbanites in downtown Raleigh, and the ecosystem itself. To improve habitat, five actions are recommended. (1)Reclassify the Walnut Creek Wetland from greenway to Nature Preserve. (2) Dedicate funds to the Nature Preserve to control access and ensure the most sensitive areas see minimal impact. (3) Preserve and protect the area to expand Significant Natural Heritage Areas via ecosystem restoration efforts designed to increase occurrences of heritage species. (4) Protect water quality by taking measures to reduce influx of litter from Little Rock Creek and pinpoint the sources of other pollutants; and (5) Strengthen community outreach to increase awareness that healthy streams are a community asset and wetlands are an integral aspect of healthy urban infrastructure and economy due to the ecosystem services they provide.
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    A regression analysis exploring the impact that sawmills and production have on Southeast softwood timber prices
    (North Carolina State University. College of Natural Resources, 2015-06-24) Humphrey, Christopher
    Abstract: This analysis focused on the price and production of softwood saw timber in the states of North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. Since the preponderance of softwood timber production occurs along the eastern portion of these states, only specific regions were used for modeling purposes. The data was analyzed via a 2 stage least squares regression model which determined the relationship and effect between the number of sawmills, and estimated production within in a particular region and the price for timber. After analyzing the data, it was determined that the positively correlated relationship that exists amongst the independent variables in the time series format does not exist when a regional, spatial component is taken into account. The negative relationship exists between prices and markets on a regional level at the 98% confidence interval. The elasticity of sawmills was determined to be a 1% increase in sawmills leads to a 5% decrease in prices.
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    A Spatial Database of Existing and Potential North Carolina Renewable Energy (NCRE) Facilities and Resources
    (North Carolina State University. College of Natural Resources, 2010-11-23) Cser, Helene
    Abstract Cser, Helene. Master of Natural Resources – Assessment and Analysis Technical Option. Title: A Spatial Database of Existing and Potential North Carolina Renewable Energy (NCRE) Facilities and Resources A detailed Geographic Information System (GIS) based database has been created to show the locations of existing and potential renewable resources and their proximities to energy facilities capable of harnessing the energy to meet the requirements stated in the NC Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard (REPS) and North Carolina’s Strategic Plan for Biofuels Leadership 2017. The purposes of this database are to (1) provide preliminary data to interested parties and (2) encourage sustainable renewable energy development for North Carolina. The renewable energy resources and facilities that are included in the database include: animal waste, secondary fuels (biodiesel, biogas, and ethanol), processing residues, electrical generators (co-firing coal plants, biomass facilities, wood fired boilers, operational and potential landfill gas projects, solar, wind, and small hydroelectric sources). The database also contains supporting data such as infrastructure, boundaries, and population centers. One problem with the wealth of resources is that they are widely dispersed across the North Carolina landscape. The expected significance of this spatial database is that it will provide a tool for encouraging economic growth within the renewable energy industry sector. It will also provide a baseline state inventory and help ensure the sustainable development of renewable energy. Those who will find this spatial database mapping useful include parties interested and involved in sustainable renewable energy development, such as the scientific community, energy developers, environmental groups, and local planners. The documentation and methods of data accumulation used to create this spatial database consisting of existing and potential renewable resources datasets gathered and created are provided. An overview of GIS (Geographic Information System) terminology, the geodatabase structure, and an explanation of the format used to describe the spatial database is provided for users new to GIS. A database assessment of the strengths, limitations, opportunities, and potential problems are provided as well. The spatial database currently exists on a server that is housed within the Forestry Department at the College of Natural Resources. It is recommended that all renewable energy data for North Carolina continue to be consolidated into one spatial database and updated frequently in order to provide beneficial information for all renewable energy sectors. The spatial database should be housed within an organization that will maintain and update the data, provide an interactive web application, and consulting services to interested parties. The organization that will house the spatial database should form partnerships with various state agencies, non-profit and private organizations, and universities. Finally, it is recommended that additional data and models be incorporated into the database to allow for more in depth spatial analysis.
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    Accuracy Assessments for Headwater Stream Maps in Western North Carolina
    (North Carolina State University. College of Natural Resources, 2013-05) Johnson, Amanda
    Headwater streams are essential to downstream water quality, therefore it is important they are properly represented on maps used for stream regulation. Current maps used for stream regulation, such as the United States Geological Survey (USGS) topographic maps and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) soil survey maps, are outdated and do not accurately nor consistently depict headwater streams. In order for new stream maps to be used for regulatory purposes, the accuracy must be known and the maps must show streams with a consistent level of accuracy. This study assessed the valley presence/absence and stream length accuracy of the new stream maps created by the North Carolina Center for Geographic Analysis (CGIA) for western North Carolina. The CGIA stream map does not depict headwater streams with a consistent level of accuracy. This study also compared the accuracy of stream networks modeled using the computer software program, Terrain Analysis using Digital Elevation Models (TauDEM), to the CGIA stream map. The stream networks modeled in TauDEM, also do not consistently predict the location of headwater streams across the mountain region of the state. The location of headwater streams could not be accurately or consistently predicted by solely using aerial photography or elevation data. Other factors such as climate, soils, geology, land use, and vegetation cover should be considered to accurately and consistently model headwater stream networks.
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    Agroforestry Technology Transfer in Los Rios, Chile: Analysis of Rural Farmers’ Response to Outreach and Education
    (North Carolina State University. College of Natural Resources, 2014-11) Gonzalez-Jeuck, Grizel
    Gonzalez-Jeuck, Grizel. Master of Natural Resources – International Resources Agroforestry Technology Transfer in Los Rios, Chile: Analysis of Rural Farmers’ Response to Outreach and Education Owing to their commitment to sustainable development, Chile has implemented education and outreach programs to motivate rural farmers to implement agroforestry methods. Follow-up visits to farmers who had received outreach services revealed that while some farmers had successfully implemented the methods introduced, other farmers expressed confusion about the processes or appeared as though they had never received outreach materials. A qualitative, multiple method study was conducted, utilizing SWOT analysis design to survey farmers who had received agroforestry outreach materials in San Jose de la Mariquina. Written outreach materials were also analyzed to establish design and readability appropriateness. Analysis of current written outreach materials indicate that they are not suitable for theintended audience and that design elements such as font and picture size, use of technical language and the number of concepts covered should be revised. In addition, survey responses suggest that agencies should incorporate alternate modes of communication, such as mobile phones and radio as a means of bolstering outreach efforts. Finally, results from the SWOT analysis reveal that respondents tend to have a positive attitude toward benefits associated with agroforestry and they show interest in learning about agroforestry methods. However, inconsistent delivery of written materials and continued tensions between Mapuche stakeholders and the Chilean government pertaining to land use and development pose threats to outreach efforts. Further analysis of outreach methods in other regions is needed determine generalization of this study’s findings.
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    An Analysis of the North Carolina Wetland Assessment Method (NCWAM) Using Quantitative Metrics
    (North Carolina State University. College of Natural Resources, 2013-01) Steele, Ashley
    The purpose of this project is to determine the accuracy of the North Carolina Wetland Assessment Method (NCWAM). NCWAM is a rapid assessment method developed by an interagency team of federal and North Carolina agencies. The purpose of NCWAM is to provide a resource to regulators, planners, and the general public. This resource would aid in project planning, alternatives analysis, compliance, enforcement, mitigation planning, and tracking functional replacement. The successful implementation of NCWAM would allow these agencies to regulate mitigation based on wetland functionality, and therefore value. Because of the intent to use NCWAM in a regulatory capacity, it is important to provide evidence supporting its ability to successfully perform as an accurate evaluator of wetland functionality or find weaknesses so that it can be improved upon. By finding evidence to support or refute the accuracy of NCWAM in this way, this project contributes to the credibility of the NCWAM project. Data were collected which included physical vegetation, macroinvertebrate, amphibian, and physical and chemical data. This project used these data to calculate metrics, which were then examined for relationships between the data and the NCWAM scores.
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    An Analysis of Woody Biomass Harvesting Guidelines (BHGs) for North Carolina Forestry
    (North Carolina State University. College of Natural Resources, 2011-12-21) Gugelmann, Brunell
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    An Interactive Web Mapping Application for Alternative and Renewable Energies in North Carolina
    (North Carolina State University. College of Natural Resources, 2011-03-29) Knight, Jessica
    Abstract Knight, Jessica. Masters of Natural Resources – GIS Technical Option Biomass is coming to the forefront of renewable energies, especially in the state of North Carolina. The Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard that was passed in 2007 sparked an interest in the state in this sector, along with increased pellet demands in Europe and a desire for clean and “home grown” fuels. Companies are seeking to build their businesses in North Carolina and want to know just what the state has to offer them. In a world of technology, everyone is looking for a way to solve problems quicker and easier, even in the renewable energy sector. There are several web mapping applications that are in use or are being developed that make use of spatial information relating to renewable energies and resources. Some of these applications are just used for basic data viewing, and others carry out basic analysis functions. This interactive web application, or IMS, makes use of several spatial data layers, an algorithm, and a python script to create a map that is then put onto the web utilizing the ArcServer 10 environment. Several biomass-based commodities are utilized in the IMS: hardwoods, softwoods, cultivated crops, and hay. The IMS has a custom analysis tool that allows a user to enter two commodities of interest, the percentage of each commodity is required, and a distance in miles. The result of the analysis is a raster map displaying the total amount of the commodities, based on the requirements input by the user, throughout the analysis area. White areas of the map are desirable, as they are areas with high levels of the commodity and black areas are less desirable areas. This tool will be used as a way to get prospective companies interested in the state of North Carolina and involve them in the analysis process. Currently, this application is not available to the public, but it will continue to be improved upon and more tools will be added. The user interface will be made more userfriendly, with more than two commodities able to be selected, with all but one being optional. Costs will also be added to the analysis tools to create more real-world analysis scenarios. After improvements are made, this application will be made public for prospective companies to make use of and explore the state for biomass-based renewable energy generation.
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    Analysis of Forest Development Program Impacts on North Carolina’s Economy in 2012
    (2017-05) Koesbandana, Sadharga
    KOESBANDANA, SADHARGA. Analysis of Forest Development Program Impacts on North Carolina’s Economy in 2012 (Under the direction of Dr. Frederick Cubbage, Dr. Erin Sills, and Dr. Robert Abt). In calendar year 2012, a total of $4.2 million was spent under the Forest Development Program (FDP) in North Carolina, including $1.6 million (39%) from the state government and $2.6 million in cost-share from private landowners. While it is likely that private landowners would have reforested some portion of their land even without FDP, we calculate the impact of the FDP on the state economy by assuming that the full $4.2 million was additional spending in the state due to the FDP. Based on an economic impact analysis in IMPLAN, combined FDP expenditures in 2012 increased total industry output in the state by about $12.6 million, and total value added by about $7.6 million. That is, spending under the FDP leveraged about twice as much in value added, and three times as much in industrial output. The FDP generated 133 direct jobs in North Carolina, and a total of 197 jobs overall in 2012. As a lower bound on the contribution of the FDP to the state economy, we calculated that just the $1.6 million in state spending on the program generated 76 jobs, $4.9 million in industrial output, and $3.0 million in value added. The output multiplier effect for program expenditures was 3.0 for the state, ranging from 2.4 to 3.0 across the NC Forest Service’s three administrative regions. Thus, every dollar spent through FDP contributes 1.4 to 2.0 times as much to the regional economies. The Piedmont received the most FDP funds in 2012, and benefited from even greater proportional regional economic impacts from the direct funds spent. However, on a per acre of private land which reforestation activities being completed under FDP in 2012, the industrial output and value added were very similar for all regions. Thus, the program is reasonably equitable on impacts across the three regions, even though the Piedmont region had the highest multiplier, but at the lowest cost per acre.
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    Analysis of stream restoration design approaches through man-made drained ponds, using the Stream Quantification Tool
    (2019-05-03) Manner, Catherine
    Manner, Catherine. Master of Natural Resources- Assessment and Analysis Technical Option. Title: Analysis of Stream Restoration Design Approaches through Man-Made Drained Ponds using, the Stream Quantification Tool Every stream restoration design is different from the rest, no two restoration projects are the same. No design method is proven the best method in all scenarios. In the mitigation/restoration field, more and more stream restoration projects are being completed to restore historical stream channels through drained man-made ponds. Yet, providers of mitigation have attempted many different ways to design this specific kind of stream. The field has yet to agree on the best technical design approach for designing a channel through a drained pond. A survey was conducted through use of Google Forums to assess an industry wide opinion concerning different design approaches through drained ponds. The questions were designed to identify people’s backgrounds in the industry and to gage if there place of work or experience level influenced there choice in preferred design approaches. In order to gain an understanding about which design approaches produced the most successful restoration projects one assessment method was used on all case study sites. The three (Site A, Site B, and Site C) stream restoration sites were assessed using the Stream Quantification Tool (SQT). Each of these three sites where stream restoration was conducted was located where a pond once existed. At each site a different design approach was used. The SQT was used at each site to determine which design approach provided the most functional uplift to the stream system. In North Carolina, the Stream Quantification Tool (SQT), created by Will Harman, is the latest assessment method to be developed. The SQT focuses on stream restoration and how it is necessary to understand how stream functions work together. The tool is built around function based parameters, which are interrelated and build upon each other. Assessing a stream’s function allows for a more successful stream restoration project.
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    Assessment of Thermal Pollution Associated with Riparian Canopy Clearning
    (North Carolina State University. College of Natural Resources, 2014-11-05) Blackwell, James; Line, Daniel
    Abstract Blackwell, James and Daniel E. Line PE. Master of Natural Resources Geographic Information Systems Technical Option. Assessment of Thermal Pollution Associated With Riparian Canopy Clearing This report summarizes the results of monitoring water temperatures at 5 stream sites for 2+ years. The sites encompassed varying stream sizes and lengths, tree canopies, and road improvement activities. This study was designed to document water temperature in mountain streams that have had limited tree removal in the riparian corridor as a result of road improvement. Results showed that for a large stream (drainage area >10,000 ac) the temperature increase from upstream to downstream was <0.09 F, even though the stream had a reach of 650ft without any tree canopy. Monitoring on 2 of the 4 smaller streams (drainage areas <1,000 ac) documented a decrease in temperature from upstream to downstream of a reach where road improvements had occurred. The reason for the decrease was not known, but clearly road improvements were not causing increases in stream temperatures. For the 2 small streams with increases in temperature, the greatest increase (0.61 F) from upstream to downstream occurred for a stream reach of >3100ft with essentially no tree canopy. Altogether the data suggested that: 1) for larger streams (drainage area >10,000 ac), removing trees outside a 20ft stream buffer did not result in a measurable increase in temperature, 2) for larger streams (drainage area >10,000 ac), with all tree canopy up to a 650ft reach removed, the increase in temperature was <0.10 F, 3) tree canopy is not the only factor influencing whether stream temperature increased in a monitored stream reach, 4) additional research is needed where stream temperature is monitored before during and after road improvement to more definitively document the effects of riparian canopy reductions on stream temperatures.
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    Centralized versus Decentralized Volunteer Management, with a Case Study of the North Carolina Botanical Garden
    (2017-06) McManus, Elaine
    Centralized versus Decentralized Volunteer Management, with a Case Study of the North Carolina Botanical Garden Abstract Nonprofits play an important role in American society and volunteers are critical to their success, because nonprofits are often severely underfunded. However, many nonprofits are not utilizing volunteers to their fullest potential because they do not have a formal management structure in place for their volunteers. Previous research has defined the core components of volunteer management and identified various options for integrating them into an organization, including centralized, decentralized, and hybrid. The focus of this paper is to provide insight into how a nonprofit should decide which integration method to use. To help answer this question, a survey of volunteer managers was conducted to understand how their volunteer management programs are organized and how these structures came to be utilized. Results were also examined to determine if any correlations exist between organizations using the same approach. There were three key findings in this research. First, centralized management was the most prevalent management approach. Second, two-thirds of volunteer managers varied their management approach by function to some degree. Third, there were no strong correlations between the volunteer management approach and the size of the organization, the percent of the volunteer manager’s job spent on volunteer management, the experience of the volunteer manager, or the size and scope of the volunteer program. It is unclear if these findings can be considered as best practices for other volunteer managers to adopt because almost half of respondents said that either their approach to volunteer management evolved this way over time or they were not sure how it came to be this way.
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    Characteristics of Effective Communication Before and During a Wildland Fire Event: Evidence from the Hat Creek Complex Fire, 2009
    (North Carolina State University. College of Natural Resources, 2010-10-20) Sawyer, Christopher
    EXECUTIVE SUMMARY - Characteristics of Effective Communication Before and During a Wildland Fire Event: Evidence from the Hat Creek Complex Fire, 2009. By Chris Sawyer. Fire Management and Communication Communication is vital to public satisfaction, support, and collaborative action that can help address existing fire management challenges. To reduce the frequency and severity of large wildland fires, a more intense focus on preemptive fire management strategies (defensible space, prescribed burns, forest thinning, etc…) should be taken. Proactive and effective communication is an integral part of before and during fire activities. In previous studies, proactive communication before a fire was shown to increase knowledge and citizen support for fuels reductions which can aid alternative fire management strategies. Effective communication during a fire can affect public satisfaction with overall information provided during such events. Effective Communication Survey of the Affected Public on the Hat Creek Fires This study focused on how communication from the United States Forest Service (USFS) and local governments affected public satisfaction with the information received both before and during a wildland fire incident. Based on existing literature, effective communication characteristics were defined as the result of 1) planning, 2) message delivery, 3) integrating into the local context, and 4) building trust in the process. The hypothesis was that these four characteristics of effective communication were associated with greater levels of overall communication satisfaction before and during a wildland fire incident. During fall 2009, a Wildland Communication Survey (WCS) was administered to 1,000 people living within a 10 mile perimeter of the fires in the Hat Creek Complex (including the Brown, Sugarloaf and Butte Fires), in Northern California. Questions were asked about satisfaction with communication, planning, message delivery, integrating into the local context and trust. Results revealed the four characteristics of communication were related to overall satisfaction with communication before and during the Hat Creek Complex Fire. Analysis Satisfaction with Communication. To attain high levels of public satisfaction, communication between citizens and the agencies responsible for fire management should occur during all phases of the fire cycle. The majority of respondents from the Hat Creek indicated that they were satisfied with the overall information they received both before (60%) and during (68%) the fire. Forty percent before the fire and, 32% during the fire were not satisfied with the information they received. These results suggested that respondents were mostly satisfied with the information they received. They also indicated that more respondents were satisfied with the information they received from the USFS and local agencies during the fire compared to the information they received before the fire. Planning. Results from the survey indicated that communication from the USFS was clearly related to satisfaction both before and during the fire. Communication from local government was related to satisfaction before the fire, but not during the fire. Three explanations are possible for this finding. First, this may suggest that the local government agencies did not bear as much responsibility disseminating information during the fire; therefore the public did not rely on them. Second, local government agencies made attempts, but did not successfully disseminate information to the public during the fire. Third, the results could suggest that the Forest Service’s planning efforts prior to the fire may have helped establish more effective lines of communication during the fire than the local government. Message Delivery. Survey respondents used a variety of different information sources before and during the fire. These sources were broken down into unidirectional (TV, radio, etc...) and interactive modalities (conversations, meetings, etc...). Previous research has shown that interactive communication is a more effective way to develop support and acceptance for the selected fire management strategy. Descriptive analysis from the Hat Creek showed that respondents were using more unidirectional sources, compared to interactive sources, both before and during the fire. Respondents were however, more satisfied with overall communication when they used multiple information sources and interactive modalities that allowed them opportunities to ask questions and express concerns about the fire. Integrating into the Local Context. Effectively integrating into the local context can decrease the amount of uncertainty that the public associates with fire management and build their capacity to participate in developing and implementing solutions in the future. Three components of integrating into the local context at the Hat Creek were associated with greater levels of satisfaction before and during the fire. First, respondents that felt local resources were used well during the fire. Second, respondents who felt local knowledge and local concerns were integrated into planning before the fire. Third, respondents that felt the agencies took action to provide satisfactory answers to issues raised by the public before the fire. The results suggest that fire management officials successfully integrated into the local context of this fire. Building Trust. Building trust with the public is the culmination of effective planning, delivering information through multiple mediums, and incorporating a community’s local context into wildland fire communication strategies. Previous research indicates that public acceptance of alternative fire management strategies is associated with agency skill, credibility, and adequacy of communication efforts. The Hat Creek survey results showed that there was greater trust in unidirectional information sources rather than interactive information sources before and during the fire. Respondents were more satisfied with communication during the fire if they received credible and accurate information about the fire. The results also indicated respondents who trusted the USFS were more likely to be satisfied with communication. Sixty-nine percent of respondents trusted the USFS, while only 43% trusted local government. Lessons from the Hat Creek Fires As shown above, four characteristics of effective communication were related to overall satisfaction with information received both before and during the Hat Creek fire. More respondents were satisfied with communication efforts during the fire. Communication from the USFS was more likely to be associated with satisfaction than communication from local government. This may be because respondents trusted the USFS more than local government. Even though survey data indicated that respondents were satisfied with interactive information sources, respondents revealed that they had greater trust and were using more unidirectional information sources compared to interactive sources. Respondents were also more likely to be satisfied with communication when agencies incorporated local knowledge, local concerns, and local resources for fire both planning and response. The findings imply that the public was satisfied with communication before and during the fire. These lessons may help contribute to better communication practices and aid in more sound fire management in the future.
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    Combining Non-Timber Forest Product Extraction and Selective Logging: Can it increase profits on Programme for Belize's lands?
    (North Carolina State University. College of Natural Resources, 2000-02-07) Deason, Ginger
    Deason, Ginger. Master of Natural Resources International Resources Technical Option. Combining Non-Timber Forest Product Extraction and Selective Logging: Can it Increase Profits on Programme for Belize’s Lands? By the end of the 20th century, the economic importance of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) and the possibilities they provide for conserving the tropical rainforest were in the forefront of many management plans and ecological studies. Bayleaf palm (Sabal mauritiiformis) is one such NTFP found in the Rio Bravo Conservation and Management Area (RBCMA) of northwestern Belize. Recent studies have found that there are ecologically sustainable ways to harvest bayleaf and that there are commercial markets for bayleaf in Belize. Programme for Belize (PfB), owner of the RBCMA, has zoned areas for NTFP extraction but has not begun harvest of bayleaf. This study considers whether bayleaf harvest would be more feasible if it were combined on the same land as selective logging. The idea of combining selective timber harvesting with NTFP extraction in the same area is not new. Programme for Belize includes selective logging as a part of its management plan and could possibly extract bayleaf from selectively logged lands with little added disturbance of the surrounding forest, and with minimal added costs. PfB’s access to market and the current and future profitability of bayleaf harvest are crucial in determining if its extraction would be feasible. This study was undertaken to determine if harvest of bayleaf from timber extraction zones could increase PfB’s profits. The principal elements analyzed were added costs, demand, and market structure in order to (i) develop an estimate of the costs and revenues from bayleaf harvest by PfB, (ii) assess current and potential future trends in the demand for bayleaf, and (iii) determine the current structure of the bayleaf market and identify any obstacles to PfB’s participation in the market. Costs such as stock surveys, labor and transportation, were determined through observations and informal interviews. Surveys were conducted to get opinions on bayleaf and its demand. The market structure was evaluated through open-ended interviews, observations, and survey results. It was determined that a stock survey of bayleaf palm on the RBCMA could be added to the timber stock survey with minimal additional costs. Moreover, labor costs would be minimal. Depending on how PfB transports bayleaf from Hill Bank Field Station to the market, however, the transportation costs could be extremely high. Surveys conducted of three different groups revealed that most people believe bayleaf is increasing in demand (especially in the tourism sector), but is becoming less abundant. The opinions expressed in the surveys showed people believe that the price of bayleaf has been increasing over the past five years and will continue to increase in the future. The majority of the people surveyed also believe that certification of bayleaf as harvested sustainable could be beneficial in protecting the species, yet most lodges surveyed would be unwilling to pay more for leaf that was certified sustainable. A thorough review and assessment of the market structure of bayleaf for tourism operations indicated that there are two main markets within reach of PfB: the inland market and the island market. The inland market is composed of contractors, usually working with family members to harvest and transport the leaf, and has few players and points of exchange of leaf. The island market, on the other hand, has many players, many points of exchange, and more available options for transport and purchase. With a rise in use in tourism for tourist facilities, bayleaf could become a valuable commodity on the Belizean market. Currently, its price does not fetch enough for PfB to make a generous profit. However, PfB could possibly foster healthy community ties by allowing locals to enter the RBCMA and cut bayleaf for a small fee and still make a small profit. This would have to be carefully planned, as there could also be negative consequences (i.e. increased poaching on RBCMA). Furthermore, if the populations of bayleaf dwindle and the tourism sector continues to grow, attitudes of lodge owners might change making certification of bayleaf an option and increasing the price of the leaf as well as the profit margin for PfB.
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    Comparing Cary’s Water Resourcing to the Future Development of Pittsboro’s Water Resourcing
    (North Carolina State University. College of Natural Resources, 2015-12) Terbilcox, Daniel