Optimizing brush pile disposal on western USFS land

Abstract

This research evaluates the social costs of burning piled biomass and the economic trade-offs of alternative removal strategies. Timber harvesting and forest thinning often leave behind branches and other tree parts, which are piled and burned, resulting in what are known as brush or slash piles. These piles pose significant costs to nearby communities and have global environmental impacts, including greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and reduced local air quality (Wiedinmyer et al., 2006; Ganguly et al., 2018; Pierobon et al., 2022). The United States Forest Service (USFS) is testing a new device called the 'Charboss' that removes excess brush and repurposes it as biochar, a substance with potential environmental and agricultural benefits. Analyzing the external social costs of burning brush piles is crucial for assessing the economic viability of future brush removal strategies. By using social costs as a gauge, this study employs an optimization model to maximize benefits while minimizing the associated costs of this new forest management technology. Private investment and social planners' perspectives are considered when determining optimal deployment strategies. This study examines various scenarios for deploying the USFS device cost-effectively and concludes that, under certain assumptions, it can significantly benefit local communities and global environmental health.