by Forest Management Chief Russell Hubright
Background
The SC Department of Agriculture was awarded $38.3 million to help offset losses from Hurricane Helene in four categories:
- Agricultural market loss
- Infrastructure loss
- Future economic loss
- Timber loss
We initially estimated that approximately $9 million would be available for the timber loss category, but due to lower-than-expected applications for agricultural losses, the amount available for timber losses will probably be significantly higher.
Outreach
We sent a news release to over 300 recipients, including news media, partners and all SC registered foresters.
We made presentations at nine landowner association meetings totaling about 350 people.
Our social media posts have been viewed by over 150,000 people!
Since we were concerned about landowners who are not connected via social media or landowner groups, we mailed postcards to owners of 20+ acre parcels in the five hardest-hit counties. This amounted to 12,795 postcards, for which we used a contractor, and the estimated $7,000 cost for postage and handling was covered by a grant.
Current status
SC Department of Agriculture began accepting applications May 12 (online only) through July 11; ultimately 762 applications were submitted. About 60% of the applicants with timber loss have chosen to use a registered/consulting forester to estimate their loss. We are working closely with these foresters to make sure they follow our guidelines regarding the data that is needed. We are performing desk audits on all of the consultants’ valuations and doing field audits on 10% of them, with at least one per company.
We are paying $400 to $1,000 per valuation, depending on damaged acres, to consulting foresters. This is designed to offset some of the cost, but not all; consultants can charge whatever amount they deem appropriate.
For landowners who choose not to use a consulting forester, the SC Forestry Commission is performing their loss determinations.
We have held two field trainings for Forestry Commission field foresters to practice using our Helene Damage Web Viewer and the Survey 123 app for data collection.
Our team is working very well together to provide the data needed for those who chose to have the Forestry Commission perform their loss valuation.
We are auditing 10% of these valuations to ensure that we are carrying these out consistently.
Moving forward
The goal is to have all of the valuations completed and the data entered into the contractor’s database by mid-September, but checking all of the information provided by consulting foresters is taking more time than expected.
After all of the data from the timber and agricultural losses has been gathered, the SC Department of Agriculture will determine what percentage of the confirmed loss will be paid to each applicant. If all of the $38.3 million is not needed in this first round of applications, there may be a second signup period.
To stay informed about this possibility, you can sign up for emails.