St. Thomas à Becket Church St. Thomas à Becket Church TimberlandTimberland

October 2011October 2011

St. Thomas à Becket Church St. Thomas à Becket Church TimberlandTimberland

Situation currently exists that limits the land Situation currently exists that limits the land use options of Becket’s property due to safety use options of Becket’s property due to safety concernsconcerns

St. Thomas à Becket Church St. Thomas à Becket Church TimberlandTimberland

11.5-ac property with 2-3 acres compromising 11.5-ac property with 2-3 acres compromising buildings and groundsbuildings and grounds

Access potential to all portions of the property is reasonably good

St. Thomas à Becket Church St. Thomas à Becket Church TimberlandTimberland

Timber Species include yellow-poplar, hard maple, soft

maple, the oaks, hickory, ash, cherry Heavy Sawtimber High volume per acre Over-mature

Many of the trees are dead or dying Most contain large dead limbs that constitute a significant

hazard for recreational users Parking Lot Girl Scout fire ring

St. Thomas à Becket Church St. Thomas à Becket Church TimberlandTimberland

Inspected property 30 years ago at the request of Ray Kessler

Presumably, an offer of $40,000 was made last fall for the timber

St. Thomas à Becket Church St. Thomas à Becket Church TimberlandTimberland

Not presenting a Forest Management Plan Forest Management Plan is based on the Owners’

management objectives (not yet established) Simply comments (not recommendations) on the

timber resource and management options that exist

St. Thomas à Becket Church St. Thomas à Becket Church TimberlandTimberland

Three management options Pros and Cons of each Discussion

St. Thomas à Becket Church St. Thomas à Becket Church TimberlandTimberland

Option 1 – Do Nothing

St. Thomas à Becket Church St. Thomas à Becket Church TimberlandTimberland

Option 1 – Do NothingPros

No financial input

Limited labor input

No significant short-term changes in the landscape - visually, flora, & fauna

St. Thomas à Becket Church St. Thomas à Becket Church TimberlandTimberland

Option 1 – Do NothingCons

Limits recreational potential due to hazards

Increases liability

Forfeits any income potential

Problems associated with old-growth hardwood timber increase over time

St. Thomas à Becket Church St. Thomas à Becket Church TimberlandTimberland

Option 2 – Remove Only Dead and Dying Trees and Other Hazards

St. Thomas à Becket Church St. Thomas à Becket Church TimberlandTimberland

Option 2 – Remove Only Dead and Dying Trees and Other HazardsPros

No significant short-term changes in the landscape

Increases recreational potential

Significantly reduces liability

St. Thomas à Becket Church St. Thomas à Becket Church TimberlandTimberland

Option 2 – Remove Only Dead and Dying Trees and Other HazardsCons

Significant initial input of cash and labor

On-going input of cash and labor

No income potential

St. Thomas à Becket Church St. Thomas à Becket Church TimberlandTimberland

Option 3 – Commercial Timber Harvest

St. Thomas à Becket Church St. Thomas à Becket Church TimberlandTimberland

Option 3 – Commercial Timber HarvestPros

Income

Limits future financial input

Long-term liability reduced

Healthier forest

Improves visibility of the church

St. Thomas à Becket Church St. Thomas à Becket Church TimberlandTimberland

Option 3 – Commercial Timber HarvestCons

Significant changes in the landscape

Potential for problems with the driveway surface

Short-term disruption

Potentially divisive issue for the congregation

St. Thomas à Becket Church St. Thomas à Becket Church TimberlandTimberland

Discussion