HomeMy WebLinkAboutBirch Syrup Letter
Birch Syrup and Berry Products Phone: 907-373-1309
Dulce Ben-East/Michael East FAX: 907-373-1359
P.O. Box 2267 E-mail: admin@alaskabirchsyrup.com
Palmer, AK 99645-2267 www.alaskabirchsyrup.com
3/9/10
To the members of the Mat-Su Borough Assembly, Mat-Su School Board, and other interested parties;
I am writing to express my support for the inclusion of a Susitna Valley Study Forest in the borough’s
Natural Resource Management Unit Plan, now under final revision. The concept - to utilize borough
forests in a sustainable manner to fuel a wood-fired heating plant for the new Susitna Valley High school
while at the same time using the forest for educational purposes – is one of the best potential uses of
forested management units. This concept compliments the sustainable use of the forest for non-timber
forest products, including birch sap extraction.
As birch syrup producers in the upper Susitna valley for 20 years, we have discussed with proponents of
this project the possibility of coordinating intensive birch sap extraction in advance of tree harvest for
the heating plant. We recently purchased property at mile 1.1 of the Talkeetna Spur Road where we
have developed a processing facility to expand our birch syrup production. We have a permit to tap
trees on a 38 acre borough parcel at mi. 94 for the next 3-5 years. That, along with a few private parcels
and sap purchased from local tree-tappers, will do for the 6,000 trees we wish to tap this spring, but our
expansion plans will require considerably more trees.
The demand for our syrup exceeds our supply and continues to grow. We are actively looking for trees
to tap for 2011 and the future. Our goal is to reach 20,000 trees within five years. Intensive sap harvest
on trees to be harvested for the school boiler would make sense, as we would not need to worry about
long term impact to the trees, and we would be increasing the potential value of these trees. We would
need to plan in advance as we plan to install tubing/vacuum systems on new sites which need to be in
place for 5 years for economic sustainability and efficiency. Access and proximity to our facility is
essential for us, and the management units under consideration by the Susitna Forestry Council present
great possibilities. Our tapping of birch trees on borough lands also provides a modest income to the
borough for resource use. We currently pay $500/year for our existing permit, plus $.10/tree/year.
The tapping of birch trees also presents fascinating educational and research opportunities. Part of our
goal has always been to create a demonstration forest as well as a facility where students could come to
learn how to harvest birch sap in a sustainable manner to make birch syrup and other products. I have
done presentations at various schools/organizations in the past and enjoy doing so. The kids love it and,
in general, people find it intriguing. I developed a curriculum study guide for the Alaska Ag in the
Classroom program for K-8. As a homeschooling parent, I devised many science projects around the
harvest of birch sap for my daughters. I also helped state foresters and USDA Forest Service
pathologists develop best practices for birch sap harvest on public lands. Education, research, and
wisest possible use of this resource are extremely important to me. As birch syrup production is a
relatively young industry, there is far more research that can be done on the impacts of sap harvest on
the trees. Reservation of a Su Valley study forest would provide this opportunity.
LLC dba Kahiltna Birchworks
I encourage the members of the borough assembly to approve the inclusion of a Susitna Valley study
forest in the new management plan. You will be accomplishing three important goals that will do a
great deal to benefit the local community and the borough as a whole: cost-saving energy efficiency,
educational and research opportunities, and economic development. All of this can be accomplished by
wise and sustainable use of a plentiful resource; our boreal forest. Thank you for your time and
consideration.
Dulce Ben-East
Michael W. East
Alaska Wild Harvest LLC, dba Kahiltna Birchworks