Forestland Security Forestland Security for Family Forestsfor Family Forests

Shawn BakerShawn Baker

Coeur d’Alene, IdahoCoeur d’Alene, Idaho

January 21, 2005January 21, 2005

OverviewOverview

• Extent of violationsExtent of violations• Security issuesSecurity issues

– Trespass and theftTrespass and theft– ArsonArson– DumpingDumping– DrugsDrugs– LiabilityLiability

Security from what?Security from what?

Security violationsSecurity violations

• 2001 - $1.4 billion lost to arson2001 - $1.4 billion lost to arson• 2002 – 9,100 meth labs seized2002 – 9,100 meth labs seized

– Over 4,000 additional dump sitesOver 4,000 additional dump sites

• 2003 - Over $4 million lost to 2003 - Over $4 million lost to trespasstrespass

Security IssuesSecurity Issues

• Basic guidelinesBasic guidelines• Information Information

available from available from industryindustry

• Rarely trickles Rarely trickles down to small down to small landownerslandowners

Timber theft and Timber theft and trespasstrespass

• Devastating for Devastating for small small landownerslandowners

• Cannot ensure Cannot ensure preventionprevention

• Must take steps Must take steps to minimize to minimize susceptibilitysusceptibility

Timber trespass and Timber trespass and thefttheft

• Mark boundary Mark boundary lineslines

• Make sure valid Make sure valid deed is recordeddeed is recorded

• Identify and Identify and mark vulnerable mark vulnerable high-value treeshigh-value trees

Timber trespass and Timber trespass and thefttheft

• Depending upon state of residence, Depending upon state of residence, may be responsibility of landowner may be responsibility of landowner to prove facts of caseto prove facts of case

• Can be large financial burden if Can be large financial burden if progresses to civil courtprogresses to civil court

Illegal DumpingIllegal Dumping

• Extremely Extremely prevalentprevalent

• Rural urban Rural urban interfaceinterface

• Difficult to Difficult to preventprevent

Illegal DumpingIllegal Dumping

• Prevalent near landfills and junkyardsPrevalent near landfills and junkyards• Dumped materials encourage further Dumped materials encourage further

dumpingdumping• Access area is extremely importantAccess area is extremely important

– Gate roadsGate roads– Minimize potential pull-offsMinimize potential pull-offs– Quickly remove dumped materialsQuickly remove dumped materials– Replace damaged or removed signsReplace damaged or removed signs

Illegal DumpingIllegal Dumping

• Fines for an illegal Fines for an illegal open dump and open dump and cleanup costs fall cleanup costs fall on the landowner on the landowner (regardless of (regardless of source)source)

• If you can find a If you can find a name, you can name, you can pursue recoursepursue recourse

Illegal Drug OperationsIllegal Drug Operations

• Poorly publicizedPoorly publicized• Increased Increased

prevalenceprevalence• Extremely Extremely

dangerousdangerous• Can be Can be

seemingly seemingly innocuousinnocuous

Illegal Drug OperationsIllegal Drug Operations

• Methamphetamine labsMethamphetamine labs– Tremendous increase in prevalenceTremendous increase in prevalence– Extremely dangerousExtremely dangerous

• Security measuresSecurity measures• Chemical hazardsChemical hazards

– USFS no longer suggests digging USFS no longer suggests digging through trash dumpsthrough trash dumps

Illegal Drug OperationsIllegal Drug Operations

• Potential locationsPotential locations– Abandoned cars, Abandoned cars,

campers, trailers, etc.campers, trailers, etc.– Outbuildings or Outbuildings or

cabinscabins

• Warning signsWarning signs– Cold tablets (esp. Cold tablets (esp.

Sudafed)Sudafed)– MatchbooksMatchbooks– Hydrogen peroxideHydrogen peroxide– 20-pound propane 20-pound propane

tanks (blue fitting)tanks (blue fitting)

Illegal Drug OperationsIllegal Drug Operations

• Additional red flagsAdditional red flags– ““Posted” where they Posted” where they

shouldn’t beshouldn’t be– Signs of heavy traffic Signs of heavy traffic

in unusual areasin unusual areas

• Use extreme cautionUse extreme caution• Do not touch or Do not touch or

collect materialscollect materials• Leave area Leave area

immediatelyimmediately

Landowner LiabilityLandowner Liability

• Duty of careDuty of care– Depends on the Depends on the

type of visitortype of visitor– If charging for If charging for

access, liability is access, liability is greatergreater

– Insurance is Insurance is available to cover available to cover lease lease arrangementsarrangements

Landowner LiabilityLandowner Liability

• Invited guestsInvited guests– Must seek out and fix any potential hazardsMust seek out and fix any potential hazards– Does not include people who request access Does not include people who request access

• LicenseeLicensee– Someone who enters property for their own Someone who enters property for their own

benefit, not landowner’s (ex. salesmen)benefit, not landowner’s (ex. salesmen)– Must warn of hidden dangersMust warn of hidden dangers

• TrespassersTrespassers– Cannot intentionally injureCannot intentionally injure

ConclusionConclusion

• Small landowners are at riskSmall landowners are at risk• Information is available, but is not Information is available, but is not

being disseminatedbeing disseminated• Most violations can’t be entirely Most violations can’t be entirely

prevented, but must try to reduce prevented, but must try to reduce susceptibilitysusceptibility

Thank You!!Thank You!!

Shawn BakerShawn BakerForestry Extension AssociateForestry Extension Associate

Virginia TechVirginia Tech238 Cheatham Hall (0324)238 Cheatham Hall (0324)

Blacksburg, VA 24061Blacksburg, VA 24061