Lewis discusses state of forestry in Northampton County

At Tuesday night’s Northampton Board of Supervisors work session, Robbie Lewis, Area Forester for both Accomack and Northampton Counties with the Virginia Department of Forestry, shared updates on forestry efforts across Virginia and their impact on the Eastern Shore.

Lewis reported that Virginia recently underwent a tree farm audit, which included inspections of forestry tracts from Brunswick County to the Shore. Five local tracts were part of the review, and auditors found the Eastern Shore’s forestry operations in strong condition. “Our auditor was very happy with the way things looked over here,” he said, noting that both the region and the state as a whole received positive marks.

He also announced the creation of a new Working Lands and Conservation Branch within the Virginia Department of Forestry. The branch oversees a forest inventory program that monitors fixed plots statewide to collect long-term data on growth, land loss, and timber conditions. “These folks are kind of like the secret agents of the agency,” Lewis explained, adding that the team can provide valuable data for county comprehensive plans and other local projects.

During questions, the conversation turned to whether a sawmill might return to the Eastern Shore. Lewis said Northampton has not had a timber harvest in two years, which he said may be the result of the high price of fuel. He emphasized the need for new facilities to handle an expected surplus of high-quality pine timber within the next decade, as well as abundant gum wood and potential hardwood supplies. “We’ve got a little bit of a window to get a new mill in here,” he noted, stressing that current transportation costs to Maryland limit profitability for Shore landowners.

Lewis closed by assuring county officials that forestry conditions remain stable. Beetle activity, which runs in 10- to 15-year cycles, is currently low on the Shore. He encouraged local leaders to reach out to him or the new state branch for data to support planning or conservation projects.