Moisture Disclosure Program - Registered Wood Sellers

 

 
 
 

Find or Become a Participating Commercial Wood Seller

 

-The Mandatory Registration Requirement Has Not Been Activated-

The upcoming mandatory Wood Seller Registration requirement and the voluntary Moisture Disclosure Program are designed to encourage communication between wood sellers and wood buyers about the moisture content of the wood being sold and to raise awareness about the importance of burning dry wood to increase efiiciency and lower air pollution. Using the link above, wood sellers can register online for free and wood buyers can find participating wood sellers or recognized dry wood sellers in their area.

The program was adopted into regulation in 2014 in 18 AAC 50.076(d) as a contingency measure to help bring the Fairbanks North Star Borough PM2.5 nonattainment area into attainment. DEC launched a voluntary program to ensure the program was effective and to ease the transition from voluntary to mandatory in the nonattainment area. Participants in the voluntary program provided valuable feedback and DEC responded by amending the regulations in 2015. The program will become mandatory in the FNSB PM2.5 nonattainment area 60 days after EPA reclassifies the area as 'serious,' expected summer 2016. DEC is required to give at least 60 days public notice before making the program mandatory.


For Wood Sellers:


For Wood Buyers:

Benefits:

  • Know if you are buying dry or wet wood
  • Know if you should season the wood first
  • Know you are buying wood from a licensed business
  • Find participating businesses easily online
  • Find local dry wood sellers online

Be sure to:

Mandatory Program
(FNSB PM2.5 Area Only)

 -Registration not currently mandatory-

Who Must Register?

  • Persons and businesses that
    • Sell wood for space heating in the FNSB PM2.5 nonattainment area
  • There is no minimum amount of wood, all sellers are affected

Who is Exempt?

  • Businesses that sell
    • Wood Pellets, Bricks, or Pucks
    • Compressed Wood Logs
    • Small bundles of split, dry wood
  • Wholesalers that do not sell to the public

How to Register

  • Registration is free
  • Register Online
  • Register in person at the Fairbanks DEC Office, 610 University Ave.

Program Requirements

  • Be Registered, renew every 3 years
    (requires Alaska Business License)
  • Obtain a DEC approved moisture meter
  • Follow the disclosure requirements when selling wood for use in the FNSB PM2.5 nonattainment area.

Wood Moisture Measurement Process

  • Selling as Wet or Frozen:
    (No measurement)
    • Mark the "Wet/Frozen" box on the form

  • Selling as "dry" or providing moisture information to customer:
    • Make fresh cuts in 3 pieces of wood per cord
    • Use DEC-approved moisture meter to take readings at each cut
    • Record the readings on the form

  • Have customer sign/mark the form
    • Or mark the box saying the customer is unavailable or unwilling to sign

  • Carbon Copy Forms
    • Provide one copy to the customer
    • Provide one copy to DEC
      (submit forms monthly)
    • Retain the third copy for 2 years

Regulations

FAQs

 

Voluntary Program
(Statewide)

Program Requirements:

Measurement Process:

1) Cut open and measure three pieces of wood per cord
2) Write the moisture levels on a DEC Carbon Copy Form
3) Sign the form
4) Hand one signed copy to the customer
5) One copy goes to DEC
6) Keep the third copy for two years

Program Benefits:

  • Free advertising online
  • Be part of developing this program
  • Stand out if you become a recognized Dry Wood Seller


 

DEC Approved Moisture Meters:


Manufacturer: Model: Image:
General MMD4E Moisture Meter MMD4E
Digi-Sense 20250-35 Pocket Moisture Meter MMD4E
Delmhorst BD-2100 and J-2000 Moisture Meters MMD4E

Regulation requires DEC to compile a list of approved wood moisture meters.
Our selection criteria include:

  • Measurement Range up to 40% - Some models read only to 20% which will only tell a user if the wood is dry or not with no indication of how wet it is or how long it might take to season.
  • 2-Prong Design - 4-prong meters can be harder to press into wood for good readings.
  • Replaceable Prongs - Prongs can become dull, bent, or broken with continued use.
  • Ease of Operation - Easy to read screens, simple device operation, and durability will encourage frequent use.
  • Affordability - Inexpensive meters are available, but so are expensive ones. DEC wants to include a variety of devices so that users can find a meter with the features they want at
    a price that is right for them.
  • Availability - Meters are available locally or online. DEC wants to include meters that can be easily purchased locally but a wider variety of meters are also available online and may be more economical or more easily obtained throughout rural areas of Alaska.
  • Reasonable Accuracy and Precision - These are important features but they can also
    drive up the cost of the meter.

Staff Contact:

Lee Borden
lee.borden@alaska.gov
907-451-5172