a50574187.htm
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(Mark one)
 X
Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012
or
___
Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. For the transition period from to________
 
 
Commission File No. 1-9035

Pope Resources, A Delaware Limited Partnership
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
 
Delaware 91-1313292
(State of Organization) (IRS Employer I.D. No.)
 
19950 Seventh Avenue NE, Suite 200, Poulsbo, WA 98370
(Address of principal executive offices, Zip Code)
 
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (360) 697-6626

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
 
  Title of each class Name of each exchange on which registered
  Depositary Receipts (Units)         NASDAQ
                                                             
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. 
Yes o No x
          
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act.
Yes o No x
     
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period than the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  
Yes o No x
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes x No o
 
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (Section 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.
x
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large Accelerated Filer o   Accelerated Filer x
Non-Accelerated Filer o (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) Smaller reporting company o
                                                                                         
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in rule 12b-2 of the Act).
Yes o No x
 
At June 30, 2012, the aggregate market value of the non-voting equity units of the registrant held by non-affiliates was approximately $175,916,049.

The number of the registrant’s limited partnership units outstanding as of February 18, 2013 was 4,444,777.

Documents incorporated by reference: None
 
 
 

 
 
Pope Resources, A Delaware Limited Partnership
Form 10-K
For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2012
Index

   
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2

 
 
PART I

Item 1.   BUSINESS
OVERVIEW

When we refer to the “Partnership,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our,” we mean Pope Resources, A Delaware Limited Partnership and its consolidated subsidiaries. References to notes to the financial statements refer to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements of Pope Resources, A Delaware Limited Partnership included in Item 8 of this form. The Partnership was formed in 1986 as a result of the spinoff of certain timberlands from Pope & Talbot Inc.

The Partnership currently operates in three primary business segments: (1) Fee Timber, (2) Timberland Management & Consulting (TM&C), and (3) Real Estate. Fee Timber operations consist of growing and harvesting timber from the 193,000 acres that we own or manage as tree farms. Activities in the Timberland Management & Consulting segment are centered on raising and investing capital from third parties for private equity timber funds, and thereafter managing those funds for the benefit of all investors. Our Real Estate segment’s operations are focused on a portfolio of approximately 2,900 acres in the Puget Sound basin of Washington. This segment’s activities consist of efforts to enhance the value of our land by obtaining the entitlements and, in some cases, building the infrastructure necessary to enable further development. Further segment financial information is presented in Note 11 to our consolidated financial statements included in this report. Copies of the Partnership’s reports filed or furnished under the Securities Exchange Act, including our annual reports on Form 10-K, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and our current reports on Form 8-K, and all amendments to these reports, are available free of charge at www.poperesources.com. The information contained in or connected to our web site is not incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K and should not be considered part of this or any other report filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission. The public may read and copy any material we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. The public may also obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains an internet site at www.sec.gov that also contains our current and periodic reports.

DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS SEGMENTS
Fee Timber

Operations. As indicated above, our Fee Timber operations consist primarily of growing, harvesting, and marketing timber to export brokers and domestic manufacturers. In addition, our tree farms generate lease revenues from other sources such as minerals, cell towers, and brush. The 193,000 timberland acres that we own or manage under the banner of this segment break down into two categories. The first of these categories consists of the approximately 69,500-acre Hood Canal tree farm, located in the Hood Canal area of Washington, and the 43,600-acre Columbia tree farm located in southwest Washington. Management views the Hood Canal and Columbia tree farms as the Partnership’s core holdings, and manages them as a single operating unit. When we refer to these two tree farms we will describe them as the “Partnership’s tree farms”. We have owned the Hood Canal tree farm, substantially as currently comprised, since our formation in 1985, while we acquired the bulk of the Columbia tree farm in 2001.

This segment also includes as a second category the operations of ORM Timber Fund I, LP (Fund I), ORM Timber Fund II, Inc. (Fund II), and ORM Timber Fund III (REIT), Inc. (Fund III), which are consolidated into our financial statements.  When referring to all the Funds collectively, depending on context, we will use the designations “Fund” or “the Funds” interchangeably.  The Funds’ assets consist of 80,000 acres of timberland located in western Washington, western Oregon and northern California. Fund I acquired 24,000 acres of timberland in 2006, Fund II acquired its 37,000 acres of timberland in 2009 and 2010. Fund III acquired 19,000 acres of northern California timberland in the fourth quarter of 2012, a deployment of approximately 25% of its committed capital. We will refer to tree farms owned by the Funds as “Fund tree farms”. The Partnership’s ownership interest in both Funds I and II is 20% and is 5% with respect to Fund III.
 
 
3

 
 
When referring to the Partnership and Fund tree farms together we will refer to them as the “Combined tree farms”. When referring to the combination of the Partnership’s tree farms and the aggregate proportion of each of the Funds owned by the Partnership, we will refer to the sums as “Look-through totals”.  Our Fee Timber segment produced 84%, 92%, and 89% of our consolidated revenue in 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively.

Inventory. Timber volume is generally expressed in thousand board feet (MBF) or million board feet (MMBF). In the discussion below, inventory and projected harvest level data for the Partnership’s tree farms is presented separately from that of the Funds’ tree farms, in addition to presentation of inventory and harvest level data on a Look-through basis. We define “merchantable timber inventory” to mean timber inventory in productive timber stands that are 35 years of age and older.

Partnership merchantable inventory (volumes in MMBF) as of December 31:
 
   
2012
       
Age Class
 
Sawtimber
   
Pulpwood
   
Total
   
2011 Total
 
35 to 39
    81       20       101       82  
40 to 44
    56       12       68       78  
45 to 49
    30       5       35       31  
50 to 54
    4       1       5       10  
55 to 59
    10       2       12       12  
60 to 64
    14       2       16       20  
65+
    45       7       52       66  
      240       49       289       299  

Total merchantable inventory on the Partnership’s tree farms decreased 3%, or 10 MMBF, from 299 MMBF in 2011 to 289 MMBF in 2012. This decrease resulted from the harvest of 52 MMBF, which included a 4.4 MMBF timber deed sale and 8 MMBF of previously deferred harvest volume. The 3% decline in merchantable inventory includes growth and shifts in age-class layers as standing timber reached 35 years of age and began to be included in merchantable timber inventory.
 
Fund merchantable inventory (volumes in MMBF) as of December 31:
 
   
2012
       
Age Class
 
Sawtimber
   
Pulpwood
   
Total
   
2011 Total
 
35 to 39
    80       17       97       93  
40 to 44
    103       37       140       101  
45 to 49
    47       11       58       49  
50 to 54
    29       8       37       48  
55 to 59
    27       6       33       20  
60 to 64
    6       3       9       3  
65+
    9       2       11       10  
      301       84       385       324  
 
 
4

 
 
In 2012, the Funds’ tree farms experienced a 19% increase in merchantable inventory, or 61 MMBF, primarily as a result of the Fund III acquisition which added 59 MMBF of merchantable timber. These additions were partially offset by 32 MMBF of timber harvested in 2012. The Funds’ merchantable volume also increased due to growth and the shift in new age-class layers as standing timber reached 35 years of age, and adjustments as a result of ongoing cruises.
 
Look-through merchantable inventory (volumes in MMBF) as of December 31:
       
   
2012 Volume
   
2011 Volume
 
   
Partnership
         
Partnership
       
      100%    
Share of
   
Look-
      100%    
Share of
   
Look-
 
Age Class
   
Owned
   
Funds
   
through
     
Owned
   
Funds
   
through
 
35 to 39
    101       19       120       82       19       101  
40 to 44
    68       21       89       78       20       98  
45 to 49
    35       11       46       31       10       41  
50 to 54
    5       7       12       10       9       19  
55 to 59
    12       7       19       12       4       16  
60 to 64
    16       1       17       20       1       21  
65+
    52       2       54       66       2       68  
      289       68       357       299       65       364  
 
Merchantable inventory volume on a Look-through basis was 357 MMBF as of December 31, 2012, which is 2%, or 7 MMBF, lower than the 364 MMBF as of December 31, 2011.  From a Look-through standpoint, the impact of the Fund III inventory increase is heavily muted because the Partnership’s share of that Fund is only 5%.

As of December 31, 2012, total merchantable inventory volume from the Combined tree farms was estimated to be 674 MMBF, which is 8%, or 51 MMBF, greater than the estimated merchantable timber inventory volume of 623 MMBF at December 31, 2011.  Most of this increase is attributable to the aforementioned Fund III acquisition that added 59 MMBF during 2012.

Timber inventory volume estimates are updated annually. Of the timber stands older than 24 years, 10% to 20% are physically re-measured each year using a statistical sampling process called “cruising”. Adjustments are made for depletion of areas harvested, growth, changes in acres and associated timber volume resulting from acquisitions, dispositions, and reclassification of acres as available or unavailable for harvest.
 
The dominant timber species on the Partnership’s tree farms is Douglas-fir, which has unique structural characteristics that make it generally preferable to other softwoods and hardwoods for the production of construction grade lumber and plywood. A secondary conifer, or softwood, species on the Partnership’s tree farms is western hemlock, which is similar in color and structural characteristics to a number of other minor conifer timber species, including Sitka spruce and the true firs. These species are thus purchased and manufactured into lumber generically, and referred to as “whitewoods”. There is also a minor amount of another conifer species, western red cedar, which is used in siding and fencing. Hardwood species on the Partnership’s tree farms include red alder and other minor hardwoods. The merchantable timber inventory on Fund properties contains a greater proportion of whitewoods than do the Partnership’s timberlands.  With the acquisition of Fund III in northern California, we added ponderosa pine and white fir to the Combined species inventory.  Ponderosa pine is used for shelving, lumber, and parts for windows, doors, and furniture.  White fir is a member of the whitewood species group and is used primarily for lumber production and the core layers in plywood.
 
 
5

 

Partnership merchantable inventory (volumes in MMBF) as of December 31:
       
Species
 
2012 Volume
   
Percent of total
   
2011 Volume
   
Percent of total
 
Douglas-fir
    206       71 %     214       72 %
Western hemlock
    35       12 %     37       12 %
Western red cedar
    15       5 %     15       5 %
Other conifer
    11       4 %     12       4 %
Red alder
    19       7 %     18       6 %
Other hardwood
    3       1 %     3       1 %
Total
    289       100 %     299       100 %
 
 
Fund merchantable inventory (volumes in MMBF) as of December 31:
       
Species
 
2012 Volume
   
Percent of total
   
2011 Volume
   
Percent of total
 
Douglas-fir
    191       50 %     185       57 %
Western hemlock
    91       23 %     90       28 %
Western red cedar
    2       1 %     2       1 %
Ponderosa pine
    17       4 %     -       - %
White fir
    32       8 %     -       - %
Other conifer
    38       10 %     33       10 %
Red alder
    12       3 %     12       3 %
Other hardwood
    2       1 %     2       1 %
Total
    385       100 %     324       100 %
 
 
Look-through merchantable inventory (volumes in MMBF) as of December 31:
 
   
2012 Volume
 
   
Partnership
             
      100%    
Share of
   
Look-
   
Percent
 
Species
   
Owned
   
Funds
   
through
   
of total
 
Douglas-fir
    206       37       243       68 %
Western hemlock
    35       18       53       15 %
Western red cedar
    15       -       15       4 %
Ponderosa pine
    -       1       1       - %
White fir
    -       2       2       1 %
Other conifer
    11       7       18       5 %
Red alder
    19       3       22       6 %
Other hardwood
    3       -       3       1 %
Total
    289       68       357       100 %
 
 
6

 
 
Look-through merchantable inventory (volumes in MMBF) as of December 31:
       
   
2011 Volume
 
   
Partnership
             
      100%    
Share of
   
Look-
   
Percent
 
Species
   
Owned
   
Funds
   
through
   
of total
 
Douglas-fir
    214       37       251       69 %
Western hemlock
    37       18       55       15 %
Western red cedar
    15       -       15       4 %
Ponderosa pine
    -       -       -       - %
White fir
    -       -       -       - %
Other conifer
    12       7       19       5 %
Red alder
    18       3       21       6 %
Other hardwood
    3       -       3       1 %
Total
    299       65       364       100 %
 
The Partnership’s tree farms as of December 31, 2012 include approximately 113,000 acres. Of this total, approximately 96,000 acres are designated as productive acres, meaning land that is capable of growing merchantable timber and where the harvesting of that timber is not constrained by physical, environmental or regulatory restrictions. The Funds’ tree farms as of December 31, 2012 totaled approximately 80,000 acres, of which almost 71,000 were designated as productive acres.  Productive acres on a Look-through basis, as of December 31, 2012, were 107,000 acres.  Approximately 32% of the Partnership’s acreage and 29% of Fund acreage is in the 25-34 year age classes, much of which will begin moving from pre-merchantable to merchantable timber inventory over the next five years. As of December 31, 2012, Combined productive acres are spread by timber age-class as follows:
 
Age
 
12/31/2012 Acres (in thousands)
Class
 
Partnership
   
%
 
Funds
   
%
 
Combined
   
%
Clear-cut
  2.5     2 %   1.5     2 %     4.0     2 %
0 to 4
  6.6     7 %   3.5     5 %     10.1     6 %
5 to 9
  10.8     11 %   4.1     6 %     14.9     9 %
10 to 14
  10.2     11 %   4.5     6 %     14.7     9 %
15 to 19
  9.7     10 %   2.5     3 %     12.2     7 %
20 to 24
  9.4     10 %   11.7     17 %     21.1     13 %
25 to 29
  17.0     18 %   7.3     10 %     24.3     15 %
30 to 34
  14.0     14 %   13.2     19 %     27.2     17 %
35 to 39
  6.6     7 %   7.4     10 %     14.0     8 %
40 to 44
  3.7     4 %   7.9     11 %     11.6     7 %
45 to 49
  1.6     2 %   3.5     5 %     5.1     3 %
50 to 54
  0.3     - %   1.7     2 %     2.0     1 %
55 to 59
  0.7     1 %   1.2     2 %     1.9     1 %
60 to 64
  0.6     1 %   0.4     1 %     1.0     1 %
65+
  1.9     2 %   0.4     1 %     2.3     1 %
    95.6           70.8             166.4        
 
 
7

 
 
Look-through productive acres are spread by timber age-class as follows as of December 31, 2012:
 
   
12/31/2012 Acres (in thousands)
 
Age
  100%          
Share of
         
Look-
       
Class
 
Owned
   
%
 
Funds
   
%
 
through
   
%
Clear-cut
  2.5     2 %   0.3     3 %     2.8     2 %
0 to 4
  6.6     7 %   0.6     5 %     7.2     7 %
5 to 9
  10.8     11 %   0.6     5 %     11.4     11 %
10 to 14
  10.2     11 %   0.8     7 %     11.0     10 %
15 to 19
  9.7     10 %   0.5     4 %     10.2     9 %
20 to 24
  9.4     10 %   1.7     15 %     11.1     10 %
25 to 29
  17.0     18 %   1.4     12 %     18.4     17 %
30 to 34
  14.0     14 %   1.6     14 %     15.6     15 %
35 to 39
  6.6     7 %   1.4     12 %     8.0     7 %
40 to 44
  3.7     4 %   1.2     11 %     4.9     5 %
45 to 49
  1.6     2 %   0.6     5 %     2.2     2 %
50 to 54
  0.3     - %   0.3     3 %     0.6     1 %
55 to 59
  0.7     1 %   0.2     2 %     0.9     1 %
60 to 64
  0.6     1 %   0.1     1 %     0.7     1 %
65+
  1.9     2 %   0.1     1 %     2.0     2 %
    95.6           11.4             107.0        
 
Look-through productive acres are spread by timber age-class as follows as of December 31, 2011:
 
   
12/31/2011 Acres (in thousands)
 
Age
  100%          
Share of
         
Look-
       
Class
 
Owned
   
%
 
Funds
   
%
 
through
   
%
Clear-cut
  3.4     4 %   0.3     3 %     3.7     3 %
0 to 4
  5.2     5 %   0.4     4 %     5.6     5 %
5 to 9
  11.2     12 %   0.5     5 %     11.7     11 %
10 to 14
  12.3     13 %   0.6     6 %     12.9     12 %
15 to 19
  6.7     7 %   0.7     7 %     7.4     7 %
20 to 24
  12.4     13 %   1.4     14 %     13.8     13 %
25 to 29
  17.2     18 %   1.4     14 %     18.6     18 %
30 to 34
  11.5     12 %   1.2     12 %     12.7     12 %
35 to 39
  5.5     6 %   1.4     14 %     6.9     7 %
40 to 44
  4.3     4 %   1.1     11 %     5.4     5 %
45 to 49
  1.5     2 %   0.5     5 %     2.0     2 %
50 to 54
  0.6     1 %   0.4     4 %     1.0     1 %
55 to 59
  0.7     1 %   0.1     1 %     0.8     1 %
60 to 64
  0.8     1 %   -     - %     0.8     1 %
65+
  2.5     2 %   -     - %     2.5     2 %
    95.8           10.0             105.8        
 
 
8

 
 
Long-term Harvest Planning. Long-term harvest plans for the Partnership’s tree farms and the Funds’ tree farms reflect the different ownership time horizons associated with each group.  Plans for the Partnership timberlands are designed to maintain sustainable harvest levels, assuming indefinite ownership.  Plans for the Funds’ tree farms, on the other hand, reflect the 10-13 year combined investment and drawdown term of each fund and take into account the different mix of age classes in each fund. The harvest level for the Funds’ tree farms is developed to maximize the total return during each of the Funds’ investment periods by blending harvest income with the value of the portfolio upon disposition. This will result in more harvest variability between years than is the case with the Partnership’s tree farms. The Funds’ tree farms also enjoy greater harvest flexibility relative to the Partnership’s tree farms due to the fact that they have nearly two times the percentage of merchantable acres (32% of Fund productive acres are 35 years of age and older versus 17% for Partnership tree farms), resulting in a harvest range of 15 - 50 MMBF in a given year.

In response to a dramatic downturn in log prices in 2008, we began deferring harvest volume from the Combined tree farms and continued doing so into 2010. Beginning in 2010, the reduction in China’s log imports from Russia opened up an opportunity for North American log producers to supply a larger portion of the growing Chinese market. Over the course of 2010 and into 2011, log export volumes from the Pacific Northwest to China surged, resulting in log prices that were unexpectedly high during the first half of 2011.  Timberland owners took advantage of opportunities to harvest deferred volume into a strengthening log market. By the second half of 2011, however, the Chinese government restricted credit to try to curb inflation and slow down the pace of building. This resulted in the buildup of inventory and, in turn, a weakening of demand and pricing in 2011’s fourth quarter.  During 2012, export log prices for both the China and Japan segments of the export market remained at a diminished premium over the pricing of U.S. domestic sawmills.  This narrowed spread was primarily an outgrowth of strengthening prices for lumber in the United States as the U.S. domestic housing market slowly improved, combined with a decline in the price of export logs.  The premium offered for export logs was thin enough to encourage delivery of our logs to domestic customers closer in distance from the point of production.  The resulting savings in haul costs allowed for higher realized net stumpage.  Some specialty mills that produce high-grade lumber for export to Japan were able to offer prices for export quality logs that were equivalent to those paid by exporters, which had the added result of haul savings over the export option.  In general, net stumpage realizations were attractive enough in 2012 to continue the harvest of some deferred volume from 2008 through 2010 that had begun in 2011.

Over the next three to five years, assuming a continuation in log market price recovery, we expect to take advantage of spikes in demand and corresponding pricing opportunities to increase the harvest volume from the Partnership’s tree farms to meter in an additional 17 MMBF (see table below) deferred during the recent economic downturn on top of the sustainable harvest level of 44 MMBF per year. Similarly, harvest from Fund tree farms will incorporate 15 MMBF of deferred harvest volume. As described above, the base level of harvest from the Funds’ tree farms will fluctuate more widely relative to the planned harvest level of 47 MMBF. Assuming full operations on the Funds’ existing tree farms, the long-term planned annual harvest level for each ownership and on a Look-through basis, along with cumulative deferred volumes, can be found in the table below:
 
                     
Accumulated
 
(amounts in MMBF)
       
Look-through
   
Accumulated
   
Look-through
 
   
Planned annual
   
planned annual
   
volume deferral
   
volume deferral
 
   
harvest volume
   
harvest volume
      2009-12       2009-12  
Partnership Properties
    44       44       17       17  
Fund Properties
    47       9       15       3  
Total
    91       53       32       20  
 
Marketing and Markets. The following marketing and markets discussion applies to the Combined tree farms.  We market timber by selling finished logs to wood manufacturers or to export brokers.  To do so, we engage independent logging contractors to harvest the standing timber and manufacture it into logs that we then sell on the open market. We retain title to the logs until delivery takes place, which normally occurs at a customer log yard. We sell our logs to international customers and to domestic manufacturers, the former through log exporting intermediaries. While domestic manufacturers historically represent the largest consumer of our sawlogs, they slid behind export markets as a percent of total sawlog production in the fourth quarter of 2010 and have bounced between the primary and secondary market for us since that time.
 
 
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Historically, Japanese customers have paid a premium for the highest quality logs from which visually appealing beams for residential construction are produced. U.S. mills, on the other hand, manufacture mostly framing lumber requiring structural integrity for wall systems that are concealed by drywall. The logs required by U.S. sawmills for domestic lumber consumption do not have to be of as high a quality and are more of a commodity relative to logs headed for the Japanese market, and thus command a lower price. In recent years the export market for logs in the Pacific Northwest has been migrating from a market highly focused on Japan to a market that now includes more volume to China. In late 2010, China overtook Japan as the largest importer of Pacific Northwest logs. Sawlogs sold to China are used chiefly for cement forms, pallets, and other low-end uses that can be satisfied with the commoditized logs traditionally purchased by domestic sawmills. The lower average sawlog quality and more diverse species mix flowing to China, combined with the limited volume of high-quality Douglas-fir flowing to Japan, has resulted in a narrowing of the overall export premium received for sales of logs into these export markets relative to the domestic market. In 2011, the U.S. home building industry was still in a slump, with low lumber demand and pricing making it hard for U.S. mills to compete for logs. Domestic mills, however, were able to sell significant volumes of lumber into the Chinese market, allowing them to better compete for log supply.   Domestic lumber markets improved in 2012 in response to declines in domestic home inventories and increases in home values that have spurred a sharp increase in housing starts.  These modest economic improvements, coupled with spot export markets, helped to form a consistent, yet diverse, sales base in 2012.

The logs that we sell to China, Japan, and Korea are actually sold to U.S.-based brokers who in turn sell directly to offshore customers. Our decision to sell through intermediaries is predicated on risk management. Mitigation of foreign exchange risk, loss prevention, and minimizing cash collection risks inform our decision to sell through brokers. For the years 2005 through 2009, the percentage of our annual production sold into export markets ranged from 6% to 15%. For the years 2010 and 2011, however, our export mix surged to 33% to 45%, respectively, as demand from China continued to climb. With the narrowing of the export premium, the percent of logs sold to export customers diminished to 25% in 2012.  Factors that affect the proportion of our sales to export markets include the relative strength of U.S. and foreign building markets, currency exchange rates, hauling costs to export ports, and ocean transportation costs.

Customers. Logs from the Combined tree farms are sold to export intermediaries located at the ports of Longview, Tacoma, Port Angeles, and Olympia, Washington and Astoria, Oregon. The Partnership sells logs from its own tree farms and from Fund properties domestically to lumber mills and other wood fiber processors located throughout western Washington, northwest Oregon, and northern California. Whether destined for export or domestic markets, the cost of transporting logs limits the destinations to which the Partnership can profitably deliver and sell its logs.

The ultimate decision on where to sell logs is based on the net proceeds we receive after considering the delivered log prices from a prospective customer and the hauling cost needed to get logs to that customer. In some instances where harvest operations are in close proximity to a mill relative to the export yard of a broker, we will take advantage of favorable haul costs over selling to an export customer whose nominal log price may be higher but whose yard may be a greater distance from a harvest unit. The higher net stumpage earned by selling to the domestic mill will, in such instances, result in sales of logs originally intended for Asia being diverted to domestic markets. As such, delivered log prices that we realize are influenced by marketing decisions informed by net stumpage rather than merely focusing on the delivered per MBF log price.

Weyerhaeuser was the largest customer for our Fee Timber segment in 2012, representing 23% of segment revenue. The Combined tree farms delivered logs to 45 separate customers during 2012, compared to 50 during 2011.

Competition. Most of our competitors are comparable in size or larger. Log sellers compete on the basis of quality, pricing, and the ability to satisfy volume demands for various types and grades of logs to particular markets. Management believes that the location, type, and grade of timber from the Combined tree farms will enable it to compete effectively in these markets. However, our products are subject to some competition from a variety of non-wood and engineered wood products as well as competition from foreign-produced logs and lumber.
 
 
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Forestry and Stewardship Practices. Timberland management activities on the Combined tree farms include reforestation, control of competing brush in young stands, thinning of the timber to achieve optimal spacing after stands are established, fertilization, and road maintenance. During 2012, we planted 1.2 million seedlings on 3,300 acres of the Combined tree farms. This compares to the years 2011 and 2010 in which the Partnership planted 803,000 and 657,000 seedlings on 2,000 and 1,800 acres, respectively, of the Combined tree farms. Seedlings are generally planted from December to April, depending on weather and soil conditions, to restock plantations that were harvested during the preceding twelve months. Planting will vary from year to year based upon harvest level, the timing of harvest, and seedling availability. Management’s policy is to return all timberlands to productive status in the first planting season after harvest.

 All harvest and road construction activities are conducted under the forest practice rules and regulations of the applicable state. These regulations are comprehensive sets of rules that require project-specific permits that govern a defined set of forest operations.  For example, an application for harvest or road construction must address soil stability and potential impact to public resources. In many cases we consult third-party, state-qualified, geo-technical consultants to promote safety and regulatory compliance. In addition to new road construction, existing roads are maintained to the standards of the applicable state forest practices act in order to minimize siltation of nearby streams and avoid slope failures.

In Washington, beginning in 2000, all roads were required to be evaluated for hazards and scheduled for upgrading or deconstruction (abandonment), if needed, by the end of 2015. We developed a compliance schedule for our roads in Washington and it was accepted by the state. At the beginning of 2011, our efforts were on track to complete all maintenance activities by 2015. Due to the economic downturn, the state established a process in 2011 to extend the timeframe for these requirements, allowing an additional five years to complete the necessary work. The Partnership will exercise this option for some Fund properties. Oregon does not presently have a similar road maintenance and abandonment plan requirement.

Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI®). Since 2001, we have been a member of the SFI forest certification program, an independent environmental review and certification program that promotes sustainable forest management, focusing on water quality, biodiversity, wildlife habitat, and species protection. With our voluntary entry into this certification program, we have been subject to independent audits of the required standards for the program. Management views this certification as an important indication of our commitment to manage our lands sustainably while continually seeking ways to improve our management practices. We believe this commitment is an important business practice that contributes positively to our reputation and to the long-term value of our assets.

Beginning in 2007, SFI third-party audits increased in frequency from every three years to annually. We were re-certified in 2012, which includes both the Partnership and Fund properties. We believe this certification allows us to obtain the broadest market penetration for our logs while protecting the core timberland assets of the Partnership and the Funds.
 
 
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Timberland Management & Consulting

Background. In 1997, the Partnership formed two wholly owned subsidiaries, ORM, Inc. and Olympic Resource Management LLC (“ORMLLC”), to facilitate the Timberland Management & Consulting activities. Our TM&C segment earns management fees and incurs expenses resulting from managing property on behalf of third-party owners and investors. Since the launch of our timberland private equity fund strategy in 2003, the activities in this segment have consisted primarily of attracting third-party investment capital for the Funds and then acquiring and managing properties on behalf of the Funds.  When we discuss the TM&C properties we will refer to either the acquisition values, defined as contractually agreed-upon prices paid for the properties, or the value of assets under management, defined as the current appraised value of the properties.  As of December 31, 2012, we manage 80,000 acres of timberland properties in Washington, Oregon, and California  in this business segment with combined appraised values of $231 million.

ORMLLC has deployed capital for the Funds with a total acquisition value of $195 million, which includes our co-investment of approximately $31 million. In July 2012 we completed our final close of Fund III with commitments totaling $180 million, including our co-investment commitment of $9 million. The Funds afford us greater economies of scale in the management, acquisition, and disposition of timberland than would be possible with the Partnership’s investment capital alone. In addition, we earn management fees that are paid by the Funds for managing the Funds and their respective timberland portfolios. Accounting rules require us to consolidate the Funds into our financial statements, based in part on ORMLLC’s controlling role as the general partner or managing member of the Funds, resulting in the elimination of $2.2 million, $2.4 million, and $1.5 million of management fee revenue in 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively. These fees are eliminated in concert with a corresponding elimination of operating expenses for the Fee Timber segment.

Operations. The TM&C segment’s key activity is to provide investment and timberland management services to the Funds and to other third-party timberland owners. We anticipate growth in this segment as we continue to manage the Funds, together with any future funds successfully established by the Partnership. The TM&C segment represents less than 1% of consolidated revenue for each of the three years ended December 31, 2010 through 2012, due to the elimination of the fees generated from asset and timberland management of the Funds.  This may leave the reader to wonder why even bother with the TM&C business.  The Partnership’s bottom line does benefit, however, in at least three distinct ways.  First, we benefit through the opportunity to co-invest in each of these funds.  By partnering with other investors we are able to diversify our capital across more tree farms than we could by investing for ourselves.  Second, third party investors are paying the majority of the fees associated with managing these Funds.  Third, we benefit from the economies of scale generated through managing these additional acres of timberland.

As stated above, the primary activity of this segment is the building and managing of diversified timberland portfolios for investors that include third parties and the Partnership. Management views this objective as the primary means of increasing the Partnership’s total timberland base, through our co-investment, while at the same time improving overall management economies of scale, spreading acquisition costs over additional capital, and generating fee income. We earn annual asset and investment management fees for managing this capital once timberland properties are acquired.  We also earn annual timberland management fees on acres owned by the Funds and log marketing fees based on harvest activity from Fund tree farms. At the end of a Fund term, if a Fund achieves threshold return levels, we earn a carried interest incentive fee.

As mentioned earlier, accounting guidance requires that all fees generated from managing the Funds and corresponding operating expenses for the Fee Timber segment are eliminated as a result of consolidation of the Funds into the Partnership’s financial statements. The elimination of these fees and corresponding operating expenses results in a decrease in the otherwise reported cost per acre of managing Fund tree farms under our Fee Timber segment as well as eliminating the revenue generated from managing the Funds in the TM&C segment. An effect of these eliminations is to make the Fee Timber results look stronger and the TM&C results look correspondingly weaker.

The follow table provides fund-specific statistics as of December 31, 2012:
 
 
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Date
 
Number of
   
Total
   
Values (in millions)
 
 
closed
 
tree farms
   
acres
   
at acquistion
 
Fund I
Aug-05
    2       24,000     $ 57.8  
Fund II
Mar-09
    4       37,000       92.6  
Fund III*
Jul-12
    1       19,000       45.1  
        7       80,000     $ 195.5  
                           
*Fund III has $134 million of committed capital remaining to be invested as of December 31, 2012.
 
 
Marketing. When raising capital for a new Fund, we market these opportunities to accredited investors with an interest in investing alongside a manager with a specific regional specialization and expertise in the timberland asset class. Our Funds fill a unique niche among timberland investment management organizations due to our degree of co-investment, relatively small size, and regional specialization. Additional marketing and business development efforts include regular contact with forest products industry representatives, non-industry owners, and others who provide key financial services to the timberland sector. Our acquisition and disposition activities keep management informed of changes in timberland ownership that can represent opportunities for us to market our management and consulting services.

Customers. The Funds are the primary customers and users of TM&C services.

Competition. We compete against both larger and comparably sized companies providing similar timberland investment management services. There are over 20 established timberland investment management organizations competing against us in this business. The companies in this group have access to established sources of capital and, in some cases, increased economies of scale that can put us at a disadvantage. Our value proposition to investors is our long track record of success in the Pacific Northwest and our co-investment in each of the Funds.
 
Limitation on Expenditures. The 1997 amendment to Pope Resources’ Limited Partnership Agreement authorizing launch of the Investor Portfolio Management Business (“IPMB”) limits our cumulative net expenditures incurred in connection with the IPMB to $5.0 million including debt guarantees. As of December 31, 2012, cumulative expenditures incurred in pursuit of IPMB opportunities, including guarantees, were less than cumulative income generated. Therefore, cumulative net expenditures as of December 31, 2012 against the $5.0 million limit are zero.
 
Real Estate

Background. The Partnerships real estate activities are closely associated with the management of its timberlands. Management continually evaluates timberlands in terms of the best economic use, whether this means continuing to grow and harvest timber, seeking a rezone of the property for sale or development, or working with conservation organizations and the public on a sale. After timberland has been logged, management has a choice between four primary alternatives for the underlying land: reforest and continue to use as timberland, sell as undeveloped property, undertake some level of development to prepare the land for sale as improved property, or hold as property slated for later development or sale. Generally speaking, the Real Estate segment’s activities consist of investing in and later reselling improved properties, and holding properties for later development and sale. As a result, revenue from this segment tends to fluctuate substantially, and is characterized by relatively long periods in which revenue is relatively low, while expenses incurred to increase the value of the Partnership’s development properties may be higher. During periods of diminished demand, however, soft costs and infrastructure investment are managed so as to minimize negative cash flows. When improved properties are sold, income is recognized in the form of sale price net of acquisition and development costs. The Partnership has a 2,900-acre portfolio of property for which management believes there to be a higher and better use than timberland.
 
 
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Operations. Real Estate operations focus on maximizing the value of the Partnership’s real estate portfolio. For Real Estate projects, management secures entitlements and/or infrastructure necessary to make development possible and then sells the entitled property to a party who will construct improvements. In addition, this segment works to negotiate conservation easements (CE) that typically encumber Fee Timber properties to preclude land from future development. The third and final area of operations in this segment includes leasing residential and commercial properties in Port Gamble, Washington, and leasing out a portion of a commercial office building in Poulsbo, Washington. The Real Estate segment represents 16%, 8%, and 11% of consolidated revenue in 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively.

Development Properties
Other Land Investments. Management recognizes the significant value represented by the Partnership’s Real Estate holdings and is focused on adding to that value. The means and methods of adding value to this portfolio vary considerably depending on the specific location and zoning of each parcel. The variety of our holdings extends from land that has commercial activity zoning where unit values are valued on a per-square-foot basis to large lots of recently cutover timberland where value is measured in per-acre terms. In general, value-adding activities that allow for the highest-and-best-use of the properties include: working with communities and elected officials to develop grass roots support for entitlement efforts, securing favorable comprehensive plan designation and zoning, acquiring easements, and obtaining preliminary plat approvals.

Master planned communities in Gig Harbor, Kingston, Port Gamble, Bremerton, Hansville, and Port Ludlow, Washington make up approximately 47% of the acres in our development property portfolio. Due to each property’s size, development complexity, and regulatory environment, the projects are long-term in nature and require extensive time and capital investments to maximize returns.

Gig Harbor. Gig Harbor, a suburb of Tacoma, Washington, is the site of Harbor Hill, a mixed-use development project that includes a 16-acre retail/commercial site, 28 acres of business park lots, and 188 acres of land with residential zoning. A 20-year development agreement was approved in late 2010.  We received preliminary plat approval in early 2011 for the then 200-acre residential portion of this project that at that time included 554 single-family and 270 multi-family units. Key provisions of the development agreement and plat approval include: (a) extending the project approval from 7 to 20 years; (b) reserving sufficient domestic water supply, sanitary sewer, and traffic trip capacity on behalf of the project’s 824 residential units; and (c) waiver of park impact fees in exchange for a 7-acre parcel of land for City park purposes. All components of this project have transportation, water and sewer capacities reserved for full build-out. Management has been in discussions with a number of different interested parties for sale of subsets of both the single- and multi-family portions of this project.  In December 2012, we sold an 11.5-acre residential land parcel containing 172 multi-family units from our Gig Harbor development.

Kingston. The Partnership owns a 360-acre property in Kingston that is named “Arborwood” with plans for the development of 663 single-family and 88 multi-family lots. Final approval of a preliminary plat and a 15-year development agreement was completed in February 2010. Further development will not proceed until the local market demonstrates an increased appetite for residential lots. The Partnership owns an additional 366 acres bordering this project, which has zoning for 5-acre lots.  This property is currently under option for conservation as open space to be added to the North Kitsap Heritage Park, the neighboring park owned by Kitsap County, if funding for acquisition is secured.

Port Gamble. The Partnership currently owns and operates the town of Port Gamble, Washington, northwest of Kingston on the Kitsap Peninsula. Port Gamble was designated a “Rural Historic Town” under Washington’s Growth Management Act in 1999. This designation allows for substantial new commercial, industrial, and residential development using historic land use patterns and densities while maintaining the town’s unique architectural character. In 2012 substantial work was completed toward making a plat application to Kitsap County that, if approved, will allow for between 200 and 240 additional residential units and 200,000 to 260,000 square feet of additional commercial building space. Submission of this master plan for the 114-acre townsite and adjoining 205-acre agrarian district was submitted in January 2013, kicking off what is expected to be a multi-year period of environmental impact review and public comment before any construction can take place. The plan currently calls for development of homes, an inn, a dock, waterfront trails, and an agricultural area with a creamery, garden plots, greenhouses, orchard and winery. The vision is also to bring back the New England-style homes that have slowly disappeared since Port Gamble’s heyday in the 1920’s. Walking trails along the shoreline, through the adjoining forestlands and along pastoral farmland would contribute to the lifestyle of residents and enhance Port Gamble as a unique tourist attraction.

 
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Bremerton. The West Hills area of Bremerton, Washington is the site of a 46-acre industrial park which is being developed in two phases that will result in a total of 24 lots. Construction on the 9 lots that make up Phase I was completed in 2007. One lot has been sold from Phase I. We currently anticipate that, at the completion of the sale of Phase I lots, infrastructure spending and marketing will commence for Phase II.

Hansville. The Partnership owns a 149-acre residential development project in Hansville called “Chatham”, with 19 parcels ranging from 3 to 10 acres in size. Construction was completed in late 2007 and the lots are currently being marketed for sale. To date, only one lot has sold from this project.

Port Ludlow. Port Ludlow represents a 256-acre property located just outside the Master Planned Resort boundary of Port Ludlow, Washington. We currently expect preliminary plat approval in late 2013 that, if obtained, will allow for up to 54 lots ranging from 1 to 1.5 acres each, with the balance of the property designated as open space. Development beyond the point of plat approval will not commence until demand for rural residential lots improves.

Rural Residential. Management launched the Rural Lifestyles program to capitalize on higher-and-better-use real estate values. These properties are typically non-contiguous smaller lots ranging in size between 5 and 40 acres with zoning ranging from one dwelling unit per 5 acres to one per 80 acres. Development and disposition strategies vary depending on the property’s unique characteristics. Development efforts and costs expended to ready these properties for sale include work to obtain development entitlements that will increase the property’s value as residential property as well as making improvements to existing logging roads, constructing new roads, extending dry utilities, and sometimes establishing gated entrances. As is the case with much of the Real Estate portfolio, investments in the Rural Lifestyles program have been restricted to costs necessary to achieve entitlements, while deferring construction costs until such point in time when market conditions improve.

Commercial Properties
Poulsbo. In 2010 the Partnership was approached about selling its 10,000-square-foot headquarters building and underlying 2-acre parcel located in Poulsbo, Washington for an attractive price. This induced us in May 2011, before the sale closed on this building, to purchase a nearby 30,000-square-foot commercial office building in Poulsbo, also on a 2-acre parcel of land.  The larger building has a long-term tenant with a five-year, triple-net lease with a term that began in late 2010.  The sale of the 10,000-square-foot building and land was consummated in July 2012.  In November 2012 we moved our headquarters location into the new building, sharing the space with the aforementioned tenant.  This new building currently contains square footage that is under lease but not presently occupied, thus providing potential availability for our expansion or alternative rental to other third parties.

 
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Port Gamble. As described above under “Development Properties”, the Partnership currently owns and operates the town of Port Gamble where 25 residential buildings and approximately 46,000 square feet of commercial building space are currently rented to third-parties.  In addition, the Partnership operates a wedding and events business, with another 8,000 square feet in its venues, that leverages the charm of the townsite to attract clientele.  These commercial activities serve as placeholders to help offset the costs of maintaining the town until the master plan process (also described above) culminates.

The Partnership’s antecedent, Pope & Talbot, Inc. (P&T), operated a sawmill at Port Gamble from 1853 to 1995. Starting in 2002, management worked both directly and indirectly through P&T to remedy environmental contamination at the townsite and millsite and to monitor results of the cleanup efforts. After contamination was discovered at the townsite, millsite, and in the adjacent bay, the Partnership entered into a settlement and remediation agreement with P&T pursuant to which both parties were allocated responsibility for cleanup costs. Under Washington law, both Pope Resources and P&T were “potentially liable persons” (PLP) based on historic ownership and/or operation of the site. These laws provide for joint and several liability among parties owning or operating property on which contamination occurs, meaning that cleanup costs can be assessed against any or all such parties. Following a series of actions under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code that began in 2007, P&T has been liquidated, leaving the Partnership as one of few potentially liable persons.

Negotiations with the Department of Ecology (DOE) during 2012 centered on clean-up action priorities.  Notwithstanding the absence of an agreement or conclusion to the negotiations, we accrued an additional $12.5 million for Port Gamble environmental liabilities during the second quarter of 2012. The accrual was heavily informed by elements of an expanded scope of clean-up actions envisioned by DOE. Consensus, however, has not yet been reached regarding treatment of some overwater structures and degree of cost participation by all the PLPs.  We hope to finalize a clean-up action plan and consent decree in the coming year.

See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Results of Operations – Real Estate – Environmental Remediation Costs.”

Marketing. Marketing efforts were limited given the soft markets for land and real estate.  Marketing related to Development Properties in 2012 was centered on residential, commercial, and industrial lands for sale through traditional brokerage and real estate listing services.  Efforts were also expended to sell North Kitsap lands for conservation.  Commercial Properties marketing was designed to increase visitation to and exposure of Port Gamble, thereby boosting retail sales, which led to improved lease-up of the townsite’s commercial, industrial, and residential spaces.

Customers. Management typically markets properties from the Real Estate portfolio to private individuals, residential contractors, and developers of commercial property. Customers for rental space in the Port Gamble townsite consist of both residential and commercial tenants.

Competition. Development and Commercial Properties compete with local and regional peers that offer land for sale or property for lease.

Transportation. Land values for the Real Estate portfolio are strongly influenced by transportation options between the western side of Puget Sound where our properties are located and the Seattle-Tacoma metropolitan corridor. Transportation options between these areas separated by bodies of water include the Tacoma Narrows Bridge or one of several car/passenger ferries. Ferry transportation within the market area currently utilizes vessels that carry both automobiles and passengers from each of the communities of Kingston, Bremerton, and Bainbridge Island, respectively, to and from Edmonds and Seattle.
 
 
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Employees

As of December 31, 2012, the Partnership employed 49 full-time, salaried employees and 6 part-time and seasonal personnel, who are distributed among the segments as follows:

Segment
 
Full-Time
   
Part-Time/
Seasonal
   
Total
 
Fee Timber
    17       -       17  
Timberland Management & Consulting
    5       -       5  
Real Estate
    15       6       21  
General & Administrative
    12       -       12  
 Totals
    49       6       55  

None of our employees are subject to a collective bargaining agreement and the Partnership has no knowledge that any steps toward unionization are in progress. Management considers the Partnership’s relations with its employees to be good.

Government Regulation

In the operation and management of its tree farms, the Partnership is subject to federal and state law. Washington’s Forest Practices Act, in effect since 1974, is among the most rigorous in the nation. In 2006, in concert with its Forest and Fish Law, Washington received a federal multi-species Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) designation covering its forest regulations. The HCP was intended to give timberland owners 50 years of regulatory stability. There is an adaptive management element to the HCP, where new scientific findings may result in some new or modified regulations which could result in increased costs, additional capital expenditures, and reduced operating flexibility.
 
In Oregon, the laws governing forest practices have the same objectives as in Washington, but lack both some of the rigor of Washington’s regulatory overlay and a counterpart to Washington’s HCP. Whereas in Washington there is a complex application process for forest practices that may take in excess of 30 days, in Oregon the landowner notifies the state of the landowner’s operational intentions, and the regulations are enforced as part of compliance oversight of ongoing operations rather than as part of the notification phase.

In California, the application process for a forest practices permit is similar to that in Washington where documentation must be provided in advance of approval and it must demonstrate the operational protection of public resources.  The California approval process, however, considers multiple forest practices.  For instance, harvest approvals are encompassed in Timber Harvest Plans that may have multiple operations spanning several years.  Review of such plans is more comprehensive, with archaeological, botanical, biological and other disciplines involved.  The public is allowed to review the plans and make comment.  Only a Registered Professional Forester can sign a Timber Harvest Plan, a status that requires multidisciplinary training and testing.  Once approved, a Timber Harvest Plan has a seven-year life.

 The following are examples of potential changes to the regulatory climate that could affect forest practices in Washington and Oregon:
·  
A revised Northern Spotted Owl Recovery Plan was made available to the public on June 30, 2011.  On February 29, 2012 the USFWS released its proposed critical habitat designation for the Northern Spotted Owl, doubling the amount of land across three states (Oregon, Washington, and California) so designated as critical habitat and for the first time including private forests.  Small portions of our Columbia and Fund I tree farms were included in the expanded habitat designation, as were thousands of acres of both industrial timberland and small timbered parcels owned by individuals.  Following publication of the new Critical Habitat designation, we and other private landowners submitted public comment to the USFWS questioning the benefits of the biological attributes of each landowner’s particular property and the appropriateness of inclusion of private lands at all in light of habitat contributions from the private sector already in place.  Following the public comment period, in late 2012 the USFWS dropped all state and private lands from the critical habitat designation, leaving 9.5 million acres of federal land for support of the Northern Spotted Owl Recovery Plan.
 
 
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·  
A 2011 lawsuit in Oregon resulted in a ruling by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals that water channeling structures such as culverts on logging roads are, in fact, point sources of pollution, with the potential impact of requiring an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) discharge permit for each such structure, numbering millions of such permits across the nation. On December 12, 2011 the U.S. Supreme Court issued an order calling for the views of the U.S. Solicitor General on certiorari petitions filed by the state of Oregon and by the Oregon Forest Industry Council. The petitions asked the Supreme Court to review and reverse the 9th Circuit’s decision that storm water runoff from forest roads is a “point source” pollutant requiring a federal pollution discharge permit. In late 2012, just as the Supreme Court was to begin deliberations on whether to hear the appeal, EPA issued new rules that defined logging road drainage structures as non-point pollution sources.  Although this may be seen as a positive action, it does not have the same impact as a Supreme Court reversal of the 9th Circuit decision, in that the EPA decision could lead to further litigation and does not end the issue as would a decision by the Supreme Court.  In fact, a lawsuit was filed in January 2013 by the plaintiff in the original lawsuit, the Northwest Environmental Defense Center (NEDC), challenging the new EPA rule.  Legislatively, several members of Congress are sponsoring a bill that may codify the “silvicultural exemption” to the Clean Water Act, which was effectively overturned by the 9th Circuit’s ruling.  The Supreme Court is expected to make its ruling on the case by the middle of this coming year.
 
·  
State budget shortfalls are affecting state regulatory agencies. We expect that states will impose new, or increase existing, fees for the conduct of forest practices.
 
Regulatory Structure.  Growing and harvesting of timber is subject to numerous laws and government policies intended to protect public resources such as wildlife, water quality, and other social values. Changes in those laws and policies can significantly affect local or regional timber harvest levels and market values of timber-based raw materials. Real estate development activities are also subject to numerous state and local regulations such as the Washington State Growth Management Act (GMA). In addition, the Partnership is subject to federal, state, and local pollution controls (with regard to air, water and land), solid and hazardous waste management, disposal and remediation laws, and regulations in each segment and all geographic regions in which it has operations.

Growth Management. Land holdings throughout Washington are affected by the GMA, which requires counties to submit comprehensive plans that identify the future direction of growth and stipulate where population densities are to be concentrated. The purposes of the GMA include: (1) direction of population growth to population centers (Urban Growth Areas), (2) reduction of “suburban sprawl”, and (3) protection of historical sites. The Partnership works with local governments within the framework of the GMA to develop its real estate holdings to their highest and best use. Oregon also has growth management provisions in its land use laws which served as a model for Washington’s growth management provisions. Oregon's land use laws are generally more stringent outside of urban areas, especially in commercial forest lands where residential conversions are often outright disallowed.

Forest Management Practices. Forest practice regulations in some U.S. states increasingly affect present or future harvest and forest management activities. For example, in some states, these rules have one or more of the following impacts: limiting the size of clear-cut harvest units; requiring some timber to be left unharvested to protect water quality and fish and wildlife habitat; regulating construction and maintenance of forest roads; requiring reforestation following timber harvest; and providing for procedures for state agencies to review and approve proposed forest practice activities.

Each state in which the Partnership owns or manages timberlands has developed “best management practices” to reduce the effects of forest practices on water quality and aquatic habitats. Additional, more stringent regulations may be adopted in order to achieve the following: enhance water quality standards under the federal Clean Water Act, protect fish and wildlife habitat, or advance other public policy objectives.
 
 
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In the state of Washington, the Forests and Fish Law became the basis for revised forest practices rules and regulations. The Washington Forest Protection Association produced the Forest and Fish Report, which provided the basis for the Forests and Fish Law, through the collaborative efforts of Washington’s private landowners, federal, state and county governments, and Native American tribes. The goals of these revised rules are to:

·  
Provide compliance with the Endangered Species Act (ESA) for aquatic and riparian dependent species on private forest lands;
·  
Restore and maintain riparian habitat on private land to support a harvestable supply of fish;
·  
Meet the requirements of the Clean Water Act for water quality on private forest lands; and
·  
Keep the timber industry economically viable in the state of Washington.

The proposed Water Quality Standards that the Washington State Department of Ecology adopted in 2003 have undergone Department of Ecology and public scrutiny. As such, these rules should be sufficient to comply with the Anti-Degradation Implementation Plan as described in the Clean Water Act.

In June 2006, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and NOAA Fisheries signed a Forest Practices Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) for Washington. This HCP is a statewide program protecting 60,000 miles of streams on 9.3 million acres of forestland. It ensures landowners that practicing forestry in Washington meets the requirements for aquatic species designated by the federal Endangered Species Act.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency also promulgated regulations in 2000 requiring states to develop total maximum daily load (“TMDL”) allocations for pollutants in water bodies that have been determined to be “water quality impaired”.  The TMDL requirements set limits on pollutants that may be discharged to a body of water or set additional requirements, such as best management practices for nonpoint sources, including timberland operations, to reduce the amounts of pollutants in water quality impaired bodies of water.  These requirements have impacted tree farming principally through rules requiring tree farms to better minimize siltation of streams caused by roads, harvest operations and other management activities.  TMDL targets will be established for specific water bodies in the states where the Partnership operates and these targets will be set so as to achieve water quality standards within 10 years, when practicable.  In Washington, the Road Maintenance and Abandonment Planning (RMAP) section of the Forest Practices Rules and Regulations has been in place since 2001, under which all sedimentation problems associated with forest roads must be mitigated by 2015.  The Partnership is on schedule to complete the necessary work to meet the 2015 deadline, which will largely address the issue of non-point pollution consisting of sedimentation originating from the Partnership’s forest operations.  The mitigation process has been complicated by the 9th Circuit Court ruling that forest roads are point sources of pollution and will thus require discharge permits as discussed earlier.

The regulatory and non-regulatory forest management programs described above have increased operating costs and resulted in changes in the value of the Combined timberlands. Management does not expect to be disproportionately affected by these programs in comparison with typical timberland owners. Likewise, management does not expect that these programs will significantly disrupt its planned operations over large areas or for extended periods.

Endangered Species and Habitats. A number of fish and wildlife species that inhabit geographic areas near or within Partnership timberlands have been listed as threatened or endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) or similar state laws in the United States. Federal ESA listings include the Northern Spotted Owl, marbled murrelet, numerous salmon species, bull trout, and steelhead trout in the Pacific Northwest. Listings of additional species or populations may result from pending or future citizen petitions or be initiated by federal or state agencies. Federal and state requirements to protect habitat for threatened and endangered species have resulted in restrictions on timber harvest on some timberlands, including some timberlands of the Partnership. Additional listings of fish and wildlife species as endangered, threatened, or sensitive under the ESA and similar state laws as well as regulatory actions taken by federal or state agencies to protect habitat for these species may, in the future, result in the following: an increase in operating costs; additional restrictions on timber harvests; impacts to forest management practices or real estate development activities; and potential impact on timber supply and prices.
 
 
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Item 1A.    RISK FACTORS

We are subject to statutory and regulatory risks that currently limit, and may increasingly limit, our ability to generate income. Our ability to grow and harvest timber can be significantly impacted by legislation, regulations or court rulings that restrict or stop forest practices. For example, events that focus media attention upon natural disasters and damage to timberlands have at various times brought increasing public attention to forestry practices. Additional regulations, whether or not adopted in response to such events, may make it more difficult for us to harvest timber and may reduce the amount of harvestable timber on our properties. These and other restrictions on logging, planting, road building, fertilizing, managing competing vegetation, and other activities can significantly increase the cost or reduce available inventory thereby reducing income. These regulations are likely to have a similar effect on our Timberland Management & Consulting operations, particularly in the case of the Funds. Specific examples of such regulations are cited above on page 17 in our discussion of government regulation.
 
Moreover, the value of our real estate investments, and our income from Real Estate operations, is sensitive to changes in the economic and regulatory environment, as well as various land-use regulations and development risks, including the ability to obtain the necessary permits and land entitlements that would allow us to maximize the revenue from our real estate investments. Our real estate investments are long-term in nature, which raises the risk that unforeseen changes in the economy or laws surrounding development activities may have an adverse effect on our investments. These investments often are highly illiquid and thus may not generate cash flow if and when needed to support our other operations.
 
Consolidation of sawmills in our geographic operating area may reduce competition among our customers, which could adversely affect our log prices. In the past we have experienced, and may continue to experience, consolidation of sawmills in the Pacific Northwest. Because a portion of our cost of sales in our Fee Timber segment, which considers the Combined tree farms, consists of transportation costs for delivery of logs to domestic sawmills, it becomes increasingly expensive to transport logs over longer distances for sales in domestic markets. As a result, a reduction in the number of sawmills, or in the number of sawmill operators, may reduce competition for our logs, increase transportation costs, or both. These consolidations thus may have a material adverse impact upon our Fee Timber revenue or income and, as that segment has traditionally represented our largest business unit, upon our results of operation and financial condition as a whole. Any such material adverse impact on timber revenue and income as a result of regional mill consolidations will also indirectly affect our Timberland Management & Consulting segment in the context of raising capital for investment in Pacific Northwest-based timber funds.
 
We are sensitive to cyclicality of demand and price issues relating to our sales of logs in both domestic and foreign markets. We generate Fee Timber revenue primarily by selling softwood logs to domestic mills and to third-party intermediaries who resell them to the export market. The domestic market for logs in our operating area depends heavily on U.S. housing starts, which are subject to cyclical fluctuations.  In connection with the global financial crisis that occurred in the second half of 2008, housing starts declined dramatically and have remained relatively flat since, which has negatively impacted the demand for lumber. In addition, imported lumber from Canada and increasing market acceptance of engineered wood products have acted to hold down the price of lumber. Although housing starts have recently experienced modest growth, the overall market remains relatively weak and we remain subject to a number of risks, including negative impacts on our operating results, associated with these weak market conditions. The export markets for Pacific Northwest logs are significantly affected by fluctuations in United States, Japanese and, increasingly, Chinese and Korean economies, as well as by the foreign currency exchange rate between these Asian currencies and the U.S. dollar, as well as ocean transportation costs.
 
We and our customers are dependent upon active credit markets to fund operations. We sell logs from our Fee Timber segment to mills and log brokers that in most circumstances rely upon an active credit market to fund their operations. Our Real Estate sales are also often dependent upon credit markets in order to fund acquisitions. To the extent the currently weak economic conditions exacerbates existing borrowing restrictions that impact consumer credit generally, we expect consumers to respond by reducing their expenditures, and those reductions may have the effect of directly reducing our revenues and of indirectly reducing the demand for our products. Any such outcomes could materially and adversely impact our results of operations, cash flows, and financial condition.
 
 
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We may incur losses as a result of natural disasters that may occur, or that may be alleged to have occurred, on our properties. Forests are subject to a number of natural hazards, including damage by fire, hurricanes, insects and disease, and during periods of unusually heavy rain and snowmelt, flooding and landslides may damage homes and personal property. Changes in global climate conditions may intensify these natural hazards. Severe weather conditions and other natural disasters can also reduce the productivity of timberlands and disrupt the harvesting and delivery of forest products. While damage from natural causes is typically localized and would normally affect only a small portion of our timberlands at any one time, these hazards are unpredictable and losses might not be so limited. While management believes we follow sound forest management and risk mitigation procedures, and all forest operations meet or exceed the rules and regulations governing forest practices in Washington, Oregon, and California, we cannot be certain that we will not be the subject of claims based on allegations that we acted improperly in managing our property. These claims may take the form of individual or class action litigation, regulatory or enforcement proceedings, or both. Any such claims could result in substantial defense costs and divert management’s attention from the ongoing operation of our business, and if any such claims were successful, may result in substantial damage awards, fines or civil penalties. Consistent with the practices of other large timber companies, we do not maintain insurance against loss of standing timber on our timberlands due to natural disasters.
 
We have certain environmental remediation liabilities associated with our Port Gamble and former Port Ludlow resort properties, and those liabilities may increase. We currently own certain real estate at Port Gamble on the Kitsap Peninsula and, up until mid-2001, owned real estate property within the resort community of Port Ludlow in Jefferson County in western Washington. We are in active discussions with the Washington State Department of Ecology to promote protection of the environment, optimize and appropriately allocate the remaining cleanup liabilities, and maximize our control over the remediation process.
 
Management continues to monitor the Port Gamble and Port Ludlow cleanup processes closely. The $13.9 million remediation liability balance as of December 31, 2012 represents our best current estimate of the remaining cleanup cost and most likely outcome to various contingencies within both locations. Where possible, the Company records to the most likely point estimate within the range and when no point estimate within the range is better than another, the Company records to the low end of the range of possible outcomes. These liabilities are based upon a number of estimates and judgments that are subject to change as the project progresses. Statistical models have been used to estimate the liability for the aforementioned matters and suggest a potential aggregate range of $11.5 million to $16.1 million which represents a two-standard-deviation range from the mean of possible outcomes generated by the modeling process used to estimate the liability.
 
We rely on contract loggers and truckers who are in short supply and seeking consistent work at increasing rates.  We rely on contract loggers and truckers for the production and transportation, respectively, of our products to customers. During the economic downturn of 2008 and 2009 most industrial forestry firms deferred harvest, which resulted in a shortfall in demand for the contract logging and trucking work force.  Many private logging and trucking companies did not survive the protracted economic downturn.  As the economy has improved and companies return to harvesting, a shortage of logging contractors and truckers has developed.  The remaining contractors who survived did so by reducing their workforce or, in the case of log truckers, converting their trucks to configurations suitable for highway freight hauling.  This decline in the pool of available contractors has resulted in a steady increase in harvest and haul costs and a new requirement to provide continuity of work when soliciting contractor bids for a job.  The commitment to more continuous work could preclude our ability to time markets, affecting total returns.
 
 
21

 
 
We compete with a number of larger competitors that may be better able than we are to absorb price fluctuations, may be able to expend greater resources on production, may have greater access to capital, and may operate more efficiently than we can. We compete against much larger companies in each of our business segments. We compete with these companies for management and line personnel, as well as for purchases of relatively scarce capital assets such as land and standing timber and for sales of our products. These larger competitors may have access to larger amounts of capital and significantly greater economies of scale, and they may be better able to absorb the risks of our line of business. Moreover, the timber industry has experienced significant consolidation in recent years and, as that consolidation occurs, our relative market share decreases and the relative financial capacity of our competitors’ increases. While management believes the Partnership is at a competitive advantage over some of these companies because of our lack of vertical integration into forest products manufacturing, our advantageous tax structure, and management’s attempts to diversify our asset base, we cannot assure readers that competition will not have a material and adverse effect on our results of operations or our financial condition.

The demand for our products is exposed to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. A large portion of our logs are exported to Asian markets, in particular, China, Japan and South Korea. Although we sell our export logs to domestic intermediaries, which has the effect of mitigating our foreign exchange risks, the demand for our products in these markets is affected by the strength of the U.S. dollar relative to the Chinese yuan, the Japanese yen and the Korean won. Exchange rates also impact the ability of our domestic intermediaries to compete in Asian markets with logs that originate from Canada, Russia or the Southern Hemisphere. As a result, a stronger U.S. dollar relative to the home currencies of our foreign customers and competitors could have a material adverse effect on the demand for our logs in our largest export markets.

We benefit from certain tax treatment accorded to master limited partnerships, and if that status changes the holders of our units may realize less advantageous tax consequences. The Partnership is a Master Limited Partnership (MLP) and is therefore not generally subject to U.S. federal income taxes. If a change in tax law (or interpretation of current tax law) caused the Partnership to become subject to income taxes, operating results would be adversely affected. We also have three taxable subsidiaries.

We are controlled by our managing general partner. As a limited partnership, substantially all of our day-to-day affairs are controlled by our managing general partner, Pope MGP, Inc. The board of directors of Pope MGP, Inc. serves as our board of directors, and by virtue of a stockholder agreement, the shareholders of Pope MGP, Inc., Emily T. Andrews and Peter T. Pope, each have the ability to designate one of our directors and to veto the selection of each of our other directors, other than our chief executive officer, who serves as a director by virtue of his executive position. Unitholders may remove the managing general partner only in limited circumstances, including, among other things, a vote of the holders of a two-thirds majority of the “qualified units,” which means the units that have been owned by their respective holders for at least five years prior to such vote. By virtue of the terms of our agreement of limited partnership, as amended, or “partnership agreement”, our managing general partner directly, and Mrs. Andrews and Mr. Pope indirectly, have the ability to prevent or impede transactions that would result in a change of control of the Partnership; to prevent or, upon the approval of limited partners holding a majority of the units, to cause, the sale of the assets of the Partnership; and to cause the Partnership to take or refrain from taking certain other actions that you might otherwise perceive to be in the Partnership’s best interest. Under our partnership agreement, we are required to pay to Pope MGP, Inc. an annual management fee of $150,000, and to reimburse Pope MGP, Inc. for certain expenses incurred in managing our business. There were no expense reimbursements in 2012 or 2011.

Item 1B.   UNRESOLVED SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION COMMENTS

None

Item 2.    PROPERTIES

The following table reconciles acreage owned as of December 31, 2012 to acreage owned as of December 31, 2011. As noted previously, we own 20% of Funds I and II and 5% of Fund III, and this table includes the entire 80,000 acres of timberland owned by the Funds. Properties are typically transferred from Fee Timber to the Real Estate segment at the point in time when the Real Estate segment takes over responsibility for managing the properties with the goal of maximizing the properties’ value upon disposition.
 
 
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Timberland Acres (in thousands) by Tree Farm
 
Description
 
2011
   
Acquisitions
   
Sales
   
Transfer
   
2012
 
Hood Canal tree farm (1)
    70.0       -       (0.4 )     (0.1 )     69.5  
Columbia tree farm (1)
    43.6       -       -       -       43.6  
    Subtotal Partnership Timberland
    113.6       -       (0.4 )     (0.1 )     113.1  
                                         
Fund I tree farms
    23.9       -       -       -       23.9  
Fund II tree farms (2)
    37.2       -       -       -       37.2  
Fund III tree farms
    -       18.9       -       -       18.9  
    Subtotal Funds' Timberland
    61.1       18.9       -       -       80.0  
                                         
Total Fee Timber acres
    174.7       18.9       (0.4 )     (0.1 )     193.1  
                                         
Partnership share of Funds
    12.2       0.9       -       -       13.2  
Total Real Estate acres (see detail below)
    2.8       -       -       0.1       2.9  
Combined Look-through total acres
    128.6       0.9       (0.4 )     -       129.2  
                                         
(1) A subset of this property is used as collateral for the Partnership's long-term debt, excluding debt of the Funds.
 
(2) A subset of these properties is used as collateral for Fund II's long-term debt.
                 
 
   
Real Estate Acres Detail
 
Project Location
 
2011
   
Acquisitions
   
Sales
   
Transfer
   
2012
 
                               
Bremerton
    46                         46  
Gig Harbor
    244             (12 )           232  
Hansville
    149                           149  
Kingston - Arborwood
    360                           360  
Kingston - 5-acre zoning
    366                           366  
Port Gamble LAMIRD townsite (a)
    114                           114  
Port Gamble Agrarian District (b )
    53                     152       205  
Port Ludlow
    256                             256  
Poulsbo
    4             (2 )             2  
Other Rural Residential
    1,228             (40 )             1,188  
Total
    2,820       -       (54 )     152       2,918  
                                         
a) adjustment for preliminary plat acres (LAMIRD means "Limited Area of More Intense Rural Development")
 
b) adjustment for master plan filing that transfers 152 acres from Fee Timber to Real Estate
         
 
 
23

 
 
The following table provides dwelling unit (DU) per acre zoning for the Partnership’s owned timberland and development properties as of December 31, 2012 and land sold during 2012. The table does not include sales of development rights or small timberland sales from tree farms properties:
 
Current Real Estate Land Inventory by Zoning Category
   
2012 Sales from RE Portfolio
 
Zoning Designation
 
Acres
   
Acres
   
$/Acre
   
Total Sales
 
Urban zoning - residential
    488       12     $ 272,333     $ 3,268,000  
Historic Rural Town
    114                          
Urban zoning - commercial
    91       2       1,450,000       2,900,000  
1 DU per 5 acres
    726                          
1 DU per 10 acres
    131                          
1 DU per 20 acres
    861                          
1 DU per 40 acres
    5       40       5,225       209,000  
1 DU per 80 acres
    251                          
Agrarian District
    205                          
Forest Resource Lands
    26                          
Open Space
    20                          
Total
    2,918       54     $ 118,093     $ 6,377,000  
*Accounting rules require deferral of 48%, or $1.7 million, of revenue from this sale due to
 
construction-related post-closing obligations.
 
 
Item 3.              LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

None.

Item 4.             MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.
 
 
24

 
 
PART II
 
Item 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S UNITS, RELATED SECURITY HOLDER MATTERS, AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
 
Market Information

The Partnership’s equity securities are listed on NASDAQ and traded under the ticker symbol “POPE”. The following table sets forth the 2010 to 2012 quarterly ranges of low and high prices, respectively, for the Partnership’s units together with per unit distribution amounts by the period in which they were paid:
 
Year Ended December 31, 2010
 
High
   
Low
   
Closing
   
Distributions
 
 First Quarter
  $ 28.89     $ 23.32     $ 25.91     $ 0.10  
 Second Quarter
    28.90       25.02       25.73       0.10  
 Third Quarter
    28.00       24.00       27.10       0.25  
 Fourth Quarter
    38.61       26.62       36.80       0.25  
Year Ended December 31, 2011
                               
 First Quarter
  $ 48.00     $ 35.02     $ 46.75     $ 0.25  
 Second Quarter
    49.00       40.81       45.51       0.25  
 Third Quarter
    50.29       39.02       41.00       0.35  
 Fourth Quarter
    47.50       38.00       42.99       0.35  
Year Ended December 31, 2012
                               
 First Quarter
  $ 45.78     $ 41.19     $ 43.70     $ 0.35  
 Second Quarter
    60.39       42.50       55.07       0.45  
 Third Quarter
    57.13       50.71       52.15       0.45  
 Fourth Quarter
    56.49       51.25       55.68       0.45  

Unitholders

As of January 31, 2013, there were 4,444,777 outstanding units, representing 251 holders of record. Units outstanding include 78,758 that are currently restricted from trading and that were granted to 16 holders of record who are either management employees or members of the managing general partner’s board of directors. The trading restriction for these units is lifted as the units vest. These restricted units vest over a four-year vesting schedule, either ratably over four years for management or 50% on the third anniversary of the grant date and the remaining 50% upon reaching the fourth anniversary for non-management Board members.

Distributions

All cash distributions are at the discretion of the Partnership’s managing general partner, Pope MGP, Inc. (the “Managing General Partner”). During 2012, the Partnership made one quarterly distribution of 35 cents per unit and three of 45 cents per unit that totaled $7.5 million in the aggregate. In 2011, we made two distributions of 25 cents per unit and two of 35 cents per unit, totaling $5.3 million in the aggregate.

Confidence in our ability to generate cash flow in 2012 and continued improvement in all of our markets served to inform a $0.10, or 29% increase in quarterly distribution in the second quarter of 2012. This increase was on top of a $0.10, or 40%, increase in quarterly distribution in the third quarter of 2011. The Managing General Partner, in its discretion, determines the amount of the quarterly distribution and regularly evaluates distribution levels. The Partnership recognizes that current economic conditions warrant continued sensitivity to the stewardship of cash balances. As such, the quarterly determination of distribution amounts, if any, will reflect the expectations of management and the Managing General Partner for the Partnership’s liquidity needs.
 
 
25

 
 
Equity Compensation Plan Information

The Partnership maintains the Pope Resources 2005 Unit Incentive Plan, which authorizes the granting of nonqualified equity compensation in order to provide incentives to align the interests of management with those of unitholders. Pursuant to the plan, the Partnership issues restricted unit grants with vesting ranges between two and four years on the anniversary of the grant. The terms of these grants require that the grantee remain an employee as of the vesting date. As of December 31, 2012 there were 52,348 unvested and outstanding restricted units of which 16,440 units are scheduled to vest in 2013, and 952,194 limited partnership units remained issuable under the plan. Previously, the Partnership maintained the Pope Resources 1997 Unit Option Plan pursuant to which unit options were granted for purposes similar to the 2005 incentive plan. Upon the adoption of the 2005 Unit Incentive Plan, the Partnership ceased making further awards under the 1997 plan. As of December 31, 2012 there were no outstanding options. Additional information regarding equity compensation arrangements is set forth in Note 6 to Consolidated Financial Statements and Item 11 - Executive Compensation. Such information is incorporated herein by reference.

Repurchase of Equity Securities

In December 2008 we announced a unit repurchase plan pursuant to which the Partnership was authorized to repurchase limited partner units with an aggregate value of up to $2.5 million. Since that time, we have increased the aggregate value of units authorized for repurchase to $5 million and extended the repurchase plan to allow for repurchases through December 2013. As of December 31, 2012, there remained an unutilized authorization for unit repurchases of $2.5 million. There were no Partnership unit repurchases under this 2008 plan during 2012. On December 31, 2010, the Partnership repurchased 334,340 units from a single shareholder, outside the scope of the formal repurchase program, for $35.50 per unit (which excludes a $0.05 per unit commission paid on settlement).  The units represented 7.2% of the total units outstanding at that time and were retired.
 
Performance Graph

The following graph shows a five-year comparison of cumulative total unitholder returns for the Partnership, the Standard & Poor’s Forest Products Index and the Wilshire 4500 for the five years ended December 31, 2012. The total unitholder return assumes $100 invested at the beginning of the period in the Partnership’s units, the Standard and Poor’s Forest Products Index, and the Wilshire 4500. The graph assumes distributions are reinvested.
 
 
26

 
 
Graph
 
Graph 2
 
Issuance of Unregistered Securities

The Partnership did not conduct any unregistered offering of its securities in 2010, 2011, or 2012.
 
 
27

 
 
Item 6.    SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

Actual Results. The financial information set forth below for each of the indicated years is derived from the Partnership’s audited consolidated financial statements. This information should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included with this report.
 
(In thousands, except per unit data)
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
Statement of operations data
 
2012
   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
Revenue:
                             
Fee Timber
  $ 45,539     $ 52,729     $ 27,674     $ 14,847     $ 23,551  
Timberland Management & Consulting
    7       -       31       601       944  
Real Estate
    8,497       4,545       3,487       5,030       3,683  
Total revenue
    54,043       57,274       31,192       20,478       28,178  
                                         
Operating income/(loss):
                                       
Fee Timber
    11,853       16,899       9,703       3,724       6,294  
Timberland Management & Consulting
    (1,568 )     (1,515 )     (1,250 )     (375 )     (543 )
Real Estate (1)
    (11,099 )     (349 )     (829 )     1,616       (1,200 )
   General and Administrative
    (4,170 )     (4,188 )     (4,711 )     (3,686 )     (3,862 )
Total operating income
    (4,984 )     10,847       2,913       1,279       689  
                                         
Net income (loss) attributable to unitholders
  $ (4,709 )   $ 8,754     $ 2,038     $ (272 )   $ 1,162  
                                         
Earnings (loss) per unit – diluted
  $ (1.11 )   $ 1.94     $ 0.43     $ (0.07 )   $ 0.23  
                                         
Distributions per unit
  $ 1.70     $ 1.20     $ 0.70     $ 0.70     $ 1.60  
                                         
Balance sheet data
                                       
Total assets
  $ 267,499     $ 230,408     $ 235,837     $ 187,080     $ 165,411  
Long-term debt, net of current portion
    43,710       45,793       50,468       28,659       28,169  
Partners’ capital
    64,223       75,759       70,990       83,126       87,817  
Debt-to-total capitalization (2)
    35 %     33 %     37 %     26 %     25 %
 
(1)  
Real Estate operating results in 2012, 2011, 2010, and 2009 included $12.5 million, $977,000, $875,000, and $30,000, respectively, of environmental remediation charges.
(2)  
Debt-to-total-capitalization ratio is calculated with the numerator equal to long-term debt of the Partnership plus 20% of Fund I and II debt, divided by the sum of the aforementioned numerator and Partner’s capital.  Fund III, owned 5% by the Partnership, has no debt.
 
 
28

 
 
Management uses adjusted cash available for distributions, a non-GAAP measure, as a meaningful indicator of liquidity for purposes of calibrating our distribution payout rate to unitholders and, as such, has provided this information in addition to the generally accepted accounting principle-based presentation of cash provided by operating activities.  Management recognizes that there are varying methods of calculating cash flow and has provided the information below to give transparency to this particular metric’s calculation.
 
(In thousands)
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
Adjusted cash available for distribution:
 
2012
   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
Cash provided by operations
  $ 16,209     $ 21,660     $ 8,950     $ 662     $ 3,952  
Less: Maintenance capital expenditures (1)
    (1,284 )     (1,353 )     (858 )     (1,118 )     (1,500 )
Less: Required debt service
    (3 )     (6 )     (1,015 )     (1,357 )     (1,342 )
                                         
Less: Noncontrolling portion of Funds cash from operations (2)
    (3,270 )     (7,405 )     (733 )     543       (1,877 )
Plus: Financed debt extinguishment costs (3)
    -       -       1,250       1,137       -  
Adjusted cash available for distribution (ACAD)
  $ 11,652     $ 12,896     $ 7,594     $ (133 )   $ (767 )
                                         
Other data
                                       
Acres owned/managed (thousands)
    196       178       175       150       405  
Fee timber harvested (MMBF) (4)
    84       90       53       32       38  
 
(1)  
Capital expenditures from the cash flow statement less costs incurred to purchase and make leasehold improvements to the new corporate building less non-controlling interest share of Fund capital expenditures.
(2)  
Share of Funds’ operating income (loss), interest, tax, amortization, depreciation, and depletion expense, cost of land sold, change in working capital accounts, and cash from operations that are attributable to noncontrolling interests.  That share is 80% in the case of Funds I and II and 95% in the case of Fund III.
(3)  
Make-whole payments owed to prior lender that were added to total amount borrowed from new lender.
(4)  
Includes 4.4 MMBF sold as a timber deed sale in 2012.
 
 
29

 
 
The following table presents revenue, operating income, and harvest volume on a look-through basis for each year in the three-year period ended December 31, 2012 as follows:
 
   
Revenue
         
Harvest
 
(in millions)
       
Mineral, Cell
   
Total Fee
   
Operating
   
Volume
 
Year ended
 
Log Sale
   
Tower & Other
   
Timber
   
Income
   
(MMBF)
 
Partnership-100% owned
  $ 26.3     $ 2.5     $ 28.8     $ 11.6       47.6  
Share of Funds
    3.3       -       3.3       0.1       6.4  
Look-through 2012
  $ 29.6     $ 2.5     $ 32.1     $ 11.7       54.0  
                                         
Partnership-100% owned
  $ 29.5     $ 1.5     $ 31.0     $ 13.6       50.7  
Share of Funds
    4.3       -       4.3       0.7       7.9  
Look-through 2011
  $ 33.8     $ 1.5     $ 35.3     $ 14.3       58.6  
                                         
Partnership-100% owned
  $ 20.7     $ 1.6     $ 22.3     $ 9.5       42.3  
Share of Funds
    1.0       0.1       1.1       -       2.1  
Look-through 2010
  $ 21.7     $ 1.7     $ 23.4     $ 9.5       44.4  
 
The following table presents log volume sold by species on a look-through basis for each year in the three-year period ended December 31, 2012 as follows:
 
Volume (in MMBF)
                               
Sawlogs
 
2012
   
% Total
   
2011
   
% Total
   
2010
   
% Total
 
Douglas-fir
  38.8     72 %   40.9     70 %   31.8     72 %
Whitewood
  6.2     11 %   6.4     11 %   3.8     9 %
Cedar
  0.6     1 %   0.9     1 %   0.6     1 %
Hardwoods
  1.4     3 %   1.6     3 %   0.7     1 %
Pulpwood
                                   
All Species
  7.0     13 %   8.8     15 %   7.5     17 %
Total
  54.0     100 %   58.6     100 %   44.4     100 %
 
The following table presents log price realized by species on a look-through basis for each year in the two-year periods ended December 31, 2012 as follows:
 
     
Fiscal Year
 
           
∆ from 2011 to 2012
 
 
 
      ∆ from 2010 to 2011    
 
 
     
2012
   
$/MBF
   
%
   
2011
   
$/MBF
   
%
   
2010
 
Sawlogs
Douglas-fir
  $ 587     $ (27 )     -4 %   $ 614     $ 86       16 %   $ 527  
 
Whitewood
    498       (49 )     -9 %     547       115       27 %     432  
 
Cedar
    1,017       86       9 %     930       13       1 %     918  
 
Hardwood
    588       16       3 %     572       58       11 %     514  
Pulpwood
All Species
    330       (63 )     -16 %     393       78       25 %     314  
Overall
      548       (29 )     -5 %     577       88       18 %     489  
 
 
30

 
 
Annual harvest volume and average price paid on a look-through basis for each year in the three-year period ended December 31, 2012 was as follows:
 
   
2012
   
2011
   
2010
 
Destination
 
Volume
%
   
Price
   
Volume
%
   
Price
   
Volume
%
   
Price
 
Export brokers
  13.0 24 %   $ 596     26.9 46 %   $ 636     14.6 33 %   $ 530  
Domestic mills
  34.0 63 %     574     22.9 39 %     578     22.3 50 %     520  
Pulpwood
  7.0 13 %     330     8.8 15 %     393     7.5 17 %     314  
Total
  54.0 100 %   $ 548     58.6 100 %   $ 577     44.4 100 %   $ 489  
 
The percentage of annual harvest volume on a look-through basis by quarter for each year in the three-year period ended December 31, 2012 was as follows:
 
Year ended
 
Q1
 
Q2
 
Q3
 
Q4
2012
 
23%
 
39%
 
21%
 
17%
2011
 
36%
 
22%
 
13%
 
29%
2010
 
26%
 
28%
 
29%
 
17%
 
Fee Timber cost of sales on a look-through basis for each year in the three-year period ended December 31, 2012 was as follows:
 
($ in millions)
 
Harvest, Haul
         
Total Cost
   
Harvest Volume
 
Year ended
 
and Other
   
Depletion*
   
of Sales
   
(MMBF)
 
2012
  $ 11.5     $ 4.5     $ 16.0       58.4  
2011
    11.4       4.9       16.3       58.6  
2010
    7.3       3.2       10.5       44.4  
*2012 calculation includes 4.4 MMBF from timber deed sale
 
 
Fee Timber cost of sales, expressed on a per MBF and look-through basis for each year in the three-year period ended December 31, 2012 was as follows:
 
Year Ended
Harvest, Haul
and Other
Depletion*
Total Cost of
Sales
2012
               213
            76
296
2011
               195
            83
278
2010
               165
            71
236
*2012 calculation includes 4.4 MMBF from timber deed sale
 
 
31

 
 
Depletion expense resulting from timber harvest on a look-through basis for each year in the three-year period ended December 31, 2012 was made up of the following:
 
   
Year ended December 31, 2012
 
         
Partnership share
   
Look-
 
   
Partnership*
   
of Funds
   
through*
 
Volume harvested (MMBF)
    52.0       6.4       58.4  
Rate/MBF
  $ 59     $ 218     $ 77  
Depletion expense (in thousands)
  $ 3,083     $ 1,387     $ 4,470  
                         
   
Year ended December 31, 2011
 
           
Partnership share
   
Look-
 
   
Partnership
   
of Funds
   
through
 
Volume harvested (MMBF)
    50.7       7.9       58.6  
Rate/MBF
  $ 63     $ 217     $ 83  
Depletion expense (in thousands)
  $ 3,171     $ 1,717     $ 4,888  
                         
   
Year ended December 31, 2010
 
           
Partnership share
   
Look-
 
   
Partnership
   
of Funds
   
through
 
Volume harvested (MMBF)
    42.3       2.1       44.4  
Rate/MBF
  $ 62     $ 236     $ 71  
Depletion expense (in thousands)
  $ 2,640     $ 506     $ 3,146  
*Volume includes 4.4 MMBF from timber deed sale
         
 
 
 
32

 
 
Item 7.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

This report contains a number of projections and statements about our expected financial condition, operating results, and business plans and objectives. These statements reflect management’s estimates based upon our current goals, in light of management’s knowledge of existing circumstances and expectations about future developments. Statements about expectations and future performance are “forward looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, which describe our goals, objectives and anticipated performance. These statements can be identified by words such as words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “intend” and similar expressions. These statements are inherently uncertain, and some or all of these statements may not come to pass. Accordingly, you should not interpret these statements as promises that we will perform at a given level or that we will take any or all of the actions we currently expect to take. Our future actions, as well as our actual performance, will vary from our current expectations, and under various circumstances these variations may be material and adverse. Some of the factors that may cause our actual operating results and financial condition to fall short of our expectations are set forth in the part of this report entitled “Risk Factors” in Item 1A above. Some of the issues that may have an adverse and material impact on our business, operating results and financial condition include economic conditions that affect consumer demand for our products and the prices we receive for them both domestically and overseas, particularly in certain parts of Asia; government regulation that affects our ability to access our timberlands and harvest logs from those lands; the implications of significant indirect sales to overseas customers, including currency translation, regulatory and tax matters; the effect of financial market conditions on our investment portfolio and related liquidity; environmental and land use regulations that limit our ability to harvest timber and develop property; access to debt financing by our customers as well as ourselves; the impacts of climate change and natural disasters on our timberlands and on surrounding areas; and the potential impacts of fluctuations in foreign currency rates as they affect demand for our products and customers’ ability to pay. From time to time we identifyother risks and uncertainties in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements in this report reflect our estimates as of the date of the report, and unless required by law, we do not undertake to update these statements as our business operations and environment change.

This discussion should be read in conjunction with the Partnership’s audited consolidated financial statements included with this report.

EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW

Pope Resources, A Delaware Limited Partnership (“we” or the “Partnership”), is engaged in three primary businesses. The first, and by far most significant segment in terms of owned assets and operations, is the Fee Timber segment. This segment includes timberlands owned directly by the Partnership and Funds. Operations in this segment consist of growing timber to be harvested as logs for sale to export brokers and domestic manufacturers. Real Estate is our second most significant business segment in terms of total assets owned. Real Estate activities primarily take the form of securing permits, entitlements, and, in some cases, installing infrastructure for raw land development and then realizing that land’s value by selling larger parcels to buyers who will take the land further up the value chain, either to home buyers or to operators and lessors of commercial property. Since these land projects span multiple years, the Real Estate segment may incur losses for multiple years while a project is developed, and will not recognize operating income until that project is sold. In addition, within the results for this segment we will occasionally reflect income realized from the negotiation and sale of conservation easements (CE’s) placed on Fee Timber properties to preclude future development. Operations in this segment also include leasing residential and commercial properties in Port Gamble, Washington, and leasing out a portion of a commercial office building in Poulsbo, Washington.  The objective of our third business segment, which we refer to as Timberland Management & Consulting (“TM&C”), is raising and investing capital from third parties for private equity timber funds, and thereafter managing the acquired assets for the benefit of all investors.
 
 
33

 
 
Our current strategy for adding timberland acreage is centered on our private equity timber fund business model, which consists of raising investment capital from third-party investors and placing that capital, along with our own co-investment, in the form of timberland acquisitions. To date, we have raised three timber funds that represent $231 million of assets under management. Our $31 million co-investment, with 20% of Funds I and II, and 5% of Fund III, affords us a share of distributed operating cash flows from the Funds while allowing us to earn asset and timberland management fees.  Depending on the overall success of each Fund, we also may be entitled to earn incentive fees. Management believes that this strategy allows us to maintain more sophisticated expertise in timberland acquisition, valuation, and management than would be cost-effective for our timberlands alone. We believe our co-investment commitments boost our credibility with existing and prospective Fund investors by demonstrating that we have a financial as well as an operational commitment to each Fund’s success. During 2012, we had the final close of Fund III with $180 million of committed capital, $9 million of which represents our co-investment. The Funds are consolidated into our financial statements, with the income attributable to equity owned by third parties reflected in our Consolidated Statement of Operations under the caption “Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest-ORM Timber Funds.”

As an owner and manager of timberland, we focus keenly on three “product” markets: lumber, logs, and timberland. Each of these markets has unique and distinct attributes such that the respective product prices in each market do not move up or down in lockstep with each other. Generally, the lumber market is the most volatile as it responds quickly (even daily) to changes in housing-driven demand and to changes in lumber inventories. We do not manufacture lumber, but the price of finished lumber affects the demand and pricing for logs. Although the lumber market is volatile, it can provide considerable information about trends that will affect our harvest decisions. Log markets are affected by what is happening in the spot lumber markets, but pricing shifts typically adjust monthly or quarterly rather than daily. Log price volatility is also moderated because logs are used to produce products besides lumber (especially pulp). The market for timberland tends to be even less volatile, with pricing changes that lag behind both lumber and log markets. This is largely a function of the longer time horizons utilized by timberland investors, where the short-swing fluctuations of log or lumber prices are moderated in acquisition modeling. We monitor the lumber market because activity there can presage log price changes. We are constant participants in the log market as we negotiate delivery prices with our customers. The timberland market is important as we are constantly evaluating our own portfolio and its underlying value, as well as the opportunities to adjust that portfolio through either the acquisition or disposition of such land.

Land held for sale in western Washington by our Real Estate segment is suitable primarily for residential and commercial building sites. The markets for these products suffered along with regional and national markets, producing sales declines from their peak in the middle of the last decade.  This revenue pattern started to reverse in 2012, with sales nearly doubling from 2011, as a result of selling the land underlying our corporate headquarters and partial recognition of revenue in connection with the sale of a multi-family parcel from our Harbor Hill project in Gig Harbor. The challenges of our Real Estate segment center around how and when to “harvest” a parcel of land and capture the optimum value increment by selling the property, balancing the long-term risks of carrying and developing a property against the potential for income and positive cash flows upon sale.

In July 2012, we entered into a sales agreement with a buyer for approximately 79 units on 22 acres of the single family residential phase of the Harbor Hill project in Gig Harbor, Washington.  The sales agreement provides for four closes between 2013 and 2014.  In October 2012, we entered into a purchase and sale agreement to sell 17 acres, also within the Harbor Hill project, where the buyer plans to develop a continuing care retirement community.  The agreement gives the buyer up to 45 months to close.  With these signed agreements, all our multi-family parcels in the Harbor Hill project are either sold or under contract.  Upon closing, and we conclude we have no material continuing involvement or obligations to the purchasers, revenue will be recognized on both transactions.
 
Our revenue declined in 2012 from 2011 primarily as a result of lower harvest levels and log pricing.  Compared to net income in 2011, we recorded a loss in 2012, which reflects an accrual for environmental remediation of $12.5 million.  Notwithstanding the environmental accrual, these year-over-year declines are primarily a result of decreased demand for logs in China, partially offset by increased spot domestic markets and increased real estate revenue. In spite of some domestic demand for wood to be milled for the  Japanese market and a gradual U.S. housing market recovery, the 2011 surge in  Chinese log markets did not have a corollary in 2012, which translated into overall log price weakness in 2012 relative to 2011.  Macroeconomic factors that reflect or influence the health of the U.S. housing market and have a bearing on our business revolve around employment growth, tight credit markets, and the inventory of unsold homes, whether new, existing, or foreclosures. These factors resulted in exceedingly low housing starts in 2009 through 2011, but began to show signs of improvement in 2012.  Increases in our Real Estate revenue and healthier domestic log markets testify to this macroeconomic improvement.
 
 
34

 
 
Currency exchange rates and ocean freight rates influence the competitiveness of our logs in Asian export markets as well as the competitiveness of our domestic sawmill customers with lumber exports to Asia relative to lumber exported from Canada or Australasia.. We sell our export logs to domestic intermediaries who then export the logs. Exchange rates impact the ability of these intermediaries to compete in Asian markets with logs that originate from Canada, Russia, or the Southern Hemisphere. In 2012, the U.S. dollar strengthened against most major currencies. The U.S. dollar strengthening against the Japanese yen and Korean won was not significant enough to affect demand for our logs, owing both to the relatively small fluctuations and to our sales volume into those countries.

Our consolidated revenue in 2012, 2011, and 2010, on a percentage basis by segment, was as follows:

Segment
2012
2011
2010
Fee Timber
84%
92%
89%
Timberland Management & Consulting
-%
-%
-%
Real Estate
16%
8%
11%

Additional segment financial information is presented in Note 11 to the Partnership’s Consolidated Financial Statements included with this report.

Outlook

Remaining harvest volume deferred from prior years totaled 32 MMBF as of December 31, 2012 and provides us the flexibility to respond to strength in log markets.  In 2013, we expect our harvest level to be between 84-86 MMBF, which includes 35 MMBF from Fund tree farms.  Log markets in early 2013 have picked up compared to the demand seen in the fourth quarter of 2012.  Trans-Pacific log ship departure levels from the Pacific Northwest, particularly to China, have increased to levels above those of a year ago.

We currently expect improvement in operating results for our Real Estate segment with anticipated closings of properties in 2013, particularly in Gig Harbor.

General & Administrative costs in 2013 are currently expected to be slightly higher than 2012 primarily due to equity compensation costs that are higher due to rising unit prices, and expansion of our insurance programs.
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following table reconciles net income (loss) attributable to unitholders for the years ended December 31, 2012 to 2011 and 2011 to 2010. In addition to the table’s numeric analysis, the explanatory text that follows describes many of these changes by business segment.
 
 
35

 
 
YEAR TO YEAR COMPARISONS
 
(in thousands)
 
   
2012 vs. 2011
   
2011 vs. 2010
 
   
Total
   
Total
 
Net income (loss) attributable to Pope Resources' unitholders:
           
2012 period
  $ (4,709 )      
2011 period
    8,754     $ 8,754  
2010 period
            2,038  
   Variance
  $ (13,463 )   $ 6,716  
                 
Detail of earnings variance:
               
Fee Timber
               
Log volumes (A)
  $ (5,815 )   $ 7,306  
Log price realizations (B)
    (2,401 )     18,076  
Stumpage sales
    1,026       -  
Production costs
    674       (9,254 )
Depletion
    1,739       (6,589 )
Other Fee Timber
    (269 )     (2,343 )
Timberland Management & Consulting
               
Other Timberland Management & Consulting
    (53 )     (265 )
Real Estate
               
Land and conservation easement sales
    (351 )     554  
Sale of land underlying corporate office
    2,726       -  
Timber depletion on HBU sale
    150       (150 )
Other Real Estate
    (1,752 )     158  
Environmental remediation accrual
    (11,523 )     (102 )
General & administrative costs
    18       543  
Debt extinguishment costs
    -       1,250  
Net interest expense
    224       (551 )
Taxes
    (116 )     (526 )
Noncontrolling interest
    2,260       (1,391 )
Total variances
  $ (13,463 )   $ 6,716  
                 
(A) Volume variance calculated by extending change in sales volume by the average log sales price for the comparison period.
 
(B) Price variance calculated by extending the change in average price realized by current period volume.
 
 
 
36

 
 
Fee Timber

Revenue and Operating Income

Fee Timber results include operations from 113,000 acres of timberland owned by the Partnership and 80,000 acres of timberland owned by the Funds. Fee Timber revenue is earned primarily from the harvest and sale of logs from these timberlands which are located in western Washington, western Oregon, and, when we begin harvesting on the recent Fund III acquisition, northern California.  Fee Timber revenue, to a lesser extent, is also derived from the ground leases for cellular communication towers, royalties from gravel mines and quarries, together with the sale of other resources from our timberlands. Our Fee Timber revenue is driven primarily by the volume of timber harvested and the average log price realized on the sale of that harvested timber. Our volume harvested is typically based on manufactured log sales to customers or exporters.  However, during the second quarter of 2012, we sold rights to harvest a defined area of timber (timber deed sale) from the Hood Canal tree farm.  In this section of the document, volumes sold and calculations of average price realized during the reporting period exclude the timber deed sale, except where it is called out as included.  Harvest volumes are generally expressed in million board feet (MMBF) increments while harvest revenue and related costs are generally expressed in terms of revenue or cost per thousand board feet (MBF).  Fee Timber cost of sales, which consist predominantly of harvest, hauling and depletion costs, vary directly and roughly proportionately with harvest volume and the resulting revenues. Revenue and costs related to harvest activities on timberland owned by Funds are consolidated into this discussion of operations.
 
Revenue and operating income for the Fee Timber segment for each year in the three-year period ended December 31, 2012, are as follows:
   
Revenue
         
Harvest
 
(in millions)
       
Mineral, Cell
   
Total Fee
   
Operating
   
Volume
 
Year ended
 
Log Sale
   
Tower & Other
   
Timber
   
Income
   
(MMBF)
 
Partnership
  $ 26.3     $ 2.5     $ 28.8     $ 11.6       47.6  
Funds
    16.6       0.1       16.7       0.2       32.3  
Total Fee Timber 2012
  $ 42.9     $ 2.6     $ 45.5     $ 11.8       79.9  
                                         
Partnership
  $ 29.5     $ 1.5     $ 31.0     $ 13.6       50.7  
Funds
    21.6       0.1       21.7       3.3       39.5  
Total Fee Timber 2011
  $ 51.1     $ 1.6     $ 52.7     $ 16.9       90.2  
                                         
Partnership
  $ 20.7     $ 1.6     $ 22.3     $ 9.5       42.3  
Funds
    5.1       0.3       5.4       0.2       10.7  
Total Fee Timber 2010
  $ 25.8     $ 1.9     $ 27.7     $ 9.7       53.0  
 
Fiscal Year 2012 compared to 2011. Fee Timber revenue and operating income decreased $7.2 million and $5.1 million, respectively, in 2012 from 2011. The decreases were driven by the combined effect of a 10 MMBF, or 11%, drop in harvest volume from 2011 to 2012 coupled with a $30/MBF, or 5%, decrease in average realized log price. The harvest volume decrease reflects our response to a drop in 2012 log prices from 2011 levels when surging exports to China resulted in price spikes across numerous log sorts.  The operating income decrease was accentuated by higher harvest and haul costs across the Combined tree farms, offset in part by a 4.4 MMBF timber deed sale in 2012 which provided $765,000 of operating income.  We saw harvest and haul costs rise in 2011 primarily due to high demand for qualified loggers and truckers, many of whom went out of business or converted trucks to haul general freight during the depths of the recent economic downturn.  These log and haul cost increases continued in 2012, eroding operating income of both the Partnership and the Funds.
 
Revenue and operating income for the Funds decreased $5.0 million and $3.1 million, respectively, from 2011 to 2012.  A 7 MMBF, or 18%, decline in Fund harvest volume coupled with a $34/MBF, or 6%, decrease in log price were the factors responsible for the decreases. The percentage of Combined harvest coming from Fund properties dropped from 44% in 2011 to 40% in 2012, with the decline resulting from a response to softer export demand and lower prices generally.
 
 
37

 
 
Fiscal Year 2011 compared to 2010. Fee Timber revenue and operating income increased $25.0 million and $7.2 million, respectively, in 2011 from 2010. The increases were the result of a 37 MMBF, or 70%, increase in harvest volume from 2010 to 2011 in addition to an $81/MBF, or 17%, increase in average realized log price. The harvest volume increase reflects our response to the improvement in the export market that began in 2010 and continued through 2011. We harvested 27 MMBF more than the 2011 planned harvest of 63 MMBF in response to stronger export markets, particularly in China. This additional volume was only a portion of the deferred volumes that accumulated during the years 2008-2010 on the Combined tree farms when we held back on harvesting due to very weak markets. The export market to China was the driving force for increases in log prices as the China market purchased logs typically directed to domestic sawmills. The operating income increase was relatively smaller than the revenue increase as a result of a higher proportion of harvest from the Funds and the corresponding higher depletion expenses that come with newly acquired properties.  In addition, we experienced increased road maintenance costs, which grew from $812,000, or 21%, of Combined tree farm operating expenses in 2010 to $2.4 million, or 41%, of Combined tree farm operating expenses in 2011 as roads were being prepared for higher levels of future harvest operations.
 
Revenue and operating income for the Funds increased $16.3 million and $3.1 million, respectively, from 2010 to 2011. A 29 MMBF, or nearly fourfold, increase in harvest volume coupled with a $78/MBF, or 16%, increase in log price were the factors responsible for the increases. The increase in income for the Funds was less dramatic than the increase in revenue would suggest because of the high depletion rates on Fund properties in addition to a $1.1 million increase in road maintenance costs from 2010 to 2011.  The percentage of Combined harvest coming from Fund properties more than doubled from 20% in 2010 to 44% in 2011, in response to strong export demand from China and higher log prices generally.
 
Log Volume

Log volume sold for each year in the three-year period ended December 31, 2012 were as follows:

Volume (in MMBF)
                                   
Sawlogs
  2012 % Total   2011 % Total   2010 % Total
Douglas-fir
    51.1       64 %     55.2       61 %     35.0       66 %
Whitewood
    15.4       19 %     18.0       20 %     7.1       13 %
Cedar
    0.8       1 %     1.4       1 %     0.9       2 %
Hardwoods
    2.3       3 %     2.4       3 %     0.9       2 %
Pulpwood
                                               
All Species
    10.2       13 %     13.2       15 %     9.1       17 %
Total
    79.9       100 %     90.2       100 %     53.0       100 %

Fiscal Year 2012 compared to 2011. Harvest volume decreased by 10 MMBF, or 11%, from 2011 to 2012, with 7 MMBF, or 70%, of that decrease attributable to a reduction in Fund harvest. We experienced weaker demand from the China log export market in 2012 relative to 2011.  This market softening prompted us to slow the pace of harvest, particularly in the Fund’s coastal Oregon hemlock region, which was heavily dependent on the China log export market in 2011. There was very little shift in year-to-date Combined species mix from 2011 to 2012.  The most notable shift saw Douglas-fir sawlog volumes increase from 61% in 2011 to 64% in 2012, primarily at the expense of pulpwood volumes, which declined to 13% in 2012 from 15% in 2011.

Fiscal Year 2011 compared to 2010. Harvest volume increased by 37 MMBF, or 70%, from 2010 to 2011 with 29 MMBF, or 77%, of that increase attributable to a boost in Fund harvest. A large percentage of the Funds’ previously deferred volume was harvested in 2011 to take advantage of favorable pricing. This elevated the Funds’ share of Combined volume mix from 20% in 2010 to 44% in 2011. As described above, the twin decisions to accelerate harvest from both the Partnership’s and Funds’ tree farms came in response to strong demand from China that took hold during 2010 and continued through 2011. The shift in year-to-date Combined species mix saw whitewood volume increase from 13% in 2010 to 20% in 2011, primarily at the expense of Douglas-fir volumes, which declined to 61% in 2011 from 66% in 2010.  The shift from Doulgas-fir to whitewood can be attributed to the incremental China export demand, which is largely indifferent to species mix. Since the incremental increase in whitewood log prices greatly exceeded the lift in Douglas-fir prices, and we expected that this surge in whitewood prices would be short-lived, we emphasized the harvesting of timber stands with whitewood as the predominant species. This emphasis played well into boosting harvest volumes from the Funds’ tree farms where the inventory has a heavier whitewood component. Of particular note, one of the Funds’ tree farms is tributary to the new export facility in Astoria, Oregon, which has catered heavily to the China log market.  Our cedar and hardwood volumes are minor components of the overall mix and they stayed relatively consistent year over year, while pulpwood saw a slight decline from 2010 to 2011, even as pulpwood prices rose 23% from 2010 to 2011.

 
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Log Prices

Logs from the Combined tree farms serve a number of different domestic and export markets, with domestic mills historically representing our largest market destination. However, this customer mix shifted, in the fourth quarter of 2010 when logs destined for export markets represented the largest share of our total log sales, driven by the China export log market accepting a lower quality product than what has traditionally defined an export log. As a result, significant volumes that theretofore would have been sold to domestic mills instead flowed to the China market beginning with 2010 when our export mix surged to 33% and peaked at 45% in 2011. From 2010 through the third quarter of 2011, the relative strength of the China export market was the driving force for much of our realized log pricing. This dynamic shifted during the fourth quarter of 2011 when oversupply abruptly reduced demand from China. We reacted by shifting a greater proportion of our log supply to domestic mills. In the first quarter of 2012 most of our export volume was comprised of higher-value Douglas-fir logs going to Japan. This mix, however, shifted once again during the second quarter of 2012 with improved domestic lumber demand as a result of higher U.S. housing starts. Additionally, we responded to a new market development with increased sales of high-grade Douglas-fir logs to a limited number of domestic mills capable of cutting high-value Japanese lumber grades. This shift toward domestic customers has continued through the end of 2012 and allowed us to realize equivalent delivered log prices while generating shorter hauls and thus a higher net log realization. Improvement in demand from the domestic market has historically resulted in a compression of spreads between realized export and domestic log prices (hardwood data is excluded from domestic data when calculating export-to-domestic spreads).  This pattern held true as we saw the export log premium narrow from $63/MBF, or 11%, in 2011, to $32/MBF, or 6%, in 2012.

We categorize our sawlog volume by species, which is a significant driver of price realized as indicated by the table below. The average log price realized by species for each year in the two-year period ended December 31, 2012 was as follows:
       
Fiscal Year
 
             
∆ from 2011 to 2012
       
∆ from 2010 to 2011
     
       
2012
 
$/MBF
 
%
 
2011
 
$/MBF
 
%
 
2010
Sawlogs
 
Douglas-fir
  $ 582     $ (27 )     -4 %   $ 609     $ 81       15 %   $ 528  
   
Whitewood
    500       (46 )     -8 %     546       100       22 %     446  
   
Cedar
    1,020       97       11 %     923       6       1 %     917  
   
Hardwood
    581       8       1 %     573       71       14 %     502  
Pulpwood
 
All Species
    318       (65 )     -17 %     383       72       23 %     311  
Overall
        537       (30 )     -5 %     567       81       17 %     486  
 
The 2012 average log price decreased $30/MBF, or 5%, from the 2011 average log price. This was due primarily to a $37/MBF, or 6%, year-over-year decrease in export price (blended for Douglas-fir and whitewood) in addition to a $65/MBF, or 17%, decrease in pulpwood prices.
 
 
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The 2011 average log price increased $81/MBF, or 17%, over the 2010 average log price. This was principally due to a $102/MBF, or 19%, year-over-year increase in export price in addition to a $100/MBF, or 22%, increase in whitewood prices, and a $72/MBF, or 23%, increase in pulpwood prices. We targeted some stands with a heavier mix of pulpwood during 2011 to take advantage of this uptick in price which was driven by short supplies of residual chips due to a decline in lumber produced from domestic sawmills.
 
Douglas-fir: Douglas-fir is noted for structural characteristics that make it generally preferable to other softwoods and hardwoods for the production of construction grade lumber and plywood. Demand and price for Douglas-fir sawlogs have historically been very dependent upon the level of new home construction in the U.S. The direct link between Douglas-fir sawlog prices and domestic housing starts was pronounced with the housing crash in 2008. The effect of the continued weak domestic housing market was offset in 2011 by strong demand from the export market in China. There was softening in the export market to China during 2012, which along with a moderately stronger domestic housing market, narrowed the differential between export prices and rising domestic Douglas-fir prices.  In reaction to this, much of the Douglas-fir volume was re-directed to the domestic market at lower prices but reduced haul costs, resulting in a higher net realization.  This shift in end-market destination resulted in a $27, or 4%, decline in Douglas-fir log prices realized from 2011 to 2012.
 
This decline in Douglas-fir log pricing in 2012 relative to 2011 is not that dramatic a price swing when compared to the $81/MBF, or 15%, increase in Douglas-fir prices from 2010 to 2011 due to strong export markets to China. Douglas-fir sawlogs prices rallied in early 2010 from the lows of 2008 and 2009 with participants in the domestic lumber supply chain increasing demand for logs in response to declining finished product inventories. This increase in domestic demand coincided with an increase in export market demand from China, and to a lesser extent Japan.

Whitewood: “Whitewood” is a term used to describe several softwood species, but for us primarily refers to western hemlock. Though generally considered to be of a lower quality than Douglas-fir, these logs are also used for manufacturing construction grade lumber. Historically, there has been a modest export market for whitewood logs, with most of this volume going to Korea. This changed beginning in 2010 as the China log export market demonstrated an appetite for softwood logs with little apparent regard or discrimination as to species. Beginning in late 2010 through early 2011, weather conditions permitting, we harvested a heavier mix of predominantly whitewood stands to take advantage of the higher relative price lift resulting from surging species-indiscriminant export demand. This strategy benefitted the Funds’ tree farms more than the Partnership tree farms because the former contain a higher proportion of whitewood, while the Partnership’s whitewood stands tend to be at higher elevations and not easily accessible during winter.  In 2011, whitewood prices increased $100/MBF, or 22%, from 2010 due to the export demand for this species.  However, substantial pullback in the China market in 2012 served to bring whitewood prices down $46/MBF, or 8%, between 2011 and 2012

Cedar: Cedar is a minor component in most upland timber stands and is generally used for outdoor applications such as fencing, siding and decking. Although there is a link between demand for these products and housing starts, this link is not as strong as with most other softwood species. Cedar prices increased $97/MBF, or 11%, from 2011 to 2012 in response to a small spike in demand from buyers.  Cedar prices remained flat from 2010 to 2011, increasing $6/MBF, or 1%.

Hardwood: “Hardwood” can refer to many different species, but on our tree farms, hardwood stands primarily consist of red alder and to a lesser degree bigleaf maple. The local mills that process red alder sawlogs are using the resource to manufacture lumber for use in furniture and cabinet construction. In the industrial forest sector, little red alder is grown intentionally as a crop tree.  Instead, most red alder, and cedar as well, is invasive in otherwise managed conifer stands and is a small incidental component of the commercial species mix.  In down-market cycles users of these secondary species may have relatively better markets for their product than the conifer users, but very short log supply due to the curtailment of conifer log production generally.  The result of this dynamic can be countercyclical price spikes for these minor species. Hardwood prices have experienced a gradual increase over the past several years, from $502 in 2010 up to $581 in 2012, with peaks and dips in between. This increasing price trend is due to gradually tightening supply as naturally occurring stands are converted to conifer and better silvicultural practices reduce the invasion of minor species in managed stands. Hardwood prices rose slightly from 2011 to 2012, increasing $8/MBF, or 1%. This modest increase was on top of a $71/MBF, or 14%, year-over-year increase from 2010 to 2011.
 
 
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Pulpwood: Pulpwood is a lower quality conifer or hardwood log, unsuitable for the manufacture of lumber, which has value when manufactured into wood chips that are sold to the pulp and paper industry. Sawmills typically provide the bulk of the wood chips used by pulp mills, as they are a low cost residual by-product from the manufacture of lumber, requiring minimal incremental manufacturing cost and handling. The pulpwood log market has enjoyed relative strength in recent years as a direct result of sawmills taking significant downtime in response to the slowdown in housing starts, thus depriving pulp mills of their traditionally preferred, lowest cost source of raw material. This resulted in a $72/MBF, or 23%, increase in pulpwood prices from 2010 to 2011.  However, the closure of a major regional pulp mill in 2012 served to weaken demand and create excess pulpwood inventory. In addition, a gradual increase in sawmill production has helped to push down the demand for, and thus the price of, pulpwood logs sold directly to pulp mills as a primary alternative raw material source.  Pulpwood prices were down $65/MBF, or 17%, from 2011 to 2012.

Customers

The oversupply of Pacific Northwest logs in China in late 2011 and early 2012 coupled with an increase in freight costs has slowed demand and decreased pricing to the export markets in China and Korea. As a result, we shifted a greater proportion of our production to domestic mills, which have enjoyed stronger lumber markets as housing starts have improved and, to a lesser extent, found spot markets in Japan for finished lumber.

The ultimate decision on where to sell logs is based on the net proceeds we receive after considering both the delivered log prices from a prospective customer and the hauling cost needed to get logs to that customer. In instances where harvest operations are in close proximity to a mill relative to the export yard of a broker, we may take advantage of a favorable haul cost differential over selling to an export customer at a higher delivered price. The higher net delivered log value earned by selling to the domestic mill will, in such instances, result in sales of logs otherwise intended for Asia being diverted to domestic markets. As such, realized log price movements are influenced by marketing decisions predicated on a net return mentality rather than exclusively focusing on the delivered log price.
 
Annual harvest volume and average price paid each year in the three-year period ended December 31, 2012 was as follows:

   
2012
 
2011
 
2010
Destination
 
Volume
 
%
 
Price
 
Volume
 
%
 
Price
 
Volume
 
%
 
Price
Export brokers
    20.2       25 %   $ 591       40.6       45 %   $ 628       17.7       33 %   $ 526  
Domestic mills
    49.5       62 %     560       36.4       40 %     565       26.2       50 %     520  
Pulpwood
    10.2       13 %     318       13.2       15 %     383       9.1       17 %     311  
Total
    79.9       100 %   $ 537       90.2       100 %   $ 567       53.0       100 %   $ 486  

Fiscal Year 2012 compared to 2011. Export brokers purchased 25% of total year-to-date volume compared to 45% during the same period in 2011. The loss of volume was made up entirely by the domestic mills that purchased 62% of the 2012 volume versus 40% of the 2011 volume.  This swing in product destination was due principally to a weaker China export log market with far less demand in 2012 compared to 2011, which in turn resulted in a $30/MBF, or 5%, decline in prices paid.  Notwithstanding gradually improving housing starts and some spot markets for lumber bound for export markets that provided much needed life support to domestic mills, domestic log prices remained flat, losing $5/MBF, or 1%, from 2011 to 2012.  Closure of a regional pulp mill and added lumber production served to bring down pulpwood volume 2% from 15% of the product mix in 2011 to 13% of the product mix in 2012.  Pulpwood prices also lost $65/MBF, or 17%, between 2011 and 2012.
 
 
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Fiscal Year 2011 compared to 2010. Export brokers purchased 45% of total 2011 volume compared to 33% during the same period in 2010. In addition, export brokers increased the price they paid by $102/MBF, or 19%, on a year-over-year basis. Nearly all of this increase in volume came at the expense of domestic mills, which purchased 40% of our mix in 2011 compared to 50% in 2010. Notwithstanding the loss in total volume purchased, domestic mills increased prices paid by $45/MBF, or 9%, in an effort to compete with export brokers for logs being sold to the export market. Pulpwood buyers saw a slight decline in logs sold in 2011 compared to the same period in 2010, notwithstanding a $72/MBF, or 23% price increase during the same period. This price increase reflects higher pulp mill demand for whole log chips resulting from sawmill production curtailments.

Harvest Volumes and Seasonality

The Partnership owns 113,000 acres of timberland in western Washington and the Funds own 80,000 acres of timberland in western Washington, western Oregon, and northern California. We are able to conduct year-round harvest activities on the Partnership’s Hood Canal tree farm and on 12,000 acres of the Funds’ properties because these properties are concentrated at low elevations. In contrast, the Partnership’s Columbia tree farm and the 68,000-acre balance of Fund properties are at a higher elevation where harvest activities are generally not possible during the winter months when snow precludes access to the lands. Generally, we concentrate our harvests from the Hood Canal tree farm in those months when weather limits operations on other properties, thus taking advantage of reduced competition for log supply to our customers and improving prices realized. As such, when these various tree farms are combined, we can operate so that the pattern of quarterly volumes harvested is flatter than would be the case if looking at one tree farm in isolation.

The percentage of annual harvest volume by quarter for each year in the three-year period ended December 31, 2012 was as follows:
                 
Year ended
 
Q1
 
Q2
 
Q3
 
Q4
2012
 
18%
 
38%
 
21%
 
23%
2011
 
34%
 
21%
 
13%
 
32%
2010
 
22%
 
27%
 
30%
 
21%

Harvest activities in early 2012 were approached with caution due to lukewarm demand from the China market during the first quarter of the year and relatively high inventories at domestic customers’ log yards resulting from the heavy Q4 2011 production.  The second quarter harvest reflects a seasonal bump in spring harvest that was more pronounced this year due to withholding volume during the first quarter and a decision to advance some of the third quarter volume to take advantage of favorable pricing. This resulted in slightly lower third quarter harvest volume, a level we maintained during fourth quarter due to favorable log prices.

We entered 2011 with momentum from the burgeoning Chinese export market that began in earnest in the second half of 2010. As the first quarter progressed, we moved quickly to further ramp up harvest activity to meet the demand from our export customers. We were poised for a seasonal second quarter slow-down that did not come to fruition until the third quarter. We experienced another spike in demand during the final quarter of the year, wherein we cut nearly a third of the annual volume in response to that demand.
 
We entered 2010 with a plan to defer harvest volume in response to our expectation of continued weakness in log markets resulting from a slowdown in housing. That plan called for no harvest from the Funds. However, as the year progressed and export and domestic markets showed improvement, we gradually increased harvest volume commensurate with the increase in demand, which for us hit its peak in the third quarter. By the third quarter of 2010, we had gained confidence in the impact of the China log market and added volume to meet the surges in export and domestic demand.

The following factors enhance our flexibility in responding to fluctuating markets, whether these fluctuations are seasonally driven or not: we do not own any mills or processing facilities that require a minimum volume; low focus on quarterly earnings fluctuations and our practice of permitting excess harvest units across various species so that we have a ready pool of potential harvest units to draw on for expanded market demand.
 
 
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Cost of Sales

Cost of sales for the Fee Timber segment consists of harvest, haul, and harvest excise tax costs along with depletion expense. These costs all vary directly with harvest volume. Harvest costs will vary by terrain, with steeper slopes requiring more expensive cable systems with a high labor component, while more moderate slopes can be harvested with mechanized equipment and lower relative costs. Harvest and haul costs represent the direct cost incurred to convert trees into logs and deliver those logs to the point of sale.  Harvest excise tax costs in Washington State consist of a 5% tax on the net stumpage value, as determined by the State using an estimation of historical stumpage values. Oregon currently charges a harvest excise tax based on harvest volume with a rate of approximately $4/MBF.

Depletion expense represents the cost of acquiring and growing the harvested timber. Depletion expense is generated from the harvest and sale of timber and periodically from Real Estate sales when land is sold with standing timber. Depletion expense generated from Real Estate sales is typically de minimis and is excluded from the Fee Timber depletion analysis.
 
The applicable depletion rate is derived by dividing the aggregate cost of merchantable stands of timber (age 35 and older), together with capitalized road expenditures, by the estimated volume of merchantable timber available for harvest at the beginning of that year. The depletion rate, so derived and expressed in per MBF terms, is then multiplied by the volume harvested in a given period to calculate depletion expense for that period as follows:

Depletion rate = Accumulated cost of timber and capitalized road expenditures
                                             Estimated volume of 35-years-and-older merchantable timber

Because of the relatively recent acquisition dates of the Fund tree farms, and thus relatively higher acquisition costs, the depletion rates associated with harvests from those properties are considerably higher than for harvests from the Partnership’s tree farms. Partnership depletion consists primarily of historical timber cost that has been owned by the Partnership for many decades, as well as the Columbia tree farm property that was acquired in 2001.

Each year, the depletion rate is adjusted to account for “layers” of harvest volume exiting the pool and new “layers” of 35-year old timber volume and cost entering the pool. The depletion rate is then applied to future volume harvested for the coming year to calculate depletion expense for that period.

Fee Timber cost of sales for each year in the three-year period ended December 31, 2012 was as follows:
($ in millions)
 
Harvest, Haul
         
Total Cost
   
Harvest Volume
 
Year ended
 
and Other
   
Depletion*
   
of Sales
   
(MMBF)
 
2012
  $ 17.6     $ 10.0     $ 27.6       84.3  
2011
    17.8       11.8       29.6       90.2  
2010
    8.9       5.2       14.1       53.0  
*2012 calculation includes 4.4 MMBF from timber deed sale
 

Cost of sales declined $2.0 million, or 6.7% from 2011 to 2012 principally as a result of a $1.8 million decline in depletion expense.  The decline in depletion expense is a result of an 11% reduction in Combined harvest volume coupled with a shift away from harvest from Funds tree farms, which carry a higher per unit depletion rate, offset by the depletion expense from the 4.4 MMBF timber deed sale. The Partnership tree farms have a lower historic cost and attendant depletion rate, while the Funds’ tree farms have a higher depletion rate reflective of a more recent and higher cost basis.  In 2012, harvest volumes, including the 4.4 MMBF timber deed sale, were weighted 62% and 38% from Partnership and Fund tree farms, respectively.  In 2011, volumes were weighted 56% and 44% from Partnership and Funds, respectively.
 
 
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Cost of sales more than doubled from 2010 to 2011 primarily as a result of a 70% increase in Combined harvest volume. The increase in costs was compounded by a shift in harvest volume away from the Partnership tree farms that carry a lower historic cost and attendant depletion rate, to include more volume from Fund tree farms that carry a higher depletion rate reflective of more recent acquisition and higher cost basis. In 2011, volumes were weighted 56% and 44% from Partnership and Fund tree farms, respectively. In 2010, harvest volumes were weighted 80% and 20% from Partnership and Fund tree farms, respectively. Harvest, haul, and other costs were also higher in 2011 over 2010 as we included several units in operations that required higher cost cable logging and contractors were successful in negotiating higher prices for their services.

Fee Timber cost of sales, expressed on a per MBF basis for each year in the three-year period ended December 31, 2012, was as follows:
 
Year ended
 
Harvest, Haul and Other
   
Depletion*
   
Total Cost of Sales
 
2012
  $ 226     $ 119     $ 345  
2011
    203       130       333  
2010
    167       98       265  
*2012 calculation includes 4.4 MMBF from timber deed sale
 
 
Costs of sales per MBF increased $12/MBF in 2012 over 2011 with the increase due entirely to increased harvest-and-haul costs offset by a decline in depletion expense. The per MBF increase in harvest, haul and other reflects increases in harvest from units requiring higher cost cable logging accentuated by competition to hire and retain scarce logging contractors.  Cable logging costs in particular experienced a sharp increase in 2011when demand for experienced contractors exceeded contractor capacity, allowing contractors to demand higher prices for their services that carried over into 2012. Haul costs were also up slightly due to a shrinking contract trucking pool and longer haul distances.

Depletion expense decreased $11/MBF, or 8%, in 2012 compared to 2011. This is attributable to a significant shift in the relative harvest away from Fund tree farms between 2011 and 2012. The Funds’ share of the Combined harvest total was 38% in 2012 compared to 44% in 2011.

Costs of sales per MBF increased $68/MBF in 2011 over 2010 with the increase split about evenly between harvest-and-haul costs and depletion expense. As described earlier, cable logging costs were negatively affected by a shortage of contractors in the wake of the industry-wide slowdown of 2008-2010 in which numerous contractors went out of business. During the same 2008-2010 period many log trucks were converted by their owners to highway freight hauling configuration, creating a shortage of log trucks and thus resulting in slightly higher haul costs when harvest activity rebounded in 2011.

Depletion expense increased $32/MBF, or 33%, in 2011 compared to 2010. This is attributable to a significant increase in the relative harvest from the Funds’ tree farms from 2010 to 2011. The Funds’ share of the Combined harvest total was 44% in 2011 compared to 20% in 2010.
 
 
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We use a pooled depletion rate for volume harvested from the Partnership’s tree farms that divides the combined book basis of the merchantable timber for both tree farms by the combined merchantable volume for both tree farms. On the other hand, for the Funds we calculate separate depletion rates for each of the six Fund tree farms and then present them for this report in terms of a blended aggregate rate.  Depletion expense resulting from timber harvest for each year in the three-year period ended December 31, 2012 was made up of the following:
 
       
   
Year ended December 31, 2012
 
   
Partnership*
         
Funds
         
Combined*
 
Volume harvested (MMBF)
    52.0       62 %     32.3       38 %     84.3  
Rate/MBF
  $ 59             $ 215             $ 119  
Depletion expense (in thousands)
  $ 3,083             $ 6,936             $ 10,019  
                                         
   
Year ended December 31, 2011
 
   
Partnership
           
Funds
           
Combined
 
Volume harvested (MMBF)
    50.7       56 %     39.5       44 %     90.2  
Rate/MBF
  $ 63             $ 217             $ 130  
Depletion expense (in thousands)
  $ 3,171             $ 8,587             $ 11,758  
                                         
   
Year ended December 31, 2010
 
   
Partnership
           
Funds
           
Combined
 
Volume harvested (MMBF)
    42.3       80 %     10.7       20 %     53.0  
Rate/MBF
  $ 62             $ 236             $ 98  
Depletion expense (in thousands)
  $ 2,640             $ 2,529             $ 5,169  
*Volume includes 4.4 MMBF from timber deed sale
                 
 
Operating Expenses
 
Operating expenses for Fee Timber include management, silviculture and the cost of both maintaining existing roads and building temporary roads required for harvest activities for the 113,000 acres owned by the Partnership and the 80,000 acres owned by the Funds. Operating expenses for the Fee Timber segment declined 3% in 2012 to $6.1 million from $6.3 million in 2011 primarily due to the reduction in road building and maintenance costs which spiked during 2011 to support higher harvest activity.  Operating expenses for the Fee Timber segment increased 60% in 2011 to $6.3 million from $3.9 million in 2010. The increase in 2011 expenses over the prior year is attributable to increased road building and maintenance costs to facilitate an increase in harvest levels and to prepare roads for future harvest on newly acquired Timber Fund lands. Combined road maintenance costs for 2011 were $2.4 million, compared to $812,000 in 2010, or 38% and 21%, respectively, of Combined operating expenses for the two years.

Timberland Management & Consulting

Revenue and Operating Income

The Timberland Management & Consulting (TM&C) segment primarily develops timberland investment portfolios on behalf of the Funds. As of December 31, 2012, the TM&C segment managed three private equity timber funds representing $195 million of acquired commercial timberlands with an appraised value of $231 million. Equity capital in the Funds includes a co-investment by the Partnership in addition to third-party capital. As of December 31, 2012, we have remaining committed capital of $134 million for Fund III, which includes $7 million of remaining commitment on our $9 million co-investment.
 
 
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See Accounting Matters ~ Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates ~ Timber Fund Management Fees for more information on accounting for management fees paid by third-party investors.
 
Revenue and expense generated through the management of the Funds is accounted for within the TM&C segment.  Accounting guidance requires us to consolidate the Funds’ into our financial statements because of the governance control the Partnership is deemed to have over the Funds. As such, all fees associated with managing the Funds are eliminated in our consolidated financial statements. The revenue generated from management of these Funds represents an expense to the Fee Timber segment which is also eliminated when the Funds are consolidated into the Partnership’s financial statements.  The portion of those fees paid by third-party investors is added back to income in the Partnership’s consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss) as a component of the caption “Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests-ORM Timber Funds”.

The Partnership owns 20% of Funds I and II and 5% of Fund III.  As a result, in a look-through sense 80% of Funds I and II and 95% of Fund III management fees are paid by third parties. We generated a total of $2.2 million, $2.4 million, and $1.5 million of management fee revenue in 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively.  At the close of 2012, the TM&C segment was managing 80,000 acres for the Funds compared with 61,000 acres at the end of both 2011 and 2010. Revenue and operating income for the TM&C segment for each year in the three-year period ended December 31, 2012, were as follows:

Year Ended December 31, (in millions)
 
2012
   
2011
   
2010
 
Revenue internal
  $ 2.2     $ 2.4     $ 1.5  
Intersegment eliminations
    (2.2 )     (2.4 )     (1.5 )
Revenue external
  $ 0.0     $ 0.0     $ 0.0  
                         
                         
Operating income-internal
  $ 0.1     $ 0.4     $ 0.0  
Intersegment eliminations
    (1.7 )     (1.9 )     (1.3 )
Operating loss-external
  $ (1.6 )   $ (1.5 )   $ (1.3 )
                         
Fund harvest voume (in MMBF)
    32.3       39.5       10.7  

Fiscal Year 2012 compared to 2011. TM&C had $7,500 in consulting fee revenue in 2012 compared with no revenue in 2011 after elimination of $2.2 million and $2.4 million of fees in 2012 and 2011, respectively. The reduction in harvest volume resulted in a decline in management fees earned in 2012 from 2011.
 
Fiscal Year 2011 compared to 2010. TM&C had no revenue to report in either 2011 or 2010 after elimination of $2.4 million and $1.5 million of fees, respectively. The addition of approximately 25,000 acres under management for Fund II in the fall of 2010 is the primary reason for the increase in revenue eliminated in 2011 over 2010.
 
Operating Expenses
 
Fiscal Year 2012 compared to 2011. TM&C operating expenses increased $60,000 in 2012 over the same period in 2011. The increase in operating expense is due primarily to expenses incurred in connection with raising capital and evaluating potential acquisition targets.
 
Fiscal Year 2011 compared to 2010. TM&C operating expenses increased $234,000 in 2011 over the same period in 2010. The increase in operating expense results from increased costs in connection with higher harvest levels in the Funds, higher personnel related expenses with fund oversight, and administrative costs incurred prior to raising capital for Fund III.
 
 
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Real Estate
 
Revenue and Operating Income

The Partnership’s Real Estate segment consists primarily of revenue from the sale of land within its 2,900-acre portfolio, sales of development rights, known as conservation easements (CE’s), tracts from the Partnership’s timberland portfolio, and residential and commercial rents from our Port Gamble and Poulsbo properties. The Partnership’s Real Estate holdings are located primarily in the Washington counties of Pierce, Kitsap, and Jefferson with sales of land for this segment typically falling into one of the three general types:
 
·  
Commercial, business park, and residential plat land sales represent land sold after development rights have been obtained and generally are sold with prescribed infrastructure improvements.
 
·  
Rural residential lot sales that generally require some capital improvements such as zoning, road building, or utility access improvements prior to completing the sale.
 
·  
The sale of unimproved land, which generally consists of larger acreage sales rather than single lot sales, and is normally completed with very little capital investment prior to sale and may or may not have a conservation flavor.
 
In addition to outright sales of fee simple interests in land, such as those three categories enumerated above, we also enter into conservation easement sales that allow us to retain harvesting rights and other timberland management rights, but bar any future subdivision of or real estate development on the property.
 
As indicated above, conservation sales take two primary forms for us, either a conservation easement sale that extinguishes future development rights on a parcel of timberland but retains the ability to conduct forestry operations or an outright fee simple sale to a conservation entity. In 2012, we sold development rights on nearly 1,900-acres of our Columbia tree farm.  In 2011, conservation sales reflected an outright sale of fee simple interest in a 386-acre conservation tract to The Nature Conservancy as well as a sale of development rights on 255 acres to the state of Washington, with assistance from Forterra, previously called Cascade Land Conservancy. In the case of the 386-acre sale to The Nature Conservancy, the Partnership retained no interest in or harvesting rights to the property post-sale. On the other hand, the 255-acre sale of development rights allows us to retain harvesting rights and other timberland management rights, but bars any future subdivision of or real estate development on the property. In 2010, we closed on a sale of development rights that similarly prohibits future development or subdivision activities but permits continuing management of the tracts as timberland, including harvesting of timber. The 2010 development rights sale encumbered 6,886 acres of the Columbia tree farm.
 
 
47

 
 
Results from Real Estate operations are expected to vary significantly from year to year as we make multi-year investments in entitlements and infrastructure prior to selling entitled or developed land.   In 2012, we reclassified certain costs related to rental revenue.  As such, prior period amounts were also reclassified from operating expense to cost of sales to maintain consistency in reporting.  Real Estate segment revenue for each year in the three-year period ended December 31, 2012 consisted of the following components:

                               
Per Acre Amounts
 
(in thousands except acres)
       
Gross
   
Gross
  Operating                
Gross
 
Description
 
Revenue
   
margin
   
margin %
 
loss
   
Acres
   
Revenue
   
Margin
 
Land underlying corporate office
  $ 2,900     $ 2,726                   2     $ 1,450,000     $ 1,363,000  
Development rights (CE)
    1,235       985                   1,852       667       532  
Gig Harbor Residential^
    1,553       524                   12       129,380       43,667  
Unimproved land
    1,511       966                   444       3,403       2,175  
Total land
  $ 7,199     $ 5,201       72 %           2,310       3,116       2,251  
Rentals
    1,287       50                                        
Other
    11       11                                        
2012 Total
  $ 8,497     $ 5,262       62 %   $ (11,099)  *                        
                                                         
Description
 
Revenue
   
Gross Margin
                   
Acres
   
Revenue
   
Gross Margin
 
Development rights (CE)
  $ 480     $ 414                       255     $ 1,882     $ 1,624  
Conservation sale
    1,955       1,713                       386       5,065       4,438  
Unimproved land
    417       347                       102       4,088       3,402  
Residential
    484       342                       5       96,800       68,400  
Total land
  $ 3,336     $ 2,816       84 %             748       4,460       3,765  
Rentals
    1,195       134                                          
Other
    14       14                                          
2011 Total
  $ 4,545     $ 2,964       65 %   $ (349)  **                        
                                                         
Conservation easement
  $ 2,400     $ 2,244                       6,886     $ 349     $ 326  
Total land
  $ 2,400     $ 2,244       94 %             6,886       349       326  
Rentals
    1,013       73                                          
Other
    74       70                                          
2010 Total
  $ 3,487     $ 2,387       68 %   $ (829)  ***                        
^Revenue recognized on % complete basis
*Includes $12.5 MM of environmental remediation expense
**Includes $977,000 of environmental remediation expense
***Includes $875,000 of environmental remediation expense
 
Fiscal Year 2012 compared to 2011. Sales for the Real estate segment in 2012 include the sale of two acres underlying our Poulsbo headquarters building, a sale of development rights on 1,852-acres of our Columbia tree farm for $1.2 million, partial recognition of revenue in connection with a $3.3 million sale of an 11.5-acre multi-family residential land parcel from our Harbor Hill project in Gig Harbor, and four rural land sales totaling $1.5 million for 444 acres.  This compares to 2011 when we had one sale of development rights, a fee simple sale to The Nature Conservancy, four unimproved lands sales, the sale of a building on two acres we owned in north Seattle, and one residential lot in Kitsap County.
 
Operating loss increased $10.8 million from $349,000 in 2011 to $11.1 million in 2012 due to an $11.5 million increase in environmental remediation accruals over the same period in 2011.  Notwithstanding the increase in environmental remediation accruals, operating results improved from 2011 to 2012 due to increased revenue and margin as described earlier.

Fiscal Year 2011 compared to 2010. Real estate transactions in 2011 included a CE sale to the state of Washington funded by Forterra, a fee simple sale of conservation land to The Nature Conservancy, four unimproved land sales, the sale of a building on two acres we owned in north Seattle, and one residential lot in Kitsap County. We benefitted from an increase in real estate activity in 2011 over 2010, when we only closed a single land transaction - a CE sale. Even though we saw an increase in the number of transactions and total revenue from 2010 to 2011, we experienced a slight decline in gross margin as a percent of sales revenue on land sales from 94% in 2010 to 84% in 2011. This gross margin as a percent of sales erosion is primarily attributable to increased professional costs incurred in connection with some of the 2011 transactions.
 
 
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Operating loss declined $480,000 from $829,000 in 2010 to $349,000 in 2011 due to a $1.1 million increase in revenue offset by $360,000 increase in costs of sales, a $136,000 increase in operating expenses due to an increase in maintenance expenses related to our residential and commercial properties which had been deferred in prior years, and a $102,000 increase in environmental remediation charge over the same period in 2010.

Cost of Sales

Real Estate cost of sales for each of the three years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010 was $3.2 million, $1.6 million, and $1.1 million, respectively, with these amounts comprised of land basis, legal, other closing costs, and costs incurred in the generation of rental revenue. CE sales, unlike fee simple sales which include land basis in cost of sales, typically have little or no cost basis written off as part of the transaction. Cost of sales doubled from 2011 to 2012 due primarily to 87% increase in sales revenue.  Cost of sales increased 44% from 2010 to 2011due to a 30% increase in revenue.

Operating Expenses

Real Estate operating expenses for each of the three years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010 were $16.4 million, $3.3 million, and $3.2 million, respectively. Operating expenses significantly increased in 2012, primarily as a result of $12.5 million in environmental remediation charges in addition to expenses incurred in connection with the submission of the Port Gamble master plan and depreciation expense related to the retirement of our previous corporate headquarters. Operating expenses in 2012, excluding $12.5 million in environmental remediation charges, increased $1.5 million over 2011, excluding $977,000 in environmental remediation charges in that year. Operating expenses, excluding environmental remediation charges of $875,000 in 2010 and $977,000 in 2011, were mostly flat, decreasing $5,000.

Basis in Real Estate Projects

Land Held for Development” on our Balance Sheet represents the Partnership’s cost basis in land that has been identified as having greater value as development property rather than as timberland. Our Real Estate segment personnel work with local officials to establish entitlements for further development of these parcels. Project costs that are clearly associated with development or construction of a real estate project are capitalized once entitlement has been obtained.

When facts and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of properties may be impaired, an evaluation of recoverability is performed by comparing the currently recorded carrying value of such property or properties to the projected future undiscounted cash flows of the same property or properties. If it is determined that the carrying value of such assets may not be fully recoverable, we would recognize an impairment loss, adjusting for the difference between the carrying value and fair market value, and would recognize an expense in this amount against current operations. We have continuously owned most of our land for decades. As a result, the land basis associated with most of our development properties is well below even the off-cycle-peak market values prevalent today. As such, we do not anticipate an asset impairment charge on any of our development projects.

Those properties that are for sale, under contract, and those for which the Partnership has an expectation they will sell within the next 12 months, are classified on our balance sheet as a current asset under “Building and Land Held for Sale”. The $1.2 million amount currently in Land Held for Sale reflects our expectation that we will have completed our post-closing obligations related to the December 2012 sale of the multi-family parcel from our Harbor Hill project and this will trigger recognition of revenue currently recorded under “Deferred revenue” in the liability section of our balance sheet.
 
 
49

 
 
Environmental Remediation

The Partnership has an accrual for estimated environmental remediation costs of $13.9 million and $2.2 million as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The environmental remediation liability represents estimated payments to be made to monitor and remedy certain areas in and around the townsite/millsite of Port Gamble, and at Port Ludlow, Washington.

In the second quarter of 2012 we accrued an additional $12.5 million for Port Gamble environmental liabilities to have an estimated accrual of $14.3 million as of June 30, 2012.  This additional accrual is derived prior to the conclusion of negotiations with the Department of Ecology (DOE), but was the result of significant modifications to the draft Port Gamble Baywide and Millsite Remedial Investigation (RI) and Feasibility Study (FS) issued by the DOE in May 2012.  From mid-August through the end of December and into 2013, we have been in regular dialogue with DOE Clean-up Action Plan (CAP), coincident with a consent decree that outlines clean-up actions, natural resource damage (NRD) remediation, and potential property sales of land around Gamble Bay by Pope Resources. A short list of unresolved issues remain, principally related to the treatment of existing docks in the southern embayment around the millsite and the degree to which the DNR, the other potentially liable party (PLP) in Port Gamble, is going to participate in funding the costs of clean-up and NRD remediation.

In developing its estimate of the Port Gamble environmental liability Management has employed a Monte Carlo statistical simulation model that suggests a potential aggregate range of clean up costs from $11.5 million to $16.1 million which corresponds to a two standard deviation ranges from the mean of possible outcomes.

The environmental remediation accrual also includes estimated costs related to a separate remediation effort within the resort community of Port Ludlow. Early in 2012, soil vapor extraction (SVE) pilot tests were conducted in Port Ludlow with this round of testing producing somewhat inconclusive results regarding the efficacy of SVE as a remediation technique. Over the balance of 2012, representatives of Port Ludlow Associates (PLA) and the Partnership have been in dialogue, along with our respective consultants, to discuss these results and next steps.

The environmental liability at December 31, 2012 is comprised of $750,000 that the Partnership expects to expend in the next 12 months and $13.2 million thereafter. The liability recorded by the Company as of December 31, 2012 is based on the 50th percentile within the range, which management considers to be their best estimate of the most likely outcome. Activity in the environmental remediation liability is detailed as follows:
                         
(in thousands)
 
Balances at
   
Additions
   
Expenditures
       
Year ended
 
the Beginning
   
to
   
for
   
Balance at
 
December 31,
 
of the Year
   
Accrual
   
Remediation
   
Year-end
 
2012
  $ 2,203     $ 12,500     $ 761     $ 13,942  
2011
    1,933       977       707       2,203  
2010
    1,269       875       211       1,933  

General & Administrative (G&A)

Fiscal Year 2012 compared to 2011. G&A costs were $4.2 million in both 2012 and 2011, with some cost categories up between periods but other offsetting categories down.

Fiscal Year 2011 compared to 2010. G&A costs were $4.2 million in 2011 compared to $4.7 million in 2010. The decline is primarily attributable to development and adoption of a new incentive compensation plan first recorded in 2010 that required a catch-up accrual for multi-year performance cycles and the professional fees incurred in connection with the new plan. Professional and legal service fees were also down between 2010 and 2011 by $450,000. Partially offsetting these cost declines, we experienced a slight increase in taxes on management fees and in necessary repairs made to the corporate building in early 2011.
 
 
50

 
 
Interest Income and Expense
 
Interest income declined from $42,000 in 2011 to $26,000 in 2012 on top of a decrease from $102,000 in 2010. The progressively lower amounts of interest income from 2010 through 2012 are due primarily to lower cash and investment balances coupled with a decrease in average interest earned on the portfolio.
 
Interest expense, net of interest capitalized to development projects, was $1.5 million in 2012 compared with $1.7 million in 2011 and $1.2 million in 2010. The decline from 2011 to 2012 was due to a decline in weighted average borrowings on the operating line of credit coupled with an increase in interest capitalized to the Harbor Hill project. The increase in interest expense, net of interest capitalized, from 2010 to 2011 was due to a full year of interest on the Fund II mortgage coupled with an increase in interest expense related to higher amounts borrowed on the operating line of credit in 2011 over 2010.
 
The debt arrangement between the Partnership and Northwest Farm Credit Services (NWFCS) includes an annual rebate of a portion of interest expense paid in the prior year (patronage). This NWFCS patronage program is a feature common to most of this lender’s customer loan agreements. The patronage receivable reduced interest expense by $214,000 and $239,000 in 2012 and 2011, respectively.
 
Debt Extinguishment Costs
 
In April 2010, we paid off an $18.6 million mortgage with a 7.63% fixed interest rate, one year ahead of its scheduled maturity. The early retirement of this debt resulted in a $1.2 million debt extinguishment charge.  The decision to refinance was motivated by the opportunity to reduce cash used for both principal and interest payments, lower borrowing costs, and spread out future refinance risk across a number of years. The early debt extinguishment costs were funded by using new term loans from Northwest Farm Credit Services (NWFCS).
 
Income Taxes

Pope Resources is a limited partnership and is, therefore, not subject to income tax. Instead, taxable income/loss flows through and is reported to unitholders each year on a Form K-1 for inclusion in each unitholder’s tax return. Pope Resources does, however, have corporate subsidiaries that are subject to income tax. The corporate tax-paying entities are utilized for our third-party service fee businesses.
 
Fiscal Year 2012 compared to 2011. We recorded tax expense of $352,000 and $236,000 in 2012 and 2011, respectively, based on taxable income in corporate subsidiaries and certain discrete items.  The increase in 2012 is due primarily to less tax depreciation available for deductions than in the prior year.
 
Fiscal Year 2011 compared to 2010. We recorded tax expense of $236,000 in 2011 compared to a tax benefit of $290,000 in 2010. The tax expense results from income in the taxable corporate subsidiaries in 2011 as a result of an increase in income from management fees earned.
 
Noncontrolling interests-ORM Timber Funds

Noncontrolling interests-ORM Timber Funds represented the portion of 2012, 2011, and 2010 net (income) losses of the Funds attributable to third-party owners of the Funds.  The Funds carry a higher depletion cost than the Partnership’s timberland and as a result often generate losses during the early years of the Fund life.  Included in these results are the management fees charged by ORM LLC to the Funds.  The portion of the loss or (income) attributable to these third-party investors is added back to determine “Net income (loss) attributable to Partnership unitholders” as follows:
 
 
51

 
 
(in thousands)
                       
Noncontrolling interest-2012
 
Fund I
   
Fund II
   
Fund III
   
Total
 
Management fees paid to ORM LLC
  $ (804 )   $ (1,321 )   $ (86 ) *   $ (2,211 )
Forest operations
    (149 )     454       (60 )     245  
   Fund operating loss-Internal
    (953 )     (867 )     (146 )     (1,966 )
Interest expense
    (3 )     (535 )     -       (538 )
Income tax expense
    (23 )     (55 )     -       (78 )
   Fund net loss-Internal
    (979 )     (1,457 )     (146 )     (2,582 )
Loss attributed to noncontrolling interest
  $ 783     $ 1,165     $ 139     $ 2,087  
                                 
Noncontrolling interest-2011
 
Fund I
   
Fund II
   
Fund III
   
Total
 
Management fees paid to ORM LLC
  $ (847 )   $ (1,343 )   $ (200 ) *   $ (2,390 )
Forest operations
    (143 )     3,474       -       3,331  
   Fund operating income (loss)-Internal
    (990 )     2,131       (200 )     941  
Interest expense
    (4 )     (534 )     -       (538 )
Income tax expense
    (46 )     (105 )     -       (151 )
   Fund net income (loss)-Internal
    (1,040 )     1,492       (200 )     252  
Loss (income) attributed to noncontrolling interest
  $ 832     $ (1,195 )   $ 190     $ (173 )
                                 
Noncontrolling interest-2010
 
Fund I
   
Fund II
   
Fund III
   
Total
 
Management fees paid to ORM LLC
  $ (827 )   $ (645 )   $ -     $ (1,472 )
Forest operations
    22       144       -       166  
   Fund operating loss-Internal
    (805 )     (501 )     -       (1,306 )
Interest expense
    (5 )     (189 )     -       (194 )
Income tax expense
    (4 )     (18 )     -       (22 )
   Fund net loss-Internal
    (814 )     (708 )     -       (1,522 )
Loss (income) attributed to noncontrolling interest
  $ 651     $ 566     $ -     $ 1,218  
                                 
* Includes $66 and $200 of costs reimbursed to ORM by Fund III in 2012 and 2011, respectively.
 
 
 
52

 
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Cash Flows

We ordinarily finance our business activities using funds from operations and, where appropriate in management’s assessment, commercial credit arrangements with banks or other financial institutions. Funds generated internally from operations and externally through financing are expected to provide the required resources for the Partnership's future capital expenditures for at least the next twelve months.
 
The Partnership’s debt consists primarily of mortgage debt with fixed interest rates and an operating line of credit. In May 2012, we extended our $20.0 million operating line of credit held with NWFCS. Before the extension, the line of credit had a variable interest rate based on the one-month LIBOR rate plus margins ranging from 2.25% to 3.25%, unused commitment fees ranging from 0.15% to 0.35%, and had a maturity date of August 2013. The ranges for margins over LIBOR and unused commitment are a function of how we measure against covenant tests.  Interest payments were required quarterly in arrears. The extension pushed the maturity date out to August 1, 2015 and increased the frequency of interest payments to monthly in arrears. The extended line of credit now carries a variable interest rate that is still based on the one-month LIBOR rate, however the applicable margins were reduced and range between 1.75% and 2.75% while unused commitment fees remain unchanged at a range between 0.15% and 0.35%.  The Partnership had no balance drawn under the line of credit as of December 31, 2012, down from the balance of $5.0 million at December 31, 2011.

In December 2012, we mortgaged the commercial office building on Seventh Avenue in Poulsbo, Washington with a 10-year term loan with a 3.8% interest rate and a 20-year principal amortization.  The $3.0 million loan amount was set using a 75% loan-to-value ratio and requires monthly interest and principal payments until January 2023.  Loan origination costs of $18,000 will be amortized over the life of the loan.
 
The Partnership’s debt agreements have financial covenants which are measured quarterly. Among the covenants measured, is a requirement that the Partnership not exceed a maximum debt-to-total-capitalization ratio of 30%, with total capitalization calculated using fair market (vs. carrying) value of timberland, roads and timber. The Partnership is in compliance with this covenant as of December 31, 2012 and expects to remain in compliance for at least the next twelve months.
 
In June 2010, we entered into a $20.0 million term loan agreement with Northwest Farm Credit Services (NWFCS). This agreement was structured with three tranches with terms of 5, 7, and 15 years that collectively have a weighted average interest rate of 5.3%. A fourth tranche of debt with NWFCS had been taken out previously in 2009 in the amount of $9.8 million with an interest rate of 6.4%. The weighted average interest rate for these four tranches of term debt is 5.6%.
 
Simultaneous with a timberland acquisition during the third quarter of 2010, Fund II closed on an $11 million timberland mortgage with MetLife. This mortgage is a non-amortizing, 10-year loan with a fixed interest rate of 4.85%. The loan agreement allows for, but does not require, annual principal payments of up to 10% without incurring a make-whole premium.
 
Cash and cash equivalents increased $1.1 million from 2011 to 2012 due primarily to cash provided by proceeds from the mortgage on our new corporate headquarters.  Cash and cash equivalents increased $230,000 from 2010 to 2011 due to the increase in cash provided by increased harvest volume and real estate sales, coupled with the absence of a large Fund timberland acquisition that occurred in 2010. During the year ended December 31, 2010, overall cash and cash equivalents decreased $4.8 million resulting primarily from the repayment of long term debt and the repurchase of a large block of units at a total cost of $11.9 million but $9.6 million of this total was financed by drawing on our line of credit, resulting in a net $2.3 million drain on 2010 cash balances. The $896,000 and $5.0 million variance in cash flow from 2012 to 2011 and 2011 to 2010, respectively, is broken down in the following table:
 
 
53

 
 
(in thousands)
 
2012
   
Change
   
2011
   
Change
   
2010
 
Cash provided by operations
  $ 16,209     $ (5,451 )   $ 21,660     $ 12,710     $ 8,950  
Investing activities
                                       
Redemption of investments
    -       -       -       (1,497 )     1,497  
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets
    2,873       2,873       -       -       -  
Capital expenditures
    (2,305 )     (394 )     (1,911 )     (970 )     (941 )
Acquisition of commercial office building in Poulsbo
    -       3,210       (3,210 )     (3,210 )     -  
Timberland acquisition
    (45,155 )     (44,996 )     (159 )     58,047       (58,206 )
Cash provided by (used in) investing activities
    (44,587 )     (39,307 )     (5,280 )     52,370       (57,650 )
Financing activities
                                       
Borrowing on (repayment of) line of credit
    (4,957 )     (314 )     (4,643 )     (14,243 )     9,600  
Borrowing on (repayment of) long term debt
    (32 )     (2 )     (30 )     1,008       (1,038 )
Extinguishment of long-term debt
    -       -       -       18,554       (18,554 )
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
    3,000       3,000       -       (31,000 )     31,000  
Debt issuance costs
    (46 )     (46 )     -       283       (283 )
Cash distributions to unitholders
    (7,499 )     (2,236 )     (5,263 )     (2,022 )     (3,241 )
Unit repurchases
    -       -       -       12,267       (12,267 )
Cash from option exercises, net
    12       (504 )     516       (106 )     622  
Excess tax benefit from equity-based compensation
    220       124       96       96       -  
Payroll taxes paid upon restricted unit vesting
    (300 )     (66 )     (234 )     (234 )     -  
Distributions to fund investors, net of cash to Partnership
    (3,942 )     3,070       (7,012 )     (6,206 )     (806 )
Capital call- ORM Timber Fund II, Inc.
    -       -       -       (38,800 )     38,800  
Stock sale - ORM Timber Fund II, Inc.
    118       118       -       -       -  
Capital call- ORM Timber Fund III, Inc.
    42,946       42,509       437       437       -  
Preferred stock issuance (distribution), net - ORM Timber Fund II, Inc.
    (16 )     0       (16 )     (126 )     110  
Other
    -       1       (1 )     (1 )     -  
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    29,504       45,654       (16,150 )     (60,093 )     43,943  
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
  $ 1,126     $ 896     $ 230     $ 4,987     $ (4,757 )

 
Operating cash activities. Cash provided by operating activities decreased $5.5 million from 2011 to 2012 due principally to an 11% decline in harvest volume coupled with a 5% reduction in realized average log price.  This was partially offset by increased sales from the Real Estate segment but capitalized development activities increased $1.3 million during 2012 in connection with projected sales from the Harbor Hill development.

Cash provided by operating activities increased to $21.7 million in 2011 from $9.0 million in 2010 due primarily to a 70% increase in harvest volumes and a 17% log price increase from the Combined tree farms in addition to a small uptick in Real Estate activity. Capitalized development costs declined slightly to $893,000 in 2011 compared with $1.1 million in 2010.
 
Investing cash activities. Cash used in investing activities increased $39.3 million from 2011 to 2012 due to the Fund III timberland acquisition in December 2012.  This was partially offset by the sale of land underlying our corporate headquarters in the third quarter of 2012 that had no counterpart in 2011 and the acquisition of a commercial building in the second quarter of 2011 that had no corollary in 2012.
 
 Cash used in investing activities declined by $52.4 million from 2010 to 2011 primarily due to the absence in 2011 of a counterpart to the $58 million of timberland acquisitions that were made in 2010. This was partially offset by a $4.2 million increase in capital expenditures which reflects the $3.2 million acquisition of a commercial office building in Poulsbo in 2011 in addition to an increase in road, timber, and reforestation expenditures in anticipation of planned harvest activity.
 
 
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Financing activities. Cash provided by financing activities increased $45.7 million in 2012 from 2011 due primarily to the Fund III capital call and proceeds provided by a mortgage on the new corporate headquarters.  The $0.10 per unit increase in the quarterly distribution beginning the second quarter of 2012 was offset by a decrease in distributions to fund investors.

Cash used in financing activities increased $60.1 million in 2011 from 2010 due to primarily to the non-recurrence of a Fund capital call and net proceeds from the refinance of a mortgage that occurred in 2010. This was offset by an increase in payments on long-term debt in 2011 to pay down the operating line of credit in an effort to keep interest costs low as well as an increase in Fund distributions and Partnership distribution costs reflecting a $0.10 per unit increase in the quarterly distribution beginning the third quarter of 2011.

Expected future changes to cash flows

Operating activities. As discussed above, we currently plan to harvest between 84 MMBF to 86 MMBF in 2013. This plan reflects our expectation that domestic sawmills will gradually increase operating rates and demand for logs in response to improved housing starts.

Based on budget plans, we currently expect our Gig Harbor project’s 2013 capital expenditures to total $9.4 million in 2013.  The majority of Gig Harbor capital expenditures in 2013 are projected to be for site work, engineering, surveying and overall project management costs following the closing of a multi-family residential parcel and in connection with additional closings in Gig Harbor that are referred to on page 34 and for which we have entered into purchase and sale agreements.  In 2010 we reached an agreement with the City of Gig Harbor to allow us to defer construction of certain community-based infrastructure items (e.g, stormwater-retention ponds) until we attained defined sales targets of lots/parcels within the project.  In addition, our purchase agreement with the aforementioned multi-family parcel buyer allowed us to delay construction of road improvements until after closing.  The closing of this transaction, together with a couple of sales in the pipeline slated to close over the next 24 months, has triggered the need to construct these various infrastructure items.  In addition, to bring these future sales to closing, there are required land improvement costs that must be incurred that are also a part of the $9.4 million budget.

Investing activities. Management has budgeted $2.0 million of capital expenditures for 2013, excluding any potential timberland acquisitions. These investments are primarily comprised of long-term investments supporting our Fee Timber operations.
 
Financing activities. Management is currently projecting that cash on hand, availability of drawing on the operating line of credit, and cash generated from operating activities will be sufficient to bridge the front-loading of the capital needs for development properties and co-investments in future timber funds.
 
Excluding noncontrolling interests and debt of the Funds, our debt-to-total-capitalization ratio as of December 31, 2012 was 35% and 9% as measured, respectively, by book value and market value of assets. Should a financing need arise, management is comfortable that there is room to take on additional debt with the ratios at these levels. Portions of the Hood Canal and Columbia tree farms secure the Partnership’s current timberland mortgages and, in the case of Fund II, portions of Fund II’s tree farms secure the MetLife timberland mortgage. To date, the Partnership’s strong financial position has enabled fairly easy access to credit at reasonable terms when needed.

Seasonality
 
Fee Timber. The Partnership owns 113,000 acres of timberland in western Washington and the Funds own collectively 80,000 acres of timberland in western Washington, western Oregon, and northern California. We are able to conduct year-round harvest activities on the Partnership’s Hood Canal tree farm and on 12,000 acres of the Funds’ properties because these properties are concentrated at low elevations. In contrast, the Partnership’s Columbia tree farm and the 68,000-acre balance of the Funds’ properties are at a higher elevation where harvest activities are generally not possible during the winter months when snow precludes access to the lands. Generally, we concentrate our harvests from the Hood Canal tree farm in those months when weather limits operations on other properties, thus taking advantage of reduced competition for log supply to our customers and improving prices realized. As such, when these various tree farms are combined, we can operate so that the pattern of quarterly volumes harvested is flatter than would be the case if looking at one tree farm in isolation.
 
 
55

 
 
Timberland Management & Consulting. Management revenue generated by this segment is made up of annual asset management and timberland management fees as well as log marketing fees during periods of active harvesting from the Funds’ tree farms. These fees, which primarily relate to our activities on behalf of the Funds and are eliminated in consolidation, vary based upon the amount of capital managed, the number of acres managed, and the volume of timber harvested from properties owned by the Funds and are not expected to be significantly seasonal.
 
Real Estate. While Real Estate results are not expected to be seasonal, the nature of the activities in this segment will likely result in periodic large transactions that will have significant positive impacts on both revenue and operating income of the Partnership in periods in which these transactions close, and relatively limited revenue and income in other periods. While the “lumpiness” of these results is not primarily a function of seasonal weather patterns, we do expect to see some seasonal fluctuations in this segment because of the general effects of weather on Pacific Northwest development activities.
 
Contractual Obligations, Commercial Commitments and Contingencies

Our commitments at December 31, 2012 consist of operating leases, and other obligations entered into in the normal course of business.
 
(in thousands)
 
Payments Due By Period /Commitment Expiration Date
 
Obligation or Commitment
 
Total
   
Less than 1 year
   
1-3 years
   
4-5 years
   
After 5 years
 
   Total debt
  $ 43,835     $ 125     $ 5,218     $ 5,233     $ 33,259  
   Operating leases
    139       85       52       2       -  
   Interest on debt
    18,506       2,319       4,554       4,112       7,521  
   Environmental remediation
    13,942       750       11,518       1,674       -  
   Other long-term obligations
    191       25       50       50       66  
Total contractual obligations or commitments
  $ 76,613     $ 3,304     $ 21,392     $ 11,071     $ 40,846  
 
Environmental remediation represents our estimate of potential liability associated with environmental contamination at Port Gamble and Port Ludlow. Other long-term obligations consist of a $191,000 liability for a supplemental employment retirement plan.

The Partnership may from time to time be a defendant in lawsuits arising in the ordinary course of business. Management believes that loss to the Partnership, if any, will not have a material adverse effect on the Partnership’s consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

The impact of inflation on our consolidated financial condition and consolidated results of operations for each of the periods presented was not material.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Partnership is not a party to off-balance sheet arrangements other than the operating leases disclosed above and does not hold any variable interests in unconsolidated entities.
 
 
56

 
 
Capital Expenditures and Commitments

Projected capital expenditures in 2013 are $11.4 million, of which $9.4 million relates to the Gig Harbor site.  These expenditures could be increased or decreased as a consequence of future economic conditions.  Projected capital expenditures are subject to permitting timetables and progress towards closing on specific land sale transactions.

Government Regulation

Compliance with laws, regulations, and demands usually involves capital expenditures as well as operating costs. We cannot easily quantify future amounts of capital expenditures required to comply with laws, regulations, and demands, or the effects on operating costs, because in some instances compliance standards have not been developed or have not become final or definitive. Accordingly, at this time we have not included herein a quantification of future capital requirements to comply with any new regulations being developed by United States regulatory agencies.

Additionally, many federal and state environmental regulations, as well as local zoning and land use ordinances, place limits upon various aspects of our operations. These limits include restrictions on our harvest methods and volumes, remediation requirements that may increase our post-harvest reforestation costs, Endangered Species Act limitations on our ability to harvest in certain areas, zoning and development restrictions that impact our Real Estate segment, and a wide range of other existing and pending statutes and regulations. Various initiatives are presented from time to time that seek further restrictions on timber and real estate development businesses, and although management currently is not aware of any material noncompliance with applicable law, we cannot assure readers that we ultimately will be successful in complying with all such regulations or that additional regulations will not ultimately have a material adverse impact upon our business.

 
ACCOUNTING MATTERS

Accounting Standards Not Yet Implemented
 
There are no accounting standards not yet implemented that are expected to materially impact the Partnership.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Management believes its most critical accounting policies and estimates are as follows:

Purchased timberland cost allocation. When the Partnership acquires timberlands, a purchase price allocation is performed that allocates cost between the categories of merchantable timber, pre-merchantable timber, and land based upon the relative fair values pertaining to each of the categories.  Land value may include uses other than timberland including potential CE sales and development opportunities.

Depletion. Depletion represents the cost of timber harvested and the cost of the permanent road system that is charged to operations by applying a depletion rate to volume harvested during the period. The depletion rate is calculated on January 1st of each year by dividing the Partnership’s cost of merchantable timber and the cost of the permanent road system by the volume of merchantable timber. For purposes of the depletion calculation, merchantable timber is defined as timber that is equal to or greater than 35 years of age.

To calculate the depletion rate, the Partnership uses a combined pool when the characteristics of the acquired timber are not significantly different from the Partnership’s existing timberlands. Depletion rate calculations on Funds timberlands, which are recently acquired, are made on a tree farm specific basis. The depletion cost on timber harvested from the Funds is higher than the Partnership’s timberlands and may at times approximate the net stumpage realized on the sale.
 
Timber inventory volumes include only timber whose eventual harvest is not constrained by the applicable state and federal regulatory limits on timber harvests as applied to the Partnership’s properties. Washington’s forest practice regulations provide for expanded riparian management zones, wildlife leave trees, and other harvest restrictions to protect public resources including clean water and various fish and other wildlife species. Timber inventory volume is accounted for by periodic statistical sampling of the harvestable timbered acres. Since timber stands can be very heterogeneous, the accuracy of the statistical sampling, known as a “timber cruise”, of a timber stand can vary. The inventory system is designed in such a way that the accuracy of the whole is very reliable while any subset, or individual timber stand, will have a wider range of accuracy. The Partnership’s standing timber inventory system utilizes annual statistical sampling of the timber (cruising) together with adjustments made for estimated annual growth and the depletion of areas harvested.
 
 
57

 
 
The standing inventory system is subject to two processes each year to monitor accuracy. The first is the annual cruise update process and the second is a comparison of the volume actually extracted by harvest to the inventory in the standing inventory system at the time of the harvest. Only productive acres with timber that is at least 20 years old are selected as subject to a cruise. The Partnership cruises 10-20% of its productive acres with 25-year-old or greater timber annually. Specific acres are first selected for cruising with a bias towards those acres that have gone the longest without a cruise and, second, with a bias towards those acres that have been growing the longest. As the cruise is being performed, only those trees with a breast height diameter (approximately 4.5 feet from the ground) of at least 6 inches are measured for inclusion in the inventory. The inventory to harvested volume comparison utilizes subsets of the total inventory which have been sampled sometime in the last ten years and grown annually using yield tables built on more statistical data; due to the nature of statistical sampling the results of the annual timber inventory to harvested volume comparison is meaningful only in the context of accumulated results over several years, and not in the context of a single harvest unit.

A hypothetical 5% change in estimated timber inventory volume would have changed 2012 depletion expense by $224,000.
 
Environmental remediation. The Partnership has an accrual for estimated environmental remediation costs of $13.9 million and $2.2 million as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The environmental remediation liability represents estimated payments to be made to monitor and remedy certain areas in and around the townsite/millsite of Port Gamble, and at Port Ludlow, Washington.

In the second quarter of 2012 we accrued an additional $12.5 million for Port Gamble environmental liabilities to have an estimated accrual of $14.3 million as of June 30, 2012.  This additional accrual is derived prior to the conclusion of negotiations with the Department of Ecology (DOE), but was the result of significant modifications to the draft Port Gamble Baywide and Millsite Remedial Investigation (RI) and Feasibility Study (FS) issued by the DOE in May 2012.  From mid-August through the end of December and into 2013, we have been in regular dialogue with DOE Clean-up Action Plan (CAP), coincident with a consent decree that outlines clean-up actions, natural resource damage (NRD) remediation, and potential property sales of land around Gamble Bay by Pope Resources. A short list of unresolved issues remain, principally related to the treatment of existing docks in the southern embayment around the millsite and the degree to which the DNR, the other potentially liable party (PLP) in Port Gamble, is going to participate in funding the costs of clean-up and NRD remediation.

In developing its estimate of the Port Gamble environmental liability Management has employed a Monte Carlo statistical simulation model that suggests a potential aggregate range of clean up costs from $11.5 million to $16.1 million which corresponds to a two standard deviation ranges from the mean of possible outcomes.

The environmental remediation accrual also includes estimated costs related to a separate remediation effort within the resort community of Port Ludlow. Early in 2012, soil vapor extraction (SVE) pilot tests were conducted in Port Ludlow with this round of testing producing somewhat inconclusive results regarding the efficacy of SVE as a remediation technique. Over the balance of 2012, representatives of Port Ludlow Associates (PLA) and the Partnership have been in dialogue, along with our respective consultants, to discuss these results and next steps.
 
 
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The environmental liability at December 31, 2012 is comprised of $750,000 that the Partnership expects to expend in the next 12 months and $13.2 million thereafter. The liability recorded by the Company as of December 31, 2012 is based on the 50th percentile within the range, which management considers to be their best estimate of the most likely outcome.

Property development costs. The Partnership is developing six master planned communities in Gig Harbor, Kingston, and Port Gamble. Costs of development, including interest, are capitalized for these projects and allocated to individual lots based upon their relative preconstruction value. This allocation of basis supports, in turn, the computation of those amounts reported as a current vs. long-term asset based on management’s expectation of when the sales will occur (“Land Held for Sale” and “Land Held for Development”, respectively). As lot sales occur, the allocation of these costs becomes part of cost of sales attributed to individual lot sales.

Costs associated with land including acquisition, project design, architectural costs, road construction, capitalized interest and utility installation are accounted for as operating activities on our statement of cash flows.

Percentage of Completion Revenue Recognition. The partnership accounts for revenue recognized from development sales consistent with the accounting standards relating to the sales of real estate. When a real estate transaction is closed with obligations to complete infrastructure or other construction, revenue is recognized on a percentage of completion method by calculating a ratio of costs incurred to total costs expected. Revenue is deferred proportionately based on the remaining costs to complete the project.

Impairment of Long Lived Assets. When facts and circumstances indicate the carrying value of properties may be impaired, an evaluation of recoverability is performed by comparing the carrying value of the property to the projected future undiscounted cash flows. Upon indication that the carrying value of such assets may not be recoverable, the Partnership would recognize an impairment loss, for the difference between the carrying value and the market value, and charge this amount against current operations. The long-term holding period of timberland properties makes an asset impairment unlikely as the undiscounted expected cash flows from a timberland property would need to decrease very significantly to not total in excess of the carrying value of a timber property. The land basis associated with most of our development properties is well below current market value; therefore, an asset impairment charge on one of our development projects is not likely.

Consolidation of ORM Timber Fund I, LP (Fund I), ORM Timber Fund II, Inc. (Fund II), and ORM Timber Fund III (REIT) Inc. (Fund III). Fund I and Fund II are owned 19% by Pope Resources, A Delaware Limited Partnership, 1% by Olympic Resource Management LLC (“ORMLLC”) (a wholly owned subsidiary of the Partnership), and the Partnership owns 5% of Fund III with the remaining owned by third-party investors. ORMLLC is the general partner of Fund I and the manager of Funds II and III. Third-party investors do not have the right to dissolve these Funds or otherwise remove the general partner/manager without cause nor do they have substantive participating rights in major decisions of the Funds. Based upon this governance structure, ORMLLC has presumptive control of the Funds and, as a result, under accounting rules the Funds must be consolidated into the Partnership’s financial statements.
 
Timber Fund Management Fees.  The Partnership’s wholly owned subsidiary, ORMLLC, earns management fees related to managing the Funds.  As a result, the Partnership’s consolidated financial statements, excluding the Funds, include 100% of these management fees as revenue.  The stand-alone financial statements for the Funds include 100% of these management fees as expenses.  The dollar amounts are the same, allowing for elimination of these two amounts in consolidation, and initially, no income impact in consolidation.  However, Funds I and II are owned 80% third-party investors, while Fund III is owned 95% by third-party investors, and, as a result, 80% and 95% of these management fees are paid by these third-party investors, respectively.  The management fees paid by third-party investors flows to the Partnership’s Statement of Operations as a component of the caption” “Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest-ORM Timber Funds,” effectively bringing management fees paid by third-party investors back into consolidated income of the Partnership as detailed on page 52.
 
 
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Total management fees of $2.2 million and $2.4 million were generated in 2012 and 2011, respectively.  To summarize the aforementioned consolidation process, these management fees were eliminated from revenue in the Partnership’s TM&C segment and from operating expenses in the Partnership’s Fee Timber segment.  The management fees paid by third-party investors in the funds were added back to consolidated income in the Statement of Operations as a component of the caption “Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests-ORM Timber Funds.”

Incentive Compensation. The Human Resources Committee adopted a new incentive compensation program in 2010. The program has two components – the Performance Restricted Unit (“PRU”) plan and the Long-Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”). Both components have a long-term emphasis, with the PRU plan focused on annual decision making, and the LTIP focused on 3-year performance of the Partnership’s publicly traded units relative to a group of peer companies. Compensation expense relating to the PRU will be recognized over the four-year future service period beginning with the date of grant. Approximately $458,000 of equity compensation expense related to the PRU component of this program was recognized in 2012. As of December 31, 2012, we had accrued $2.0 million, with $275,000 of that total attributable to the cash component of the PRU element and the balance of $1.7 million attributable to the LTIP that is paid in cash.

Item 7A.    QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Interest Rate Risk

At December 31, 2012, the Partnership had $43.8 million of fixed-rate debt outstanding with a fair value of approximately $50.1 million based on the current interest rates for similar financial instruments. A change in the interest rate on fixed-rate debt will affect the fair value of the debt, whereas a change in the interest rate on variable-rate debt will affect interest expense and cash flows. A hypothetical 1% change in prevailing interest rates would change the fair value of the Partnership’s fixed-rate long-term debt obligations by $2.6 million.
 
 
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Item 8.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA















POPE RESOURCES

 A DELAWARE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP




YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2012, 2011, AND 2010






 
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POPE RESOURCES, A DELAWARE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2012, 2011, AND 2010









CONTENTS
 
 
Page
Reports of independent registered public accounting firm
63
   
Financial statements:
 
   
Consolidated balance sheets
65
   
Consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss)
66
   
Consolidated statements of partners’ capital
67
   
Consolidated statements of cash flows
68
   
Notes to consolidated financial statements
70
   
Financial statement schedule
108
 
 
62

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
The Board of Directors and Unitholders
Pope Resources, A Delaware Limited Partnership:
 
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Pope Resources, A Delaware Limited Partnership, and subsidiaries (collectively, the Partnership) as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, and the related consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss), partners’ capital, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2012. In connection with our audits of the consolidated financial statements, we also have audited the financial statement schedule included in Item 15. These consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Partnership’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits.
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Pope Resources, A Delaware Limited Partnership, and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2012, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.
 
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee for Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated February 28, 2013 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting.
 
/s/ KPMG LLP

Seattle, Washington
February 28, 2013
 
 
63

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 

The Board of Directors and Unitholders
Pope Resources, A Delaware Limited Partnership:
 
We have audited Pope Resources, A Delaware Limited Partnership (the Partnership), internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Partnership’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying “Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting”. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
 
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
 
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
 
In our opinion, Pope Resources, A Delaware Limited Partnership, maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
 
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Pope Resources, A Delaware Limited Partnership, and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, and the related consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss), partners’ capital, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2012, and our report dated February 28, 2013, expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.
 
/s/ KPMG LLP

Seattle, Washington
February 28, 2013
 
 
64

 
 
POPE RESOURCES, A DELAWARE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
DECEMBER 31, 2012 AND 2011
(IN THOUSANDS)
 
ASSETS
 
2012
   
2011
 
Current assets
           
Partnership cash and cash equivalents
  $ 2,517     $ 249  
ORM Timber Funds cash and cash equivalents
    1,262       2,404  
    Cash and cash equivalents
    3,779       2,653  
Accounts receivable, net
    1,208       1,876  
Land held for sale
    1,179       1,255  
Current portion of contracts receivable
    13       80  
Prepaid expenses and other
    1,075       853  
Total current assets
    7,254       6,717  
Properties and equipment, at cost
               
Timber and roads, net of accumulated depletion of $82,094 and $71,955
    183,287       154,236  
Timberland
    41,201       34,130  
Land held for development
    29,039       28,413  
Buildings and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $6,012 and $6,203
    6,154       6,019  
Total properties and equipment, at cost
    259,681       222,798  
Other assets
               
Contracts receivable, net of current portion
    288       409  
Other
    276       484  
Total other assets
    564       893  
Total assets
  $ 267,499     $ 230,408  
LIABILITIES, PARTNERS' CAPITAL AND NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS
         
Current liabilities
               
Accounts payable
  $ 1,673     $ 1,328  
Accrued liabilities
    2,866       3,021  
Current portion of long-term debt
    125       32  
Deferred revenue
    2,065       447  
Other current liabilities
    993       468  
Total current liabilities
    7,722       5,296  
                 
Long-term debt, net of current portion
    43,710       45,793  
Other long-term liabilities
    13,426       2,161  
                 
Commitments and contingencies
               
                 
Partners' capital
               
General partners' capital (units issued and outstanding 60 and 60)
    902       1,063  
Limited partners' capital (units issued and outstanding 4,299 and 4,269)
    63,321       74,696  
Noncontrolling interests
    138,418       101,399  
Total partners' capital and noncontrolling interests
    202,641       177,158  
Total liabilities, partners' capital, and noncontrolling interests
  $ 267,499     $ 230,408  
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
 
65

 
 
POPE RESOURCES, A DELAWARE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2012, 2011, AND 2010
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER UNIT INFORMATION)
 
   
2012
   
2011
   
2010
 
Revenue
                 
Fee Timber
  $ 45,539     $ 52,729     $ 27,674  
Timberland Management & Consulting
    7       -       31  
Real Estate
    8,497       4,545       3,487  
Total revenue
    54,043       57,274       31,192  
Costs and expenses
                       
Cost of sales
                       
Fee Timber
    (27,596 )     (29,568 )     (14,052 )
Real Estate
    (3,235 )     (1,581 )     (1,100 )
Total cost of sales
    (30,831 )     (31,149 )     (15,152 )
Operating expenses
                       
Fee Timber
    (6,090 )     (6,262 )     (3,919 )
Timberland Management & Consulting
    (1,575 )     (1,515 )     (1,281 )
Real Estate
    (3,861 )     (2,336 )     (2,341 )
Environmental remediation
    (12,500 )     (977 )     (875 )
General & Administrative
    (4,170 )     (4,188 )     (4,711 )
Total operating expenses
    (28,196 )     (15,278 )     (13,127 )
Operating income (loss)
                       
Fee Timber
    11,853       16,899       9,703  
Timberland Management & Consulting
    (1,568 )     (1,515 )     (1,250 )
Real Estate
    (11,099 )     (349 )     (829 )
General & Administrative
    (4,170 )     (4,188 )     (4,711 )
Total operating income
    (4,984 )     10,847       2,913  
Other income (expense)
                       
Interest expense
    (2,077 )     (2,158 )     (1,815 )
Interest capitalized to development projects
    591       432       569  
Interest income
    26       42       102  
Net gain on student loan auction rate securities dispositions
    -       -       11  
Total other expense
    (1,460 )     (1,684 )     (1,133 )
Debt extinguishment costs
    -       -       (1,250 )
Income (loss) before income taxes
    (6,444 )     9,163       530  
Income tax benefit (expense)
    (352 )     (236 )     290  
Net income (loss)
    (6,796 )     8,927       820  
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests-ORM Timber Funds
    2,087       (173 )     1,218  
Net income (loss) attributable to unitholders
    (4,709 )     8,754       2,038  
Other comprehensive income adjustments
    -       -       -  
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to unitholders
  $ (4,709 )   $ 8,754     $ 2,038  
                         
Allocable to general partners
  $ (65 )   $ 121     $ 64  
Allocable to limited partners
    (4,644 )     8,633       1,974  
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to unitholders
  $ (4,709 )   $ 8,754     $ 2,038  
Earnings (loss) per unit attributable to unitholders:
                       
Basic
  $ (1.11 )   $ 1.94     $ 0.43  
Diluted
  $ (1.11 )   $ 1.94     $ 0.43  
Distributions per unit
  $ 1.70     $ 1.20     $ 0.70  
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
 
66

 
 
POPE RESOURCES, A DELAWARE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF PARTNERS’ CAPITAL
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2012, 2011, AND 2010
(IN THOUSANDS)
 
   
Attributable to Pope Resources
   
 
       
   
General
   
Limited
     
Noncontrolling
   
 
 
   
Partners
   
Partners
     
Interests
   
Total
 
December 31, 2009
  $ 1,089     $ 82,037     $ 70,931     $ 154,057  
                                 
Net income (loss)
    64       1,974       (1,218 )     820  
                                 
Cash distributions
    (42 )     (3,199 )     (821 )     (4,062 )
                                 
Proceeds from option exercises
    19       603       -       622  
                                 
Preferred stock issuance
    -       -       125       125  
                                 
Capital call
    -       -       38,800       38,800  
                                 
Equity-based compensation
    22       690       -       712  
                                 
Unit repurchases
    (160 )     (12,107 )     -       (12,267 )
                                 
December 31, 2010
  $ 992     $ 69,998     $ 107,817     $ 178,807  
                                 
Net income
    121       8,633       173       8,927  
                                 
Cash distributions
    (72 )     (5,191 )     (7,028 )     (12,291 )
                                 
Proceeds from option exercises
    7       509       -       516  
                                 
Capital call
    -       -       437       437  
                                 
Excess tax benefit from equity-based compensation
    6       90       -       96  
                                 
Equity-based compensation
    12       888       -       900  
                                 
Indirect repurchase of units for minimum tax withholding
    (3 )     (231 )     -       (234 )
                                 
December 31, 2011
  $ 1,063     $ 74,696     $ 101,399     $ 177,158  
                                 
Net loss
    (65 )     (4,644 )     (2,087 )     (6,796 )
                                 
Cash distributions
    (105 )     (7,394 )     (3,958 )     (11,457 )
                                 
Proceeds from option exercises
    -       12       -       12  
                                 
Stock sale
    -       -       118       118  
                                 
Capital call
    -       -       42,946       42,946  
                                 
Excess tax benefit from equity-based compensation
    3       217       -       220  
                                 
Equity-based compensation
    10       730       -       740  
                                 
Indirect repurchase of units for minimum tax withholding
    (4 )     (296 )     -       (300 )
                                 
December 31, 2012
  $ 902     $ 63,321     $ 138,418     $ 202,641  
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
 
67

 
 
POPE RESOURCES, A DELAWARE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2012, 2011, AND 2010
(IN THOUSANDS)
 
   
2012
   
2011
   
2010
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
                 
Cash received from customers
  $ 56,517     $ 56,076     $ 31,289  
Cash paid to suppliers and employees
    (36,364 )     (31,609 )     (19,210 )
Interest received
    26       47       103  
Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized
    (1,490 )     (1,924 )     (903 )
Debt extinguishment costs
    -       -       (1,250 )
Capitalized development activities
    (2,152 )     (893 )     (1,075 )
Income taxes received (paid)
    (328 )     (37 )     (4 )
Net cash provided by operating activities
    16,209       21,660       8,950  
Cash flows from investing activities:
                       
Capital expenditures
    (2,305 )     (5,121 )     (941 )
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets
    2,873       -       -  
Redemption of investments
    -       -       1,497  
Timberland acquisitions
    (45,155 )     (159 )     (58,206 )
Net cash used in investing activities
    (44,587 )     (5,280 )     (57,650 )
Cash flows from financing activities:
                       
(Repayment of) draw on line of credit, net
    (4,957 )     (4,643 )     9,600  
Repayment of long-term debt
    (32 )     (30 )     (1,038 )
Extinguishment of long-term debt
    -       -       (18,554 )
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
    3,000       -       31,000  
Debt issuance costs
    (46 )     -       (283 )
Unit repurchases
    -       -       (12,267 )
Proceeds from option exercises
    12       516       622  
Payroll taxes paid upon restricted unit vesting
    (300 )     (235 )     -  
Excess tax benefit from equity-based compensation
    220       96       -  
Cash distributions to unitholders
    (7,499 )     (5,263 )     (3,241 )
Cash distributions- ORM Timber Funds, net of distributions to Partnership
    (3,942 )     (7,012 )     (806 )
Capital call- ORM Timber Fund II, Inc.
    -       -       38,800  
Stock sale - ORM Timber Fund II, Inc.
    118       -       -  
Preferred stock issuance (distribution), net - ORM Timber Fund II, Inc.
    (16 )     (16 )     110  
Capital call- ORM Timber Fund III, Inc.
    42,946       437       -  
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    29,504       (16,150 )     43,943  
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    1,126       230       (4,757 )
Cash and cash equivalents:
                       
Beginning of year
    2,653       2,423       7,180  
End of year
  $ 3,779     $ 2,653     $ 2,423  
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
 
68

 
 
POPE RESOURCES, A DELAWARE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
SCHEDULE TO CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2012, 2011, AND 2010
(IN THOUSANDS)

Reconciliation of net income (loss) to net cash
 
2012
   
2011
   
2010
 
provided by operating activities:
                 
Net income (loss)
  $ (6,796 )   $ 8,927     $ 820  
Depletion
    10,019       11,908       5,169  
Capitalized development activities
    (2,152 )     (893 )     (1,075 )
Equity-based compensation
    740       900       712  
Excess tax benefit from equity-based compensation
    (220 )     (96 )     -  
Depreciation and amortization
    1,232       701       642  
Gain on sale of property and equipment
    (2,753 )     -       (11 )
Deferred taxes, net
    97       90       (252 )
Cost of land sold
    1,492       112       67  
Write-off of debt issuance costs
    -       -       32  
Increase (decrease) in cash from changes in
                       
operating accounts:
                       
Accounts receivable
    668       (1,353 )     (282 )
Contracts receivable
    188       382       174  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    (84 )     (10 )     (71 )
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
    410       921       2,157  
Deferred revenue
    1,618       (227 )     205  
Other current liabilities
    15       37       (6 )
Environmental remediation
    11,739       271       664  
Other, net
    (4 )     (10 )     5  
Net cash provided by operating activities
  $ 16,209     $ 21,660     $ 8,950  
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
 
69

 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

     Nature of operations
Pope Resources, A Delaware Limited Partnership (the “Partnership”) is a publicly traded limited partnership engaged primarily in managing timber resources on its own properties as well as those owned by others. Pope Resources’ active subsidiaries include the following: ORM, Inc., which is responsible for managing Pope Resources’ timber properties; Olympic Resource Management LLC (ORMLLC), which provides timberland management and consulting activities and is responsible for developing the timber fund business; Olympic Property Group I, LLC, which manages the Port Gamble townsite and millsite together with land that is held as development property; and OPG Properties LLC, which owns land that is held as development property. These consolidated financial statements also include ORM Timber Fund I, LP (Fund I), ORM Timber Fund II, Inc. (Fund II), and ORM Timber Fund III, Inc. (Fund III, and collectively with Fund I and Fund II, the Funds).  With respect to Funds I and II, ORMLLC is the general partner and owns 1% while Pope Resources owns 19%. ORMLLC is the general partner and owns 1% of Fund III and the Partnership separately has a 4% co-investment in Fund III. The purpose of all three Funds is to invest in timberlands. See Note 2 for additional information.

The Partnership operates in three business segments: Fee Timber, Timberland Management & Consulting, and Real Estate. Fee Timber represents the growing and harvesting of trees from owned properties. Timberland Management & Consulting represents management, acquisition, disposition, and consulting services provided to third-party owners of timberland and provides management services to the Funds. Real Estate consists of obtaining and entitling properties that have been identified as having value as developed residential or commercial property and operating the Partnership’s existing commercial property in Kitsap County, Washington.
 
Principles of consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Partnership, its subsidiaries, and the Funds. Intercompany balances and transactions, including operations related to the Funds, have been eliminated in consolidation.

General partner
The Partnership has two general partners: Pope MGP, Inc. and Pope EGP, Inc. In total, these two entities own 60,000 partnership units. The allocation of distributions, income and other capital related items between the general and limited partners is pro rata among all units outstanding. The managing general partner of the Partnership is Pope MGP, Inc.

Noncontrolling interests
Noncontrolling interests represents the portion of 2012, 2011, and 2010 net income and losses of the Funds attributable to third-party owners of the Funds.  In the case of Funds I and II, noncontrolling interests represent 80%, while noncontrolling interests represent 95% of Fund III ownership.  To arrive at net income (loss) attributable to Partnership unitholders, the portion of the income attributable to these third-party investors is subtracted from Partnership income (loss) or, in the case of a loss attributable to third-party investors, added back to Partnership income (loss).  The Funds are consolidated into Pope Resources’ financial statements due to our control over the Funds (see Note 2).

     Significant estimates and concentrations in financial statements
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expense during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
 
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Depletion
Timber costs are combined into depletion pools based on the common characteristics of the timber such as location and species mix.  Each tree farm within the Funds is considered a separate pool and timber harvested by the Funds is accounted for and depleted separate from the Partnership's timberlands due to third-party owners in the Funds. The applicable depletion rate is derived by dividing the aggregate cost of merchantable stands of timber (age 35 and older), together with capitalized road expenditures, by the estimated volume of merchantable timber available for harvest at the beginning of that year. The depletion rate, so derived and expressed in per MBF terms, is then multiplied by the volume harvested in a given period to calculate depletion expense for that period as follows:

Depletion rate = Accumulated cost of timber and capitalized road expenditures
         Estimated volume of 35-years-and-older merchantable timber
 
Timberland is not subject to depletion.
 
         Purchased timberland cost allocation.
When the Partnership acquires timberlands, a purchase price allocation is performed that allocates cost between the categories of merchantable timber, pre-merchantable timber, and land based upon the relative fair values pertaining to each of the categories.  Land value may include uses other than timberland including potential CE sales and development opportunities.

Cost of sales
Cost of sales consists of the Partnership’s cost basis in timber, real estate, and other inventory sold, and direct costs incurred to make those assets saleable. Those direct costs include the expenditures associated with the harvesting and transporting of timber and closing costs incurred in land and lot sale transactions.  Cost of sales also consists of those costs directly attributable to the Partnership’s rental activities.

        Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less at date of purchase.

Concentration of credit risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Partnership to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of accounts and contracts receivable. The Partnership limits its credit exposure by considering the creditworthiness of potential customers and utilizing underlying land sold as collateral on contracts. The Partnership’s allowance for doubtful accounts on accounts receivable is $58,509 and $14,670 at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Contracts receivable
In the past, the Partnership has occasionally sold small land parcels under contracts that require minimum cash down payments of 20% to 25% at interest rates between 7% and 8.75% per annum. As of December 31, 2012 we held 4 such contracts.  While one contract has a repayment term of 15 years, loans are typically structured with repayments based on a 20-year amortization schedule culminating in a balloon payment within 5 to 7 years.

At December 31, 2012, minimum principal payments on contracts receivable for the next five years and thereafter are due as follows (in thousands):
 
2013
  $ 13  
2014
    160  
2015
    9  
2016
    10  
2017
    10  
   Thereafter
    99  
Total
  $ 301  
 
 
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Income taxes
The Partnership is not subject to income taxes, but its corporate subsidiaries are subject to income taxes which are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis. Operating loss and tax credit carryforwards, if any, are also factored into the calculation of deferred tax assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates that are expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.  The Partnership has concluded that it is more likely than not that its deferred tax assets will be realizable and thus no valuation allowance has been recorded as of December 31, 2012. This conclusion is based on anticipated future taxable income and tax planning strategies to generate taxable income, if needed.  The Partnership is not aware of any tax exposure items as of December 31, 2012 and 2011.  

Land held for sale and Land held for development
Land held for sale and land held for development are recorded at the lower of cost or fair value less the cost to sell.  Costs of development, including interest, are capitalized for these projects and allocated to individual lots based upon their relative preconstruction value. This allocation of basis supports, in turn, the computation of those amounts reported as a current vs. long-term asset based on management’s expectation of when the sales will occur (Land Held for Sale and Land Held for Development, respectively). As lot sales occur, the allocation of these costs becomes part of cost of sales attributed to individual lot sales.  Costs associated with land including acquisition, project design, architectural costs, road construction, capitalized interest and utility installation are accounted for as operating activities on our statement of cash flows.

Those properties that are for sale, under contract, and for which the Partnership has an expectation they will be sold within 12 months are classified on our balance sheet as a current asset under “Land Held for Sale”. The $1.2 million currently in Land Held for Sale reflects our expectation of a sale in 2013 of an 11-acre single-family parcel from the Harbor Hill project in Gig Harbor.  Land Held for Sale as of December 31, 2011 represented 2012 sales of land underlying our corporate headquarters building in Poulsbo and a 12-acre multi-family parcel from the Harbor Hill project in Gig Harbor.

Land held for development on our balance sheet represents the Partnership’s cost basis in land that has been identified as having greater value as development property rather than as timberland. Land development costs, including interest, clearly associated with development or construction of fully entitled projects are capitalized, whereas costs associated with projects that are in the entitlement phase are expensed.  Interest capitalization ceases once projects reach the point of substantial completion or construction activity has been intentionally delayed.
 
Timberland, timber and roads
Timberland, timber and roads are recorded at cost. The Partnership capitalizes the cost of building permanent roads on the tree farms and expenses temporary roads and road maintenance. Timberland is not subject to depletion.
 
 
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Properties and equipment
Buildings and equipment depreciation is provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which range from 3 to 39 years.

When facts and circumstances indicate the carrying value of properties may be impaired, an evaluation of recoverability is performed by comparing the currently recorded carrying value of the property to the projected future undiscounted cash flows of the same property. If it is determined that the carrying value of such assets may not be fully recoverable, we would recognize an impairment loss, adjusting for the difference between the carrying value and the estimated fair market value, and would recognize an expense in this amount against current operations.

Buildings and equipment are recorded at cost and consisted of the following as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 (in thousands):

Description
 
12/31/2012
   
12/31/2011
 
Buildings
  $ 8,512     $ 8,507  
Equipment
    3,029       3,083  
Furniture and fixtures
    625       632  
Total
  $ 12,166     $ 12,222  
Accumulated depreciation
    (6,012 )     (6,203 )
Net buildings and equipment
  $ 6,154     $ 6,019  

Deferred revenue
Deferred revenue represents the unearned portion of cash collected. The deferred revenue balance of $2.1 million at December 31, 2012 primarily represents revenue that will recognized after we complete post-closing obligations related to the 12-acre sale of a multi-family parcel in our Gig Harbor project.  Deferred revenue of $447,000 at December 31, 2011 mostly reflects the unearned portion of rental payments received on cell tower leases.

Revenue recognition
Revenue on timber sales is recorded when title and risk of loss passes to the buyer. Revenue on real estate sales is recorded on the date the sale closes, upon receipt of adequate down payment, and receipt of the buyer’s obligation to make sufficient continuing payments towards the purchase of the property and the Partnership has no continuing involvement with the real estate sold. When a real estate transaction is closed with obligations to complete infrastructure or other construction, revenue is recognized on a percentage of completion method by calculating a ratio of costs incurred to total costs expected. Revenue is deferred proportionately based on the remaining costs to satisfy the obligation. Management fees and consulting service revenues are recognized as the related services are provided.

Land and development rights or conservation easement (CE) sales
The Partnership considers the sale of land and development rights, or conservation easements (CE’s), to be part of its normal operations and therefore recognizes revenue from such sales and cost of sales for the Partnership’s basis in the property sold. Cash generated from these sales is included in cash flows from operations on the Partnership’s statements of cash flows.

In 2012, 2011, and 2010 the Partnership generated $1.2 million, $2.0 million, and $2.4 million, respectively, from conservation easement sales.

 
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Equity-based compensation
The Partnership issues restricted units to certain employees, officers, and directors of the Partnership as part of their annual compensation. Restricted units are valued on the grant date at the market closing price of the partnership units on that date. The value of the restricted units is amortized to compensation expense during the vesting period which can range from two to four years. Grants to retirement-eligible individuals on the date of grant are expensed immediately.

On the date of grant, these restricted units are owned by the employee, officer, or director of the Partnership, subject to a trading restriction that is in effect during the vesting period. As of December 31, 2012, total compensation expense not yet recognized related to non-vested awards was $1.0 million with a weighted average 22 months remaining to vest.

Income (loss) per partnership unit
Basic net earnings (loss) per unit are calculated by dividing net income (loss) attributable to unitholders, adjusted for non-forfeitable distributions paid out to unvested restricted unitholders and Fund II preferred shareholders, by the weighted average units outstanding during the period. Diluted net earnings (loss) per unit are calculated by dividing net income (loss) attributable to unitholders, adjusted for non-forfeitable distributions paid out to unvested restricted unitholders and Fund II preferred shareholders, by the weighted average units outstanding during the year plus additional units that would have been outstanding assuming the exercise of in-the-money unit equivalents using the treasury stock method, unless the assumed exercise is antidilutive.
 
The table below displays how we arrived at basic and diluted income (loss) per unit:
 
   
Year Ended December 31,
 
(in thousands)
 
2012
   
2011
   
2010
 
Net income (loss) attributable to Pope Resources’ unitholders
  $ (4,709 )   $ 8,754     $ 2,038  
Net income attributable to unvested restricted unitholders
    (88 )     (341 )     (45 )
Dividends paid to Fund II preferred shareholders
    (16 )     (16 )     (15 )
Net income (loss) attributable to outstanding unitholders
  $ (4,813 )   $ 8,397     $ 1,978  
                         
Weighted average units outstanding:
                       
Basic
    4,351       4,323       4,554  
Dilutive effect of unit equivalents
    -       2       24  
Diluted
    4,351       4,325       4,578  
                         
Earnings (loss) per unit: Basic
  $ (1.11 )   $ 1.94     $ 0.43  
Earnings (loss) per unit: Diluted
  $ (1.11 )   $ 1.94     $ 0.43  
 
As of December 31, 2012 there were no outstanding unexercised options.  At December 31, 2011, there were 5,500 options to purchase units at prices ranging from $10.75 to $17.40, none of which were excluded from the calculation of dilutive unit equivalents.  This compares to December 31, 2010 when options to purchase 47,874 units at prices ranging from $9.30 to $37.73 were outstanding.  Of those outstanding options in 2010, 1,464 units at prices ranging from $30.98 to $37.73 were not included in the calculation of dilutive unit equivalents as these were anti-dilutive.
 
Fund II Preferred Shares
Fund II issued 125 par $0.01 shares of its 12.5% Series A Cumulative Non-Voting Preferred Stock (Series A Preferred Stock) at $1,000 per share for total proceeds of $125,000 in March 2010. Each holder of the Series A Preferred Stock is entitled to a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share. Dividends on each share of Series A Preferred Stock will accrue on a daily basis at the rate of 12.5% per annum. Upon redemption, the Series A Preferred Shares will be settled in cash and are not convertible into any other class or series of shares or Partnership units. Redemption timing is controlled by Fund II. The maximum amount that the consolidated subsidiary could be required to pay to redeem the instruments upon settlement is $125,000 plus accrued but unpaid dividends. The Series A Preferred Stock is recorded within noncontrolling interests on the consolidated balance sheet and are considered participating securities for purposes of calculating earnings (loss) per unit.
 
 
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Fair Value Hierarchy
We use a fair value hierarchy in accounting for certain nonfinancial assets and liabilities including long-lived assets (asset groups) measured at fair value for an impairment assessment.

The fair value hierarchy is based on inputs to valuation techniques that are used to measure fair value that are either observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect assumptions market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability based on market data obtained from independent sources while unobservable inputs reflect a reporting entity’s pricing based upon its own market assumptions.

The fair value hierarchy consists of the following three levels:
-Level 1-Inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
-Level 2-Inputs are: (a) quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in an active market, (b) quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, or (c) inputs other than quoted prices that are observable and market-corroborated inputs, which are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data.
-Level 3-Inputs are derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or value drivers are unobservable.

        Reclassifications
Management has reclassified certain prior year operating expenses in the Real Estate segment to conform to the current year presentation.  In 2012, we changed the classification of certain Real Estate operating costs related to rental revenue to real estate cost of sales.  As such, we have reclassified certain Real Estate operating expenses to cost of sales in the current and all prior periods, with the reclassification having no impact on total expenses for any of the respective periods.  Other reclassifications related to intercompany activity were also made that did not change total expenses in any of the reported periods.  The table that follows shows cost of sales and operating expenses originally reported in the Form 10-K for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 and the effect of the reclassification on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss):
 
 
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(in thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
 
   
Reclassified
   
Reported
   
Reclassified
   
Reported
 
Cost of sales
                       
Fee Timber
  $ (29,568 )   $ (30,042 )   $ (14,052 )   $ (14,184 )
Real Estate
    (1,581 )     (522 )     (1,100 )     (162 )
Total cost of sales
    (31,149 )     (30,564 )     (15,152 )     (14,346 )
Operating expenses
                               
Fee Timber
    (6,262 )     (5,788 )     (3,919 )     (3,787 )
Timberland Management & Consulting
    (1,515 )     (1,515 )     (1,281 )     (1,281 )
Real Estate
    (2,336 )     (3,395 )     (2,341 )     (3,259 )
Environmental remediation
    (977 )     (977 )     (875 )     (875 )
General & Administrative
    (4,188 )     (4,188 )     (4,711 )     (4,731 )
Total operating expenses
    (15,278 )     (15,863 )     (13,127 )     (13,933 )
Total expenses
  $ (46,427 )   $ (46,427 )   $ (28,279 )   $ (28,279 )
 
 
2.  ORM TIMBER FUND I, LP (FUND I), ORM TIMBER FUND II, INC. (FUND II), AND ORM TIMBER FUND III (REIT) INC. (FUND III) (COLLECTIVELY, “THE FUNDS”)
 
The Funds were formed by Olympic Resource Management LLC (ORMLLC), a wholly owned subsidiary of Pope Resources, for the purpose of attracting capital to purchase timberlands. The objective of these Funds is to generate a return on investments through the acquisition, management, value enhancement and sale of timberland properties. Each Fund is organized to operate for a term of ten years from the end of the drawdown period, with Fund I terminating in August 2017, Fund II terminating in March 2021, and Fund III with an as-yet-undefined term because its drawdown period is still open. Fund III’s term of ten years will begin after the capital is fully invested.  In July 2012 we completed our final close of Fund III with commitments totaling $180 million, including our co-investment commitment of $9 million.  During the fourth quarter of 2012, Fund III acquired 19,000 acres of northern California timberland for a purchase price of $45.1 million which represented a deployment of 25% of the Fund III committed capital. The purchase price was allocated $7.5 million to land and $37.6 million to roads and timber.
 
Pope Resources and ORMLLC together own 20% of Fund I and Fund II and own 5% of Fund III. All Funds are consolidated into the Partnership’s financial statements. The Funds’ statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2012 reflects an operating loss of $2.0 million, operating income of $942,000 for the year ended December 31, 2011 and an operating loss of $1.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2010. These operations include management fees paid to ORMLLC of $2.2 million, $2.4 million, and $1.5 million for 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively, which are eliminated in consolidation.
 
The Partnership’s consolidated financial statements include Fund I, Fund II, and Fund III assets and liabilities at December 31, 2012 and 2011, which were as follows:
 
 
76

 
 
(in thousands)
 
2012
   
2011
 
Cash
  $ 1,262     $ 2,404  
Other current assets
    691       546  
  Total current assets
    1,953       2,950  
Timber, timberland and roads (net of  $20,664 and $13,729
               
 of accumulated depletion in 2012 and 2011)
    175,410       136,313  
Other long-term assets
    111       126  
  Total assets
  $ 177,474     $ 139,389  
                 
Current liabilities excluding long-term debt
  $ 1,413     $ 1,525  
Current portion of long-term debt
    34       32  
  Total current liabilities
    1,447       1,557  
Long-term debt
    11,002       11,036  
Funds' equity
    165,025       126,796  
  Total liabilities and equity
  $ 177,474     $ 139,389  
 
The table above includes management fees payable to the Partnership of $490,000 and $444,000 as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  These amounts are eliminated in the Partnership’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.
 
 
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3.  LONG-TERM DEBT
 
   
At December 31,
 
(in thousands)
 
2012
   
2011
 
Pope Resources debt:
           
Mortgage payable to NWFCS, collateralized by Poulsbo headquarters:
           
     Ten-year tranche, interest at 3.80% with monthly principal and interest
           
     payments.  Matures in January 2023.
  $ 3,000     $ -  
                 
Mortgages payable to NWFCS, collateralized by timberlands, as follows:
               
     Five-year tranche, interest at 4.10% with monthly interest-only payments.
               
     Matures in July 2015.
    4,999       5,000  
                 
     Seven-year tranche, interest at 4.85% with monthly interest-only payments.
               
     Matures in July 2017.
    5,000       5,000  
                 
     Ten-year tranche, interest at 6.40%, collateralized by timberlands
               
     with monthly interest-only payments.  Matures September 2019.
    9,800       9,800  
                 
     Fifteen-year tranche, interest at 6.05% with monthly interest-only payments.
               
     Matures in July 2025.
    10,000       10,000  
      32,799       29,800  
Operating line of credit, variable interest rate based on LIBOR plus margin, with monthly interest-only payments. Matures August 2015.
    -       4,957  
  Total Partnership debt
    32,799       34,757  
                 
ORM Timber Funds debt:
               
Fund I note payable to the City of Tacoma, with interest at 4.5%,  with monthly principal and interest payments maturing January 2014.
    36       68  
                 
Fund II mortgage payable to MetLife, interest at 4.85%, collateralized by Fund II timberlands with quarterly interest payments maturing September 2020.
    11,000       11,000  
  Total ORM Timber Funds debt
    11,036       11,068  
Consolidated subtotal
    43,835       45,825  
  Less current portion
    (125 )     (32 )
Consolidated long-term debt, less current portion
  $ 43,710     $ 45,793  
 
The Partnership’s debt agreements have covenants which are measured quarterly. Among the covenants measured, is a requirement that the Partnership not exceed a maximum debt-to-total-capitalization ratio of 30%, with total capitalization calculated using fair market (vs. carrying) value of timberland, roads and timber. The Partnership is in compliance with this covenant as of December 31, 2012 and expects to remain in compliance for at least the next twelve months.

Fund II’s debt agreement contains a requirement to maintain a loan-to-value ratio of less than 40%, with the denominator defined as appraised value. Fund II is in compliance with this covenant as of December 31, 2012 and expects to remain in compliance for at least the next 12 months.

At December 31, 2012, principal payments on long-term debt for the next five years and thereafter are due as follows (in thousands):
 
 
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2013
  $ 125  
2014
    109  
2015
    5,109  
2016
    114  
2017
    5,118  
Thereafter
    33,260  
Total
  $ 43,835  
 
The Partnership’s revolving line of credit with NWFCS matures August 2015 and has a maximum borrowing limit of $20 million. This line of credit had nothing drawn as of December 31, 2012, down from $5.0 million as of December 31, 2011. The interest rate under this credit facility uses LIBOR as a benchmark. The spread above the benchmark rate is variable depending on the Partnership’s trailing twelve-month interest coverage ratio but ranges from 175 to 275 basis points. As of December 31, 2012 the rate (benchmark plus the spread) was 200 basis points. The debt arrangement between the Partnership and NWFCS includes an annual reimbursement of interest expense (patronage). The Partnership’s 2012 interest expense was reduced by $214,000, which reflects estimated patronage to be refunded in 2013 with the related receivable recorded within Accounts Receivable as of December 31, 2012.
 
Accrued interest relating to all debt instruments was $463,000 and $494,000 at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and is included in accrued liabilities.

4.  FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
 
The Partnership’s consolidated financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable, for which the carrying amount of each represents fair value based on current market interest rates or their short-term nature. Carrying amounts of contracts receivable, although long-term, also approximate fair value given the current market interest rates. The fair value of the Partnership’s and Funds’ fixed-rate debt having a carrying value of $43.8 million and $45.8 million as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, has been estimated based on current interest rates for similar financial instruments, Level 2 inputs in the Fair Value Hierarchy, to be approximately $50.1 million and $40.9 million, respectively.
 
 
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5.  INCOME TAXES

The Partnership is not subject to income taxes. Instead, partners are taxed on their share of the Partnership’s taxable income, whether or not cash distributions are paid. However, the Partnership’s corporate subsidiaries are subject to income taxes. The following tables provide information on the impact of income taxes in taxable subsidiaries. Consolidated Partnership income (loss) is reconciled to income (loss) before income taxes in corporate subsidiaries for the years ended December 31 as follows:
 
(in thousands)
 
2012
   
2011
   
2010
 
Income (loss) before income taxes
  $ (6,444 )   $ 9,163     $ 530  
Income (loss) in entities that pass-through pre-tax earnings to the partners
    (6,578 )     8,427       1,408  
Income (loss) subject to income taxes
  $ 134     $ 736     $ (878 )
  
The provision for income taxes relating to corporate subsidiaries of the Partnership consists of the following income tax benefit (expense) for each of the years ended December 31:
 
(in thousands)
 
2012
   
2011
   
2010
 
Current
  $ (255 )   $ (146 )   $ 38  
Deferred
    (97 )     (90 )     252  
Total
  $ (352 )   $ (236 )   $ 290  
 
For the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company also recorded excess tax benefits of $220,000 and $96,000, respectively.
 
A reconciliation between the federal statutory tax rate and the Partnership’s effective tax rate is as follows for each of the years ended December 31:
 
   
2012
 
2011
 
2010
Statutory tax on income
    34 %     34 %     34 %
Income (loss) in entities that pass-through pre-tax earnings to the partners
    (39 %)     (31 %)     (89 %)
Effective income tax rate
    (5 %)     3 %     (55 %)
 
The net deferred income tax assets include the following components as of December 31:
 
(in thousands)
 
2012
   
2011
   
2010
 
Current (included in prepaid expenses and other)
  $ 590     $ 439     $ 401  
Non-current (included in other assets (other long-term liabilities))
    (41 )     207       335  
Total
  $ 549     $ 646     $ 736  
 
The deferred tax assets are comprised of the following:
 
(in thousands)
 
2012
   
2011
   
2010
 
Compensation-related accruals
  $ 353     $ 628     $ 647  
Net operating loss carryforward
    167       -       -  
Depreciation
    4       54       38  
Other
    25       (36 )     51  
Total
  $ 549     $ 646     $ 736  
 
 
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6.  UNIT INCENTIVE PLAN

The Partnership’s 2005 Unit Incentive Plan (the Plan) authorized the granting of nonqualified equity compensation to employees, officers, and directors of the Partnership. A total of 1,105,815 units have been reserved for issuance under the Plan of which there are 952,194 units authorized but unissued as of December 31, 2012.

One of the two components of a management incentive compensation program adopted in 2010 (2010 Incentive Compensation Program) is the Performance Restricted Unit (PRU) plan which includes both an equity and cash component. Compensation expense relating to the PRUs will vest 25% per year over a 4-year future service period. The first equity grants pursuant to this program were made in January 2011.  The second component of the incentive compensation program is the Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) which is paid in cash.  The LTIP awards contain a feature whereby the award amount is based upon the Partnership’s total shareholder return (TSR) as compared to TSR’s of a benchmark peer group of companies, measured over a rolling three-year performance period.  The component based on relative TSR requires the company’s projected cash payout for yet-to-be-completed performance cycles to be re-measured quarterly based upon the Partnership’s relative TSR ranking, using a Monte Carlo simulation model.

Total equity compensation expense for 2012 was $740,000, of which $458,000 of equity compensation expense was related to the PRU plan. The remaining expense was related to amortization of restricted units issued under the 2005 Plan, but not part of the 2010 Incentive Compensation Program. As of December 31, 2012, we accrued $2.0 million relating to the 2010 Incentive Compensation Program, with $275,000 of that total attributable to the cash component of the PRU and the balance of $1.7 million attributable to the LTIP that is paid in cash. This compares with December 31, 2011 when we had accrued $2.0 million for such liabilities, with $220,000 related to the cash component of the PRU and the balance of $1.8 million attributable to the LTIP that is paid in cash.

The 2010 Incentive Compensation Program does not affect the existence or availability of the 2005 Unit Incentive Plan or change its terms. The 2005 Unit Incentive Plan provides a one-way linkage to the 2010 Incentive Compensation Program because it (2005 Plan) has already established the formal framework by which unit grants, options, etc., can be issued.  Upon either the exercise of options or vesting of restricted units, grantees have the choice of tendering back units to pay for their option exercise price and minimum tax withholdings.

Restricted Units
The Human Resources Committee makes awards of restricted units to certain employees, plus the officers and directors of the Partnership and its subsidiaries. The restricted unit grants vest over two to four years and are compensatory in nature. Restricted unit awards entitle the recipient to full distribution rights during the vesting period, and thus are considered participating securities, but are restricted from disposition and may be forfeited until the units vest. The fair value, which equals the market price at date of grant, is charged to income on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. Grants to retirement-eligible individuals on the date of grant are expensed immediately.
 
 
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Restricted unit activity for the three years ended December 31, 2012 was as follows:
 
         
Weighted Avg
 
         
Grant Date
 
   
Units
   
Fair Value ($)
 
Outstanding December 31, 2009
    56,195       33.76  
Grants
    26,200       25.15  
Vested, net of units tendered back
    (16,334 )     38.29  
Tendered back to pay tax withholding
    (1,388 )     39.24  
Outstanding December 31, 2010
    64,673       29.01  
Grants
    26,500       38.64  
Vested, net of units tendered back
    (26,431 )     32.38  
Tendered back to pay tax withholding
    (6,242 )     31.91  
Outstanding December 31, 2011
    58,500       31.54  
Grants
    26,350       42.85  
Vested, net of units tendered back
    (26,676 )     30.15  
Tendered back to pay tax withholding
    (5,826 )     28.60  
Outstanding December 31, 2012
    52,348       38.09  
 
Unit Options
Unit options have not been granted since December 2005. Unit options granted prior to January 1, 2006 were non-qualified options granted at an exercise price not less than 100% of the fair value on the grant date. Unit options granted to employees vested over four or five years. Directors had the option of receiving their annual retainer in the form of unit options and those options vested immediately as they were granted monthly for services rendered during the month. Options granted had a life of ten years.  As shown below, there are no outstanding options, vested or unvested, at December 31, 2012.
 
         
Weighted Avg
 
   
Options
   
Exercise Price ($)
 
Outstanding and Vested December 31, 2009
    163,053       15.86  
Exercised
    (75,692 )     14.96  
Expired
    (2,500 )     24.13  
Tendered back to pay exercise price and tax withholding
    (36,987 )     18.46  
Outstanding and Vested December 31, 2010
    47,874       14.85  
Exercised
    (39,982 )     13.81  
Expired
    -       -  
Tendered back to pay exercise price and tax withholding
    (2,392 )     12.26  
Outstanding and Vested December 31, 2011
    5,500       16.35  
Exercised
    (3,265 )     15.63  
Tendered back to pay exercise price and tax withholding
    (2,235 )     17.40  
Outstanding and Vested December 31, 2012
    -       -  
 
At December 31, 2011, the aggregate spread between the option exercise price and unit market price (intrinsic value) of all options outstanding was $147,000.  The weighted average remaining contractual term for all outstanding and exercisable options at December 31, 2011 was 1.9 years.
 
 
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7.   PARTNERSHIP UNIT REPURCHASE PLANS

The Partnership adopted a unit repurchase plan in December 2008 pursuant to which authorization was granted to repurchase limited partner units with an aggregate value of up to $2.5 million. Since that time, we have increased the aggregate value of units authorized for repurchase to $5 million and extended the repurchase plan to allow for repurchases through December 2013. As of December 31, 2012, there remained an unutilized authorization for unit repurchases of $2.5 million.

8.  EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

As of December 31, 2012 all employees of the Partnership and its subsidiaries are eligible to receive benefits under a defined contribution plan. During the years 2010 through 2012 the Partnership matched 50% of employees’ contributions up to 8% of an individual’s compensation. The Partnership’s contributions to the plan amounted to $141,000, $128,000, and $123,000 for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010 respectively.

9.  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Environmental remediation
The Partnership has an accrual for estimated environmental remediation costs of $13.9 million and $2.2 million as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The environmental remediation liability represents estimated payments to be made to monitor and remedy certain areas in and around the townsite/millsite of Port Gamble, and at Port Ludlow, Washington.

In 2012 we accrued an additional $12.5 million for Port Gamble environmental liabilities to have an estimated accrual of $13.9 million as of December 31, 2012.  This additional accrual is derived prior to the conclusion of negotiations with the Department of Ecology (DOE), but was the result of significant modifications to the draft Port Gamble Baywide and Millsite Remedial Investigation (RI) and Feasibility Study (FS) issued by the DOE in May 2012.  From mid-August through the end of December and into 2013, we have been in regular dialogue with DOE on a Clean-up Action Plan (CAP), coincident with a consent decree that outlines clean-up actions, natural resource damage (NRD) remediation, and potential property sales of land around Gamble Bay by Pope Resources. A short list of unresolved issues remain, principally related to the treatment of existing docks in the southern embayment around the millsite and the degree to which the DNR, the other potentially liable party (PLP) in Port Gamble, is going to participate in funding the costs of clean-up and NRD remediation.

In developing its estimate of the Port Gamble environmental liability Management has employed a Monte Carlo statistical simulation model that suggests a potential aggregate range of clean up costs from $11.5 million to $16.1 million which corresponds to a two standard deviation ranges from the mean of possible outcomes. The liability recorded by the Company as of December 31, 2012 is based on the 50th percentile within the range, which management considers to be their best estimate of the most likely outcome.

The environmental remediation accrual also includes estimated costs related to a separate remediation effort within the resort community of Port Ludlow. Early in 2012, soil vapor extraction (SVE) pilot tests were conducted in Port Ludlow with this round of testing producing somewhat inconclusive results regarding the efficacy of SVE as a remediation technique. Over the balance of 2012, representatives of Port Ludlow Associates (PLA) and the Partnership have been in dialogue, along with our respective consultants, to discuss these results and next steps.

The environmental liability at December 31, 2012 is comprised of $750,000 that the Partnership expects to expend in the next 12 months and $13.2 million thereafter.
 
 
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Performance bonds
In the ordinary course of business, and as part of the entitlement and development process, the Partnership is required to provide performance bonds to ensure completion of certain public facilities. The Partnership had performance bonds of $6.1 million and $291,000 outstanding at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  The increase reflects a rise in development activity in 2012 in connection with pending and completed sales from our Harbor Hill project in Gig Harbor.

Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan
The Partnership has a supplemental employee retirement plan for a retired key employee. The plan provides for a retirement income of 70% of his base salary at retirement after taking into account both 401(k) and Social Security benefits with a fixed payment set at $25,013 annually. The Partnership accrued $19,000 and $11,000 in 2012 and 2011, respectively, for this benefit based on an approximation of the cost of purchasing a life annuity paying the aforementioned benefit amount. The recorded balance of the projected liability as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 was $191,000 and $197,000, respectively.

Contingencies
The Partnership may from time to time be a defendant in various lawsuits arising in the ordinary course of business. Management believes Partnership losses related to such lawsuits, if any, will not have a material adverse effect to the Partnership’s consolidated financial condition or results of operations or cash flows.

10.  RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Pope MGP, Inc. is the managing general partner of the Partnership and receives an annual management fee of $150,000.

11.  SEGMENT AND MAJOR CUSTOMER INFORMATION
 
The Partnership’s operations are classified into three segments: Fee Timber, Timberland Management & Consulting, and Real Estate. The Fee Timber segment consists of the harvest and sale of timber from both the Partnership’s 113,000 acres of fee timberland in Washington and the Funds’ 80,000 acres in Washington, Oregon, and California.

The Timberland Management & Consulting segment provides investment management, disposition, and technical forestry services in connection with 24,000 acres for Fund I, 37,000 acres for Fund II, and 19,000 acres for Fund III.

The Real Estate segment’s operations consist of management of development properties and the rental of residential and commercial properties in Port Gamble and Poulsbo, Washington. Real Estate manages a portfolio of 2,900 acres of higher-and-better-use properties as of December 31, 2012. All of the Partnership’s real estate activities are in the state of Washington.

For the year ended December 31, 2012, the Partnership had one customer that represented 20% of consolidated revenue, or $10.6 million. For the year ended December 31, 2011, the Partnership had one customer that represented 28% of consolidated revenue, or $16.2 million.  For the year ended December 31, 2010, the Partnership had one customer that represented 24% of consolidated revenue, or $7.6 million.

Identifiable assets are those used exclusively in the operations of each reportable segment or those allocated when used jointly. The Partnership does not allocate cash, accounts receivable, certain prepaid expenses, or the cost basis of the Partnership’s administrative office for purposes of evaluating segment performance by the chief operating decision maker. Intersegment transactions are valued at prices that approximate the price that would be charged to a third-party customer.
 
 
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                        Details of the Partnership’s operations by business segment for the years ended December 31 were as follows:
 
                     
Timberland
                   
(in thousands)
    Fee Timber    
Management &
   
Real
             
2012
 
Partnership
   
Funds
   
Combined
   
Consulting
   
Estate
   
Other
   
Consolidated
 
Revenue internal
  $ 29,353     $ 16,681     $ 46,034     $ 2,218     $ 8,574     $ -     $ 56,826  
Eliminations
    (495 )     -       (495 )     (2,211 )     (77 )     -       (2,783 )
Revenue external
    28,858     $ 16,681       45,539       7       8,497       -       54,043  
                                                         
Cost of timber and land sold
    (13,115 )     (14,481 )     (27,596 )     -       (3,235 )     -       (30,831 )
Operating, general and
                                                       
   administrative expenses internal
    (4,183 )     (4,166 )     (8,349 )     (2,070 )     (16,361 )   *   (4,199 )     (30,979 )
Eliminations
    48       2,211       2,259       495       -       29       2,783  
Operating, general and
                                                       
   administrative expenses external
    (4,135 )     (1,955 )     (6,090 )     (1,575 )     (16,361 )   *   (4,170 )     (28,196 )
Income (loss) from operations
                                                       
   internal
    12,055       (1,966 )     10,089       148       (11,022 )     (4,199 )     (4,984 )
Eliminations
    (447 )     2,211       1,764       (1,716 )     (77 )     29       -  
Income (loss) from operations
                                                       
   external
  $ 11,608     $ 245     $ 11,853     $ (1,568 )   $ (11,099 )   $ (4,170 )   $ (4,984 )
                                                         
2011
                                                       
Revenue internal
  $ 31,429     $ 21,749     $ 53,178     $ 2,390     $ 4,593     $ -     $ 60,161  
Eliminations
    (449 )     -       (449 )     (2,390 )     (48 )     -       (2,887 )
Revenue external
    30,980       21,749       52,729       -       4,545       -       57,274  
Cost of timber and land sold external
    (13,042 )     (16,526 )     (29,568 )     -       (1,581 )     -       (31,149 )
Operating, general and
                                                       
   administrative expenses internal
    (4,421 )     (4,282 )     (8,703 )     (1,961 )     (3,313 )   **   (4,188 )     (18,165 )
Eliminations
    51       2,390       2,441       446       -       -       2,887  
Operating, general and
                                                       
   administrative expenses external
    (4,370 )     (1,892 )     (6,262 )     (1,515 )     (3,313 )   **   (4,188 )     (15,278 )
Income (loss) from operations
                                                       
   internal
    13,966       941       14,907       429       (301 )     (4,188 )     10,847  
Eliminations
    (398 )     2,390       1,992       (1,944 )     (48 )     -       -  
Income (loss) from operations
                                                       
   external
  $ 13,568     $ 3,331     $ 16,899     $ (1,515 )   $ (349 )   $ (4,188 )   $ 10,847  
                                                         
2010
                                                       
Revenue internal
  $ 22,474     $ 5,370     $ 27,844     $ 1,519     $ 3,535     $ -     $ 32,898  
Eliminations
    (170 )     -       (170 )     (1,488 )     (48 )     -       (1,706 )
Revenue external
    22,304       5,370       27,674       31       3,487       -       31,192  
Cost of timber and land sold external
    (9,553 )     (4,499 )     (14,052 )     -       (1,100 )     -       (15,152 )
Operating, general and
                                                       
   administrative expenses internal
    (3,265 )     (2,177 )     (5,442 )     (1,464 )     (3,216 )   ***   (4,711 )     (14,833 )
Eliminations
    51       1,472       1,523       183       -       -       1,706  
Operating, general and
                                                       
   administrative expenses external
    (3,214 )     (705 )     (3,919 )     (1,281 )     (3,216 )   ***   (4,711 )     (13,127 )
Income (loss) from operations
                                                       
   internal
    9,656       (1,306 )     8,350       55       (781 )     (4,711 )     2,913  
Eliminations
    (119 )     1,472       1,353       (1,305 )     (48 )     -       -  
Income (loss) from operations
                                                       
   external
  $ 9,537     $ 166     $ 9,703     $ (1,250 )   $ (829 )   $ (4,711 )   $ 2,913  
                                                         
*Includes $12.5 MM of environmental remediation expense
                                         
**Includes $977,000 of environmental remediation expense
                                         
***Includes $875,000 of environmental remediation expense
                                         
 
 
85

 
 
(in thousands)
 
2012
   
2011
   
2010
 
Depreciation, Amortization and Depletion
       
 
       
Fee Timber-Partnership
  $ 3,348     $ 3,460     $ 2,883  
Fee Timber-Funds
    6,950       8,602       2,534  
Fee Timber-Combined
    10,298       12,062       5,417  
Timberland Management & Consulting
    4       8       3  
Real Estate
    854       405       240  
G&A
    95       134       151  
Total
  $ 11,251     $ 12,609     $ 5,811  
Assets
                       
Fee Timber-Partnership
  $ 53,090     $ 52,886     $ 54,990  
Fee Timber-Funds
    177,474       139,389       146,803  
Fee Timber-Combined
    230,564       192,275       201,793  
Timberland Management & Consulting
    29       3       10  
Real Estate
    32,909       35,913       31,757  
G&A
    3,997       2,217       2,277  
Total
  $ 267,499     $ 230,408     $ 235,837  
  Capital and Land Expenditures                        
Fee Timber-Partnership
  $ 927     $ 998     $ 524  
Fee Timber-Funds
    46,033       837       58,311  
Fee Timber-Combined
    46,960       1,835       58,835  
Timberland Management & Consulting
    3       3       2  
Real Estate-development activities
    2,478       4,104       1,075  
Real Estate-other
    35       168       185  
G&A
    136       63       125  
Total
  $ 49,612     $ 6,173     $ 60,222  
Revenue by product/service
                       
Domestic forest products
  $ 33,577     $ 27,227     $ 18,384  
Export forest products, indirect
    11,962       25,502       9,290  
Conservation easements and sales
    1,235       2,435       2,400  
Fees for service
    7       -       31  
Homes, lots, and undeveloped acreage
    7,262       2,110       1,087  
Total
  $ 54,043     $ 57,274     $ 31,192  
 
 
86

 
 
12.   QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
 
(in thousands except per unit amounts)
 
Revenue
   
Income (loss)
from operations
   
Net income (loss) attributable to 
unitholders
   
Earnings (loss) per partnership unit:
Basic
   
Earnings (loss) per partnership unit: Diluted
 
2012
                             
First quarter
  $ 8,804     $ 1,070     $ 1,206     $ 0.27     $ 0.27  
Second quarter
    17,790       (9,150 )     (9,295 )     (2.14 )     (2.14 )
Third quarter
    14,595       3,412       3,675       0.81       0.81  
Fourth quarter
    12,854       (316 )     (295 )     (0.07 )     (0.07 )
                                         
2011
                                       
First quarter
  $ 17,674     $ 4,762     $ 3,680     $ 0.82     $ 0.82  
Second quarter
    14,269       3,460       3,287       0.73       0.73  
Third quarter
    7,522       (766 )     (562 )     (0.14 )     (0.14 )
Fourth quarter
    17,809       3,391       2,349       0.52       0.52  
 
Quarterly fluctuations in data result from the addition and/or deferral of harvest volumes as well as the timing of real estate and CE sales, as disclosed in our quarterly filings. Management considered the disclosure requirements of Item 302(a)(3) and does not note any extraordinary, unusual, or infrequently occurring items except as disclosed.
 
Item 9.    CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None

Item 9A.   CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
 
Conclusion Regarding the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Partnership’s management maintains an adequate system of internal controls to promote the timely identification and reporting of material, relevant information. Those controls include requiring executive management and all managers in accounting roles to sign a Code of Ethics (See Exhibit 99.4 to this report). Additionally the Partnership’s senior management team meets regularly to discuss significant transactions and events affecting the Partnership’s operations. The Partnership’s executive officers lead these meetings and consider whether topics discussed represent information that should be disclosed under generally accepted accounting principles and the rules of the SEC. The Board of Directors of the Partnership’s managing general partner includes an Audit Committee that is comprised solely of independent directors who meet the financial literacy requirements imposed by the Securities Exchange Act and the NASDAQ Stock Market. At least one member of our Audit Committee is a “financial expert” within the meaning of applicable NASDAQ rules. The Audit Committee reviews quarterly earnings releases and all reports on Form 10-Q and Form 10-K prior to their filing. The Audit Committee is responsible for hiring and overseeing the Partnership’s external auditors and meets with those auditors at least four times each year.

The Partnership’s executive officers are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures. They have designed such controls to ensure that others make known to them all material information within the organization. Management regularly evaluates ways to improve internal controls. As of the end of the period covered by the annual report on Form 10-K our executive officers completed an evaluation of the disclosure controls and procedures and have determined them to be functioning effectively.
 
 
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Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting for the Partnership. Internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act, is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the Partnership’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the Partnership’s board of directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The Partnership’s management, with the participation of the Partnership’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer, has established and maintained policies and procedures designed to maintain the adequacy of the Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting, and includes those policies and procedures that:
 
1)  
Pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Partnership;

2)  
Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the Partnership are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management of the Partnership; and

3)  
Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the Partnership’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Management has evaluated the effectiveness of the Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012 based on the control criteria established in a report entitled Internal Control—Integrated Framework, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on our assessment and those criteria, the Partnership’s management has concluded that the Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting is effective as of December 31, 2012.
 
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect all errors or misstatements and all fraud. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the policies and procedures are met. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

The registered independent public accounting firm of KPMG LLP, auditors of the Partnership’s consolidated financial statements, has issued an attestation report on the Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting. This report appears on page 64 of this annual report on Form 10-K.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in the Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting.

Item 9B.           OTHER INFORMATION.

None
 
 
88

 

PART III

Item 10.    DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
 
General Partner

The Partnership has no directors. Instead, the Board of Directors of its managing general partner, Pope MGP, Inc. (the “Managing General Partner”), serves in that capacity. The Managing General Partner’s address is the same as the address of the principal offices of the Partnership. Pope MGP, Inc. receives $150,000 per year for serving as Managing General Partner of the Partnership. There are no family relationships among any of the executive officers and directors of the Managing General Partner.

The following table identifies the executive officers and directors of the Managing General Partner as of February 18, 2013. Officers of the Managing General Partner hold identical offices with the Partnership.
 
 
Name
 
Age
 
Position, Background, and Qualifications to Serve
         
David L. Nunes (2)
 
51
 
President and Chief Executive Officer, and Director, from January 2002 to present.  President and Chief Operating Officer from September 2000 to January 2002.  Senior Vice President Acquisitions & Portfolio Development from November 1998 to August 2000.  Vice President Portfolio Development from December 1997 to October 1998.  Director of Portfolio Development from April 1997 to December 1997 of Pope MGP, Inc. and the Partnership.  Held numerous positions with the Weyerhaeuser Company from 1988 to 1997, the last of which was Strategic Planning Director.  Mr. Nunes, as the Partnership's CEO, serves as the only management representative on the board of directors, and is an ex officio member in that regard.  Additionally, Mr. Nunes' operational experience and his hands-on knowledge of the Partnership's business and executive team allows him to provide a perspective on the execution of the Partnership's business plans and strategies not available to the non-management directors.
         
Thomas M. Ringo
 
59
 
Vice President and CFO from December 2000 to present. Senior Vice President Finance and Client Relations from June 1996 to December 2000.  Vice President Finance from November 1991 to June 1996.  Treasurer from March 1989 through October 1991 of Pope MGP, Inc. and the Partnership.  Tax Manager of Westin Hotel Company, 1985 to March 1989.  Tax Consultant for Price Waterhouse, 1981 to 1985.
 
       
John E. Conlin (2), (3), (4)
 
54
 
Director since December 2005.  Co-President and COO, NWQ Investment Management Company LLC, 2006 to present.  Member, Board of Advisors, Victory Park Capital, 2009 to present.  Member, Corporate Advisory Board, University of Michigan, Ross School of Business, 2006 to present.  Member, University of Rochester Endowment Committee, 2006 to present.  Director, ACME Communications, 2005 to 2008.  Director, Cannell Capital Management 2002 to 2006.  CEO, Robertson Stephens, Inc, from 2001 to 2003; COO, Robertson Stephens, Inc, from 1999 to 2000.  Held numerous positions with Credit Suisse from 1983 to 1999, the last of which was Managing Director.  Mr. Conlin's background in corporate finance, capital-raising and financial analysis bring the Partnership a perspective that is unique among our directors.  Moreover, Mr. Conlin offers an ability to assess capital needs, structures and returns relating to the performance and operation of the Partnership, the Funds, and our strategic goals and objectives.
 
 
89

 
 
Douglas E. Norberg (1), (3), (4), (5)
 
72
 
Director since August 1996.  Vice Chairman, Wright Runstad & Company, 2000 to 2007; President, Wright Runstad & Company, 1975 until 2000.  Wright Runstad & Company is in the business of real estate investing, development, and management. Mr. Norberg has extensive knowledge of real estate development, marketing and management, and consults regularly with management regarding the Partnership's real property portfolio.  Mr. Norberg also brings years of experience evaluating strategic alternatives for various real property opportunities.
         
Maria M. Pope (1), (4)
 
48
 
Director (appointed on December 10, 2012).  Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Portland General Electric Company, an electric utility, since 2009; Director, Portland General Electric from 2006 through 2008.  Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Mentor Graphics Corporation, a software company, from July 2007 to December 2008.  Vice President and General Manager, Wood Products Division of Pope & Talbot, Inc., a pulp and wood products company, from December 2003 to April 2007;  Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary of Pope & Talbot, Inc. from 1999 to 2003.  Pope & Talbot, Inc. filed a voluntary petition under Chapter 11 of the federal bankruptcy laws on November 19, 2007.  Ms. Pope previously worked for Levi Strauss & Co. and Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc.  Ms. Pope has extensive board experience having served on several U.S. and Canadian corporate boards across a number of industries, including forest products.  She chairs the compensation committee and was the lead director and prior chair of the governance and audit committees of Premera BlueCross, an insurance company, from 2001 to 2013.  She served on the board of TimberWest Forest Corp., the largest private land owner in British Columbia, Canada, from 2006 to 2012, where she chaired the audit committee.  In 2010, Oregon’s Governor appointed Ms. Pope to the Governing Board of Oregon Health Sciences University.
 
 
90

 
 
J. Thurston Roach (1), (3), (4)
 
71
 
Director since May 2003.   Director, Deltic Timber Corporation, December 2000 to present.  Director, CellFor Inc. from November 2002 to May 2009.  Outside Director, NBBJ Design, LLP, from November 2007 to present.  Director, The Liberty Corporation May 1994 to January 2006.  President and CEO, HaloSource Corporation, October 2000 to November 2001; Director, HaloSource Corporation, October 2000 to February 2002.  Senior Vice President and CFO, Owens Corning, January 1999 to April 2000; Senior Vice President and President of Owens Corning’s North American Building Materials Systems Business, February 1998 to December 1998.  Vice Chairman, Simpson Investment Company, July 1997 to February 1998; President, Simpson Timber Company, January 1996 to June 1997; Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and Secretary, Simpson Investment Company, August 1984 to December 1995.  Mr. Roach's experience as a senior executive and director at other timber and resource companies offer the Partnership insight into the practical issues facing public companies, and his specific knowledge of the timber and timberland markets, both in the Pacific Northwest and elsewhere, allow him to provide extensive input on both strategic and tactical business decisions confronting the board.  His specific experience as Audit Committee chair for another public company has been leveraged effectively into a similar role at the Partnership.
__________________________
1)
Class A Director
2)
Class B Director
3)
Member of the Audit Committee
4)
Member of the Human Resources Committee
5)
Designated financial expert for the Board of Directors Audit Committee
 
 
Board of Directors of the Managing General Partner

Board Composition. The Managing General Partner’s Articles of Incorporation provide that directors are divided into two classes, each class serving a period of two years. The Managing General Partner’s shareholders elect approximately one-half of the members of the Board of Directors annually. The terms of the Class A directors expire on December 31, 2014, and the terms of the Class B directors expire on December 31, 2013. The directors’ election to the Managing General Partner’s Board of Directors is subject to a voting agreement between the Managing General Partner’s two shareholders, Mr. Peter T. Pope and Mrs. Emily T. Andrews. Maria M. Pope serves as Mr. Pope’s appointee, and J. Thurston Roach serves as Mrs. Andrews’ appointee to the Board of Directors. The Managing General Partner’s Board of Directors met ten times in 2012 with five of the meetings in person to discuss Partnership matters. The composition of our Board of Directors is established by the Limited Partnership Agreement and accordingly, as permitted by NASDAQ Rules IM-5065-7 and 5615(a)(4), board nominations are not made or approved by a separate nominating committee or by a majority of the independent directors.

Past Directorships. During the period 2007 through 2012, Ms. Pope, and Messrs. Roach, and Conlin served on boards of other public companies as outlined in the following table.

Individual’s Name
Name of Public Company
Term of Directorship
Maria M. Pope
Portland General Electric, Inc. (NYSE:POR)
2006 - 2008
J. Thurston Roach
Deltic Timber Company (NYSE:DEL)
2000 - present
John E. Conlin
ACME Communications (NASDQ:ACME)
2005 - 2008

 
Board Leadership Structure. The Board of the Managing General Partner does not utilize a Chairman. The CEO generally calls meetings of the Board and sets schedules and agendas for such meetings. The CEO regularly communicates with all directors on key issues and concerns outside of Board meetings and endeavors to ensure that information provided to the Board is sufficiently timely and complete to facilitate Board member fulfillment of responsibilities. As the individual with primary responsibility for managing the Partnership’s day-to-day operations, the CEO is best positioned to chair regular Board meetings where key business and strategic issues are discussed. The Board utilizes Mr. Norberg as a “lead director” and Mr. Norberg’s chief responsibility in this regard is to chair executive sessions of the non-management directors which are conducted as a part of nearly every Board meeting.
 
 
91

 
 
Board’s Role in the Risk Oversight Process. Given the size of the managing general partner’s Board, management of the Partnership’s material risks is administered through the whole Board in concert with executive and senior operating personnel. Risk is an integral part of Board and committee deliberations throughout the year with regular discussion of risks related to the company’s business strategies at each meeting. Periodically, the Audit Committee and Board review Management’s assessment of the primary operational and regulatory risks facing the Partnership, their relative magnitude and management’s plan for mitigating these risks. The Audit Committee considers risk issues associated with the Partnership’s overall financial reporting and disclosure process and legal compliance. At each of its regularly scheduled meetings, the Audit Committee meets in executive session and meets with the independent auditor outside the presence of management.

Diversity Policy. As noted above, the Partnership's board is established pursuant to the Partnership Agreement and a stockholders' agreement among the shareholders of Pope MGP, Inc., the Partnership's managing general partner. The stockholders' agreement, in particular, establishes the rights of the managing general partner's stockholders to designate the Partnership's directors. Neither the Partnership Agreement nor the managing general partner's stockholders' agreement establishes a diversity policy, nor does any such policy otherwise exist. Accordingly, our ability to consider diversity as a criterion for inclusion in the Board of Directors is limited to the diversity of the directors’ business and financial experience.

Audit Committee. The Audit Committee of the Managing General Partner’s Board of Directors is comprised of three outside directors who comply with the Exchange Act and NASDAQ’s qualification requirements for Audit Committee members. The Audit Committee met to discuss the Partnership eight times during 2012. The Audit Committee’s Chairman is J. Thurston Roach and its designated financial expert is Douglas E. Norberg. See report of the Audit Committee on financial statements below.

Human Resources Committee. The Human Resources Committee is responsible for (1) establishing compensation programs for executive officers and senior management of the Partnership designed to attract, motivate, and retain key executives responsible for the success of the Partnership as a whole; (2) administering and maintaining such programs in a manner that will benefit the long-term interests of the Partnership and its unitholders; and (3) determining the salary, bonus, unit option and other compensation of the Partnership's executive officers and senior management. The Human Resources Committee met three times during 2012. Mr. John E. Conlin served as Chairman of the Human Resources Committee in 2012. See report of the Human Resources Committee on executive compensation below.
 
Beneficial Ownership and Section 16(a) Reporting Compliance

The Partnership is a reporting company pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act. Under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, and the rules promulgated hereunder, directors, officers, greater than 10% shareholders, and certain other key personnel (the “Reporting Persons”) are required to report their ownership and any change in ownership of Partnership units to the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Partnership believes that the Reporting Persons have complied with all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to them. In making the foregoing statement, the Partnership has relied solely upon oral or written representations of the Reporting Persons, and copies of the reports that the Reporting Persons have filed with the SEC.

Code of Ethics

The Partnership maintains a Code of Ethics that is applicable to all executive officers, directors, and certain other employees. A copy of the Code of Ethics is available on the Investor Relations section of the Partnership's website.

 
92

 

Item 11.          EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION; COMPENSATION DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS

Overview
 
Objectives of our Executive Compensation Program
 
The objective of our executive compensation program is to reward performance and to attract, motivate, and retain those employees who embrace a culture of achievement with a long-term perspective. Our executive compensation plans consist of two general components: salary and a long-term incentive program initiated in 2010 (the “Incentive Program”), which is intended to reward selected management employees who provide services to the Partnership for performance that builds long-term unitholder value. The Incentive Program examines participants’ decision making each year, with an eye towards rewarding behavior that is linked to adding long-term value to unitholders. In addition, the Incentive Program addresses the Partnership’s relative total unitholder performance over a trailing three-year period so as to promote both a long-term focus and align management with unitholder returns over time. Payments are made under the Incentive Program during the first quarter of each year with respect to decision-making in the prior year and relative performance of our publicly traded units over the three-year period ending on December 31 of the prior year. As a result, information depicted in this report includes amounts paid in 2011, 2012, and 2013 with respect to performance from each of the following three-year periods, respectively: 2008-2010, 2009-2011, and 2010-2012.
 
The Role of the Human Resources Committee and Executive Officers in Compensation Decisions
 
The Board’s Human Resources Committee has responsibility for establishing our compensation objectives and approving all compensation for the CEO, his immediate subordinates, and the broader management team that participates in the Incentive Program. The committee’s primary focus is in designing a compensation system that adequately rewards and motivates employees, and then to monitor the execution of this system. In designing the Partnership’s compensation system, the committee focuses on maintaining fairness and balance between the interests of our employees and those of our unitholders. With that in mind, the committee intends that the Incentive Program be continuing and permanent for participants, but reserves the right to suspend and or terminate the Incentive Program at any time, as long as previously earned awards are not forfeited. In its role as manager of the Incentive Program, the committee has the authority to determine all matters relating to awards to be granted thereunder, and has sole authority to interpret its provisions and any applicable rule or regulation.
 
The Incentive Program has two components – the Performance Restricted Unit (“PRU”) plan and the Long-Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”). Both components have a long-term emphasis, with the PRU plan focused on annual decision making, and the LTIP focused on three-year performance of the Partnership’s publicly traded units relative to a group of peer companies to be determined at the beginning of each plan cycle. The Incentive Program was developed after considerable deliberation by the committee and its compensation consultant. The Incentive Program is unusual in its exclusive emphasis on long-term decision making and performance. The committee believes this focus is appropriate for the nature of the Partnership’s assets and for strengthening alignment with unitholders. Each of these two Incentive Program components is described in more detail below.
 
The committee has from time-to-time engaged compensation consultants to assist the committee in assessing the market for top executives. Historically, these consultants have provided a limited scope of services on behalf of the committee and their roles generally have been confined to specific peer analyses or assessments of specific compensation components within the Partnership’s then-existing compensation structures. These consultants generally have performed no other services for the Partnership or its subsidiaries or management. In 2010, the committee engaged Farient Advisors, an independent compensation consulting advisory firm, to assist in developing what became the 2010 Incentive Program. Farient was directly responsible to the HR Committee and was paid $193,000 for its services in this regard. In 2011, the Partnership’s board of directors engaged Farient to advise the board on director compensation, general partner compensation, and related issues, for which the Partnership paid Farient $109,000. Farient also served as an advisor to the HR Committee for executive compensation matters in 2011 and 2012, for which Farient was paid a total of $21,000 and $83,000, respectively.
 
 
93

 
 
Elements of Compensation
 
Our executive compensation program is designed to be consistent with the objectives and guidelines set forth above. A discussion of each of the key elements of the program follows below.
 
Base Salary. Base salary represents that portion of compensation that is designed to provide the executive with a stable and predictable cash payment at a level that is competitive with other similarly situated companies. In establishing base salary levels for executives and other members of the management team, the committee has used compensation consultant data, taking into account such factors as competitive industry salaries, general and regional economic conditions, and the size and geographic differences of “peer” companies against which the Partnership is compared. Using that data, the committee attempts to tailor our executives’ base compensation to each executive’s scope of responsibilities, individual performance, and contribution to our organization. If adjustments in base salary are made, they are usually effective March 1 of each year, unless circumstances warrant otherwise. Base salaries for the Partnership’s executives were held flat from 2008 through 2010, in large part because of the financial climate affecting the Partnership’s business, the Partnership’s economic performance, and the limited need to increase compensation to meet competitive pressures. In March 2011 the Partnership’s named executive officers received a 3% increase in base salary but no additional increase in base salary was made effective for 2012 or 2013.
 
Incentive Program. Our Incentive Program has been designed using a combination of the LTIP, which awards cash incentive payments based on relative total return to unitholders, together with the PRU plan, which uses a blend of cash and restricted limited partner units to reward annual decision making that is aligned with the Partnership’s strategies. By designing the Incentive Program to align with both long-term decision making and performance, the committee believes it has mitigated the risk to the Partnership that could be driven by excessive focus on short-term goals.
 
Long-Term Incentive Program (LTIP). The LTIP replaces the Partnership’s prior cash bonus plan for the CEO and his direct management reports, and focuses on relative total unitholder return measured over a rolling three-year period ending on the last day of the fiscal year for which the award is to be computed. Specifically, at the beginning and end of each period, the Partnership measures the arithmetic average trading price of the Partnership’s limited partner units over the sixty trading day period preceding the first day and the last day of the three-year measurement period. The Partnership also takes into account all distributions to unitholders during that period, and compares the resulting total returns to those provided to security holders within a group of the Partnership’s peers as measured using the same methodology. The peer group, as outlined in the following table, was used for benchmarking the following three-year performance cycles: 2008-10, 2009-11, and 2010-12 and was established based upon the recommendation of the Partnership’s compensation consultant to include companies within the forest products industry, as well as those in real estate and those having a strong focus on land or natural resources.
   
Forest Products
Real Estate
Agriculture
Metals & Mining
Deltic (DEL)
Amer. Realty Inv. (ARL)
Alico (ALCO)
China Direct (CDII)
Plum Creek (PCL)
Amer. Spectrum (AQQ)
Griffin Land (GRIF)
Jaguar Mining (JAG)
Potlatch (PCH)
AV Homes (AVHI)
Limoneira (LMNR)
Royal Gold (RGLD)
Rayonier (RYN)
EastGroup Properties (EGP)
   
St. Joe (JOE)
First Potomac (FPO)
   
Weyerhaeuser (WY)
InterGroup Corp. (INTG)
   
 
Maui Land & Pineapple (MLP)
   
 
Monmouth RE Investment (MNR)
   
 
NTS Realty (NLP)
   
 
Tejon Ranch (TRC)
   
 
Thomas Properties Group (TPGI)
   
 
The HR Committee has determined that a revised benchmark peer list (see below) should be used for the 2011-13 and 2012-14 cycles.
 
94

 
 
The comparison, the committee ranks the Partnership’s total unitholder return against those of the selected peer companies, and makes awards if the Partnership’s total return is equal to or greater than the twentieth (20th) percentile. The fiftieth (50th) percentile within that ranking represents the Partnership’s “target performance level,” which results in a payout of 100% of the target LTIP bonus. The maximum award, which results in awards of 200% of the target LTIP amount, occurs when the Partnership is at or above the eightieth (80th) percentile. Actual payouts are determined in proportionate fashion when the total returns fall between the 20th (zero bonus) and 80th percentile (200% of target bonus). The committee has the discretion to alter award levels upward or downward by 20% of the actual formula bonus.
 
Participants in the LTIP. Participation in the LTIP is comprised of the CEO and the five managers who report directly to the CEO.
 
Change in benchmark peer group. As mentioned above, starting the three-year LTIP cycle 2011-13, and for the other LTIP cycles both underway and in the future, the group of benchmark peer companies has been reduced from 23 companies to 15. The rationale for the change in peer companies was to de-emphasize real estate or land companies in relation to timber and to eliminate mining companies.  As mentioned above, the HR Committee is considering utilizing this revised group of peer companies for the remainder of the three-year LTIP cycles already underway as of YE2012, namely, the 2011-13 and 2012-14 cycles.  The composition of the new peer list is as follows:
 
Forest Products
Real Estate
Agriculture
 
Deltic (DEL)
EastGroup Properties (EGP)
Alico (ALCO)
 
Plum Creek (PCL)
First Potomac (FPO)
Griffin Land (GRIF)
 
Potlatch (PCH)
Forestar Group Inc. (FOR)
Limoneira (LMNR)
 
Rayonier (RYN)
Monmouth RE Investment (MNR)
   
St. Joe (JOE)
Tejon Ranch (TRC)
   
Weyerhaeuser (WY)
Thomas Properties Group (TPGI)
   

 
Performance Restricted Unit Plan (“PRU”). The PRU is the equity-based element of the Incentive Program, although awards can be made in cash, restricted units, or a combination of each.  Awards from this component of the Incentive Program are based upon a target pool established at the beginning of each fiscal year and adjusted upward or downward as participants are added to or deleted from the Incentive Program. For 2012 the target award pool consisted of up to 6,000 units for the CEO and 19,500 units for all other participants as a group..
 
Determination of Performance Awards. PRU awards are determined for the various participants on the basis of the participant’s role in the Partnership’s management, and are measured on the basis of the quality of decision making against a broad spectrum of criteria, organized by business segment as follows:
 
Fee Timber. Fee Timber participants in the PRU are evaluated on the basis of revenue enhancements and cost controls affecting Fee Timber operating income. These criteria include management of harvest volume, maximization of log sale prices, management of selling costs such as harvest and haul costs, results of Sustainable Forestry Initiative audits, and segment free cash flow.
 
Timberland Management & Consulting. TM&C participants are evaluated on the basis of investor capital commitments, placement of timber fund capital, cumulative assets under management, internal rates of return for the Funds, and segment operating income.
 
Real Estate. Because our real estate revenues vary tremendously with market conditions, and sale transactions are relatively infrequent, real estate participants are evaluated heavily on the basis of goals that do not tie fully to completed sales, including the estimated impact of entitlements and land improvements on the market value of our portfolio properties. To a lesser degree these personnel are also evaluated on the basis of sale prices as a percentage (or multiple) of book value and on segment free cash flow.
 
 
95

 
 
Corporate. Our corporate personnel are evaluated across a broad variety of factors, including increases in net asset value, optimization of debt-to-capitalization ratios and working capital, and growth in distributable income, profit, and free cash flow.
 
Most participants can expect to earn 100% of their target payout award for each year; however, the committee has the discretion to reduce the award levels in the event of poor performance or decision-making that exposes the Partnership to significant risk or loss, or to increase those awards up to an additional 100% of the targeted award levels for generating or implementing decisions, plans or programs that are of major positive influence on the Partnership.
 
Mechanics of the PRU. Immediately following the end of each fiscal year, the committee determines the size of the PRU pool based on their assessment of the quality of decision-making during the year. The committee also identifies any events or decisions that merit special recognition for particular individuals or groups and, if so, determines the amount of any special PRU awards that are to be allocated to those participants. The PRU pool is established on the basis of these determinations, and each participant is allocated a specified performance value, which is then converted to a number of restricted units or, in the case of PRU awards paid in cash, based on the arithmetic average of the closing prices of the Partnership’s limited partner units on NASDAQ on each of the sixty consecutive trading days ending on and including the last day of the relevant fiscal year. The committee also determines the appropriate allocations between restricted units and cash awards based upon a compensation consultant’s market study with some influence from our past practices of granting restricted units and cash bonuses. In general, the higher up in the management group, the greater the percentage of that individual’s PRU award is received in the form of restricted units. The percentage of each participant’s PRU award paid in the form of restricted units was kept to simple options of 100%, 50%, or 0%. Restricted unit grants vest ratably, with 25% vesting on each of the first four anniversaries of the grant date, although the committee has the discretion to vary such awards.

Participants in the PRU. In addition to the named executive officers, current participants in the PRU include 14 additional management personnel either one or two levels organizationally below the Partnership’s CEO. As job duties change, the participants may be modified by the committee.
 
Clawbacks. The HR Committee acknowledges that the Partnership’s incentive compensation program will be subject to the clawback provisions of the recently passed Dodd-Frank Act. In the meantime, the HR Committee reserves the right and option to require the return of incentive compensation paid pursuant to the Incentive Program in any instances of fraudulent employee misconduct or a restatement of the Partnership’s financial reports affecting the calculation of the payout amounts. The Partnership will adhere to all applicable regulations of the SEC, NASDAQ, and other governmental authorities regarding obligations to require disgorgement of erroneous or excessive compensation.
 
Perquisites and Other Personal Benefits. We do not provide perquisites or other personal benefits to our executive officers or senior managers, such as company cars, country club or social club memberships, or company-funded use of personal financial/tax consultants. An exception to the foregoing is that the senior manager who oversees our timberland operations is provided a company vehicle. We do not own or lease aircraft for our executives’ personal use. Our health care and medical insurance programs, as well as our defined contribution retirement plan (401(k)) are the same for all salaried employees, including officers. Further information regarding our defined contribution plan is set forth below in the paragraph entitled “Defined Contribution Retirement Savings Plan.”
 
Defined Benefit Pension Plans. Other than the supplemental retirement plan discussed below with respect to one former executive, none of our named executive officers participate in or have account balances in qualified or non-qualified defined benefit plans sponsored by us.
 
Defined Contribution Retirement Savings Plan. As of December 31, 2012 all our employees are eligible to participate in our defined contribution plan, which is a tax qualified plan pursuant to Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. During each of the years 2010 through 2012 the Partnership matched 50% of the employees’ contributions up to 8% of compensation. Partnership contributions to the plan amounted to $141,000, $128,000, and $123,000 for each of the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively. Employees become fully vested in the Partnership's contribution over a six-year period. The Partnership does not discriminate between executive and non-executive employees with respect to any aspect of this plan.
 
 
96

 
 
Supplemental Retirement Plan. We have a supplemental retirement plan for George H. Folquet, a retired executive. The plan provides for a retirement income of 70% of his base salary at retirement after taking into account both 401(k) and Social Security benefits and makes an annual fixed-amount payment of $25,013. The Partnership accrued an additional $19,000 in 2012 for this benefit based on an updated approximation of the cost of purchasing a life annuity paying the aforementioned benefit amount. The balance of the liability as of December 31, 2012 was $191,144.
 
Agreements Between the Partnership and Executive Officers. Each employee is employed at the will of the Partnership and does not have a term of guaranteed employment. We do not have any employment agreements with any of our named executive officers. We do have in place, however, change in control agreements with each of our named executive officers (see discussion below).
 
Severance and Other Termination Benefits
 
The committee recognizes the possibility that, as with all publicly traded entities, a change in control of Pope Resources or its Managing General Partner may occur and that the uncertainty created by this potential event could result in the loss or distraction of executives, with a resulting detriment to unitholders. To that end, Pope Resources has entered into change in control agreements with Messrs. Nunes and Ringo that are intended to align executive and unitholder interests by enabling these executives to promote the Partnership’s interests in connection with strategic transactions that may be in the best interests of unitholders without undue concern for personal circumstances.
 
The Partnership’s severance programs are based on a “double trigger” mechanism, which means that upon the involuntary termination of either executive’s employment (other than “for cause,” and including resignation for certain specified reasons) within eighteen months after a change in control event occurs, the following benefits would be provided:
 
·  
cash payments equal to two times the executive’s base salary, plus the executive’s target bonus for the year in which the change in control occurred;
 
·  
immediate vesting of all outstanding unit option awards consistent with the terms of the Pope Resources 2005 Equity Incentive Plan; and
 
·  
continued coverage for the executive and dependents under Pope Resources’ health and welfare plan for up to 18 months after termination.
 
The following table summarizes the cash payments that would have been due Pope Resources’ executive officers if a change in control event had occurred on December 31, 2012.
 
Name
 
Two times base salary
   
Target bonus
   
Total cash payments
 
David L. Nunes, President & CEO
  $ 655,636     $ 180,000     $ 835,636  
                         
Thomas M. Ringo, Vice President & CFO
  $ 426,164     $ 80,000     $ 506,164  

No trusts are maintained to protect benefits payable to executives covered under these change in control agreements with any funding, as applicable, to come from the general assets of Pope Resources.
 
 
97

 
 
Policy With Respect to $1 Million Deduction Limit
 
It is not anticipated that the limitations on deductibility, under Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m), of compensation to any one executive that exceeds $1,000,000 in a single year will apply to the Partnership or its subsidiaries in the foreseeable future because this provision applies only to corporations and not to partnerships. In the event that the Partnership were to determine that such limitations would apply in a given scenario, the committee will analyze the circumstances presented and act in a manner that, in its judgment, is in the best interests of the Partnership. This may or may not involve actions to preserve deductibility.
 
Summary Compensation Table
 
The following table sets forth information regarding compensation earned by our named executive officers for the years 2010 through 2012:
 
Name and
Principal Position
 
Year
 
Salary
($)
 
Unit Awards
($) (1)
 
Non-equity Incentive Program Compensation ($) (2)
 
All Other Compensation
($) (3)
 
Total
($)
 
David L. Nunes
President and CEO
 
2012
  327,818   720,001   360,000   30,054   1,437,873  
   
2011
  327,818   257,100   360,000   25,530   970,448  
   
2010
  318,270   219,120   166,800   20,080   724,270  
Thomas M. Ringo
V.P.and CFO
 
2012
  213,082   162,000   160,000   18,955   554,037  
   
2011
  213,082   115,695   160,000   17,210   505,987  
   
2010
  206,876   98,604   74,133   14,910   394,523  
 

 
 
(1)  
Amounts represent the market value on the date of grant of restricted units received in January 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively (calculated in accordance with FASB ASC 718), as compensation under the PRU plan for 2012, 2011 and 2010 performance. Expense will be recognized, however, over the four-year vesting period for each of these grants with 25% vesting each year.
 
(2)  
Represents awards earned for each of the years 2010 through 2012 under the LTIP but paid out in January 2011, 2012, and 2013, respectively, as discussed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis beginning on page 93.
 
(3)  
Amounts represent matching contributions to the Partnership’s 401(k) plan made by the Partnership on behalf of the executive, and distributions received by the executive on unvested restricted Partnership units (the value of the restricted units is described under footnote (1) above and not repeated here.)
 
Grants of Plan Based Awards Table
 
The following table supplements the Summary Compensation Table and lists both annual and long-term incentive awards made during 2012 to each named executive officer.
 
     
Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Program Awards (1)
Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Program Awards
       
Name
Type of Award
Grant Date (2)
Thresh-old ($)
Target ($)
Maximum ($)
Thresh-old ($)
Target ($)
Maximum ($)
All Other Unit Awards: Number of Shares of Unit or Units (#) (3)
All Other Options Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Options (#)
Closing Price on Grant Date ($/Sh)
Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards ($)
David L. Nunes President and CEO
LTIP 2012-14
None
-
180,000
360,000
             
RU
1/10/12
           
6,000
 
42.85
257,100
Thomas M Ringo
V.P. and CFO
LTIP 2012-14
None
-
80,000
160,000
             
RU
1/10/12
           
2,700
 
42.85
115,695

 
 
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(1)  
Reflects potential awards under the LTIP. The LTIP was implemented in 2010 with an initial “cycle” corresponding to the performance period 2008 – 10, a second cycle for the performance period 2009 – 11, a third cycle for the performance period 2010 – 12, a fourth cycle for the performance period 2011 – 13, and a fifth cycle for the performance period 2012 - 14. Only this cycle for the performance period 2012-14 is shown in the table above since its performance period initiated in calendar year 2012. Payouts for the 2008-10, 2009-11, and 2010-12 cycles are reflected in the Summary Compensation Table (see footnote (2) from that table.) A description of how the LTIP works is described above beginning on page 94.
(2)  
No grant date attaches to LTIP cycles.
(3)  
Reflects the grant of time-based restricted units that will vest ratably over a four-year period on each of four anniversary-of-grant dates.
 
 
Unit Incentive Program
 
In 2005 the Board of Directors of Pope MGP, Inc. adopted the Pope Resources 2005 Unit Incentive Program (the Plan) and terminated future awards under the Partnership’s 1997 Unit Option Plan. The Plan is administered by the Human Resources Committee. The purpose of the change to the Plan was to allow the committee to award restricted units to employees and directors which the committee believes provides a better alignment of interest with current unitholders than the unit option grants under the 1997 plan.
 
Units Available for Issuance
 
There are 1,105,815 units authorized under the Plan. As of December 31, 2012 there were 952,194 authorized but not issued units in the Plan. The units issued or issuable under the Plan have been registered on a Form S-8 registration statement.
 
Unit Options
 
There are currently no unexpired and unexercised options.
 
Vesting Schedule
 
Under the PRU plan, restricted units granted will vest ratably over four years, with 25% vested on the each anniversary of the grant. Prior to implementation of the PRU plan, restricted unit grants historically had a four-year vesting period with 50% vesting after three years and the remaining 50% vesting after the fourth year. An exception to this was the January 2010 grant that had a two-year vesting period with 50% vesting after one year and the remaining 50% vesting after the second year.
 
Unit Appreciation Rights
 
In addition to Unit grants, the administrator of the Plan may grant unit appreciation rights. Unit appreciation rights represent a right to receive the appreciation in value, if any, of the Partnership’s units over the base value of the unit appreciation right. As of the date of this report no unit appreciation rights have been granted under the Plan.
 
 
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Adjustments, Changes in Our Capital Structure
 
The number and kind of units available for grant under the Plan and any outstanding options under the 1997 plan, as well as the exercise price of outstanding options, will be subject to adjustment by the committee in the event of any merger or consolidation.
 
Administration
 
The committee has full discretionary authority to determine all matters relating to units granted under the Plan.
 
The committee has the authority to determine the persons eligible to receive options, the number of units subject to each option, the exercise price of each option, any vesting schedules, and any acceleration on the vesting schedules and any extension of the exercise period.
 
Amendment and Termination
 
The board of directors has the exclusive authority to amend or terminate the Plan, except as would adversely affect participants’ rights to outstanding awards without their consent. As the plan administrator, the committee has the authority to interpret the plan and options granted under the Plan and to make all other determination necessary or advisable for plan administration. In addition, as administrator of the Plan the committee may modify or amend outstanding awards, except as would adversely affect participants’ rights to outstanding awards without their consent.
 
Outstanding Equity Awards At Fiscal Year-End; Option Exercise and Units Vested
 
The following table summarizes the outstanding equity award holdings held by our named executive officers as of December 31, 2012:
 
 
Option Awards
Unit Awards
Name
Number
of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
Exercisable
(#)
Number
of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
Unexercisable
(#)
Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Number
of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Unearned
Options
(#)
Option
Exercise
Price
($)
Option
Expiration
Date
Number of Units
That
Have Not Vested
(#)
Market
Value
of
Units
That
Have
Not
Vested
($)
Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Number
of
Unearned
Shares,
Units or
Other
Rights
That Have
Not
Vested
(#)
Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Market or
Payout
Value of
Unearned
Shares,
Units or
Other
Rights
That Have
Not
Vested
($)
David L. Nunes President and CEO
-
-
-
-
   
11,575
644,496
-
20,054
Thomas M. Ringo
V.P. and CFO
-
-
-
   
5,175
288,144
-
8,955

 
The following table summarizes the number of units acquired and amounts realized by our named executive officers during the year ended December 31, 2012 on the exercise of unit options and vesting of restricted units.
 
 
100

 
 
 
Option Awards
Unit Awards
Name
Number of Units Acquired on Exercise
Value Realized on Exercise
Number of Units Acquired on Vesting
Value Realized on Vesting
(#)
($)
(#) (1)
($)
David L. Nunes
President and CEO
-
-
8,825
381,226
Thomas M. Ringo
V.P. and CFO
-
-
3,700
160,685
 
 
(1) Of the 8,825 units acquired upon vesting in 2012 by Mr. Nunes, he tendered back 2,396 of those units with an aggregate value of $103,481 to the Partnership in lieu of paying cash for payroll taxes due on the vesting. As such, Mr. Nunes retained a net position of 6,429 of these units. Of the 3,700 units acquired upon vesting in 2012 by Mr. Ringo, he tendered back 1,005 of those units with an aggregate value of $43,629 to the Partnership in lieu of paying cash for payroll taxes due on the vesting. As such, Mr. Ringo retained a net position of 2,695 of these units.
 
Officer Unit Ownership Guidelines
 
We do not have a formal unit ownership guideline for named executive officers, but note that as of February 18, 2013 Mr. Nunes owned 102,844 units of Pope Resources that had a value of 19.8 times his 2012 base salary. Similarly, Mr. Ringo owned 38,379 Pope Resources units as of February 18, 2013 that had a value of 11.4 times his 2012 base salary.  The table below further delineates the inputs to this calculation and breaks the respective totals into units that are owned outright and the subset of unvested restricted units.
 
        David L. Nunes   Thomas M. Ringo
A   Total # of units owned - excluding unvested restricted     82,269       31,854  
B   Value of units owned - excluding unvested restricted units   $ 5,200,223     $ 2,013,491  
C   2012 base salary   $ 327,818     $ 213,082  
    Value divided by salary - B/C     15.9       9.4  
% of A acquired via:                
    Open market purchase     25 %     11 %
    Exercise of options     48 %     54 %
    Vesting of restricted units     27 %     35 %
D   Total # of unvested restricted units     20,575       6,525  
E   Value of unvested restricted units   $ 1,300,546     $ 412,445  
    Value divided by salary - E/C     4.0       1.9  
F   Combined value of all owned units - B plus E   $ 6,500,769     $ 2,425,937  
    Value divided by salary - F/C     19.8       11.4  
 
Director Compensation
 
The following table sets forth a summary of the compensation we paid to our non-employee directors in 2012:
 
 
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Name
Fees
Earned
or Paid
in Cash
($)
Unit
Awards
($) (1)
Option
Awards
($) (2)
Non-Equity
Incentive Program
Compensation
($)
Change in
Pension
Value and
Non-qualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
All Other
Compensation
($) (3)
Total
($)
John E. Conlin
36,500
64,275
-
-
-
8,588
109,363
Douglas E. Norberg
30,000
64,275
-
-
-
8,588
102,863
Maria M. Pope
1,500
-
-
-
-
-
1,500
Peter T. Pope
24,500
64,275
-
-
-
8,588
97,363
J. Thurston Roach
40,500
64,275
-
-
-
8,588
113,362

 
(1)  
Amounts represent the market value on the date of grant (January 10, 2012) of restricted units received during the year as calculated in accordance with FASB ASC 718. These units are subject to a trading restriction until the units vest. These unit grants vest 50% on the third anniversary of the grant in January 2015 and the remaining 50% on the fourth anniversary of the grant date in January 2016. For each of Messrs. Conlin, Norberg, Pope, and Roach a total of 375 restricted units granted during fiscal year 2008 vested and became eligible for trading on February 1, 2012 and an additional 375 restricted units granted during fiscal year 2009 vested and became eligible for trading on August 26, 2012.  In connection with Mr. Pope's retirement from the Board, vesting was accelerated into December 2012 for him with respect to 4,875 restricted units.
 
(2)  
No options were awarded in 2011.
 
(3)  
Amounts represent distributions received on unvested restricted Partnership units.
 
Compensation of the outside directors of Pope MGP, Inc. consists of a monthly retainer of $1,500 plus a $1,000 per day fee for each board or committee meeting attended and $500 for participation in a board or committee meeting via telephone. The Chairman of the Audit Committee receives an additional annual retainer amount of $7,000 that is paid in a monthly pro rata fashion. The Chairman of the Human Resources Committee receives an additional annual retainer of $5,000, also paid pro rata on a monthly basis. Both the Chairman of the Audit and Human Resources Committees receive an additional $500 fee per committee meeting.
 
Report of the Human Resources Committee on Executive Compensation
 
The Human Resources Committee of the General Partner’s Board of Directors (the “Committee”) has reviewed and discussed the contents of this Compensation Discussion and Analysis, required by Item 402(b) of SEC Regulation S-K, with the Partnership’s management and, based on such review and discussions, recommended to the General Partner’s Board of Directors that it be included in this Form 10-K.
 
The committee’s report is also intended to describe in general terms the process the committee undertakes and the matters it considers in determining the appropriate compensation for the Partnership's executive officers, Mr. Nunes and Mr. Ringo.
 
 
102

 
 
Responsibilities and Composition of the Committee
 
The committee is responsible for (1) establishing compensation programs for executive officers of the Partnership designed to attract, motivate, and retain key executives responsible for the success of the Partnership as a whole; (2) administering and maintaining such programs in a manner that will benefit the long-term interests of the Partnership and its unitholders; and (3) determining the salary and incentive compensation elements of the Partnership's executive officers’ remuneration.
 
The committee is currently comprised of Douglas E. Norberg, Maria M. Pope, J. Thurston Roach, and John Conlin. Peter T. Pope served on the Committee for most of the year until his retirement from the Board in December 2012.  Mr. Conlin served as Committee Chair during 2012. None of the members are officers or employees of the Partnership or the General Partner.
 
Conclusion
 
The HR Committee believes that for 2012 the compensation terms for Mr. Nunes and Mr. Ringo, as well as for our other management personnel, were clearly related to the realization of the goals and strategies established by the Partnership.
 
John E. Conlin, Chairman
 
Douglas E. Norberg
 
Maria M. Pope
 
J. Thurston Roach

Audit Committee Report on Financial Statements

The Audit Committee of the General Partner’s Board of Directors has furnished the report set forth in the following section entitled “Responsibilities and Composition of the Audit Committee” on the Partnership’s year-end financial statements and audit for fiscal year 2012. The Audit Committee’s report is intended to identify the members of the Audit Committee and describe in general terms the responsibilities the Audit Committee assumes, the process it undertakes, and the matters it considers in reviewing the Partnership’s financial statements and monitoring the work of the Partnership’s external auditors.

Responsibilities and Composition of the Audit Committee
 
The Audit Committee is responsible for (1) hiring the Partnership’s independent registered public accounting firm and overseeing their performance of the audit functions assigned to them, (2) approving any non-audit services to be provided by the external auditors, and (3) approving all fees paid to the independent registered public accounting firm. Additionally, the Audit Committee reviews the Partnership’s quarterly and year-end financial statements with management and the independent registered public accounting firm. The Board of Directors has adopted an Audit Committee Charter included in Exhibit 3.12 to this Annual Report on form 10-K.

The Audit Committee is comprised of J. Thurston Roach, John E. Conlin, and Douglas E. Norberg. Mr. Roach serves as Audit Committee Chair. All members of the Audit Committee are independent as defined under applicable NASDAQ rules, and all are financially literate. Mr. Norberg is designated as a “financial expert” as defined under Section 10A (m) of the Exchange Act and applicable NASDAQ rules.

During the year, the Audit Committee reviewed with the Partnership’s management and with its independent registered public accounting firm the scope and results of the Partnership’s internal and external audit activities and the effectiveness of the Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting. The Audit Committee also reviewed current and emerging accounting and reporting requirements and practices affecting the Partnership. The Audit Committee discussed certain matters with the Partnership’s independent registered public accounting firm and received certain disclosures from the independent registered public accounting firm regarding their independence. All fees paid during the year to the Partnership’s external auditor were reviewed and pre-approved by the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee has also made available to employees of the Partnership and its subsidiaries a confidential method of communicating financial or accounting concerns to the Audit Committee and periodically reminds the employees of the availability of this communication system to report those concerns.
 
 
103

 
 
Conclusion

Based on this review, the Audit Committee recommends to the Partnership’s Board of Directors that the Partnership’s audited financial statements be included in the Partnership’s report on Form 10-K.

J. Thurston Roach, Chairman
John E. Conlin
Douglas E. Norberg


SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED SECURITY HOLDER MATTERS

Principal Unitholders

As of February 18, 2013, the following persons were known or believed by the Partnership (based solely on statements made in filings with the SEC or other information we believe to be reliable) to be the beneficial owners of more than 5% of the outstanding Partnership units:

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner
Number Of Units (1)
Percent of Class
     
Emily T. Andrews
601 Montgomery Street
Suite 2000
San Francisco, CA 94111
498,203 (2)
11.2
     
James H. Dahl
501 Riverside, Suite 902
Jacksonville, FL 32202
494,972 (3)
11.1
     
Peter T. Pope
133 SW 2nd Ave., Ste. 301
Portland, OR  97204
313,762 (4)
7.1

(1)  
Each beneficial owner has sole voting and investment power unless otherwise indicated. Includes restricted units that are unvested since beneficial owner receives distributions on all such restricted units.

(2)  
Includes 1,090 units owned by her husband, Adolphus Andrews, Jr. as to which she disclaims beneficial ownership. Also includes a total of 60,000 units held by Pope MGP, Inc. and Pope EGP, Inc., as to which she shares voting and investment power.

(3)  
Mr. Dahl filed a Form 4 on February 19, 2013 that indicates he is the direct beneficial owner of 147,652 Partnership units, that he owns another 193,349 units through various trusts over which he retains sole voting and investment power, and that he owns another 153,971 units for which he shares voting and dispositive power.
 
(4)  
Includes (a) 244,942 units held by a limited liability company controlled by Mr. Pope; (b) 8,820 units held in trust for one of his children; and (c) 60,000 units held by Pope MGP, Inc. and Pope EGP, Inc., as to which he shares investment and voting power.
 
 
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Management

As of February 18, 2013, the beneficial ownership of the Partnership units of (1) the named executives (2) the directors of the Partnership's general partners, (3) the general partners of the Partnership, and (4) the Partnership's officers, directors and general partners as a group, was as follows. **

Name
Position and Offices
Number of Units (1)
   
Percent of Class
 
David L. Nunes
 
Chief Executive Officer and President, Pope MGP, Inc. and the Partnership; Director, Pope MGP, Inc.
 
102,844
 
 
(2)
 
2.3
 
Thomas M. Ringo
 
Vice President and CFO, Pope MGP, Inc. and the Partnership
 
38,379
 
 
(3)
 
*
 
John E. Conlin
 
Director, Pope MGP, Inc.
 
23,145
   
 
*
 
Douglas E. Norberg
 
Director, Pope MGP, Inc.
 
68,008
  (5)
 
1.5
 
Maria M. Pope
 
Director, Pope MGP, Inc.
 
 18,225
  (6)
 
*
 
Peter T. Pope
 
Director, Pope MGP, Inc. and Pope EGP, Inc.; President, Pope EGP, Inc.
 
313,762
 
 
(7)
 
7.1
 
J. Thurston Roach
 
Director, Pope MGP, Inc.
 
6,750
  (4)
 
*
 
Pope EGP, Inc.
 
Equity General Partner of the Partnership
 
54,000
   
 
1.2
 
Pope MGP, Inc.
 
Managing General Partner of the Partnership
 
6,000
   
 
*
 
All General partners, directors and officers of general partners, and officers of the Partnership as a group (7 individuals and 2 entities)
 
571,113
 
 
(8)
 
12.8


* Less than 1%
** The address of each of these parties is c/o Pope Resources, 19950 Seventh Avenue NE, Suite 200, Poulsbo, WA 98370.

(1)  
Each beneficial owner has sole voting and investment power unless otherwise indicated. Includes restricted units that are unvested since beneficial owner receives distributions on all such restricted units.

(2)  
Includes 20,575 unvested restricted units issued to Mr. Nunes. Also includes 4,550 units held in trust for Mr. Nunes’ children for which he disclaims beneficial ownership.

(3)  
Includes 6,525 unvested restricted units issued to Mr. Ringo.

(4)  
Includes 6,375 unvested restricted units.
 
 
105

 
 
(5)  
Includes 6,375 unvested restricted units.  Also includes 25,759 units held in trust for the benefit of certain of Mr. Norberg’s immediate family members.  Mr. Norberg disclaims beneficial ownership of such units except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.

(6)  
Includes 1,500 unvested restricted units and 1,125 units held jointly with Ms. Pope’s spouse for which she disclaims beneficial ownership.  Also includes 40 units held in trust for Ms. Pope’s children for which she disclaims beneficial ownership.

(7)  
Includes (a) 244,942 units held by a limited liability company controlled by Mr. Pope; (b) 8,820 units held in trust for one of his children; and (c) 60,000 units held by Pope MGP, Inc. and Pope EGP, Inc., as to which he shares investment and voting power.

(8)  
For this computation, the 60,000 units held by Pope MGP, Inc. and Pope EGP, Inc. are excluded from units beneficially owned by Mr. Pope. Mr. Pope and Emily T. Andrews own all of the outstanding stock of Pope MGP, Inc. and Pope EGP, Inc. Includes 47,725 unvested restricted units.

Equity Compensation Plan Information

The following table presents certain information with respect to the Partnership’s equity compensation plans and awards thereunder on December 31, 2012.

Plan category
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights
 
(a)
 
Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights
 
(b)
 
Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a))
 
(c)
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders
-
 
N/A
 
952,194
           
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
-
 
-
 
-
Total
-
 
N/A
 
952,194
 
 
 
106

 
 
Item 13.       CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

The Partnership Agreement provides that it is a complete defense to any challenge to an agreement or transaction between the Partnership and a general partner, or related person, due to a conflict of interest if, after full disclosure of the material facts as to the agreement or transaction and the interest of the general partner or related person, (1) the transaction is authorized, approved or ratified by a majority of the disinterested directors of the General Partner, or (2) the transaction is authorized by partners of record holding more than 50% of the units held by all partners. All of the transactions below were approved, authorized, or ratified by one of these two means.

Allocation of Income. The 1997 amendment to Pope Resources’ Limited Partnership Agreement contained a provision that allowed for profit sharing of the IPMB income between the Partnership’s wholly-owned subsidiary, ORM, Inc. and Pope MGP, Inc., the managing general partner of the Partnership. No payments have been made pursuant to this agreement since 2007. In 2010, the managing general partner terminated its profit sharing opportunity under this program.

General Partner Fee. Pope MGP, Inc. receives an annual fee of $150,000, and reimbursement of administrative costs for its services as managing general partner of the Partnership, as stipulated in the Partnership Agreement.

ORM Timber Fund I, LP (“Fund I”). Pope Resources, A Delaware Limited Partnership owns 19% and Olympic Resource Management LLC owns 1% and is the general partner of Fund I. David L. Nunes and Thomas M. Ringo invested less than 1% of the capital in Fund I. The majority of this commitment was paid in the fourth quarter of 2006 when Fund I acquired timberland.  Messrs. Nunes and Ringo are not direct investors in either Fund II or Fund III.

Director Independence

With the exception of David L. Nunes our Chief Executive Officer all of directors of the Managing General Partner are independent under applicable laws and regulations and the listing standards of NASDAQ.


Item 14.       PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

The following table summarizes fees related to the Partnership’s principal accountants, KPMG LLP, during 2012 and 2011.
 
 
107

 

Description of services
 
2012
 
%
 
2011
 
%
Audit (1)
  $ 340,000       86 %   $ 324,000       85 %
                                 
Audit related (2)
    53,750       14 %     40,500       11 %
                                 
Tax (3):
                               
                                 
     General tax consultation
    -       - %     15,000       4 %
                                 
Total
  $ 393,750       100 %   $ 379,500       100 %
 
(1) Fees represent the arranged fees for the years presented, including the annual audit of
internal controls as mandated under Sarbanes-Oxley section 404, and out-of-pocket expenses
reimbursed during the years presented.
(2) Fees represent the arranged fees for the years presented in connection with the audits of Olympic
Resource Management LLC, ORM Timber Fund I LP, ORM Timber Operating Company II, LLC,
and ORM Timber Fund III Inc.
(3) Fees paid for professional services in connection with tax consulting.
 
Prior to hiring KPMG LLP to provide services to the Partnership, anticipated fees and a description of the services are presented to the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee then either agrees to hire KPMG LLP to provide the services or directs management to find a different service provider.

PART IV

EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE
 
Financial Statements
Page
     
 
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
63
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets
65
 
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (loss)
66
 
Consolidated Statements of Partners’ Capital
67
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
68
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
70
 
Financial Statement Schedule
108

 
Financial Statement Schedule

 
   
Environmental Remediation
 
   
Balances at the
               
Balances at the
 
   
Beginning of the
   
Additions to
   
Expenditures
   
End of the
 
(in thousands)
 
Period
   
Accrual
   
for Remediation
   
Period
 
Year Ended December 31, 2010
    1,269       875       211       1,933  
Year Ended December 31, 2011
    1,933       977       707       2,203  
Year Ended December 31, 2012
    2,203       12,500       761       13,942  
 
 
108

 
 
Exhibits.
 
No.
 
Document
 
 
 
3.1
 
Certificate of Limited Partnership. (1)
     
3.2
 
Limited Partnership Agreement, dated as of November 7, 1985. (1)
 
 
 
3.3
 
Amendment to Limited Partnership Agreement dated December 16, 1986. (2)
 
 
 
3.4
 
Amendment to Limited Partnership Agreement dated March 14, 1997. (4)
     
3.5
 
Certificate of Incorporation of Pope MGP, Inc. (1)
 
 
 
3.6
 
Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation of Pope MGP, Inc. (3)
 
 
 
3.7
 
Bylaws of Pope MGP, Inc. (1)
 
 
 
3.8
 
Certificate of Incorporation of Pope EGP, Inc. (1)
 
 
 
3.9
 
Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation of Pope EGP, Inc. (3)
 
 
 
3.10
 
Bylaws of Pope EGP, Inc. (1)
     
3.11
 
Amendment to Limited Partnership Agreement dated October 30, 2007. (12)
     
3.12
 
Audit Committee Charter. (10)
     
4.1
 
Specimen Depositary Receipt of Registrant. (1)
 
 
 
4.2
 
Limited Partnership Agreement dated as of November 7, 1985, as amended December 16, 1986 and March 14, 1997 (see Exhibits 3.2, 3.3 and 3.4).
 
4.3
 
1997 Unit Option Plan Summary (5) and Pope Resources 2005 Unit Incentive Plan. (11)
 
 
 
9.1
 
Shareholders Agreement entered into by and among Pope MGP, Inc., Pope EGP, Inc., Peter T. Pope, Emily T. Andrews, P&T, present and future directors of Pope MGP, Inc. and the Partnership, dated as of November 7, 1985 included as Appendix C to the P&T Notice and Proxy Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 12, 1985, a copy of which was filed as Exhibit 28.1 to the Partnership’s registration on Form 10 identified in footnote (1) below. (1)
 
 
 
10.1
 
Transfer and Indemnity Agreement between the Partnership and P&T dated as of December 5, 1985. (1)
 
 
 
10.2
 
Environmental Remediation Agreement. (7)
     
10.3
 
Timberland Deed of Trust and Security Agreement with Assignment of Rents between Pope Resources, Jefferson Title Company and John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company dated April 29, 1992. (6)
 
 
 
10.4
 
Amendment to Timberland Deed of Trust and Security Agreement with Assignment of Rents between Pope Resources, Jefferson Title Company and John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company dated May 13, 1992. (6)
 
 
 
10.5
 
Second Amendment to Timberland Deed of Trust and Security Agreement with Assignment of Rents between Pope Resources, Jefferson Title Company and John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company, dated May 25 1993. (6)
 
 
109

 
 
10.6
 
Third Amendment to Timberland Deed of Trust and Security Agreement with Assignment of Rents between Pope Resources, Jefferson Title Company and John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company dated December 19, 1995. (6)
 
 
 
10.7
 
Fourth Amendment to Timberland Deed of Trust and Security Agreement with Assignment of Rents between Pope Resources, Jefferson Title Company and John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company dated December 20, 1999. (6)
 
 
 
10.8
 
Amended and Restated Timberland Deed of Trust and Security Agreement with Assignment of Rents and Fixture Filing between Pope Resources and John Hancock Life Insurance Company dated March 29, 2001. (6)
 
 
 
10.9
 
Promissory Note from Pope Resources to John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company dated April 29, 1992. (6)
     
10.10
 
Amendment to Promissory Note from Pope Resources to John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company dated May 25, 1993. (6)
 
 
 
10.11
 
Second Amendment to Promissory Note from Pope Resources to John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company, dated December 19, 1995. (6)
 
 
 
10.12
 
Third Amendment to Promissory Note from Pope Resources to John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company dated December 20, 1999. (6)
 
 
 
10.13
 
Fourth Amendment to Promissory Note from Pope Resources to John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company dated March 29, 2001. (6)
     
10.14
 
Note Purchase Agreement between Pope Resources, John Hancock Life Insurance Company and John Hancock Variable Life Insurance Company, dated March 29, 2001. (6)
 
 
 
10.15
 
Class A Fixed Rate Senior Secured Note from Pope Resources to John Hancock Life Insurance Company dated March 29, 2001, in the principal amount of $23,500,000. (6)
     
10.16
 
Class A Fixed Rate Senior Secured Note from Pope Resources to John Hancock Life Insurance Company dated March 29, 2001 in the principal amount of $4,500,000. (6)
 
 
 
10.17
 
Class A Fixed Rate Senior Secured Note from Pope Resources to John Hancock Variable Life Insurance Company dated March 29, 2001, in the principal amount of $2,000,000. (6)
 
 
 
10.18
 
Timberland Deed of Trust and Security Agreement With Assignment of Rents and Fixture Filing between Pope Resources, Jefferson Title Company and John Hancock Life Insurance Company, dated March 29, 2001. (6)
     
10.19
 
Purchase and sale agreement with Costco Wholesale Corp dated December 22, 2003. (8)
     
10.20
 
Form of Change of control agreement. (10)
     
10.21
 
Purchase and sales agreement for Quilcene Timberlands dated September 28, 2004. (9)
     
10.22
 
Long term management agreement with Cascade Timberlands LLC dated December 31, 2004. (9)
     
10.23
 
First amendment to Note purchase agreement with John Hancock Life Insurance Company. (10)
 
 
110

 
 
10.24
 
Second amendment to Note purchase agreement with John Hancock Life Insurance Company. (10)
     
10.25
 
Third amendment to Note purchase agreement with John Hancock Life Insurance Company. (10)
     
10.26
 
Fourth amendment to Note purchase agreement with John Hancock Life Insurance Company. (10)
     
10.27
 
Master Loan Agreement between Pope Resources and Northwest Farm Credit Services, PCA dated July 31, 2008. (14)
     
10.28
 
Revolving Operating Note from Pope Resources to Northwest Farm Credit Services, PCA dated July 31, 2008. (14)
     
10.29
 
Master Loan Agreement between Pope Resources and Northwest Farm Credit Services, PCA dated September 25, 2009. (15)
     
10.30
 
Term Note from Pope Resources to Northwest Farm Credit Services, PCA dated September 25, 2009. (15)
     
10.31
 
First amendment to revolving operating note with Northwest Farm Credit Services, PCA dated September 25, 2009. (15)
     
10.32
 
Mortgage to Northwest Farm Credit Services, PCA, dated September 25, 2009. (15)
     
10.33
 
First Amended and Restated Master Loan Agreement between Pope Resources and Northwest Farm Credit Services, FLCA dated June 10, 2010.
     
10.34
 
Amendment No. 1 to First Amended and Restated Master Loan Agreement between Pope Resources and Northwest Farm Credit Services, FLCA dated August 6, 2010.
     
10.35
 
First Amended and Restated Term Note from Pope Resources to Northwest Farm Credit Services, FLCA dated June 10, 2010
     
10.36
 
Term Note from Pope Resources to Northwest Farm Credit Services, FLCA dated June 10, 2010.
     
10.37
 
First Amended and Restated Master Loan Agreement between Pope Resources and Northwest Farm Credit Services, PCA dated June 10, 2010.
     
10.38
 
Amendment No. 1 to First Amended and Restated Master Loan Agreement between Pope Resources and Northwest Farm Credit Services, PCA dated August 6, 2010.
     
10.39
 
Revolving Operating Note from Pope Resources to Northwest Farm Credit Services, PCA dated June 10, 2010.
     
10.40
 
Amendment No. 1 to Revolving Operating Note from Pope Resources to Northwest Farm Credit Services, PCA dated June 15, 2010.
     
10.41
 
Mortgage, Financing statement and Fixture Filing executed by Pope Resources in favor of Northwest Farm Credit Services, FLCA dated June 10, 2010.
     
10.42
 
Mortgage, Financing statement and Fixture Filing executed by Pope Resources in favor of Northwest Farm Credit Services, PCA dated June 10, 2010.
     
10.43
 
Loan Agreement between ORM Timber Operating Company II, LLC and Metropolitan Life Insurance Company dated September 1, 2010.
 
 
111

 
 
10.44
 
First Amendment to Loan Agreement between ORM Timber Operating Company II, LLC and Metropolitan Life Insurance Company dated February 7, 2011.
     
10.45
 
Promissory Note from ORM Timber Operating Company II, LLC to Metropolitan Life Insurance Company dated September 1, 2010.
     
10.46
 
Guaranty by ORM Timber Fund II, Inc. in favor of Metropolitan Life Insurance Company dated September 1, 2010.
     
10.47
 
Deed of Trust, Security Agreement, Assignment of Leases and Rents and Fixture Filing between ORM Timber Operating Company II, LLC and Metropolitan Life Insurance Company dated September 1, 2010.
     
10.48
 
Trust Deed, Security Agreement, Assignment of Leases and Rents and Fixture Filing between ORM Timber Operating Company II, LLC and Metropolitan Life Insurance Company dated September 1, 2010.
     
10.49
 
Incentive Compensation Program Summary – revised February 2011.
     
10.50
 
Revolving Operating Note from Pope Resources to Northwest Farm Credit Services, PCA dated May 30, 2012. (17)
     
10.51
 
Amendment No. 1 to Revolving Operating Note from Pope Resources to Northwest Farm Credit Services, PCA dated June 30, 2012.
     
10.52
 
Amendment No. 2 to First Amended and Restated Master Loan Agreement between Pope Resources and Northwest Farm Credit Services, FLCA dated June 30, 2012.
     
10.53
 
Amendment No. 2 to First Amended and Restated Master Loan Agreement between Pope Resources and Northwest Farm Credit Services, PCA dated November 10, 2012.
     
10.54
 
Note and Loan Agreement between Pope Resources and Northwest Farm Credit Services, FLCA dated December 20, 2012.
     
18.1
 
Letter from Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm related to change in accounting principle. (15)
     
21.1
 
Significant Subsidiaries.
     
23.1
 
Consent of Registered Independent Public Accounting Firm. (13)
     
31.1
 
Certificate of Chief Executive Officer. (13)
     
31.2
 
Certificate of Chief Financial Officer. (13)
     
32.1
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. (13)
     
32.2
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. (13)
 
 
112

 
 
101.INS
 
XBRL Instance Document
     
101.SCH
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
     
101.CAL
 
XBRL  Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
     
101.DEF
 
XBRL  Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
     
101.LAB
 
XBRL  Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
     
101.PRE
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
 
 
113

 
 
(1)
Incorporated by reference from the Partnership’s registration on Form 10 filed under File No. 1-9035 and declared effective on December 5, 1985.
 
 
(2)
Incorporated by reference from the Partnership’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1987.
 
 
(3)
Incorporated by reference from the Partnership’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1988.
 
 
(4)
Incorporated by reference from the Partnership’s Proxy Statement filed on February 14, 1997.
 
 
(5)
Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form S-8 Registration Statement (SEC file number 333-46091) filed with the Commission on February 11, 1998.
 
 
(6)
Incorporated by reference to the Partnership’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001.
 
(7)
Incorporated by reference to the Partnership’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002.

(8)
Incorporated by reference to the Partnership’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003.

(9)
Incorporated by reference to the Partnership’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004.

(10)
Incorporated by reference to the Partnership’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005.

(11)
Filed with Form S-8 on September 9, 2005.
 
(12)
Incorporated by reference to the Partnership’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007.
 
(13)
Filed with this annual report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012.
 
(14)
Incorporated by reference to the Current Report on Form 10-Q filed by the Registrant on August 6, 2008.
 
(16)
Incorporated by reference to the Current Report on Form 10-Q filed by the Registrant November 5, 2009.
 
(17)
Incorporated by reference to the Current Report on Form 10-Q filed by the Registrant August 9, 2012.
 
 
114

 
 
SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Partnership has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
POPE RESOURCES, A Delaware
 
Limited Partnership
   
 
By POPE MGP, INC.
 
Managing General Partner
   
Date: February 28, 2013
     By /s/ David L. Nunes                             
 
President and
 
Chief Executive Officer
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Partnership and in the capacities and on the date indicated.

Date: February 28, 2013
     By /s/ David L. Nunes                                         
 
     David L. Nunes,
 
     President and Chief Executive Officer (principal
 
     executive officer), Partnership and Pope MGP, Inc.;
 
     Director, Pope MGP, Inc.
   
   
Date: February 28, 2013
     By /s/ Thomas M. Ringo                                     
 
     Thomas M. Ringo
 
     Vice President & CFO (principal financial and
 
     accounting officer), Partnership and Pope MGP,
 
     Inc.
   
   
Date: February 28, 2013
     By /s/ John E. Conlin                                           
 
     John E. Conlin
 
     Director, Pope MGP, Inc.
   
   
Date: February 28, 2013
     By /s/ Douglas E. Norberg                                  
 
     Douglas E. Norberg
 
     Director, Pope MGP, Inc.
   
   
Date: February 28, 2013
     By /s/ Maria M. Pope                                           
 
     Maria M. Pope
 
     Director, Pope MGP, Inc.
   
   
Date: February 28, 2013
     By /s/ J. Thurston Roach                                    
 
     J. Thurston Roach
 
     Director, Pope MGP, Inc.
 
 
115
a50574187ex10-51.htm
Exhibit 10.51
 
AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO NOTE

THIS AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO NOTE (this “Amendment”) is made and entered into effective June 30, 2012, by and between NORTHWEST FARM CREDIT SERVICES, PCA (“Lender”) and POPE RESOURCES, A DELAWARE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP (“Borrower”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Borrower and Lender entered into a Note dated May 30, 2012 (herein, as at any time amended, extended, restated, renewed, supplemented or modified, the "Note"), and certain related loan documents referenced as Loan No. 56548-811, (herein, as at any time amended, extended, restated, renewed, supplemented or modified, collectively the “Loan Documents”).

WHEREAS, Borrower and Lender desire to modify the Note for the purposes stated herein.

NOW THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, Borrower and Lender agree as follows:

1.           Except as expressly modified or changed herein, all terms and conditions of the Note and the other Loan Documents shall remain in full force and effect and shall not be changed hereunder.

2.           All terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning given such term in the Note and the other Loan Documents.

3.           The definition of “Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio” contained in Section 1 of the Note is hereby amended, in its entirety, by substitution of the following:

“Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio” means, as of any date of determination for the prior four (4) Fiscal Quarters ending on such date, the ratio of (a) Consolidated EBITDDA, plus non-cash expenses for environmental remediation at Port Gamble, minus actual cash payments for environmental remediation at Port Gamble, minus Consolidated Capital Expenditures to (b) Consolidated Interest Expense.

4.           This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall constitute but one and the same instrument.  This Amendment shall not constitute a novation and shall in no way adversely affect or impair the lien priority of the Loan Documents.  Each of the Loan Documents, agreements and instruments creating, evidencing and securing the repayment of the above-referenced loan shall remain in effect and is valid, binding and enforceable according to its terms, except as modified by this Amendment.  Time is of the essence in the performance of the Note and the other Loan Documents.  This Amendment shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the respective successors and assigns of Borrower and Lender.
 
 
 
Amendment No. 1 to Note (CIF/Note No. 56548-811)
 
 
1

 
 
In Witness Whereof, the parties hereto have duly executed this Amendment to be effective as of the date first above written.

ORAL AGREEMENTS OR ORAL COMMITMENTS TO LOAN MONEY, EXTEND CREDIT, OR TO FORBEAR FROM ENFORCING REPAYMENT OF A DEBT ARE NOT ENFORCEABLE UNDER WASHINGTON LAW.

LENDER:
NORTHWEST FARM CREDIT SERVICES, PCA

By:                                                                
Authorized Agent

BORROWER:
POPE RESOURCES, A DELAWARE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
By: Pope MGP Inc., a Delaware corporation, its Managing General Partner

By:                                                                             
Thomas M. Ringo, Vice President and CFO
 

 
Amendment No. 1 to Note (CIF/Note No. 56548-811)
 
 
2
a50574187ex10-52.htm
Exhibit 10.52
 
Pope Resources, a Delaware Limited Partnership
Customer No. 56548


AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED
 MASTER LOAN AGREEMENT

THIS AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED MASTER LOAN AGREEMENT (this “Amendment”) is made and entered into effective June 30, 2012, by and between NORTHWEST FARM CREDIT SERVICES, FLCA (“Lender”) and POPE RESOURCES, A DELAWARE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP (“Borrower”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Borrower and Lender entered into a First Amended and Restated Master Loan Agreement dated June 10, 2010 (herein, as at any time amended, extended, restated, renewed, supplemented or modified, the “Loan Agreement”) and other Loan Documents, as that term is defined therein;

WHEREAS, Borrower and Lender desire to modify the Loan Agreement for the purposes stated herein.

NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, Borrower and Lender agree as follows:

1.           Except as expressly modified or changed herein, all terms and conditions of the Loan Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall remain in full force and effect and shall not be changed hereunder.

2.           The following definition contained in Article 1 of the Loan Agreement is hereby amended to provide as follows:

Consolidated Cash Flow Coverage Ratio” means, as of any date of determination for the prior four fiscal quarters, the ratio of (a) Consolidated EBITDDA, plus non-cash expenses for environmental remediation at Port Gamble, minus actual cash payments for environmental remediation at Port Gamble, minus Consolidated Capital Expenditures to (b) the sum of: (i) scheduled principal payments from the previous year (not including balloon principal payments that have been refinanced or the portion associated with the non-controlling interest in Timber Funds); (ii) required principal payments associated with asset sales, excluding the portion associated with the non-controlling interest in Timber Funds; and (iii) Consolidated Interest Expense.

3.           Section 11.01a.i. of the Loan Agreement is hereby amended effective November 10, 2012 to provide as follows:
 
 
 
AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER LOAN AGREEMENT - 1
Pope Resources, a Delaware Limited Partnership; CIF No. 56548
 
 
 

 

 
i.
If to Borrower:
   
Attention:  Thomas M. Ringo
   
19950 7th Ave. NE, Suite 200
   
Poulsbo, WA  98370
   
Facsimile:  (360) 697-1476
   
E-mail:  tringo@orminc.com

4.           This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall constitute but one and the same instrument.  This Amendment shall not constitute a novation and shall in no way adversely affect or impair the lien priority of the Loan Documents.  Each of the Loan Documents shall remain in effect and is valid, binding and enforceable according to its terms, except as modified by this Amendment.  Time is of the essence in the performance of the Loan Agreement and the other Loan Documents.  This Amendment shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the respective successors and assigns of Borrower and Lender.

In Witness Whereof, the parties hereto have duly executed this Amendment to be effective as of the date first above written.

ORAL AGREEMENTS OR ORAL COMMITMENTS TO LOAN MONEY, EXTEND CREDIT, OR TO FORBEAR FROM ENFORCING REPAYMENT OF A DEBT ARE NOT ENFORCEABLE UNDER WASHINGTON LAW.

LENDER:
NORTHWEST FARM CREDIT SERVICES, FLCA

By:                                                                    
Authorized Agent

BORROWER:
POPE RESOURCES, A DELAWARE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
By: Pope MGP Inc., a Delaware corporation, its Managing General Partner

By:                                                                            
Thomas M. Ringo, Vice President and CFO


 
AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER LOAN AGREEMENT - 2
Pope Resources, a Delaware Limited Partnership; CIF No. 56548

a50574187ex10-53.htm
Exhibit 10.53
 
Pope Resources, a Delaware Limited Partnership
Customer No. 56548


AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED
 MASTER LOAN AGREEMENT

THIS AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED MASTER LOAN AGREEMENT (this “Amendment”) is made and entered into effective November 10, 2012, by and between NORTHWEST FARM CREDIT SERVICES, PCA (“Lender”) and POPE RESOURCES, A DELAWARE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP (“Borrower”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Borrower and Lender entered into a First Amended and Restated Master Loan Agreement dated June 10, 2010 (herein, as at any time amended, extended, restated, renewed, supplemented or modified, the “Loan Agreement”) and other Loan Documents, as that term is defined therein;

WHEREAS, Borrower and Lender desire to modify the Loan Agreement for the purposes stated herein.

NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, Borrower and Lender agree as follows:

1.           Except as expressly modified or changed herein, all terms and conditions of the Loan Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall remain in full force and effect and shall not be changed hereunder.

2.           Section 11.01a.i. of the Loan Agreement is hereby amended to provide as follows:

 
i.
If to Borrower:
   
Attention:  Thomas M. Ringo
   
19950 7th Ave. NE, Suite 200
   
Poulsbo, WA  98370
   
Facsimile:  (360) 697-1476
   
E-mail:  tringo@orminc.com

3.           This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall constitute but one and the same instrument.  This Amendment shall not constitute a novation and shall in no way adversely affect or impair the lien priority of the Loan Documents.  Each of the Loan Documents shall remain in effect and is valid, binding and enforceable according to its terms, except as modified by this Amendment.  Time is of the essence in the performance of the Loan Agreement and the other Loan Documents.  This Amendment shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the respective successors and assigns of Borrower and Lender.
 
 
 
AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER LOAN AGREEMENT - 1
Pope Resources, a Delaware Limited Partnership; CIF No. 56548
 
 
 

 
 
In Witness Whereof, the parties hereto have duly executed this Amendment to be effective as of the date first above written.

ORAL AGREEMENTS OR ORAL COMMITMENTS TO LOAN MONEY, EXTEND CREDIT, OR TO FORBEAR FROM ENFORCING REPAYMENT OF A DEBT ARE NOT ENFORCEABLE UNDER WASHINGTON LAW.

LENDER:
NORTHWEST FARM CREDIT SERVICES, PCA

By:                                                                
Authorized Agent

BORROWER:
POPE RESOURCES, A DELAWARE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
By: Pope MGP Inc., a Delaware corporation, its Managing General Partner

By:                                                                            
Thomas M. Ringo, Vice President and CFO

 
 
AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER LOAN AGREEMENT - 2
Pope Resources, a Delaware Limited Partnership; CIF No. 56548
a50574187ex10-54.htm
Exhibit 10.54
 
Date:  December 20, 2012

NOTE AND LOAN AGREEMENT

(Long Term with Multiple Pricing Options)

For Value Received, on the Loan Maturity Date, Borrower, as defined below, as principal, jointly and severally, promises to pay to Lender, as defined below, or order, at its office in Spokane, Washington, or at such other place as the holder of this Note and Loan Agreement (this “Note”) may designate in writing, the principal balance of Three Million and No/100’s Dollars ($3,000,000.00) (the “Total Commitment Amount”), or so much thereof as may be outstanding, plus interest thereon from and after any Disbursement Date, at interest rates as provided for hereafter.  For all intents and purposes, all Loan Segments are treated as one obligation under this Note and the other Loan Documents.

1.           Definitions.  For purposes of this Note, the following definitions apply.  Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings given in the Membership Agreement dated of or around even date herewith.

“Adjusted Partners’ Capital” means the GAAP based amount of the capital account of the partners of Guarantor, adjusted for book to market value differences in Timberlands, as calculated on Exhibit C.

 “Adjusted Principal Balance” of any Loan Segment on any date is the unpaid principal balance of such Loan Segment minus the principal payments that are due on or before such date and are unpaid on such date.

“Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, another Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person specified.

“Applicable Margin” means, for purposes of calculating the applicable interest rate for any day for a Loan Segment, the percentage set forth below which corresponds to the elected Rate Option:
 
 
Rate Options
Applicable Margin
 
       
 
Base Rate
2.35 %
 
 
1-Year
1.75 %
 
 
3-Years
1.75 %
 
 
5-Years
1.75 %
 
 
7-Years
1.75 %
 
 
10-Years
1.75 %
 
 
“Base Rate” shall have the meaning given in Paragraph 3.01 hereof.
 
 
 
Note and Loan Agreement (CIF/Note No. 78565-441)
 
 
1

 
“Base Rate Loan Segment” means the principal portion of the Loan plus accrued interest priced using the Base Rate.

“Biennial Appraised Timberland Value” means the value determined pursuant to the most recent biennial appraisal of Guarantor’s timberland.

“Borrower” means Seventh Avenue Poulsbo, LLC, a Washington limited liability company.

“Borrower’s Obligations” means, without duplication, all of the obligations of Borrower to Lender whenever arising, under this Loan Agreement, the Notes or any of the other Loan Documents, including without limitation, all principal, interest, monies advanced on behalf of Borrower under the terms of the Loan Documents, and taxes, insurance premiums, costs and expenses, and fees and any amounts that would have accrued but for the automatic stay under the Bankruptcy Code, and any obligations under any Swap Contract between Borrower and any Swap Issuer, whenever arising.

“Breakage Fee” shall have the meaning given in Paragraph 5.02 hereof.

“Business Day” means any day Lender is open for business in Spokane, Washington, except it shall not include Saturday, Sunday or a day that commercial banks in Spokane, Washington are closed.  Provided however, for purposes of defining any date upon which an interest rate shall be determined by Lender using an Index other than published by Lender, Business Day means any day Lender and the Index Source are open for business except it shall not include Saturday, Sunday or a day that commercial banks in Spokane, Washington are closed.

“Calculation Date” means the first three Fiscal Quarter-Ends and the Fiscal Year-End of Guarantor.

“Capital Lease” means, as applied to any Person, any lease of any Property by that Person as lessee which, in accordance with GAAP, is or should be accounted for as a capital lease on the balance sheet of that Person.

“Closing Date” means the date the Loan Documents for the Loan are fully executed and the conditions precedent to Loan closing have been met to Lender’s satisfaction or waived by Lender in writing.

“Collateral” means all the property pledged to secure this Loan as described in the Loan Documents.

“Company” and “Companies” means Guarantor, as well as any present or future Subsidiaries of Guarantor, whose financial statements and accounting procedures should, in accordance with GAAP, be consolidated with those of Guarantor.

“Compliance Certificate” shall mean a certificate in substantially the form of Exhibit B hereto.
 
 
 
Note and Loan Agreement (CIF/Note No. 78565-441)
 
 
2

 
 
“Consolidated Capital Expenditures” means, for any period, all internally financed operating capital expenditures (excluding: (i) timberland acquisitions, (ii) the portion of the same associated with the non-controlling interest in Timber Funds; and (iii) capitalized interest associated with capital expenditures) of Companies, on a consolidated basis for such period, as determined in accordance with GAAP.

“Consolidated Cash Flow Coverage Ratio” means, as of any date of determination for the prior four fiscal quarters, the ratio of (a) Consolidated EBITDDA, plus non-cash expenses for environmental remediation at Port Gamble, minus actual cash payments for environmental remediation at Port Gamble, minus Consolidated Capital Expenditures to (b) the sum of: (i) scheduled principal payments from the previous year (not including balloon principal payments that have been refinanced or the portion associated with the non-controlling interest in Timber Funds); (ii) required principal payments associated with asset sales, excluding the portion associated with the non-controlling interest in Timber Funds; and (iii) Consolidated Interest Expense.

“Consolidated EBITDDA” means, for any period, the sum of:  (a) Consolidated Net Income; (b) Consolidated Interest Expense; (c) consolidated depreciation expense; (d) consolidated amortization expense; (e) consolidated depletion expense; (f) the cost of land sold by Companies; and, (g) plus or minus, as the case may be, Consolidated Taxes to the extent recognized in the computation of Consolidated Net Income, all as determined in accordance with GAAP, excluding the portions of depreciation expense, amortization expense, depletion expense and cost of land sold associated with the non-controlling interest in Timber Funds.

“Consolidated Interest Expense” means, for any period, all interest expense (including capitalized interest cost and the interest component under Capital Leases) of Companies on a consolidated basis, all as determined in accordance with GAAP, excluding the portion associated with the non-controlling interest in Timber Funds.

“Consolidated Net Income” means, for any period, the net income or net loss attributable to unit holders, as determined in accordance with GAAP.

“Consolidated Taxes” means, as of any date of determination, the provision for federal, state and other income taxes of Companies on a consolidated basis, as determined in accordance with GAAP, excluding the portion associated with the non-controlling interest in Timber Funds.

“Covenant Compliance Worksheet” shall mean a certificate in substantially the form of Exhibit C hereto.

“Default Interest Rate” shall have the meaning given in Paragraph 6.03 hereof.

“Disbursement Date” means any Business Day when Loan principal is advanced under this Note to or on the account of Borrower.

“Events of Default” shall have the meaning given in Paragraph 6.01 hereof.
 
 
 
Note and Loan Agreement (CIF/Note No. 78565-441)
 
 
3

 
 
“Fiscal Quarter” means the three month periods ending March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31.

“Fiscal Quarter-End” means March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31.

“Fiscal Year” means the calendar year.

“Fiscal Year-End” means December 31.

“Fiscal Year-to-Date” means the period from the first day of Borrower’s Fiscal Year being reported upon through the last day of the Fiscal Quarter being reported upon.

“Fixed Rate Loan Segment” means each principal portion of the Loan, plus interest accrued thereon, with all the following attributes that distinguish such Fixed Rate Loan Segment from other Fixed Rate Loan Segments:  a different Fixed Rate Maturity Date and or a different date to which a given Fixed Rate Option was assigned to the Fixed Rate Loan Segment, except as otherwise provided herein.

“Fixed Rate Maturity Date” shall have the meaning given in Paragraph 3.02 hereof; provided however, if a Fixed Rate Maturity Date falls on a date that is not a Business Day, then the Fixed Rate Maturity Date shall be deemed to be the preceding Business Day, unless such Business Day falls in another calendar month in which case the Fixed Rate Maturity Date shall be deemed to be the succeeding Business Day.

“Fixed Rate Option” means any of the Fixed Rate Options defined in Paragraph 3.02 hereof.

“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Account Principles Board and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or such other principles as may be approved by a significant segment of the public accounting profession in the United States, that are applicable to the circumstances as of the date of determination, consistently applied.

“Governmental Authority” means the United States, any foreign state or nation, or any state, commonwealth, district, territory, agency, department, subdivision, court, tribunal or other instrumentality thereof.

“Guarantor” means Pope Resources, A Delaware Limited Partnership, a Delaware limited partnership, under the Guaranty Agreement - Unlimited Payment (“Guaranty”) executed by such party in connection with the Loan Documents.

“Incipient Default” means an event that with the giving of notice or passage of time, or both, would become an Event of Default, as further defined herein.
 
 
 
Note and Loan Agreement (CIF/Note No. 78565-441)
 
 
4

 
 
“Indebtedness” means: (a) all obligations of Borrower or Guarantor for borrowed money; (b) all obligations of Borrower or Guarantor evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, or upon which interest payments are customarily made; (c) all obligations of Borrower or Guarantor under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to property purchased by Borrower (other than customary reservations or retentions of title under agreements with suppliers entered into in the ordinary course of business); (d) all obligations, including without limitation, intercompany items, of Borrower or Guarantor issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property or services purchased by Borrower or Guarantor (other than trade debt incurred in the ordinary course of business and due within six months of the incurrence thereof) which would appear as liabilities on a balance sheet of Borrower or Guarantor; (e) all obligations of Borrower or Guarantor under take-or-pay or similar arrangements or under commodities agreements; (f) all Indebtedness of others secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien on, or payable out of the proceeds of production from, property owned or acquired by Borrower or Guarantor, whether or not the obligations secured thereby have been assumed; (g) all guaranty obligations of Borrower; (h) the principal portion of all obligations of Borrower or Guarantor under capital leases; (i) the maximum amount of all standby letters of credit issued or bankers' acceptances facilities created for the account of Borrower or Guarantor and, without duplication, all drafts drawn thereunder (to the extent unreimbursed); and (j) all obligations of Borrower or Guarantor in respect to any Swap Termination Value of any Swap Contract between Borrower  or Guarantor and any Swap Issuer.  The Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any partnership or joint venture in which Borrower or Guarantor is a general partner or a joint venturer.

“Indebtedness to Total Capitalization Ratio” means, as of any date of determination, Companies’ Indebtedness, excluding the portion thereof associated with the non-controlling interest in Timber Funds, divided by the sum of (a) Companies’ Indebtedness excluding the portion thereof associated with the non-controlling interest in Timber Funds, plus (b) Adjusted Partner’s Capital.

“Index Source” means the Federal Farm Credit Banks Funding Corporation, unless an Index Source is otherwise identified for a given pricing option described herein.

“Lender” means Northwest Farm Credit Services, FLCA.

“LIBOR” means the rate per annum at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the date that is two (2) Business Days prior to the beginning of the relevant interest period by reference to the British Bankers’ Association Interest Settlement Rates for deposits in Dollars (the “Index”), as set forth by the Bloomberg Information Service or any successor thereto, which has been designated by the British Bankers’ Association as an authorized information vendor for the purpose of displaying such rates (the “LIBOR Index Source”) for a period equal to such interest period.

“Loan” or “Loan No. 78565-441” means all principal amounts advanced by Lender to Borrower or on the account of Borrower or otherwise under this Note and the other Loan Documents, and all fees or charges incurred as provided for in this Note and the other Loan Documents, plus all interest accrued thereon.
 
 
 
Note and Loan Agreement (CIF/Note No. 78565-441)
 
 
5

 
 
“Loan Documents” means, this Note and all other documents executed in connection with the Loan, including without limitation the Membership Agreement, Mortgage and Fixture Filing, Environmental Indemnity, and all renewals, extensions, amendments, modifications, substitutions and replacements thereof.

“Loan Maturity Date” shall be January 1, 2023.

“Loan Purpose” means (a) reimbursement of Borrowers costs associated with the purchase of, and capital improvements made to, the office building and land located at the common address of 19950 7th Avenue NE, Poulsbo, WA, and (b) to pay Loan fees and all Lender’s reasonable transaction costs.

“Loan Segment” means the Base Rate Loan Segment or a Fixed Rate Loan Segment.

“Notice” shall have the meaning given in Paragraph 2.04 hereof.

“Organization” means a corporation, limited liability company, joint venture, firm business trust, estate, trust, partnership or association, two or more Persons having a joint or common interest, or any other legal or commercial entity.

“Person” means an individual, an Organization or a Governmental Authority.

“Prepayment Fee” shall have the meaning given in Paragraph 5.01 hereof.

“Pricing Date” means the date a given Loan Segment begins to accrue interest under a given Rate Option or a day when there is a change in the Base Rate.

“Rate Option” means the Base Rate or one of the Fixed Rate Options.

“Related Party or Parties” means, with respect to any Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the general partners, directors and officers of such Person and of such Person’s Affiliates.

“Responsible Officer” means the chief executive officer, president, chief financial officer, treasurer or assistant treasurer of Borrower or the effective equivalent thereof or any other duly authorized officer.  Any document delivered hereunder that is signed by a Responsible Officer shall be conclusively presumed to have been authorized by Borrower and such Responsible Officer shall be conclusively presumed to have acted on behalf of Borrower.

“Subsidiary” means, as to any Person, (a) any corporation more than 50 percent of whose stock of any class or classes having by the terms thereof ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the directors of such corporation (irrespective of whether or not at the time, any class or classes of such corporation shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency) is at the time owned by such Person directly or indirectly through Subsidiaries, and (b) any partnership, association, joint venture or other entity in which such Person directly or indirectly through Subsidiaries has more than 50 percent equity interest at any time.  Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to a “Subsidiary” or “Subsidiaries” shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of Borrower. For purposes of Section 7 of this Note, Subsidiary or Subsidiaries shall include Timber Funds.
 
 
 
Note and Loan Agreement (CIF/Note No. 78565-441)
 
 
6

 
 
“Timber Funds” means, ORM Timber Fund I, LP, ORM Timber Fund II, Inc. and any future similar timberland investment entity.

“Timberland” means all timber and timberland owned by Guarantor.

2.                Advances, Fees, Expenses and Notice.

2.01           Advances.  So long as there is no Event of Default or Incipient Default, Lender will advance Loan proceeds to or on the account of Borrower on a Disbursement Date for an approved Loan purpose during the Loan term.  This is not a revolving loan.  Once Loan principal has been borrowed and repaid, it may not be reborrowed.

2.02           Loan Fee.  Borrower shall pay a Loan fee in the amount of $7,500.00 on the Closing Date.

2.03           Fees and Expenses.  Borrower shall pay Lender on demand, all fees and expenses, including attorney fees, related to closing the Note and incurred in any loan servicing action or to protect or enforce any of Lender's rights in bankruptcy, appellate proceedings or otherwise, under this Note or the other Loan Documents.  All sums advanced by Lender to protect its interests hereunder or under the other Loan Documents and all Prepayment and Breakage Fees shall be payable on demand and shall accrue interest under the interest rate in effect for the Base Rate Loan Segment on such date and shall be treated as an advance under the Base Rate Loan Segment.

2.04           Notice of Prepayment and Pricing.

 
a.           Prepayment of Principal.  Borrower shall provide Lender with Notice of the amount of any prepayment of a Fixed Rate Loan Segment no later than 10:00 a.m. Spokane time one Business Day prior to the Business Day the prepayment will be made.

b.           Pricing.  Borrower shall provide Lender irrevocable Notice of pricing of a Loan Segment using a Fixed Rate Option by 10:00 a.m. Spokane time on the Pricing Date.

c.           Form of Notice.  Borrower may provide Lender any Notice required under this Note by use of the notice in form substantially as set forth on Exhibit A hereto or other documentation as may be prescribed by Lender.  Alternatively, Borrower may telephone Lender at the numbers designated on Exhibit A or as may be provided by Lender from time to time.  If Notice is by telephone, Lender will confirm to Borrower the elected prepayment or pricing in writing.  All such Notices are deemed irrevocable when given and are subject to Breakage Fees.
 
 
 
Note and Loan Agreement (CIF/Note No. 78565-441)
 
 
7

 
 
3.                Interest Rate and Pricing Options.

3.01           Base Rate: LIBOR Variable Base.  The Base Rate is the LIBOR Variable Base.  The “LIBOR Variable Base” for any day during a given month means the one-month LIBOR rate, as made available by the LIBOR Index Source, rounded up to the nearest .05 percent, plus the Applicable Margin.  The LIBOR Variable Base shall be effective on the first day of the month and remain constant for such month.

3.02           1-, 3-, 5-, 7- or 10-Year Fixed Rate Options.  Borrower understands and agrees that the availability of any Fixed Rate Option will be determined at Lender’s (and participant’s, if applicable) sole discretion.  Subject to the preceding sentence, a Fixed Rate Loan Segment may be priced with a fixed rate equal to the 1-, 3-, 5-, 7- or 10-year Fixed Rate Options, as defined herein, plus the Applicable Margin.  With these Fixed Rate Options, (a) rates may be fixed for Interest Periods, as defined herein, of 1, 3, 5, 7 and 10 years; and (b) rates may only be fixed on a Pricing Date to take effect on such Pricing Date.  For purposes hereof:  (i) the “1-, 3-, 5-, 7- and 10-year Fixed Rate Options” shall mean the rate for the all-in cost of the corresponding term for Farm Credit Medium Term Notes (interpolated for the 6-, 8- and 9-year Fixed Rate Options), rounded to the nearest .05 percent, as made available by the Index Source on the Pricing Date; and (ii) “Interest Period” shall mean a period commencing on the Pricing Date and ending on the Fixed Rate Maturity Date.  The Fixed Rate Maturity Date for a given Fixed Rate Option shall be the corresponding 1-, 3-, 5-, 7-  or 10-year anniversary of the first day of the month following the Pricing Date if the Pricing Date is not the first day of a month or the corresponding anniversary of the Pricing Date if such Pricing Date is the first day of a month.

3.03           Pricing Elections.  Upon irrevocable Notice to Lender in accordance with Paragraph 2.04 above, as to principal (i) in the amount of an advance, (ii)  in the Base Rate Loan Segment, or (iii)  in a Fixed Rate Loan Segment on a Fixed Rate Maturity Date, Borrower may elect to designate all or any part of the advance or of the Adjusted Principal Balance of such Loan Segment on such Pricing Date to bear interest at any Rate Option described herein; provided however, that (1) there is no Event of Default or Incipient Default, (2) no Fixed Rate Option may be selected which would have for its Fixed Rate Maturity Date a date later than the Loan Maturity Date, and (3) there are no more than three Fixed Rate Loan Segments at any one time.  If Borrower does not provide Lender irrevocable Notice of election of a Rate Option on a Fixed Rate Maturity Date for a Fixed Rate Loan Segment, the Adjusted Principal Balance of such Loan Segment will be priced at the Base Rate effective on such Pricing Date.

3.04           Single Base Rate Loan Segment.  If on a Pricing Date, any Loan Segment is priced under the Base Rate resulting in more than one Loan Segment priced under the Base Rate, all Loan principal priced under the Base Rate will be treated as a single Base Rate Loan Segment by combining the Adjusted Principal Balances of such Loan Segments on such Pricing Date.
 
 
 
Note and Loan Agreement (CIF/Note No. 78565-441)
 
 
8

 
 
3.05           Interest Rates.  The interest rate used herein does not necessarily represent the lowest rates charged by Lender on its loans.  The interest rates described herein are per annum rates.  Interest rates using the LIBOR Index Source are calculated on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed for a 360 day year.  Interest rates using any other Index are calculated on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed during the year for the actual number of days in the year.

3.06           Index and Index Source.  If any Index or Index Source provided for herein cannot be ascertained during the Note term, Lender will choose a new Index or Index Source which it determines, in its sole discretion, is comparable to be effective upon notification thereof to Borrower.

3.07           Additional Pricing Options.  In the event Borrower should desire to price a Loan Segment using an Index, Pricing Date and margin other than as provided for herein, Borrower may request Lender to quote a rate and lock-in fee for an identified principal amount and desired pricing option.  Lender will provide Borrower such a quote if available under Lender’s then existing policies and procedures, and shall provide Borrower the option to elect such a rate upon payment of the lock-in fee, if required, which rate shall be effective on the Pricing Date for the Loan Segment, upon terms and conditions and within timeframes as Lender may prescribe at the time of the quote.

3.08           Changes in Circumstances.  In the event that, on any date on which an interest rate for pricing this Note is to be determined, Lender determines that the applicable interest rate does not adequately reflect the cost to Lender of making or maintaining its loans, Lender shall promptly give notice of such facts to Borrower.  Within ten days thereof, Borrower shall make an appointment to meet with Lender to determine a new adjustment factor for pricing this Note.  Any change to the adjustment factor shall require mutual written consent and agreement.

4.                Payment.

4.01           Payment of Loan Segments.  Each Loan Segment shall be repaid in equal monthly principal and interest payments, based on the Adjusted Principal Balance of each Loan Segment amortized over a period beginning with the date of creation of the Loan Segment and ending on January 1, 2033.  Such payments shall be due and payable, commencing on the first day of the month beginning on February 1, 2013, and shall continue on the first day of each month thereafter until the Loan is paid in full.  Provided however, so long as there is no Event of Default or Incipient Default, upon a Pricing Date for a Loan Segment, Lender will reamortize the Adjusted Principal Balance of the Loan Segment on such Pricing Date over the period from such Pricing Date to January 1, 2033.

4.02           Payment in Full on Loan Maturity Date.  The unpaid principal balance, unpaid interest thereon, and other amounts due under this Note and the other Loan Documents shall be paid in full on the Loan Maturity Date.  The payment required in Paragraph 4.01 results in a balloon payment being due on the Loan Maturity Date.
 
 
 
Note and Loan Agreement (CIF/Note No. 78565-441)
 
 
9

 
 
4.03           Manner of Payments.  Upon Lender’s written request, payments shall be electronically submitted no later than 10:00 a.m. Spokane time on the date specified for payment.  If any payment date is not a Business Day, then payment shall be due on the next succeeding Business Day. All sums payable to Lender hereunder shall be paid directly to Lender in immediately available funds in U.S. dollars.  Lender shall send to Borrower periodic statements of all amounts due hereunder at applicable interest rates, which statements shall be considered correct and conclusively binding on Borrower in all respects and for all purposes unless Borrower notifies Lender in writing of any objections within 15 days of receipt of any such statement.

4.04           Application of Payments.  Lender may apply any payment received from or on behalf of Borrower to principal, interest, or any part of the indebtedness, including any fees and expenses due under this Note or any other Loan Document, as Lender, in its sole discretion, may choose.  Subject to the preceding sentence, Borrower may at any time pay any amount of principal in advance of its maturity subject to the Prepayment Fee described herein.  Unless Lender otherwise elects, so long as there is no Event of Default, principal prepayments shall reduce the balance owing and discharge the indebtedness at an earlier date, but shall not alter the obligation to pay scheduled payments until the indebtedness is paid in full.  In addition, so long as there is no Event of Default or Incipient Default, principal prepayments shall be applied to principal under a given Loan Segment, as selected by Borrower, in inverse order of their maturity, and shall not alter the obligation to pay scheduled payments until the indebtedness for each Loan Segment is paid in full.

5.                Prepayment and Breakage Fees.

5.01           Prepayment Fee.

a.           Exemption to Prepayment Fee.  Principal prepayments made while a Loan Segment is priced under the Base Rate shall not be subject to a Prepayment Fee.  In addition, there is no Prepayment Fee for any prepaid principal if a prepayment is received on a Fixed Rate Maturity Date for the Loan Segment being prepaid.  Other prepayments of principal shall be subject to a Prepayment Fee, as described below.

b.           “Prepayment” Defined.  For purposes of this Note, “prepayment” shall mean any instance wherein the indebtedness is partially or fully satisfied in any manner prior to a payment due date whether voluntarily or involuntarily (excluding scheduled payments that have been paid) pursuant to the terms of the Loan Documents.  Prepayment shall include, but not be limited to:  (i) any payment after an Event of Default under the Loan Documents; (ii) payment to Lender by any holder of an interest in any Collateral; (iii) any payment after the Loan Maturity Date is accelerated for any reason; (iv) payment resulting from any sale or transfer of Collateral pursuant to foreclosure, sale under power, judicial order or trustee’s sale; and (v) payment by sale, transfer or offsetting credit in connection with or under any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, assignment for the benefit of creditors or receivership or similar proceedings under any statute of the United States or any state thereof involving Borrower, Guarantors and or the Collateral.  In the event of any acceleration of the Loan Maturity Date, the amount due hereunder shall include the charge which would be due under the Prepayment Fee in the event of a voluntary prepayment at the time of such acceleration, and the date of acceleration of the Loan Maturity Date will be deemed to be the date of prepayment.
 
 
 
Note and Loan Agreement (CIF/Note No. 78565-441)
 
 
10

 
 
c.           Prepayment Fee.  The “Prepayment Fee” is an amount intended to reasonably compensate Lender for the loss of the intended benefit of Lender’s bargain in the case of a prepayment.  Borrower and Lender intend that the principal balance of each Loan Segment will yield to Lender an annual return after the date the Loan Segment is prepaid of not less than the annual return for the period when the interest rate is fixed.  In the event of a prepayment, Lender will lose the intended benefit of its bargain.  Accordingly, the Prepayment Fee is intended to reasonably compensate Lender for such loss and costs.  The Prepayment Fee shall be payable on demand, and shall be an amount calculated on a make-whole basis, as calculated under Lender’s then current methodology.

5.02           Breakage Fee.  In the event of an occurrence under subparagraphs a. or b. below, then Borrower shall immediately pay Lender, on demand, a Breakage Fee in an amount calculated on a make-whole basis, as calculated under Lender’s then current methodology:

a.           Borrower provides Lender Notice that Loan principal is to be priced using a Fixed Rate Option, after which Borrower revokes such Notice; or

b.           Borrower provides Lender Notice that Loan principal priced under a Fixed Rate Option is to be repriced or prepaid on other than a Pricing Date, after which Borrower revokes such Notice or fails to prepay pursuant to the Notice.

5.03           Participation.  Participant(s), if any, may calculate a Prepayment Fee or Breakage Fee using the calculation on a make-whole basis, as calculated under Lender’s then current methodology, provided however, a participant may use a different methodology than Lender.

6.                Default.

6.01           Events of Default.  Time is of the essence in the performance of this Note.  The occurrence of any one or more of the following events shall constitute an “Event of Default” under this Note:

a.           Borrower fails to make any payment of principal, interest or other costs, fees or expenses when due and payable or to perform any obligation or covenant as and when required under the Loan Documents for this Loan or any other note, loan or contract Borrower, or any of them, may have with Lender or an affiliate of Lender.

b.           Any financial statement, representation, warranty or certificate made or furnished by Borrower or Guarantor to Lender in connection with the Loan, or as an inducement to Lender to enter into the Loan is materially false, incorrect, or incomplete when made.

c.           Borrower or Guarantor shall fail generally to pay its debts as such debts become due, or becomes insolvent or becomes the subject of an insolvency proceeding.
 
 
 
Note and Loan Agreement (CIF/Note No. 78565-441)
 
 
11

 
 
d.           Any Guarantor shall revoke, repudiate or terminate such Guaranty.

e.           This Note or any other Loan Document ceases to be valid and binding on Borrower or Guarantor or is declared null and void, or the validity or enforceability thereof is contested by Borrower or Guarantor or Borrower or Guarantor denies that it has any or further liability under this Note or any of the other Loan Documents.

f.           Borrower shall fail to obtain the Subordination, Nondisturbance and Attornment Agreement signed by Union Bank, N.A. within 120 days of the date of this Note.

6.02           Acceleration.  In the event of any uncured Event of Default beyond any applicable cure periods provided for in the Loan Documents, at Lender's option, without notice or demand, the unpaid principal balance of the Loan, plus all accrued and unpaid interest thereon and all other amounts due shall immediately become due and payable.

6.03           Default Interest Rate.  The Default Interest Rate applicable to a delinquent payment for a Loan Segment shall equal four percent (4%) per annum above the interest rate in effect on such Loan Segment at the time such payment was due, which rate shall accrue on the total amount of the payment due until paid, accelerated or upon maturity.  Provided however, upon acceleration and or maturity, the Default Interest Rate shall be equal to and remain at four percent (4%) per annum above the interest rate in effect for each Loan Segment at the time of acceleration or maturity and shall accrue on the entire unpaid balance of the Loan Segment until paid in full.

6.04           Notice and Opportunity to Cure.  Notwithstanding any other provision of the Loan Documents, Lender shall not accelerate the maturity of a Loan (a) because of a monetary default (defined below), unless the monetary default is not cured within ten days of its due date, or (b) because of a nonmonetary default (defined below), unless the nonmonetary default is not cured within 30 days after (i) the date on which Lender transmits by facsimile, mails or delivers written notice of the nonmonetary default to Borrower, or (ii) the date on which Borrower notifies Lender (verbally or in writing) of the nonmonetary default.  For purposes of this Note, the term “monetary default” means a failure by Borrower to make any payment required of it pursuant to the Note or any other Loan Document, and the term “nonmonetary default” means a failure by Borrower or any other Person to perform any obligation contained in the Loan Documents, other than the obligation to make payments provided for in the Loan Documents.

7.               Loan Terms, Provisions and Covenants.  This Note is subject to the terms, provisions and covenants of the Membership Agreement and the following terms, provisions and covenants:

7.01           Financial Statements.  Borrower shall deliver or cause Guarantor to deliver, and Guarantor shall deliver, to Lender, in form and detail satisfactory to the Lender:

i.           As soon as available, but in any event within 90 days after each Fiscal Year-End: a consolidated balance sheet, the related consolidated statement of shareholders’ (or equivalent) equity and cash flows and the related consolidated statement of income or operations for such Fiscal Year of Guarantor and its Subsidiaries as of the end of such Fiscal Year, setting forth in each case, in comparative form, the figures for the previous Fiscal Year, all in reasonable detail and prepared in accordance with GAAP.  Such consolidated statements shall be audited and accompanied by a report and opinions of an independent certified public accountant, reasonably acceptable to Lender, which report and opinion shall be prepared in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and shall not be subject to any “going concern” or like qualification or exception or any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit;
 
 
 
Note and Loan Agreement (CIF/Note No. 78565-441)
 
 
12

 
 
ii.           As soon as available, but in any event within 45 days after each of the first three Fiscal Quarter-Ends, a consolidated balance sheet, the related consolidated statement of cash flows and the related consolidated statement of income or operations for such Fiscal Quarter-End of Guarantor and its Subsidiaries, and for the portion of Guarantor’s Fiscal Year then ended, setting forth in each case, in comparative form, the figures for the corresponding Fiscal Quarter-End of the previous Fiscal Year and the corresponding portion of the previous Fiscal Year, all in reasonable detail;

iii.           Concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements referred to in Sections 7.01.i and ii, a duly completed Compliance Certificate, signed by a Responsible Officer, certifying that such financial statements are fairly presenting the financial condition, results of operations, shareholders’ (or equivalent) equity and cash flows of Guarantor and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP (subject only to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes with respect to financial statements provided under Section 7.01.ii.).  A sample Compliance Certificate is attached hereto as Exhibit B.  Borrower’s Compliance Certificate shall be accompanied by a Covenant Compliance Worksheet, a sample of which is attached hereto as Exhibit C, signed by a Responsible Officer;

iv.           Promptly upon receipt thereof, copies of written communications of any material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in internal controls over financial reporting submitted to Guarantor’s audit committee by its independent certified public accountants in connection with an audit or review of Guarantor and the responses of management to such communications;

v.           Upon Borrower’s obtaining knowledge thereof, Borrower shall give written notice to Lender immediately of (1) the occurrence of an event or condition consisting of an Event of Default or Incipient Default, specifying the nature and existence thereof and what action Borrower proposes to take with respect thereto, and (2) the occurrence of any of the following with respect to Borrower:  (a) the pendency or commencement of any litigation, arbitral or governmental proceeding against Borrower or a Related Party which if adversely determined is likely to have a Material Adverse Effect, (b) the institution of any proceedings against Borrower or a Related Party with respect to, or the receipt of notice by such Person of potential liability or responsibility for violation, or alleged violation, of any federal, state or local law, rule or regulation, including but not limited to, environmental Laws, the violation of which would likely have a Material Adverse Effect.

7.02           Financial Covenants.  Borrower hereby covenants and agrees that so long as this Loan Agreement is in effect or any of Borrower’s Obligations shall remain outstanding, Borrower shall cause Guarantor to comply with and maintain the following financial covenants, to be measured as follows:
 
 
 
Note and Loan Agreement (CIF/Note No. 78565-441)
 
 
13

 
 
a.           Indebtedness to Total Capitalization Ratio shall be less than or equal to 0.30:1.00, to be measured as of each Fiscal Year-End, beginning with the 2012 Fiscal Year;

b.           Consolidated Cash Flow Coverage Ratio shall be greater than or equal to 1.1:1 to be measured quarterly on a four quarter rolling basis, beginning with the 2012 Fiscal Year-End financial statements.

7.03           General Covenants.  Borrower shall comply with the following covenants during the Loan term:

a.           Borrower will comply with all laws and regulations affecting Borrower's operations including any environmental and any other applicable laws.  Borrower shall indemnify Lender against failure to so comply with environmental laws and regulations.  Such indemnification shall survive satisfaction of the debt.

b.           Borrower shall maintain at all times insurance with company or companies acceptable to lender, against loss or damage by fire or other casualty on the Collateral naming Lender as loss payee with minimum insurance coverage equal to the fair market value of the Collateral or as otherwise to be determined by Lender, which other amounts shall be communicated to Borrower in writing.

8.                Miscellaneous Terms.

8.01           Governing Law.  The substantive laws of the state of Washington shall apply to govern the construction of the Loan Documents and the rights and remedies of the parties except where the location of the Collateral for the Loan may require the application of the laws of another state or where federal laws, including the Farm Credit Act of 1971, as amended, may be applicable.

8.02           Notice and Communications.  Unless otherwise expressly provided herein or in the Loan Documents, all notices and other communications provided for hereunder shall be in writing (including by FAX transmission).  All such written notices shall be mailed, faxed or delivered to the applicable address or FAX number as each party provides to the other from time to time.  Loan Documents may be signed and transmitted by FAX.  The effectiveness of any such documents and signatures shall, subject to applicable law, have the same force and effect as manually signed originals and shall be binding on Borrower, Guarantors and Lender.  Lender may also require that any such document and signature be confirmed by manually-signed original thereof; provided however, that the failure to request or deliver the same shall not limit the effectiveness of any FAX document or signature.  Email, internet or intranet websites may be used only to distribute routine communications, such as financial statements, billing statements and other like information and to distribute Loan Documents for execution by the parties thereto and may not be used for any other purpose, unless approved by Lender and the parties hereto.  Provided, an original signed document that has been scanned and attached to an email shall have the same force and effect as a document sent by FAX.
 
 
 
Note and Loan Agreement (CIF/Note No. 78565-441)
 
 
14

 
 
8.03           General Provisions.  Borrower agrees to this Note as of the date above written.  Borrower waives presentment for payment, demand, notice of nonpayment, protest, notice of protest and diligence in enforcing payment of this Note.  This Note and the other Loan Documents constitute the entire agreement between Borrower and Lender and supersede all prior oral negotiations and promises which are merged into such writings.  Upon written agreement of the parties, the interest rate, payment terms or balances due under this Note may be indexed, adjusted, renewed or renegotiated.  Lender may at any time, without notice, release all or any part of the security for this Note, including any real estate and or personal property covered by the Loan Documents; grant extensions, deferments, renewals or reamortizations of any part of the indebtedness evidenced by this Note over any period of time; and release from personal liability any one or more of the parties who are or may become liable for the indebtedness evidenced by this Note without affecting the personal liability of any other party.  Lender may exercise any and all rights and remedies available at law, in equity and provided herein and in the other Loan Documents.  Any delay or omission by Lender in exercising a right or remedy shall not waive that or any other right or remedy.  No waiver of default by Lender shall operate as a waiver of the same or any other default on a future occasion.  Lender shall not be obligated to renew the Note or any part thereof or to make additional or future loans to Borrower.  Borrower agrees to take any action requested by Lender to perfect or continue the lien and priority of the Loan Documents, including but not limited to, any action requested by any governmental agency.  All Exhibits hereto are incorporated herein and made a part of this Note.  This Note may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together, shall constitute but one and the same instrument.  Borrower shall comply with the capitalization requirements of ACA, as stated in the Membership Agreement.

8.04           No Personal Liability of General Partners.  In any action brought to enforce the obligation of Guarantor to pay Borrower’s Obligations, any judgment or decree shall not be subject to execution on, nor be a lien on, the assets of the General Partners of Guarantor, other than their interests in the Collateral, if any.  The foregoing shall in no way otherwise affect the personal liability of Borrower or Guarantor.  This Paragraph shall be added to the Guaranty.

8.05           WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.  BORROWER AND LENDER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVE ANY RIGHT THEY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS LOAN DOCUMENT AND ANY FUTURE MODIFICATIONS, AMENDMENTS, EXTENSIONS, RESTATEMENTS AND SERVICING ACTIONS RELATING TO THIS LOAN DOCUMENT.  THE PARTIES INTEND THAT THIS JURY WAIVER WILL BE ENFORCED TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT ALLOWED BY LAW.

ORAL AGREEMENTS OR ORAL COMMITMENTS TO LOAN MONEY, EXTEND CREDIT, OR TO FORBEAR FROM ENFORCING REPAYMENT OF A DEBT ARE NOT ENFORCEABLE UNDER WASHINGTON LAW.
 
 
 
Note and Loan Agreement (CIF/Note No. 78565-441)
 
 
15

 
 
LENDER:
NORTHWEST FARM CREDIT SERVICES, FLCA

By:                                                                
Authorized Agent

BORROWER:
SEVENTH AVENUE POULSBO, LLC
By: OPG Properties LLC, Sole Member
By: Pope Resources, A Delaware Limited Partnership, Sole Member
By: Pope MGP Inc., a Delaware corporation, its Managing General Partner

By:                                                                        
                                                            David L. Nunes, President and CEO


GUARANTOR:
POPE RESOURCES, A DELAWARE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
By: Pope MGP Inc., a Delaware corporation, its Managing General Partner

By:                                                                           
David L. Nunes, President and CEO
 

 

Pay to the Order of CoBank, ACB.
 
 
 
Note and Loan Agreement (CIF/Note No. 78565-441)
 
 
16

 

 
Effective Interest Rate Disclosure

The following information is for disclosure purposes only, for loans not subject to Truth in Lending:

These disclosures are made pursuant to the Farm Credit Act of 1971, as amended.  This Loan is not subject to the Truth in Lending Act and the effective interest rate should not be interpreted as the equivalent of the annual percentage rate under Truth in Lending standards.  The effective interest calculations assume disbursement of $3,000,000.00 on December 20, 2012 with $7,500.00 of Loan origination charges.  STATED INTEREST RATE:  The rate of interest currently applicable to your Loan is 2.60000 percent.  EFFECTIVE INTEREST RATE:  In the event you were required to purchase Stock or Participation Certificates in conjunction with this Loan, the stated rate of interest adjusted to take into account the Stock or Participation Certificate investment and Loan origination charges is 2.63500 percent.  The effective interest rate calculations do not assume Stock or Participation Certificate retirement at Loan maturity.  Stock or Participation Certificate retirement is dependent upon Northwest Farm Credit Services, ACA meeting capital adequacy requirements and the adoption of policy by the Board of Directors permitting Stock or Participation Certificate retirement.  Capital equities purchased in Northwest Farm Credit Services, ACA are at risk.

This is an ADJUSTABLE RATE LOAN -- The stated interest rate is subject to change at preestablished adjustment periods, as provided in this Note.  The amount of rate change is tied to LIBOR, as provided in this Note.  There are no limits to the amount of each change during the term of this Note.  You can obtain information regarding LIBOR rate changes by referring to the Wall Street Journal “money and investing” section.  In addition, in the Event of Default, a Default Interest Rate will be charged, as provided in this Note.  You will be notified of any interest rate change within 45 days after the effective date of the change.

See your Loan Documents for further information on your loan terms and conditions.
 
 
 
Note and Loan Agreement (CIF/Note No. 78565-441)
 
17

 
 
EXHIBIT A
NOTICE/CONFIRMATION

NOTICE TO:
Technical Accounting Services
Northwest Farm Credit Services, FLCA
1700 South Assembly Street
Spokane, WA 99224-2121
 
 
P. O. Box 2515
Spokane, WA 99220-2515
 
 
Fax: 509-340-5508
Tel: 1-800-216-4535

This Notice is provided pursuant to the Note and Loan Agreement dated December 20, 2012, as extended, renewed, amended or restated.

  SELECT ONE:                     o Loan Segment
o Pricing
o Prepayment of Principal
o Initial Disbursement Amount

Loan Segment Currently Priced Under Option                                                                         
Principal Amount                                                                                                                          
To New Pricing Option                                                                                                                
Date to be Effective                                                                                                                      

Date:                                                      

Seventh Avenue Poulsbo, LLC

By:                                                      
Authorized Agent

CONFIRMATION
Lender confirms that the above actions were taken or modified as provided for below:
                                                                                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                                                                            
NORTHWEST FARM CREDIT SERVICES, FLCA

Date:                                          By:                                                                
                                                                    Authorized Agent

 
 
Note and Loan Agreement (CIF/Note No. 78565-441)
 
 
18

 
 
EXHIBIT B
FORM OF COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

Financial Statement Date:  _______________, 20__

To:           Northwest Farm Credit Services, FLCA

Reference is made to that certain Note and Loan Agreement, dated as of ______________________, (the “Note”) among SEVENTH AVENUE POULSBO, LLC (“Borrower”), POPE RESOURCES, A DELAWARE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP (“Guarantor”), and NORTHWEST FARM CREDIT SERVICES, FLCA (“Lender”).

The undersigned Responsible Officer hereby certifies as of the date hereof that he/she is the __________________________ of Guarantor, and that, as such, he/she is authorized to execute and deliver this Certificate to Lender on behalf of Guarantor, and that:

[Use following Paragraph 1 for Fiscal Year-End financial statements]

1.           Attached hereto as Schedule 1, are the Fiscal Year-End audited financial statements required by paragraph 7.01.i of the Note for the Fiscal Year of Guarantor ended as of the above date, together with the report and opinion of an independent certified public accountant required by such section.

[Use following Paragraph 1 for [first/second/third] Fiscal Quarter-End financial statements]

1.           Attached hereto as Schedule 1, are the financial statements required by paragraph 7.01.ii of the Note for the Fiscal Quarter of Guarantor ended as of the above date.  Such financial statements fairly present the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of Guarantor and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP, as of such date and for such period, subject only to normal year-end adjustments and the absence of footnotes.

2.           The undersigned has reviewed and is familiar with the terms of the Note and has made, or has caused to be made under his/her supervision, a detailed review of the transactions and condition (financial or otherwise) of Borrower and Guarantor during the accounting period covered by the attached financial statements.

3.           A review of the activities of Borrower and Guarantor during such fiscal period has been made under the supervision of the undersigned with a view to determining whether during such fiscal period Borrower and Guarantor performed and observed all its obligations under the Loan Documents, and
 
 
 
Note and Loan Agreement (CIF/Note No. 78565-441)
 
 
19

 
 
[select one:]

[To the best knowledge of the undersigned during such fiscal period, Borrower and Guarantor performed and observed each covenant and condition of the Loan Documents applicable to it.]

--or--

[The following covenants or conditions have not been performed or observed and the following is a list of each such Defaults and their nature and status:]

4.           To the best knowledge of the undersigned, the representations and warranties of Borrower and Guarantor contained in the Loan Documents, and any representations and warranties of Borrower and Guarantor that are contained in any document furnished at any time under or in connection with the Loan Documents, are true and correct on and as of the date hereof, except to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they are true and correct as of such earlier date.

5.           To the best knowledge of the undersigned, the financial covenant analyses and information set forth on Schedule 1, attached hereto, are true and accurate on the Calculation Date and the undersigned has received no information to the contrary as of the date of this Certificate.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Certificate as of ___________________, 20__.

POPE RESOURCES, A DELAWARE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
By: Pope MGP Inc., a Delaware corporation, its Managing General Partner

By:                                                                
Authorized Agent

SEVENTH AVENUE POULSBO, LLC
By: OPG Properties LLC, Sole Member
By: Pope Resources, A Delaware Limited Partnership, Sole Member
By: Pope MGP Inc., a Delaware corporation, its Managing General Partner

By:                                                                
Authorized Agent
 
 
 
Note and Loan Agreement (CIF/Note No. 78565-441)
 
 
20

 
 
EXHIBIT C
COVENANT COMPLIANCE WORKSHEET



For the Fiscal Quarter-End/Fiscal Year-End _____________________ (“Calculation Date”)



I.
Section 7.02 a. - Indebtedness to Total Capitalization Ratio
 
  (measured annually at the Fiscal Year-end)
 
 
A.   Companies' Indebtedness at Calculation Date
$
 
B.    Indebtedness associated with non-controlling interest in Timber Funds at
 
 
         Calculation Date
$
 
C.   Numerator (Line I.A. minus Line I.B.)
$
 
D.   Total Capitalization at Calculation Date
 
 
        I.   Adjusted Partners' Capital at Calculation Date
 
 
              a.  Partners' capital per GAAP at Calculation Date
$
 
              b.  Book Value of timberland at Calculation Date
$
 
              c.  Book value of timber and roads net of depletion at Calculation Date
$
 
              d.  Book value of timberland, timber, and roads net of depletion for Timber
$
 
                    Funds at Calculation Date
 
 
              e.  Most recent Biennial Appraised Timberland Value
$
 
              f.  Adjusted Partners Capital (Line I.D.1.a. minus I.D.1.b. minus I.D.1.c.
 
 
                    plus I.D.1.d. plus I.D.1.e.)
$
 
        2.  Numerator from line I.C. above
$
 
E. Denominator (Line I.D.1.f. plus Line I.D.2.)
$
 
Ratio of Indebtedness to Total Capitalization (Line I.C. divided by Line I.E.)
 
 
             Maximum Allowed
0.30
 


Note and Loan Agreement (CIF/Note No. 78565-441)
 
 
21

 
 
II.
Section 7.02 b. - Consolidated Cash Flow Coverage Ratio
 
 
  (measured quarterly beginning with the Fiscal Year-end 2012)
 
 
A.   Consolidated EBITDDA for the prior four Fiscal Quarters ending on the above
 
 
         date (the "Subject Period")
 
 
              1.  Consolidated Net Income for the subject period
$
 
              2.  Consolidated Interest Expense for the subject period
$
 
              3.  Consolidated depreciation expense for the subject period
$
 
              4.  Consolidated amortization expense for the subject period
$
 
              5.  Consolidated depletion expense for the subject period
 
 
                    (excluding the portion associated with the non-controlling interest in
 
                    Timber Funds)
$
 
              6.  Cost of land sold
$
 
              7.  Consolidated Taxes for the subject period (to the extent considered in
 
 
                     calculating Consolidated Net Income)
$
 
              8.  Consolidated EBITDDA
 
 
                     (the sum of Lines II.A.1 through II.A.7. inclusive)
$
 
              9.  Non-cash expenses for environmental remediation at Port Gamble
$
 
            10.  Actual cash payments for environmental remediation at Port Gamble
$
 
            11.  Adjusted EBITDDA
                      (Line II.A.8 plus Line II.A.9 less Line II.A.10)
$
 
B.   Consolidated Capital Expenditures
$
 
C.   Numerator (Line II.A.11  minus Line II.B.)
$
 
D.   Denominator - debt service for subject period
$
 
               1.  Consolidated Interest Expense for subject period
$
 
               2.  Scheduled principal payments and principal payments associated with
 
 
                      asset sales during the subject period
$
 
               3.  Denominator - debt service for subject period
 
 
                     (Line II.D.1. plus Line II.D.2.)
$
 
Consolidated Cash Flow Coverage Ratio (Line II.C. divided by Line II.D.3.)
 
 
             Minimum Allowed
1.1 : 1


 
Note and Loan Agreement (CIF/Note No. 78565-441)
 
 
22
a50574187ex21-1.htm
Exhibit 21.1
 
Subsidiary
State of Formation
 
OPG Properties LLC
Washington
Olympic Property
Group I LLC
Washington
ORM, Inc.
Washington
Olympic Resource
Management LLC
Washington
ORM Timber Fund I, LP
Delaware
ORM Timber Fund II, Inc.
Delaware
ORM Timber Fund III (REIT) Inc.
Delaware
a50574187ex23-1.htm
Exhibit 23.1
 
 
 
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
The Board of Directors
Pope Resources, A Delaware Limited Partnership:
 
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statement No. 333-128245 on Form S-8 of Pope Resources, A Delaware Limited Partnership, of our reports dated February 28, 2013, with respect to the consolidated balance sheets of Pope Resources, A Delaware Limited Partnership, and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, and the related consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss), partners’ capital, and cash flows, for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2012, and the related financial statement schedule, and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012, which reports appear in the December 31, 2012, annual report on Form 10-K of Pope Resources, A Delaware Limited Partnership.
 
 


 
/s/ KPMG
 
Seattle, Washington
February 28, 2013
a50574187ex31-1.htm
Exhibit 31.1
CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
 
I, David L. Nunes, certify that:
 
 
1.
I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Pope Resources;
 
 
2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
 
 
3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
 
 
4.
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a–15(f) and 15d–15(f)) for the registrant and have:
 
 
(a)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
 
 
(b)
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
 
 
(c)
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
 
 
(d)
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting;
 
 
5.
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):
 
 
(a)
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
 
 
(b)
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
 

 
Date: February 28, 2013
/s/  David L. Nunes
 
   David L. Nunes
 
   Chief Executive Officer
 
a50574187ex31-2.htm
Exhibit 31.2
CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
 
I, Thomas M. Ringo, certify that:
 
 
1.
I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Pope Resources;
 
 
2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
 
 
3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
 
 
4.
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a–15(f) and 15d–15(f)) for the registrant and have:
 
 
(a)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
 
 
(b)
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
 
 
(c)
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
 
 
(d)
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting;
 
 
5.
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):
 
 
(a)
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
 
 
(b)
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
 

 
Date: February 28, 2013
/s/ Thomas M. Ringo
 
   Thomas M. Ringo
 
   Chief Financial Officer

a50574187ex32-1.htm
Exhibit 32.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002


In connection with the Annual Report of Pope Resources (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2012, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, David L. Nunes, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1)
The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2)
The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and result of operations of the Company as of, and for, the periods presented in the Report.

This certification is being furnished solely to comply with the requirements of 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, and shall not be incorporated by reference into any of the Company’s filings under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or otherwise be deemed to be filed as part of the Report or under such Acts.



/s/ David L. Nunes               
David L. Nunes
Chief Executive Officer


February 28, 2013

a50574187ex32-2.htm
Exhibit 32.2


CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002


In connection with the Annual Report of Pope Resources (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2012, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Thomas M. Ringo, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1)
The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2)
The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and result of operations of the Company as of, and for, the periods presented in the Report.

This certification is being furnished solely to comply with the requirements of 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, and shall not be incorporated by reference into any of the Company’s filings under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or otherwise be deemed to be filed as part of the Report or under such Acts.


/s/ Thomas M. Ringo                  
Thomas M. Ringo
Chief Financial Officer


February 28, 2013