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USFS History and Resource Management Policy

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USFS History and Resource Management Policy This manuscript has been reproduced from the microfilm master. UMI films the text directly from the original or copy submitted. Thus, some thesis and dissertation copies are in typewriter face, mile others may be from any type of cornputer printer. The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. Broken or indistinct print, colored or poor quality illustrations and photographs, print bleedthrough, substandard margins, and irnproper alignment can adversely affect reproduction. In the unlikely event that the author did not send UMI a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if unauthorized copyright material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. Oversize materials (e-g., maps, drawings, charts) are reproduœd by sedioning the original, beginning at the upper lefi-hand corner and continuing from lef? to right in equal sections with small overlaps. Each original is also photographed in one exposure and is included in reduced fonn at the back of the book. Photographs included in the original manuscript have been reproduced xerographically in this copy. Higher quality 6" x 9" black and white photographie prints are avaiiable for any photographs or illustrations appearing in this copy for an additional charge. Contact UMI directly to order. Bell & Howell Information and Leaming 300 North Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48106-1346 USA 800-521-0600 Policy, Philosophy or Propaganda? Ecosystem Management in Sequoia National Forest Catherine M. Rigg A thesis subrnitted in conformity with the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts Graduate Department of Geography University of Toronto O Copyright by Catherine M. Rigg 1998 National Library Bibliothèque nationale 1+1 of,", du Canada Acquisitions and Acquisitions et Bibliographie Services seivices bibliographiques 395 Wellington Street 395. me Wellington Ottawa ON K1A ON4 Ottawa ON KIA ON4 Canada Canada Yovr iiie Vorre refërence Our & Narre reUrence The author has granted a non- L'auteur a accordé une licence non exclusive licence allowing the exclusive permettant a la National Library of Canada to Bibliothèque nationale du Canada de reproduce, loan, distribute or sell reproduire, prêter, distribuer ou copies of this thesis in microfomq vendre des copies de cette thèse sous paper or electronic formats. la forme de microfiche/fih, de reproduction sur papier ou sur format électronique. The author retains ownership of the L'auteur conserve la propriété du copyright in this thesis. Neither the droit d'auteur qui protège cette thèse. thesis nor substantial extracts fiom it Ni la thèse ni des extraits substantiels may be printed or othenvise de celle-ci ne doivent être imprimés reproduced without the author's ou autrement reproduits sans son permission. autorisation. Policy, Philosophy or Propaganda? Ecosystem Management in Sequoia National Forest. M.A., 1998. Catherine M. Rigg, Department of Geography, University of Toronto. ABSTRACT The emergence of "ecosystem management" within resource management discourse reflects growing support for management directed at sustaining ecosystem. This thesis reviews ecosystem management literature and identifies four dominant themes of ecosystem management. This framework is employed to examine United States Forest Service implementation of ecosystem management at the local level. A case study examining giant sequoia management in Sequoia National Forest, Caiifomia, is presented. The Sequoia National Forest case study suggests that the application of ecosystem management is affected by poor relations between managers and stakeholders, inadequate policies and ineffective policy implementation, and a Iack of ecological research on which to base management decisions. Six recornmendations are presented: (1) improving communication and establishing tmst; (2) encouraging confidence in and cornrnitment to the process; (3) acknowledging biases; (4) investing in research and science; (5) reconciling policy and funding constraints with long-term planning; and (6) exploring the relationship between values and science. My deepest gratitude to everyone in California who made this research possible: especially Bob Rogers and the Sequoia National Forest Staff, Joe Fontaine and Carla Cloer. 1 appreciate everyone's patience with my endless inquiries in my quest to synthesize decades of experïence and information over the course of six weeks. A special thank you to Denise Lindsey and Ellen Winters who both kindly opened their homes to a homeless graduate student. I am most indebted to my supervisor, Alex Clapp, whose encouragement and insight was invaluable throughout the course of this research. I would also like to thank the other members of my cornmittee, Tony Davis and Virginia Maclaren, for their comments and assistance. I was fortunate enough to receive funding from the Department of Geography for travel expenses. Additional assistance from AIex Clapp was also much appreciated. Finally, thank you to my family who continue to support my academic adventures and who instilled in me the confidence to travel down uncertain paths. And to Eliot, who carried me through to the end (again), I thank you a million times over. TABLE OF CONTFNTS .. Abstract ................................................................................................................................................. ii... Ackno wledgements ............................. .... ........................................................................................... 111 Table of Contents .................................. .... ...................... :..................................................................... iv Appendices ............................................................................................................................................ vi. vu. List of Figures and Tables ..................................................................................................................... ... List of Abbreviations and Acronyrns .................................................................................................... vm 1. Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1. Genesis of Ecosystem Management ................................................................................ 1 1.2. Objectives .............................................................................................................................. -2 1.3. Methodology ........................................................................................................................... 4 1.4 . Organization of Study ............................................................................................................. 7 2 . Literature Review ......................................................................................................................... -9 2.1. USFS History and Resource Management Policy ...................... .. ...................................... 9 2.2. Changing Public Values and Restmcturing the USFS .......................................................... -10 2.3. Ecosystern Management ......................... ...... ...................................................................... 13 2.4. Sequoia National Forest and Giant Sequoia Management ..................................................... 16 3 . Sequoia National Forest and Giant Sequoia Management .............................................................20 3.1 Sequoia National Forest Study Site....................................................................................... 20 3.2. Giant Sequoia Ecology ........................................................................................................... 23 3.2.1. Range and Associated Forest Cover ........................................................................... 23 3.2.2. Succession and Regeneration ...................................................................................... 26 3.2.3. Associated Animal Species ................... .. ................................................................ 28 3.2.4. Distinctive Characteristics of the Giant Sequoia ........................................................ 29 3.3. History of Giant Sequoia Management by Sequoia National Forest ..................................... 30 3.3.1. Euro-American Discovery and Commercial Exploitation .......................................... 30 3.3.2. Fire Suppression and Fire Policy ................................................................................ 32 3.3.3. Logging Activity Revisited ......................................................................................... 35 3.3.4. Policy Direction in Giant Sequoia Management ........................................................ 38 3.3.5. The Role of Science in Giant Sequoia Management .................................................. 40 3.3.6. Alternative Management Took in Giant Sequoia Management ................................. 42 4 . Conceptual Framework and Application of Ecosystem Management ........................................... 46 4.1. Conceptual Frarnework of Ecosystem Management .............................................................. 46 4.2. Application of Ecosystem Management in Giant Sequoia Management ....... ,. ...................... 50 4.2.1. Ecological Approach to Systems Management .........................................................
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