Communicating the Role of Science in Managing Giant Sequoia Groves1Groves1

Douglas D. Pilrto,Piirto, Robert R. Rogers, and Mary ChislockChlslock Bethke2Bethke2

Abstract.-Management of giant sequoia groves has been State Park, the University of , Bureau of Land and continues toto be a hotly debated issue.issue. The debate has Management, and Tulare County manage 10 percent of thethe reachedreached Congress, with all parties seeking resolution as to total grove area. The remaining area (i.e.,(Le., approximately 10 what constitutes an ecologically and publicly acceptable percent) of giant sequoia is privately held. management approach. Determining the correct management approach and communicating that approach to The tree has been surrounded by controversy from its thethe general public isis the crux of the problem. Emerging discovery. Dr. Albert KelloggKellogg,, the first to possess specimens concepts and principles of forest ecosystem management of giant sequoia in 1852, hesitated to apply the new genus may provide a mechanism to seek resolution of these name Washingtonia sp. to giant sequoia. This delay to act by management problems related to giant sequoia. Kellogg enabled an English botanist, John Lindley, to be thethe first to formally propose a new name for giant sequoia, The Memorandum of Understanding between the members . Wellingtonia after the Duke of Wellington. This naming of of thethe recentlyrecently formed Giant Sequoia Ecology Cooperative giant sequoia by the English after a noted Englishman led to provided thethe impetusimpetus for the development of this first working a cross fire of American controversy that lasted for decades paper, which attempts to: 1) describe the historical events (Ornduff 1994). thatthat ledled toto much of the controversy surrounding management of giant sequoia groves; and 2) propose three management The controversy over naming giant sequoia, although no goals toto guide development of best management practices small matter, pales in comparison to the firestorm of forfor giant sequoia groves. controversies that have since resulted from management activities in giant sequoia groves. Initial reservation of thethe majority of giant sequoia groves in the late part of the 19th INTRODUCTION century and early part of the 20th century resulted from numerous complaints over the "exploitive logging" that was The giant sequoia (Sequoia(Sequoia gigantea [Lind!.][Lindl.] Decne.) is taking place in such locations as Converse Basin. botanically relatedrelated to the coast redwood of California, baldcypress (Taxodium(Taxodium distichum [L.] Rich) of the People continue to be concerned about the short- and long-long­ southeastern United States, and dawn redwood term effects of increased recreational use, reintroduction of (Metasequoia(Metasequoia glyptostroboides) of China. Known as Sierra fire (e.g.,(e.g ., high-intensity prescribed burns) and silvicultural redwoodredwood or giant sequoia, itit isis noted worldwide for its great management (e.g., removing a few to many of the competing longevity,longevity, enormous size, awe inspiringinspiring beauty, ruggedness, tree species to enable germination, survival, and growth of and decay-resistant wood properties. Individual giant giant sequoia trees). Numerous schools of thought or sequoia treestrees are among the largestlargest and oldest living philosophies have been presented as to the "bestn"best" approach organisms inin the world. for giant sequoia management.

Giant sequoias are found inin approximately 75 scattered Many pure preservationists would advocate justjust allowing grove locations,locations, occupying 36,000 acres of forest within a natural processes to occur. Others would argue that people narrow 260-mile longlong belt inin the mountains of have been part of the problem and people should be part California. At present, more than 90 percent of all grove of the solution favoring reintroduction of fire andlorand/or thinning acreage isis inin public ownership. The National Forest system, to bring giant sequoia groves back to some "natural" primarily the , manages all or part of condition. Others would argue that protection of the objects 41 groves and about 50 percent of the total grove area. The during management activities (i.e.,(Le., the magnificent old-old­ National Park system (Le.,(i.e., Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and growth giant sequoia trees as individual trees) must be a Yosemite National Parks) includeinclude all or part of 29 groves and major part of our thinking as we move to "restore" 30 percent of the total grove area. Other public ownerships, ecological processes ( Piirto 1992a, b; Piirto 1994). The includingincluding Mountain Home State Forest, Calaveras Big Trees controversy has turned vitriolic. Many law suits have resulted. Who's right?

1'AnAn abbreviated version of this paper was presented at the Well-meaning people cannot seem to come to terms on an National Silviculture Workshop on May 20, 1997 in Warren, PA. appropriate short- and long-term management strategy forfor 2Dr.*Dr. Piirto isis a Professor and Registered Professional Forester, giant sequoia groves. The authors have held numerous Natural Resources Management Department, California discussions with people of many different viewpoints. No Polytechnic State University, San luisLuis Obispo, CA 93407. Mr. matter how hard we try, there is significant consternation Rogers is a Registered Professional Forester and Giant Sequoia Rogers is a Registered Professional Forester and Giant Sequoia over the use of management tools, particularly silvicultural Specialist forfor thethe USDA Forest Service, Sequoia National Forest, 900 West Grand Avenue, Porterville, CA., 93257. Ms. Mary manipulation such as logging. What is wrong with this Chislock Bethke isis the Public Affairs Officer and Giant Sequoia picture? All parties have a deep and abiding love for giant Program Manager for Sequoia National Forest (same address sequoia, yet there is significant "mistrust""mistrusr between them. as thatthat shown for Mr. Rogers).

48 Figure 1.-1.-ThisThis Mark Twain tree stood on privately owned land when it was cut in 1891 for museum exhibition purposes. The logged over area now known as the Big Stump grove is under the federal jurisdictionjurisdiction and protection of Sequoia National Forest. (Stauffer Publishing Co. photo).

The arguments surrounding giant sequoia management are brief account of this human association with the giant a classic case of the failure to communicate. Terms, sequoia/mixed conifer ecosystem is provided in the sections concepts, and principles have not been accurately defined, that follow. particularly with reference to silviculture and ecosystem management. Expected outcomes (Le.,(i.e., desired condition) Prehistory are often poorly described and difficult to visualize in relation toto thethe natural rangerange of conditions. A process for enabling About 20 million years ago, trees closely related to the giant communication, collaboration, and resolution of giant sequoia grew in a large area of the western United States sequoia issuesissues isis sorely needed. (Harvey 1985). Over geologic time, these ancestral trees disappeared. Their descendants, the modern giant sequoia, Finding thethe best way to manage a giant sequoia grove is a are found in about 75 scattered locations within a narrow goal thatthat all of us can agree to. The next step is to 260-mile long belt at an elevation between 4,500 and 7,500 implementimplement a process that will enable us to achieve this goal feet in the Sierra Nevada (Harvey 1985;Weatherspoon 1986). on a grove-by-grove basis. This paper attempts to discuss some of thethe importantimportant considerations to achieve "best'best Scientists currently conclude that human association with management of giant sequoia groves:'groves.'' The objectives of this the giant sequoia ecosystems spans some 10,000 to paper are to:to: 12,000 years. Archaeological evidence of human use and habitation of giant sequoia groves has been found (Hull 1. Describe thethe historical events that have led to much of 1989).1989). thethe controversy surrounding management of Forest Service giant sequoia groves. Uncontrolled Exploitation (1(1850-1890)850-1890) 2. Propose threethree management goals for achieving best best management of the giant sequoia groves. groves. The giant sequoia of California were evidently observed by the Walker party in 1833, and probably before that by HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES Spanish explorers. However, it wasn't until after the rediscovery by A.T. Dowd in 1852 that there was any public Giant sequoia trees have commanded a high level of attention to the species. respectrespect and regardregard for a longlong time, as summarized by President George Bush inin 1992: "For centuries, groves of The first phase of economic exploitation started almost giant sequoia have stimulated the interestinterest and wonder of immediately after Dowd's discovery. In 1853, a large giant thosethose who behold them. The giant sequoia inspires emotion sequoia in the Calaveras grove was felled for exhibition likelike no other and has mystically entered the hearts of purposes. The Mark Twain tree was felled for exhibition humanity everywhere." A complete understanding of the purposes in 1890 (Figs. 1-2). The "big stumpnstump" that was left historical recordrecord isis needed inin make informed and correct behind became the focal point for naming the area we decisions forfor thethe management of giant sequoia groves. A currently know as the Big Stump grove. The last exhibition

49 FigureFigure 2.-The2.-The MarkMarkTwainTwain treetree asasititfallsfallstotothethe groundgroundground (Stauffer(Stauffer PublishingPublishing Co.Co. photo).photo). photo).

PinchotPlnchot andand MuirMulrThlnkThink AlikeAlike (1(1890-1930)890-1930) On thethe issueissue ofof giantgiantsequoiasequoia loggingloggingJohnJohn MuirMuir(Fig.(Fig. 3)3) and Gifford PinchotPinchot (Fig.(Fig. 4)4) werewere veryvery muchmuch inin agreementagreement as isis evidencedevidenced bybythethe followingfollowing statements:statements: "...timber"...timber waswas magnificent.magnificent. ButButwhowho shallshall describedescribethethe Sequoias? Their beauty isis farfar moremore wonderfulwonderful thatthattheirtheir size." (Pinchot(Pinchot 1947).

"The''The Big Tree...... isis Nature's forestforest masterpiece,masterpiece, and,and, soso farfar as I know, thethe greatest of all livingliving things."things:' (John(). Muir).

"So with John Muir and Merriam, Head ofof thethe the Biological Survey, I made a memorable triptrip toto thethethe Calaveras GroGrove-...Never...Never were twotwo more delightful talkers that Muir and Merrian...... !l could have sat inin thethe the front seat of our wagon and listenedlistened toto themthem forfor for weeks..."..." (Pinchot 1947).

"...".. .II ran into the gigantic and gigantically wasteful lumbering of the great Sequoias...... !l resented then,then, and I still resent, the practice of making vine stakes hardly bigger than walking sticks out of thesethese greatest of livingliving things." (Pinchot 1947).

"In this glorious forest the mill was busy, forming a sore, -sadsad centre of destruction...And as the timber is veryvery brash...half or even three fourths of the timber waswas wasted." (John Muir).Muir).

Adverse public reaction to the logging was picked up and amplified by George Stewart, editor of the Visalia Weekly treetree probablyprobably was cut inin 1893 forfor thethe Chicago World's Fair. Delta newspaper. His campaign led to the establishment of CommercialCommercial logginglogging of thethe species began to gain momentum Sequoia and National Parks in 1890. Stewart inin thethe 1860's1860's (Johnston(Johnston 1996). was also instrumental in creating the concept of "forest reserves" which later provided the land from which many of NoncommodityNoncommodity values were recognizedrecognized very early, probably our National Forests were created. asas aa directdirect resultresult of commercialcommercial exploitation. Newspaper editorialseditorials asas earlyearly as 18531853 exposed thethe moral issueissue involvedinvolved Grove Protection(1930-1960) inin cuttingcutting thethe bigbig trees.trees. InIn 1864,1864, thethe federalfederal government Grove Protection (1930-1960) deededdeeded MariposaMariposa grovegrove toto thethe StateState of CaliforniaCalifornia ""...for...for public Logging and lumberinglumbering of giant sequoia groves like Converse use,use, resort,resort, andand recreationrecreation...... "" ElsewhereElsewhere however,however, logginglogging of Basin was largelylargely completed because of economic conditions thethe bigbig treestrees forfor woodwood productsproducts hadhad reachedreached such a raterate thatthat by 1930. Most privately held landslands containing giant sequoias, inin 1873,1873, thethe CaliforniaCalifornia LegislatureLegislature passedpassed a lawlaw making itit a includingincluding thosethose that had been cutover, passed into either misdemeanormisdemeanor toto ""...willfully...willfully cutcut downdown oror stripstrip ofof itsits barkbark any state or federalfederal ownership between 1926 and 1960. This treetree sixteensixteen feetfeet inin diameterdiameter...... "" conversion of landland ownership from the private sector to the government sector was thoughtthought to be a benevolent action StateState lawlaw waswas largelylargely ignored;ignored; byby thethe 1880's,1880's, muchmuch publicpublic leavingleaving fewfew threatsthreats toto thethe giant sequoia groves. landland containingcontaining giantgiant sequoiasequoia grovesgroves hadhad beenbeen acquiredacquired byby largelarge lumberlumber companies.companies. MostMost ofof thisthis landland waswas southsouth ofof thethe Grove ProtectionProtection Revisited (1960-1980)(1960-1980) KingsKings RiverRiver inin FresnoFresno County,County, nownow withinwithin thethe SequoiaSequoia NationalNational Forest.Forest. InIn 1890,1890, aa flumeflume waswas completedcompleted thatthat ByBy thethe 1960's,1960's, forestersforesters and scientists inin all thethe agencies heraldedheralded aa trulytruly colossalcolossal eventevent inin thethe historyhistory ofof humanhuman responsibleresponsible forfor giantgiant sequoiasequoia management,management, began to realize relationshipsrelationships withwith thethe giantgiant sequoias-thesequoias--the logginglogging ofof thethe thatthat successfulsuccessful firefire suppressionsuppression during thethe past 50 years or ConverseConverse BasinBasin grovegrove andand itsits environsenvirons byby thethe KingsKings RiverRiver soso waswas allowingallowing dangerousdangerous amounts of fuelfuel toto build up inin thethe LumberLumber CompanyCompany (Johnston(Johnston 1996).1996). groves.groves. Also,Also, thethe lacklack of canopycanopy openings and bare soil as

50 Figure 3.--John3.-John Muir, President Teddy Roosevelt, and a group of people at the base of a giant sequoia in Yosemite National Park in 1903 (Harcourt Brace Co. photo).

created under natural fire regimes was inhibiting reproduction of the species. Instead, white fir and incense-cedar were becoming established in great numbers (Fig. 5). We now understand that grove protection by aggressive fire suppression alone was insufficient. Fuel reduction and control of vegetation structure are also necessary for long-term well being of the giant sequoia groves. The National Park Service began some of the first major experiments with prescribed burning as a means to overcome the problems that followed fire suppression. Harold Biswell at the University of California at Berkeley was a pioneer of this early fire management research.

Forest Service Management Begins (1(1980-1990)980-1990) By 1980, fuel-reducing prescribed fires were being programmed routinely in the groves of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, and at a much smaller scale in Yosemite National Park. The National Park Service received much criticism for an early prescribed burn conducted in the (Fig. 6). In 1985, the program was suspended because of accumulating criticism of smoke in the air, occasional hot spots that singed crowns and even killed some larger fir and pine trees, and most of all, char on large giant sequoia trees. This controversy arose in part because many of the critics focused attention on individual specimen trees, whereas the National park Service focused more broadly on the ecosystem in which these trees livedIived...different perspectives within the same social environment led to

Figure 4.--Pinchot4.---Pinchot and Roosevelt conferring during an Inland Waterways Commission trip on the Mississippi River in October 1907 (Harcourt Brace PublishingPUblishing Co. photo).

51 Figure 5.-High5.--High understory density of various tree species poses a significant fire hazard in giant sequoia groves. These high density levels have largely occurred because of fire suppression activities.

the conflict. A considerable amount of controversy still remains as to the "appropriate" way to reintroduce fire in giant sequoia groves and surrounding areas.

Wary of the sensitive nature of giant sequoia groves, the Forest Service was much slower to begin active management. In 1975, the Sequoia National Forest made a modest attempt at prescribed burning in the Bearskin grove. Fuel loading was reduced and numerous giant sequoia seeds germinated in the burned area. However, most of these new seedlings died, presumably because of a lack of sufficient canopy opening and exposure to mineral soil. It was concluded that the fire wasn't "hot enough" to fully accomplish all of the fuel objectives; and if it had been, there would have been dead but unconsumed trees left on the site to produce more fuel in the future. This conclusion led Forest Service managers in 1983 to prescribe a "seedtree" regeneration harvest for approximately 15 acres of the Bearskin grove area (Fig. 7) to accomplish both fuel reduction and giant sequoia seedling establishment objectives (Fig. 8). The action in Bearskin grove set a precedent for other timber sales in other groves with objectives expanded to include timber production as well.

Even though the Forest Service complied with public involvement requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (Le.,(i.e., NEPA), it is evident that a consensus of public approval was lacking. When the logging was independently discovered by some who tended to be critical of Forest Service anyway, the sense of betrayal

Figure 6.-The results of a National Park Service prescribed burn in RedwoodRed Mountain.

52 Figure 7.--silvicultural7.-4ilvicultural treatments were completed on 15 acres of the Bearskin grove, Ranger District, Sequoia National Forest.

Figure 8.-Treating giant sequoia groves via selective cutting practices followedfollowed by prescribed burning or some sort of site preparation treatmenttreatment isis needed toto create desired microsite conditions favorablefavorable forfor giant sequoia seedling/sapling survival and growth.

sent shock waves of dismay through the environmental National Geographic, Sunset, Sports IllustratedIllustrated and community. Realizing the agency had gone too far too fast, documentaries on CNN and thethe MacNeil-Lehrer program The Sequoia National Forest ceased timber harvest within have caused increasedincreased visibility toto whatwhat isis occurring oror not giant sequoia groves in 1986. occurring inin giant sequoia groves. Many lettersletters have andand continue toto be received by various Forest Service officesoffices Since the late 1980's, and continuing to the present, articles fromfrom citizens concerned about thethe effective management ofof about forest management featuring giant sequoias have giant sequoia groves. appeared in newspapers, magazines, and on television. Articles like the Sacramento Bee's eight-part series titled The 1988 Forest Plan forfor thethe Sequoia National Forest asas "Sierras Under Siege"Siegen and other articles in Audubon, mandated by thethe National Forest Management ActAct ofof 1976

53 and other lawslaws did not satisfy thethe critics of Forest Service National Forests and on private lands.lands. Various factorsfactors are giant sequoia and resourceresource management policies. involved.involved. And inin some cases human activities have probably contributed toto premature failurefailure inin all of thesethese The MediatedMediated SettlementSettlement (1990-2000)(1990-2000) governmentally protectedprotected andand managedmanaged areas. ItIt isis notnot knownknown whether or notnot thethe presentpresent raterate of old-growth giant InIn 1990, a Mediated Settlement Agreement (MSA)(MSA) was sequoia treetree failuresfailures isis higher thanthan historic patterns. reachedreached on 25 forestforest planning issuesissues forfor thethe Sequoia National 10.10. Both prescribed burning and silvicultural manipulation of Forest.Forest. MoreMore pagespages of thisthis MSAMSA document are devoted toto giant sequoia groves havehave receivedreceived adverseadverse pUblicpublic giant sequoias thatthat eveneven timbertimber sale quantityquantity or watershed criticism.criticism. ItIt seems thatthat nono one agencyagency isis doing a perfectperfect effects, bothboth of which are considerconsider "mega""megan issues. issues. The basicbasic jobjob of giant sequoia management.management. However,However, MountainMountain agreement isis toto removeremove thethe groves fromfrom regulatedregulated timbertimber HomeHome State ForestForest mightmight come closest ifif we were toto harvestharvest andand '0"to protect,protect, preserve,preserve, andand restorerestore thethe grovesgroves forfor judgejudge performanceperformance onon thethe amountamount ofof publicpublic criticismcriticism thethe benefitbenefit andand enjoymentenjoyment ofof presentpresent andand futurefuture generations."generations." expressedexpressed andand publicitypublicity received.received. ButBut thethe juryjury isis stillstill outout as toto what managementmanagement approaches are mostmost effective ButBut thethe publicpublic clamor about giant sequoia managementmanagement on forfor perpetuationperpetuation of thethe ecosystem and thethe giant sequoia thethe Sequoia NationalNational ForestForest did notnot stop. InIn 1991,1991, species.species. CongressmenCongressmen LehmanLehman andand DooleyDooley convenedconvened aa hearinghearing onon thatthat specificspecific issue.issue. BecauseBecause ofof administrativeadministrative agreementsagreements BasedBased onon thesethese lessonslessons learned,learned, thethe followingfollowing reachedreached throughthrough mediation,mediation, unsettledunsettled issuesissues focusedfocused mostlymostly recommendationsrecommendations werewere mademade (Piirto(Piirto 1991):1991): onon questionsquestions aboutabout thethe statestate ofof ecologicalecological knowledge.knowledge. ItIt waswas atat thisthis hearinghearing thatthat thethe seniorsenior authorauthor ofof thisthis paperpaper presentedpresented 1. 1.1. ManagementManagement byby necessitynecessity mustmust involveinvolve moremore thanthan aa witnesswitness statementstatement (Piirto(Piirto 1991)1991) outliningoutlining aa numbernumber ofof custodialcustodial protection.protection. AndAnd itit can'tcan't simplysimply focusfocus onon lessonslessons learnedlearned fromfrom pastpast managementmanagement practicespractices andand listinglisting changingchanging jurisdictionaljurisdictional authorities.authorities. ManagementManagement mustmust bebe aa numbernumber ofof recommendations.recommendations. TheThe lessonslessons learnedlearned areare asas continuouscontinuous asas thethe ecosystemsecosystems withinwithin whichwhich giantgiant followsfollows (Piirto(Piirto 1991):1991): sequoiasequoia occursoccurs areare dynamic.dynamic. 2.2. DoDo notnot alteralter presentpresent agencyagency jurisdictionsjurisdictions ofof giantgiant giant 1.1. ThereThere continuescontinues toto bebe significantsignificant interestinterest inin thethe giantgiant sequoiasequoia groves.groves. ThereThere isis nono evidenceevidence toto suggestsuggest that thatthat sequoiasequoia resourceresource asas therethere wellwell shouldshould be.be.Yet Yet thisthis oneone agencyagency isis doingdoing aa betterbetter jobjob thanthan another.another. The TheThe interestinterest andand concernconcern isis notnot supportedsupported byby adequateadequate perpetuationperpetuation ofof thethe speciesspecies maymay bebe bestbest servedserved byby a aa fundingfunding toto dodo researchresearch andand carrycarry outout managementmanagement inin varietyvariety ofof managementmanagement approaches. approaches.approaches. andand orderlyorderly andand plannedplanned manner.manner. 3. 3.3. RequireRequire thatthat grovegrove boundariesboundaries andand permittedpermitted 2. 2.2. OrganizationsOrganizations andand agenciesagencies involvedinvolved withwith giantgiant sequoiasequoia managementmanagement activitiesactivities bebe clearlyclearly identifiedidentified forfor allall giantgiant managementmanagement havehave variedvaried opinionsopinions asas toto whatwhat isis thethe sequoiasequoia grovesgroves followingfollowing applicableapplicable NEPANEPA procedures.procedures. mostmost appropriateappropriate coursecourse ofof actionaction toto follow.follow. ThisThis isis largelylargely whatwhat isis stipulatedstipulated inin thethe 19901990 SequoiaSequoia 3.3. VeryVery littlelittle researchresearch hashas beenbeen donedone onon giantgiant sequoiasequoia NationalNational ForestForest mediatedmediated settlementsettlement ofof thethe LandLand particularlyparticularly fromfrom thethe standpointstandpoint ofof comparingcomparing andand ManagementManagement Plan.Plan. ThisThis requirementrequirement shouldshould bebe evaluatingevaluating managementmanagement approaches.approaches. extendedextended toto allall giantgiant sequoiasequoia grovegrove areasareas underunder federalfederal 4. 4.4. SignificantSignificant sitesite disturbancedisturbance isis neededneeded toto obtainobtain giantgiant management.management. sequoiasequoia seedlingseedling establishmentestablishment andand survival.survival. MineralMineral 4. 4.4. ProvideProvide fundingfunding andand mechanismsmechanisms toto enableenable research researchresearch soilsoil conditionsconditions favorfavor seedlingseedling establishmentestablishment andand canopycanopy symposiumssymposiums andand shortshort coursescourses onon giantgiant sequoiasequoia to toto openingsopenings facilitatefacilitate growthgrowth andand survivalsurvival ofof establishedestablished occuroccur onon aa timelytimely andand scheduledscheduled basis. basis.basis. seedlings.seedlings. 5. 5.5. EstablishEstablish aa giantgiant sequoiasequoia researchresearch centercenter whichwhich wouldwould 5.5.ThriftyThrifty young-growthyoung-growth standsstands ofof giantgiant sequoiasequoia areare notnot clearlyclearly identifyidentify researchresearch priorities.priorities. ThisThis researchresearch centercenter widespreadwidespread withinwithin itsits nativenative range.range. wouldwould serveserve toto insureinsure thatthat researchresearch isis carriedcarried outout inin aa 6. 6.6. FireFire suppressionsuppression overover thethe pastpast 9090 yearsyears hashas resultedresulted inin timelytimely manner.manner. IIwouldwould suggestsuggest thatthat thisthis centercenter bebe significantsignificant standstand densitydensity increasesincreases ofof associatedassociated treetree housedhoused withinwithin thethe USDAUSDA ForestForest Service'sService's PSWPSW speciesspecies foundfound inin giantgiant sequoiasequoia groves.groves. ItIt isis possiblepossible thatthat ResearchResearch StationStation oror inin aa universityuniversity wherewhere aa spectrumspectrum ofof thesethese changeschanges inin standstand densitydensity areare alsoalso influencinginfluencing researchresearch cancan bebe accomplishedaccomplished irrespectiveirrespective ofof pathogenpathogen andand insectinsect relationshipsrelationships inin thethe grovegrove areas.areas. managementmanagement direction.direction. 7. 7.7. BothBoth prescribedprescribed burningburning andand silviculturalsilvicultural manipulationmanipulation ofof 6. 6.6. ProvideProvide adequateadequate federalfederal fundingfunding toto ensureensure appropriateappropriate giantgiant sequoiasequoia grovesgroves havehave positivepositive andand negativenegative effectseffects andand sustainedsustained managementmanagement ofof thethe giantgiant sequoiasequoia whichwhich areare notnot fullyfully understood.understood. ForFor example,example, ecosystem.ecosystem. IdentifyIdentify giantgiant sequoiasequoia managementmanagement andand researchersresearchers havehave measuredmeasured lethallethal temperaturestemperatures atat researchresearch asas specificspecific lineline itemsitems inin thethe federalfederal bUdget.budget. significantsignificant depthsdepths beneathbeneath thethe barkbark ofof old-growthold-growth giantgiant 7. 7.7. EstablishEstablish giantgiant sequoiasequoia programprogram managersmanagers ininthose those sequoiasequoia treestrees duringduring prescribedprescribed burningburning operations.operations. federalfederal agenciesagencies (e.g.,(e.g., NationalNational ParkPark Service,Service, ForestForest 8.8. CustodialCustodial protectionprotection withoutwithout somesome formform ofof prescribedprescribed Service,Service, BureauBureau ofof LandLand Management)Management) whichwhich havehave aa burningburning and/orandlor silvicultural silvicultural manipulationmanipulation isis probablyprobably notnot significantsignificant giantgiant sequoiasequoia landland base.base. inin thethe bestbest interestinterest forfor perpetuatingperpetuating thethe species.species. 9. 9.9. GiantGiant sequoiasequoia treestrees areare subjectsubject toto thethe samesame naturalnatural forcesforces RegionalRegional ForesterForester RonRon StewartStewart acceptedaccepted thesethese andand man-causedman-caused influencesinfluences asas otherother treetree species.species. recommendationsrecommendations andand thosethose mademade byby otherother witnesseswitnesses atat thethe SpecimenSpecimen giantgiant sequoiasequoia treestrees havehave fallenfallen withinwithin thethe hearing.hearing. HeHe directeddirected otherother NationalNational ForestsForests ininCalifornia California boundariesboundaries ofof NationalNational Parks,Parks, StateState Parks,Parks, StateState Forests,Forests, (primarily(primarily thethe TahoeTahoe andand SierraSierra NationalNational Forests)Forests) toto adoptadopt

54 the mediated settlement agreements on giant sequoia groves that can occur whether or not management plans management and called for a symposium which would bring are put into motion. together scientists and others interested in giant sequoias. 6. 6. Most people agree that the reintroduction of fire and even thinning are necessary management actions in Further federal action came in JUlyJuly 1992 in the form of a giant sequoia groves. The controversy seems to be proclamation made by President Bush. The proclamation focus on what constitutes an appropriate prescription for removed National Forest groves from the timber production these management activities. How is success land base, affirmed the terms of the Mediated Settlement, measured? and directed that the groves "shall be managed, protected, 7. 7. Concerned publics will enter the legislative arena to and restored by the Secretary of Agriculture...to assure the seek resolution of contentious controversies surrounding perpetuation of the groves for the benefit and enjoyment of management of giant sequoia groves. present and future generations." The Forest Service finally 8. 8. Federal officials (Le.,(is., Lynn Sprague, current had coordinated management direction at the local, regional, Regional Forester; Ron Stewart, prior Regional and national levels. Forester; Phil Bayles, prior Forest Supervisor of the Sequoia National Forest; Sandra Key, prior Forest Since 1992 there has been general agreement on how giant Supervisor of Sequoia National Forest; Art Gaffrey, sequoia groves should be treated on National Forests; yet current Forest Supervisor of Sequoia National Forest; public apprehension remains. This is evidenced by the Sierra and Jim Boynton, current Forest Supervisor of the Sierra Nevada Ecosystem Project (SNEP) charge to examine the National Forest) have been responsive and in many MediatedSettlementAgreement and make recommendation Mediated Settlement Agreement and make recommendation cases proactive to the recommendations made at the for scientifically based mapping and management of the 1991 Congressional hearing in Visalia. The following groves (University of California 1996). New legislation is still groves (University of California 1996). New legislation is still management actions have occurred since the 1991 being proposed such as the Sequoia Ecosystem and hearing: Recreation Act of 1996 (HR 3873) which proposed ""...to...to a. a. A symposium titled "Giant Sequoias: Their Place in protect and preserve remaining Giant Sequoia ecosystems." the Ecosystem and Society" was held in 1992. The fact that committees are being formed and legislation is The fact that committees are being formed and legislation is b. b. Two positions dedicated to management and being proposed demonstrates that issues still exist. coordination of giant sequoia research have been Additional issues will likely develop as management actions created on the Sequoia National Forest. Robert are enacted in response to the following statement made in Rogers holds the position of Giant Sequoia the SNEP report (University of California 1996): "There is Specialist and Mary Chislocke Bethke holds the evidence to suggest that inaction is currently the most position of Giant Sequoia Program Manager. significant threat to giant sequoias, the groves and their Similar positions exist in other federal and state ecosystems:'ecosystems." agencies. c. c. A Giant Sequoia Ecology Cooperative has been History Lessons formed. What lessons can we now say we have learned from this d. d. Grove boundaries have been clearly identified and long human association with giant sequoia groves: mapped for most if not all National Forest giant sequoia groves. 1. 1. Native Americans, prominent American conservationists e. e. Federal funding is being provided. (e.g., John Muir, Gifford Pinchot) and people from all 1.f. A Giant Sequoia Leadership Conference was held walks of life view giant sequoia groves as special places in Sacramento in January 1997. requiring careful management and stewardship. g. g. Many other significant actions and activities have 2. 2. A high degree of controversy has and continues to occurred that are too numerous to list here. surround "exploitive logging" of giant sequoia groves for 9. 9. A new vision has emerged as a result of the effective purely commercial reasons. collaboration that was started with the mediated 3. 3. Governmental grove protection and aggressive fire settlement, the 1991 congressional hearing, and the suppression were not enough. Fuel reduction and 1992 Giant Sequoia Symposium. However, issues and control of vegetation structure are also necessary for controversy over giant sequoia management still exist. long-term well being of the giant sequoia groves. 10. Management inaction was noted in the SNEP report as 4. The results of management actions are time dependent. the most significant threat to giant sequoias. Judging the effectiveness of a management action 11. 11. Past public attitudes toward giant sequoia have not shortly after it has occurred can lead to erroneous always been science based. Understanding what the conclusions. A need exists for coordinated management public wants with reference to giant sequoia and research activities to demonstrate both the short­short- management will be important as future management and long-term effectiveness of management actions. plans for giant sequoia groves are developed. It will be 5. There has been significant public interest in giant important to properly frame the issues surrounding giant sequoia for the last 147 years. Concerned publics and sequoia management. land managers in recent times have not effectively communicated with one another particularly with One thing becomes impeccably clear after reviewing this reference to identifying goals, establishing management historical record, the problems and issues that have plans, and visualizing the change in giant sequoia surrounded giant sequoia will not be resolved with the same

55 levellevel ofof consciousnessconsciousness thatthat createdcreated them.them. Hopefully,Hopefully, thethe ExpandingExpanding populations,populations, increasedincreased andand oftenoften conflictingconflicting richnessrichness ofof thethe processprocess toto reachreach aa higherhigher levellevel ofof demandsdemands forfor publicpublic lands,lands, thethe expandingexpanding urbanurban interface,interface, consciousnessconsciousness toto resolveresolve thesethese giantgiant sequoiasequoia problemsproblems willwill increasingincreasing recreationalrecreational useuse andand associatedassociated impacts,impacts, bebe asas rewardingrewarding asas thethe endend result.result. increasingincreasing riskrisk ofof damagingdamaging fires,fires, reducedreduced availabilityavailability ofof federalfederal funds,funds, inefficientinefficient technologytechnology transfer,transfer, andand failurefailure toto MANAGEMENTMANAGEMENT GOALSGOALS FORFOR resolveresolve conflictsconflicts areare justjust aa fewfew ofof thethe manymany reasonsreasons whywhy aa newnew forestforest ecosystemecosystem managementmanagement decisiondecision processprocess isis GIANTGIANT SEQUOIASEQUOIA GROVESGROVES needed.needed. ItIt willwill bebe essentialessential asas thisthis processprocess isis implementedimplemented DeterminingDetermining thethe rightright goalsgoals forfor managementmanagement ofof giantgiant sequoiasequoia thatthat closeclose andand structuredstructured cooperationcooperation withwith agencyagency personnelpersonnel groves isis thethe mostmost difficult tasktask managersmanagers face.face. The followingfollowing (e.g.,(e.g., NationalNational ParkPark Service,Service, CaliforniaCalifornia DepartmentDepartment ofof goals basedbased on thethe bestbest available science and publicpublic Forestry,Forestry, BureauBureau of LandLand Management,Management, ForestForest Service,Service, collaborationcollaboration (i.e.,(i.e., MediatedMediated SettlementSettlement Agreement on thethe CaliforniaCalifornia StateState Parks),Parks), environmentalenvironmental organizations (e.g.,(e.g., SequoiaSequoia NationalNational Forest)Forest) toto datedate are listedlisted toto facilitatefacilitate SierraSierra Club,Club, Save-the-RedwoodsSave-the-Redwoods League),League), thethe forestforest currentcurrent and futurefuture discussion on thethe managementmanagement tacticstactics productsproducts industry,industry, and concernedconcerned citizenscitizens continuecontinue toto and strategies necessarynecessary toto achieve "best"best managementmanagement of develop. An improvedimproved cooperativecooperative spirit seems toto bebe giant sequoiasequoia groves":grovesn: emerging asas evidenced byby thethe positivepositive outcomeoutcome ofof thethe 19921992 Symposium and thethe recentrecent formationformation of thethe GiantGiant SequoiaSequoia 1.I.ProtectProtect naturallynaturally occurring groves, andand historicalhistorical and and EcologyEcology Cooperative.Cooperative. biologicalbiological artifacts within them,them, fromfrom eventsvents such asas excessiveexcessive logginglogging activities,activities, excessivelyexcessively hothot fires,fires, and Working together,together, we can makemake a differencedifference inin findingfinding thethe inappropriateinappropriate humanhuman usesuses thatthat are contrarycontrary to,to, or "right"right ecosystem managementmanagement solutions"solutions" forfor giant sequoia disruptivedisruptive of, naturalnatural ecological processes.processes. groves.groves. ButBut we should also rememberremember what Ticknor (1993)(I993) 2. 2. PreservePreserve thethe groves inin a naturalnatural statestate byby allowingallowing stated:stated: ecologicalecological processes,processes, oror equivalentsequivalents thereof,thereof, toto maintainmaintain "Sooner"Sooner oror later,later, ourour managementmanagement decision processprocess will bebe thethe dynamicsdynamics ofof forestforest structurestructure andand function.function. informedinformed byby reliablereliable answers toto thesethese questions,questions, butbut thethe 3. 3. RestoreRestore thethe groves toto theirtheir natural state where where answers, contrary toto our wishes, will seldom bebe couchedcouched inin contemporary human activities have interferedinterfered with the thethe termsterms of rightright or wrong, yes or no. They require thethe natural processes--especiallyprocesses~specially firefire and hydrology. election of alternatives, thethe exercise of judgment,judgment, and thethe action of choosing." ItIt isis critical forfor thethe Forest Service and thethe public at largelarge seek agreement toto thesethese goals toto protect, preserve, and restorerestore And we should all understand what Theodore Roosevelt was giant sequoia groves. Successful completion of thethe tryingtrying toto telltell us inin his address titledtitled "Citizenship"Citizenship inin thethe collaborative demonstration projects beginning on thethe Republic" at thethe Sorbonne inin Paris on April 23, 1910:1910: Sequoia and Sierra National Forests depend on it.it. The next "It"It isis not thethe critic who counts; not thethe man [human][human] who step isis toto put thethe accumulated knowledge of science and points out how thethe strong man [human][human] stumbles, or where management experience toto work inin such a way thatthat satisfies thethe doer of deeds could have done better. The credit thethe public demand toto protect, preserve, and restorerestore thethe giant belongs toto thethe man [human][human] who isis actually inin thethe arena, sequoia groves under federalfederal jurisdiction.jurisdiction. whose faceface isis marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, and comes short again and CONCLUSION again, because therethere isis no effort without error and shortcomings:'shortcomings." Attempting toto resolveresolve thethe vitriolic conflict over giant sequoia management will not be an easy task.task. ItIt can be interpretedinterpreted The practice of silviculture isis at a crossroads today.today. Will fromfrom thethe history lessonslessons of our prior association with giant Silviculturists embrace thethe emerging principles and concepts sequoia thatthat a new process forfor arriving at best management of ecosystem management and put them intointo practice? decisions ,isis needed. Perhaps ecosystem management will Ecosystem management isis about breaking down barriers. ItIt be thatthat process toto achieve a higher levellevel of consciousness. could become thethe process via which we riserise to a new levellevel of InformationInformation and clear communication, however, will be awareness inin managing giant sequoia groves. ItIt seems thatthat needed inin order toto effectively implementimplement ecosystem silviculturists and giant sequoia may have something inin management. common: a relicrelic of the past or an iconicon toto the futurefuture (Fig.(Fig. 9). The choice isis ours to make. A largelarge amount of "quality" researchresearch work has occurred since thethe 1992 Giant Sequoia Symposium as an informationinformation base ACKNOWLEDGMENT forfor thethe ecosystem management process (Aune(Aune 1994). The 1992 Symposium has ledled toto many positive outcomes I thank thank thethe U.S.U.S.DepartmentDepartment of Agriculture-Forest Service particularly inin thethe scientific arena (Le.,(i.e., numerous studies and thethe McintireMclntire Stennis program for providing financialfinancial have been completed since then).then). The findingsfindings of thesethese assistance toto develop thisthis paper. Acknowledgment isis given toto studies will be useful toto analyses involvinginvolving giant sequoia thethe individuals,individuals, agencies, and organizations which recentlyrecently groves. A review of some of this current research isis agreed to form the Giant Sequoia Ecology Cooperative. This presented inin Piirto (1996).(1996). cooperative was formed to provide leadershipleadership inin applied research on the ecology of giant sequoia-mixed conifer

56 Figure 9.-9.-TheThe General Grant Tree in Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park. A relic of the past or an icon to the future, the choice is ours to make.

Ornduff, R. 1994. A botanist's view of the Big Tree. In:In: Aune, P. S. Proceeding of the symposium on giant sequoias: their place inin the ecosystem and society; 1992 June 23-25; Visalia, CA. Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-151. Albany, CA. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station.

Piirto, D. D. 1991. Giant sequoia groves, a relic to be preserved or a resource to be managed. Witness statement presented at the September 4, 1991, hearing of the Congressional Committee on InteriorInterior and InsularInsular Affairs, Visalia, CA.

Piirto, D. D. 1994. Giant sequoia Insect,insect, disease, and ecosystem interactions.interactions. In:In: Aune, P. S. 1994. Proceeding of thethe symposium on giant sequoias: theirtheir place inin thethe ecosystem and society; 1992 June 23-25; Visalia, CA. Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-151. Albany, CA. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station.

Piirto, D. D.; Cobb, F. W. Jr.; Workinger, A.; Otrosina, W. J.; Parmeter, J. R. Jr. 1992a. Final report.report. biological and management Implicationsimplications of fire/pathogenfirelpathogen Interactionsinteractions inin thethe giant sequoia ecosystem; part IIII pathogenicity and genetics of HeterobasldlonHeterobasidion annosum. San Luis Obispo, CA: California Polytechnic State University, Natural Resources Management Department.

Piirto, D. D.; Piper, K.; Parmeter, J. R. Jr. 1992b.199213. FinalFinal forests.forests. The impetusimpetus toto develop thisthis firstfirst "working"working paper" report:report: biological and management ImplicationsImplications ofof came fromfrom direction provided inin thethe MemorandumMemorandum of fire/pathogenfirdpathogen Interactionsinteractions Inin thethe giant sequoia UnderstandingUnderstanding which formed thethe cooperative. This paper isis ecosystem; part I-fireI-fire scar/pathogenscarlpathogen studies. San dedicated toto Rueben and Martha Piirto. Luis Obispo, CA: California PolytechnicPolytechnic State University,University, Natural Resources ManagementManagement Department.Department. LITERATURELITERATURE CITED Pinchot, Gifford. 1947.1947. Breaking new ground. NewNew York: Aune, P. S., ed. 1994.1994. Proceedings of thethe symposium on Harcourt Brace Co. giant sequoias: theirtheir place inin thethe ecosystem and society; 19921992 June 23-25; Visalia, CA. Gen. Tech. Rep. Ticknor, W. D. 1993.1993. Sustainable forestry:forestry: redefiningredefining thethe PSW-151.PSW-151. Albany, CA: U.S. DepartmentDepartment of Agriculture, rolerole of forestforest management. In:In: Aplet, H., N.N. Johnson, J. ForestForest Service, Pacific Southwest ResearchResearch Station. 170170 p. T. Olson, and V. Alaric Sample. DefiningDefining sustainablesustainable forestry.forestry. IslandIsland Press:Press: 260-269.260-269. Harvey,Harvey, T. H.H. 1985.1985. Evolution and history of giant sequoia. In:In: Weatherspoon, P. C.; Iwamoto,Iwamoto, Y.; Piirto, D. D., tech.tech. UniversityUniversity of California, Centers forfor Water and Wildland coords. Proceedings of thethe workshop on management of Resources. 1996.I996. Sierra Nevada Ecosystem Project,Project, giantgiant sequoia;sequoia; 19851985 MayMay 24-25, Reedley,Reedley, CA.CA. Gen.Gen. Tech.Tech. finalfinal reportreport toto Congress,Congress, vol.vol. assessmentassessment summariessummaries Rep.Rep. PSW-95.PSW-95. Berkeley,Berkeley, CA:CA: U.S.U.S. DepartmentDepartment of andand managementmanagement strategies.strategies. Agriculture, ForestForest SerVice,Service, PacificPacific SouthwestSouthwest ForestForest andand RangeRange ExperimentExperiment Station.Station. Weatherspoon,Weatherspoon, P.P. C.C. 1986.1986. SilvicsSilvics ofof giantgiant sequoia.sequoia. In:In: Weatherspoon, P.P. C.;C.; Iwamoto,Iwamoto, Y:;Y.; Piirto,Piirto, D.D. D.,D., tech.tech. Hull,Hull, K.K. L.L. 1989.1989. The 19851985 southsouth entranceentrance andand MariposaMariposa coords.coords. ProceedingsProceedings ofof thethe workshop onon managementmanagement ofof grovegrove archaeologicalarchaeological excavations.excavations. FinalFinal report.report. giantgiant sequoia;sequoia; 19851985 MayMay 24-25,24-25, Reedley,Reedley, CA.CA. Gen.Gen. Tech.Tech. Rep.Rep. PSW-95.PSW-95. Berkeley,Berkeley, CA:CA: U.S.U.S. DepartmentDepartment ofof Johnston,Johnston, H.H. 1996.1996. They felledfelled thethe redwoods.redwoods. StaufferStauffer AgriCUlture,Agriculture, ForestForest Service,Service, PacificPacific SouthwestSouthwest ForestForest andand PublishingPublishing Co.Co. RangeRange ExperimentExperiment Station.Station.

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