DOCSLIB.ORG

Chapter 12: Integrating Ecological and Social Science to Inform Land Management in the Area of the Northwest Forest Plan

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Chapter 12: Integrating Ecological and Social Science to Inform Land Management in the Area of the Northwest Forest Plan Synthesis of Science to Inform Land Management Within the Northwest Forest Plan Area Chapter 12: Integrating Ecological and Social Science to Inform Land Management in the Area of the Northwest Forest Plan Thomas A. Spies, Jonathan W. Long, Peter Stine, Susan to reassess how well the goals and strategies of the Plan are Charnley, Lee Cerveny, Bruce G. Marcot, Gordon Reeves, positioned to address new issues. Paul F. Hessburg, Damon Lesmeister, Matthew J. Reilly, The NWFP was developed in 1993 through a political Martin G. Raphael, and Raymond J. Davis1 process involving scientists in an unusual and controversial role: assessing conditions and developing plan options “We are drowning in information, while starving directly for President Bill Clinton to consider with little for wisdom. The world henceforth will be run by involvement of senior Forest Service managers. The role of synthesizers, people able to put together the right Forest Service scientists in this planning effort is differ- information at the right time, think critically about ent—scientists are now limited to producing a state-of-the- it, and make important choices wisely.” science report in support of plan revision and management —E.O. Wilson, Consilience: The Unity of (USDA FS 2012a), and managers will conduct the assess- Knowledge (1988) ments and develop plan alternatives. Implementation of the NWFP was followed by moni- Introduction toring, research, and expectations for learning and adaptive Long-term monitoring programs and research related to management; however, little formal adaptive management Northwest Forest Plan (NWFP, or Plan) goals, strategies, actually occurred, and the program was defunded after a few and outcomes provide an unprecedented opportunity years. The goals of the NWFP were daunting and set within WRH[DPLQHKRZWKHVFLHQWL¿FEDVLVDQGVRFLRHFRORJLFDO the policy and ecological context of the time. President Clin- context of the Plan may have changed during the 23 years ton’s question to the Forest Ecosystem Management Assess- since its implementation. We also have a prime opportunity ment Team (FEMAT) was “How can we achieve a balanced and comprehensive policy that recognizes the importance of the forest and timber to the economy and jobs in this region, and how can we preserve our precious old-growth 1 Thomas A. Spies and Gordon Reeves are senior scientists, and Damon Lesmeister is a research wildlife biologist, U.S. Depart- forests, which are part of our national heritage and that, once PHQWRI$JULFXOWXUH)RUHVW6HUYLFH3DFL¿F1RUWKZHVW5HVHDUFK destroyed, can never be replaced?” (FEMAT 1993). The 1982 Station, 3200 SW Jefferson Way, Corvallis, OR 97331; Jonathan W. Long is an ecologist, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest planning rule guided land management planning on National 6HUYLFH3DFL¿F1RUWKZHVW5HVHDUFK6WDWLRQ5HVHDUFK3DUN Drive, Davis, CA 95618; Peter Stine was director of partnerships Forest System lands, emphasizing conservation based in part and collaboration (retired), U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest on maintaining population viability of native species. 6HUYLFH3DFL¿F6RXWKZHVW5HVHDUFK6WDWLRQ5HVHDUFK3DUN Drive, Davis, CA 95618; Susan Charnley is a research social Although many conservation concerns have not scientist and Bruce G. Marcot is a research wildlife biologist, 86'HSDUWPHQWRI$JULFXOWXUH)RUHVW6HUYLFH3DFL¿F1RUWKZHVW changed, new science and challenges have emerged. For Research Station, 620 SW Main St., Suite 400, Portland, OR 97205; example, since the Plan was developed in the early 1990s, Lee Cerveny is a research social scientist, U.S. Department of Agri- FXOWXUH)RUHVW6HUYLFH3DFL¿F1RUWKZHVW5HVHDUFK6WDWLRQ the invasive barred owl (Strix varia) has become a major North 34th Street, Suite 201, Seattle, WA 98103; Paul F. Hessburg is a research landscape ecologist, U.S. Department of Agriculture, threat to populations of the northern spotted owl (S. )RUHVW6HUYLFH3DFL¿F1RUWKZHVW5HVHDUFK6WDWLRQ1:HVWHUQ occidentalis caurina) (chapter 4), the number of Endangered Ave., Wenatchee, WA 98801; Matthew J. Reilly is a postdoctoral researcher, Humboldt State University, Department of Biological 6SHFLHV$FW (6$ OLVWHG¿VKVSHFLHVKDVJRQHIURPWR Sciences, 1 Harpst Street, Arcata, CA 95521; Martin G. Raphael is a senior scientist (retired), U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest PRUHWKDQDQGWKHIUHTXHQF\DQGH[WHQWRIZLOG¿UHVLQ rd 6HUYLFH3DFL¿F1RUWKZHVW5HVHDUFK6WDWLRQ Ave. SW, dry forest portions of the Plan area have increased substan- Olympia, WA 98512; and Raymond J. Davis is a wildlife biologist, 86'HSDUWPHQWRI$JULFXOWXUH)RUHVW6HUYLFH3DFL¿F1RUWKZHVW tially in response to climate warming (chapter 2) (Reilly et Region, 3200 SW Jefferson Way, Corvallis, OR 97331. al. 2017a, Westerling et al. 2006). 919 GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-966 The policy context and social dimensions of the NWFP 2012 planning rule also emphasized that plans must provide have also changed. For example, the 2012 planning rule for “social, economic and ecological sustainability.” This (USDA FS 2012a) places more weight on managing for increased emphasis on integrating social and ecological HFRORJLFDOLQWHJULW\ DQHFRV\VWHPRUFRDUVH¿OWHUDSSURDFK aspects of forest planning coincides with the developing sci- and less weight on population viability of individual species ence of coupled human and natural systems or “social-eco- DVSHFLHVRU³¿QH¿OWHUDSSURDFK 6FKXOW]HWDO ORJLFDOV\VWHPV´ /LXHWDO ¿J than did the 1982 rule. The Plan’s evaluation of societal This socioecological perspective goes well beyond the LQÀXHQFHVGLGQRWDGGUHVVWKHHPHUJHQFHDQGH[SDQVLRQ ecosystem management framework that guided develop- of collaborative processes throughout the NWFP region ment of the NWFP by accounting for interactions between (Skillen 2015), and the FEMAT assessment itself (1994) social and ecological systems to help deal with system com- largely focused on commodity-based economic develop- SOH[LW\ ¿J VXUSULVHVDQGXQLQWHQGHGRXWFRPHVIURP ment and support for maintaining stability of local and policies (Spies et al. 2014). For example, the relationship of regional economies (Charnley 2006a). In addition, many but federal forests to community well-being has changed since QRWDOOORFDOHFRQRPLHVRIWKHUHJLRQKDYHGLYHUVL¿HGDZD\ initiation of the Plan. Many communities no longer depend from dependence on federal timber, and the forest products on the economic contributions of wood products as they industry has largely moved away from using and valuing once did (Charnley 2006a). There is growing recognition of large logs, favoring instead the use of small-diameter trees WKHHFRQRPLFEHQH¿WVRISXEOLFODQGVWRFRPPXQLWLHVIURP (Haynes 2009). recreation and tourism (White et al. 2016a) and nontimber Scientists in the Plan region also now more fully forest products (Alexander et al. 2011), and recognition that understand that the social and political context of the HFRV\VWHPVSURYLGHPDQ\EHQH¿WVWRKXPDQFRPPXQLWLHV 1:)3KDGDVWURQJLQÀXHQFHRQWKHVHWWLQJDQGDWWDLQLQJ beyond timber and nontimber resources. Many studies of the ecological goals of the Plan—opinions and debates indicate that the impact of humans on the environment about federal forest management in the region were as much in the NWFP area is much broader than the effects of DERXWVRFLDOYDOXHVDQGFRQÀLFWUHVROXWLRQDVWKH\ZHUH natural resource extraction. Furthermore, it is clear that the about science (Lange 2016, Spies and Duncan 2009). Given timber industry has also experienced changes throughout this context, it is important to have realistic expectations for the NWFP region, many of which are independent of how this science synthesis might contribute to the assess- PDQDJHPHQWGHFLVLRQVRQIHGHUDOODQGV HJÀXFWXDWLRQV ments and subsequent revision of individual forest plans in national and global markets for wood products, transfor- DQGIRUHVWPDQDJHPHQW6FLHQWL¿F¿QGLQJVDORQHZLOOQRW mations in how forest products companies are structured, resolve political debates about the use of natural resources. and adoption of new technologies for wood processing) 5HGXFLQJVFLHQWL¿FXQFHUWDLQW\ZLOOQRWQHFHVVDULO\UHGXFH (chapter 8). At the same time, researchers and managers political uncertainty; and politics will always outweigh better understand connections between the organizational science because “science does not compel action” (Pielke capacity of agencies, mill infrastructure, and business +RZHYHUSURYLGLQJWKHODWHVWVFLHQWL¿FLQIRUPDWLRQ capacity in the private sector (e.g., a skilled workforce) in DQGUHGXFLQJVFLHQWL¿FXQFHUWDLQW\DUHH[SHFWHGWROHDGWR achieving forest restoration goals (chapter 8). better management decisions within the context of social The fundamental assumption of the NWFP was that and political constraints. the breadth of the biological and socioeconomic strategies There is also an increased emphasis on the social would achieve its biodiversity conservation and socioeco- dimension of planning today compared to when the NWFP nomic goals, and that those goals were also compatible was developed. Federal managers increasingly use collab- with each other. Scientists and managers now have the oratives, stewardship contracts, and local participation in perspective afforded by 23 years of research, monitoring, decisionmaking (Leach 2006, Urgenson et al. 2017). The DQG¿HOGH[SHULHQFHWRVXJJHVWWKDWWKHVHDVVXPSWLRQVZHUH 920 Synthesis of Science to Inform Land Management Within the Northwest Forest Plan Area Social Component Ecological Component Laws/policies Climate Social, cultural Economics values Ecosystem Species Management/use Social-Ecological System Altered Ecosystems
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Status and Trend of Late-Successional and Old-Growth Forest
    NORTHWEST FOREST PLAN THE FIRST 10 YEARS (1994–2003) Status and Trend of Late-Successional and Old-Growth Forest Melinda Moeur, Thomas A. Spies, Miles Hemstrom, Jon R. Martin, James Alegria, Julie Browning, John Cissel, Warren B. Cohen, Thomas E. Demeo, Sean Healey, Ralph Warbington General Technical Report United States Forest Pacific Northwest D E PNW-GTR-646 E Department of R P A U T RTMENTOFAGRICUL Service Research Station November 2005 Agriculture The Forest Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture is dedicated to the principle of multiple use management of the Nation’s forest resources for sustained yields of wood ,water, forage, wildlife, and recreation. Through forestry research, cooperation with the States and private forest owners, and management of the national forests and national grasslands, it strives—as directed by Congress—to provide increasingly greater service to a growing Nation. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W. Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).
    [Show full text]
  • Newsletter Newsletter of the Pacific Northwest Forest Service Retirees—Summer 2015 President’S Message—Jim Rice
    OldSmokeys Newsletter Newsletter of the Pacific Northwest Forest Service Retirees—Summer 2015 President’s Message—Jim Rice I had a great career with the U.S. Forest Service, and volunteering for the OldSmokeys now is a opportunity for me to give back a little to the folks and the organization that made my career such a great experience. This past year as President-elect, I gained an understanding about how the organization gets things done and the great leadership we have in place. It has been awesome to work with Linda Goodman and Al Matecko and the dedicated board of directors and various committee members. I am also excited that Ron Boehm has joined us in his new President-elect role. I am looking forward to the year ahead. This is an incredible retiree organization. In 2015, through our Elmer Moyer Memorial Emergency Fund, we were able to send checks to two Forest Service employees and a volunteer of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest who had lost their homes and all their possessions in a wildfire. We also approved four grants for a little over $8,900. Over the last ten years our organization has donated more than $75,000. This money has come from reunion profits, book sales, investments, and generous donations from our membership. All of this has been given to “non-profits” for projects important to our membership. Last, and most importantly, now is the time to mark your calendars for the Summer Picnic in the Woods. It will be held on August 14 at the Wildwood Recreation Area.
    [Show full text]
  • Tribal Wildfire Resource Guide
    JUNE 2006 re Tribal Wildfi re Resource Guide Developed in Partnership with: Intertribal Timber Council Resource Guide Resource Innovations, University of Oregon Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Nation Tribal Wildfi “According to the traditional beliefs of the Salish, the Creator put animal beings on the earth before humans. But the world was cold and dark because there was no fi re on earth. The animal beings knew one day human beings would arrive, and they wanted to make the world a better place for them, so they set off on a great quest to steal fi re from the sky world and bring it to the earth.” -Beaver Steals Fire, Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Tribal Wildfi re Resource Guide June 2006 Developed in Partnership with: Intertribal Timber Council Written by: Resource Innovations, University of Oregon Graphic Design by: Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Nation Images from: Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Nation and the Nez Perce Tribe For thousands of years, Native Americans used fi re as a tool to manage their lands and manipulate vegetation to a desired condition. Tribes once lived harmoniously with nature until the U.S. Federal Government claimed much of their lands and changed the forests from a condition that we would today call “fi re-adapted ecosystems” into the fi re-prone forests that we now see throughout much of western United States. Many forests that were once abundant producers of natural resources are now resource-management nightmares. The cost to manage them now is astronomical compared with the natural method employed by Native Americans.
    [Show full text]
  • Northwest Forest Plan
    Standards and Guidelines for Management of Habitat for Late-Successional and Old-Growth Forest Related Species Within the Range of the Northern Spotted Owl Attachment A to the Record of Decision for Amendments to Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management Planning Documents Within the Range of the Northern Spotted Owl Standards and Guidelines for Management of Habitat for Late-Successional and Old-Growth Forest Related Species Within the Range of the Northern Spotted Owl Attachment A to the Record of Decision for Amendments to Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management Planning Documents Within the Range of the Northern Spotted Owl Outline All sections of this document, considered together, are the complete compilation of standards and guidelines. However, these standards and guidelines are broken down into the following sections for clarity and ease of reference. A. Introduction - This section includes introduction, purpose, definition of the planning area, relationship to existing agency plans, introduction to the various land allocation categories used elsewhere in these standards and guidelines, identification of appurtenant maps, and transition standards and guidelines. B. Basis for Standards and Guidelines - This section includes a background discussion of the objectives and considerations for managing for a network of terrestrial reserves. This section also contains the Aquatic Conservation Strategy, which includes discussions of the objectives and management emphases for Riparian Reserves, Key Watersheds, watershed analysis, and watershed restoration. C. Standards and Guidelines - This section includes specific standards and guidelines applicable to all land allocation categories. It also contains descriptions of, and standards and guidelines applicable to, all designated areas, matrix, and Key Watersheds.
    [Show full text]
  • Perceptions of Forestry Alternatives in the US Pacific Northwest
    ARTICLE IN PRESS Journal of Environmental Psychology 26 (2006) 100–115 www.elsevier.com/locate/yjevp Perceptions of forestry alternatives in the US Pacific Northwest: Information effects and acceptability distribution analysis$ Robert G. Ribeà Department of Landscape Architecture, Institute for a Sustainable Environment, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403-5234, USA Available online 10 August 2006 Abstract Conflicts over timber harvesting and clearcutting versus wildlife conservation have instigated alternative silvicultural systems in the US Pacific Northwest. Major forest treatments can be the most controversial element of such systems. A public survey explored the social acceptability of 19 forest treatments that varied by forest age, level of green-tree retention, pattern of retention, and level of down wood. The survey presented respondents with photos of the treatments, explanatory narratives, and resource outputs related to human and wildlife needs. Respondents rated treatments for scenic beauty, service to human needs, service to wildlife needs, and overall acceptability. Acceptability distribution patterns were analysed for all forest treatments. These showed broad, passionate opposition to clearcutting, conflict over the acceptability of not managing forests, conflict over old growth harvests, conflict with some passionate opposition to 15% retention harvests, and unconflicted acceptance of young forest thinnings and 40% retention harvests. Modelling of these responses found that socially acceptable forestry attends to scenic beauty
    [Show full text]
  • Forest Ecology and Management 286 (2012) 171–182
    (This is a sample cover image for this issue. The actual cover is not yet available at this time.) This article appeared in a journal published by Elsevier. The attached copy is furnished to the author for internal non-commercial research and education use, including for instruction at the authors institution and sharing with colleagues. Other uses, including reproduction and distribution, or selling or licensing copies, or posting to personal, institutional or third party websites are prohibited. In most cases authors are permitted to post their version of the article (e.g. in Word or Tex form) to their personal website or institutional repository. Authors requiring further information regarding Elsevier’s archiving and manuscript policies are encouraged to visit: http://www.elsevier.com/copyright Author's personal copy Forest Ecology and Management 286 (2012) 171–182 Contents lists available at SciVerse ScienceDirect Forest Ecology and Management journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/foreco Carbon balance on federal forest lands of Western Oregon and Washington: The impact of the Northwest Forest Plan ⇑ Olga N. Krankina , Mark E. Harmon, Frank Schnekenburger, Carlos A. Sierra 1 Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA article info abstract Article history: The management of federal forest lands in the Pacific Northwest (PNW) region changed in early 1990s Received 12 May 2012 when the Northwest Forest Plan (NWFP) was adopted with the primary goal to protect old-growth forest Received in revised form 8 August 2012 and associated species. A major decline in timber harvest followed, extending an earlier downward trend.
    [Show full text]
  • Fire Management Plan Template
    Southwest Oregon Interagency Fire Management Plan – 2013 Chapter 2. POLICY, LAND MANAGEMENT PLANNING, AND PARTNERSHIPS The regulations and policy in the following documents guide the fire management as outlined in this FMP. 2.1. National and Regional Fire Management Policy Forest Service policy and direction that are relevant to this plan include: National Fire Plan The Implementation Plan for the 10 year Comprehensive Strategy and Collaborative Memorandum of Understanding Master Cooperative Wildland Fire Management and Stafford Act Response Agreement Protecting People and Sustaining Resources in Fire Adapted Ecosystems – A Cohesive Strategy 1995 Federal Wildland Fire Management Policy and Program Review (January 2001) A Collaborative Approach for Reducing Wildland Fire Risks to Communities and the Environment: 10-Year Comprehensive Strategy, August 2001, May 2002, December 2006 Guidance for Implementation of Federal Wildland Fire Management Policy (February, 2009) Interagency Standards for Fire & Aviation Operations 2011 (Redbook) Interagency Helicopter Operations Guide (IHOG) 2009 Interagency SEAT Operations Guide 2009 Pacific Northwest Aviation Plan The Healthy Forests Initiative and Healthy Forests Restoration Act Interagency Special Status / Sensitive Species Program Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife - Threatened, Endangered, and Candidate Fish and Wildlife Species in Oregon Forest Service Manual 5100 (Fire Management) Forest Service Manual 2320 (Wilderness Management) Forest Service Handbook 5109 (Fire Management) Aerial Application of Fire Retardant, ROD Dec 2011 Inland Native Fish Strategy (INFISH), 1995 Northwest Forest Plan BLM Manual 9200-9218 described the authority for fire management activities on Bureau of Land Management Lands Page 12 of 342 Southwest Oregon Interagency Fire Management Plan – 2013 National Park Service Reference Manual – 18 Senate Bill 360 (Oregon Forestland-Urban Interface Fire Protective Act of 1997) 2.2.
    [Show full text]
  • Oregon's Forest Action Plan
    OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY Oregon’s Forest Action Plan Summary – Oregon's Forest Action Plan was developed in June 2010 by a team of Oregon Department of Forestry subject matter, geographic information and communications specialists to fulfill requirements of the 2008 Farm Bill that all States complete a Forest Assessment and Resource Strategy to maintain eligibility for U.S. Department of Forest Service State and Private Forestry funding for programs authorized by the federal Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act. Statewide Forest Assessment States were required to conduct an assessment of the current conditions of all forestland regardless of ownership type, and trends leading up to these conditions. In addition, states were required to identify threats to forests and opportunities for addressing threats. The final task of completing the assessment was to identify priority landscapes for implementing opportunities. What Oregon Did – Current conditions and trends leading up to these conditions were displayed in an external web-based Oregon's Forest Atlas. Threats and opportunities were organized around 6 priority issues – Communities at Risk of Wildfire, Maintain the Forestland Base, Diversity of Upland and Aquatic Habitats, Invasive Species, Water Quality and Climate Change. These are contained in Oregon’s DRAFT Statewide Forest Assessment Document. The issues were cross referenced to the USDA Forest Service’s National State and Private Forestry Themes and Subthemes and the Oregon Board of Forestry’s Goals for the Forestry Program for Oregon. Priority landscapes were developed for: 1) Urban/Rural Forest Priority Areas, 2) Communities at Risk of Wildfire, 3) Forests Vulnerable to Loosing Timber Markets, 4) Fish and Wildlife Habitat Conservation and 5) General Forestland Considerations (a composite prioritization across Communities at Risk of Wildfire, Forests Vulnerable to Loosing Timber Markets and Fish and Wildlife Habitat Conservation.
    [Show full text]
  • The Aquatic Conservation Strategy of the Northwest Forest Plan
    The Aquatic Conservation Strategy of the Northwest Forest Plan GORDON H. REEVES,∗§ JACK E. WILLIAMS,† KELLY M. BURNETT,∗ AND KIRSTEN GALLO‡ ∗U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, 3200 SW Jefferson Way, Corvallis, OR 97331, U.S.A. †Trout Unlimited, 329 Crater Lake Avenue, Medford, OR 97504, U.S.A. ‡Aquatic and Riparian Effectiveness Monitoring Program, U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, 4077 Research Way, Corvallis, OR 97331, U.S.A. Abstract: Implemented in 1994, the Aquatic Conservation Strategy of the Northwest Forest Plan was designed to restore and maintain ecological processes for aquatic and riparian area conservation on federal lands in the western portion of the Pacific Northwest. We used decision support models to quantitatively evaluate changes in the condition of selected watersheds. In the approximately 10 years since strategy implementation, watershed condition scores changed modestly, but conditions improved in 64% of 250 sampled watersheds, declined in 28%, and remained relatively the same in 7%. Watersheds that had the largest declines included some where wildfires burned 30–60% of their area. The overall statistical distribution of the condition scores did not change significantly, however. Much of the increase in watershed condition was related to improved riparian conditions. The number of large trees (>51 cm diameter at breast height) increased 2–4%, and there were substantial reductions in tree harvest and other disturbances along streams.
    [Show full text]
  • Environmental Assessment
    United States Environmental Department of Agriculture Assessment Forest Service Cascade Crest Fuel Break 2010 Clackamas River Ranger District, Mt. Hood National Forest Clackamas and Marion Counties, Oregon The project is located in T.7S., R.8E.; T.8S., R.8E.; T.7S., R.8½ E.; T.9S., R.8E.; Willamette Meridian. For Information Contact: James Roden 595 NW Industrial Way, Estacada, OR 97023 503.630.6861 [email protected] Dead lodgepole pine trees along Forest Road 4220 The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Cascade Crest Fuel Break Environmental Assessment 1.0 Summary .................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Saving All the Parts: Protecting Northwest Old-Growth Forests
    Protecting Species Of Northwest Old-Growth Forests All The Parts TABLE OF CONTENTS: Introduction .............................................................................................................................................................................................3 Background ..............................................................................................................................................................................................4 The Survey and Manage Program protects old-growth forests and species ...............................................................5 Cobble Knob and the Cryptic paw lichen .............................................................................................................................................. 5 Old-growth logging and rare snails ......................................................................................................................................................... 6 Lungless salamanders̶denizens of old-growth forests ................................................................................................................. 8 The Survey and Manage Program protected the Oregon red tree vole ................................................................................. 10 The ecological and societal importance of the Survey and Manage species ...........................................................11 Species warranting protection under the Endangered Species Act .............................................................................15
    [Show full text]
  • The Northwest Forest Plan
    ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: EARTHJUSTICE SEATTLE OFFICE 203 Hoge Building 705 Second Avenue Seattle, WA 98104 (206) 343-7340 www.earthjustice.org OREGON NATURAL RESOURCES COUNCIL 5825 North Greeley Portland, OR 97217 (503) 283-6343 www.onrc.org THETHE NORTHWESTNORTHWEST FORESTFOREST PLANPLAN Ancient Forests: At Risk Again Publication of Earthjustice 426 17th Street, 6th Floor Oakland, CA 94612 (510) 550-6700 www.earthjustice.org than not, the two agencies have missed deadlines Uncertain and failed to protect forest health. For example, the agencies missed the deadline for phasing in the Future HEN LEWIS AND CLARK ARRIVED IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST "survey and manage" requirement for rare species, The Northwest even though they were given several years to do so. Forest Plan is IN 1805, MILLIONS OF ACRES OF ANCIENT FOREST BLANKETED The two agencies also attempted to short-circuit the currently at a THE LAND–A DARK GREEN CARPET THAT STRETCHED FROM Plan by excluding numerous species and areas from critical juncture. W the survey requirements. Although it is still NORTHERN CALIFORNIA TO SOUTHEAST ALASKA. IT WAS A FOREST in effect, the Plan is Without protective buffers, logging can Environmental groups quickly responded with overwhelm streams with sedimentation UNLIKE ANY OTHER IN THE WORLD. FED BY THE REGION'S ABUNDANT facing its greatest and debris (Tom Giesen). litigation, and a federal court issued a stinging challenge yet. The RAINFALL, AND SPARED FROM EXTREME WINTERS BY THE PACIFIC OCEAN, rebuke of the agencies' actions. The judge pointed Bush administration, in a firm partnership with the out the survey requirements were clear and THE ANCIENT FOREST OF THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST CONTAINED MORE timber industry, wants to strip the Plan of its teeth unmistakable, "the surveys are designed to identify by removing key provisions that stand in the way of LIVING MATTER PER ACRE THAN ANY OTHER ECOSYSTEM ON EARTH.
    [Show full text]