SPECIAL REPORT Western Governors’ National and Initiative The Chairman’s Initiative of Montana Governor Steve Bullock June 2017

PAGE 1 • NATIONAL FOREST AND RANGELAND MANAGEMENT INITIATIVE Dear Friends and Colleagues:

Like many of you, I had the luxury of growing up in the West. Responsibly managing our western and rangelands is As a kid, I enjoyed a wealth of outdoor activities: hiking in a vexing concern for anyone who loves the West. From private the forests outside Helena, fishing in some of Montana’s best landowners to conservation advocates to the agricultural rivers and streams, camping in our National Forests and public and forest industries that provide jobs, , and homes for and visiting Yellowstone and National parks, and our people, we all want to see these sustainably standing in awe of the literal “Big Sky” that surrounds us on managed. As Chair of the Western Governors’ Association the . (WGA), I saw an opportunity to build upon Montana’s successes and learn from our neighbors through the National As an adult, I still enjoy those same activities, and retain a Forest and Rangeland Management Initiative. strong sense of wonder and appreciation for our western lands as I begin to share those experiences with my kids. The Initiative is a mechanism to bring states, federal Most of us living here feel the same way: we love the land, the managers, private landowners and other stakeholders people, the we are able to live in these beautiful places. together to discuss issues and opportunities in forest and Although the western economy is increasingly diverse, many rangeland management. Although achieving balance between of us still make a living from the natural found on competing interests in the West is difficult, we believe it is our public lands: as ranchers, loggers, mill workers, hunting possible to provide economic opportunities for our citizens, and fishing guides, and in the tourism industry. The good while conserving and protecting the spectacular landscapes news is that these lands are diverse and plentiful enough to that inspire residents and visitors who travel across the world support us, regardless of how we may depend upon them. to experience them.

Most of us, however, also realize that these special places are Through this Initiative, we conducted four workshops, four at risk. Our are longer, and more expensive, webinars, and solicited comments to gather information on and they present increasing risks to the public and firefighters. what is working, and how we need to improve. Hundreds of Our forests and rangelands face unprecedented threats from people have participated, and we’ve learned that throughout insects, disease and . As the health of these the West people are working together to build and achieve a lands declines, we risk not only our quality of life, but fish and shared vision for these landscapes and the communities that habitat, clean and abundant sources of , and rely upon them. It has been an encouraging start to a process the diverse economic opportunities that are inextricably tied that I hope will continue to thrive in the years ahead. to them. One sector of our economy is at particular risk: our forest industry is struggling to secure a predictable supply of The recommendations in this report are not exhaustive – nor timber and compete in a global marketplace. Mill closures do they offer quick fixes. The problems we face took decades are eliminating markets and jobs that are critical to our rural to develop, and the solutions will take patience, dedication, communities and that provide the resources to help pay the and persistence from all partners to implement. I hope costs of restoring these landscapes. this report will inspire further commitment among western Governors, federal agencies, non-governmental organizations, As these same conditions converged in Montana, we tribal and local governments, businesses and private responded by coming together to seek solutions. Through landowners to continue working together, on a bipartisan and our Forests in Focus Initiative, state and federal agencies collaborative basis, to promote the health and resilience of and stakeholders representing very divergent interests have our forests and rangelands. invested in collaborative projects that restore the health and resiliency of our forests and rangelands, and support the Although we approach these challenges from various communities that depend upon them. Our results to date locations on the political spectrum, as citizens of the West, have been remarkable: we’ve invested over $2 million to we are more closely tied by our similarities than differences. accelerate 27 federal projects that will reduce wildfire risk, Our landscapes, natural resources, and our western work ethic restore watersheds, support over 3,000 jobs, and eventually will bind us as we seek solutions to the challenges facing produce over 160 million board of timber. Equally important, us. Thank you for joining me as we continue to advance this we are building a foundation of greater cooperation that will Initiative in its second year. help achieve even more in the future. Sincerely, Montana was the first state in the nation to implement a stewardship project on U.S. Forest Service lands, and among the first to sign a Good Neighbor Agreement and implement a project using that new authority. We are focused not only on outputs, but on outcomes as well: healthier forests, more resilient watersheds, and as I learned from a young man from Seeley Lake, helping Montana’s hardworking timber families Steve Bullock feel more secure about their future. Governor of Montana

PAGE 2 • NATIONAL FOREST AND RANGELAND MANAGEMENT INITIATIVE Dear Friend of the West:

Public lands management. As a phrase, that sounds dry and The initiative is producing recommendations on best academic and bureaucratic. But what it connotes is rich management practices and tools that can help Western and interesting and wildly important. Because when we talk Governors, the federal government and local communities about , we’re talking about nearly every to strengthen their forests and rangeland habitats, revitalize activity undertaken on western lands. We’re talking about forest health, and help break the current vicious cycle of wildfire (firefighting, prevention and mitigation). We’re talking catastrophic western . about recreation (camping, hunting, fishing, hiking, biking, Over the past year, Western Governors hosted workshops climbing, skiing and motorized exploration). We’re talking across the West. The Governors’ bipartisanship and spirit about economic activity (, timber and ). And of collegiality encouraged substantive and constructive we’re talking about nature and and species conversations about forest and rangeland management. At diversity and conservation. the same time that we processed a wide range of divergent opinions, we were struck by a sincere and common desire In fact, we are talking about those very things that make the among participants and contributors to improve the health, West abundant and special and truly extraordinary. protect the beauty and ensure the abundance of our precious western lands for generations to come. As has Western lands are marked by different ownership patterns been said many times, we do not inherit the earth from our and management regimes. Adjacent lands in the same ancestors; we borrow it from our children. can look, produce and react very differently from one another depending on how they are being managed and by whom and The Western Governors’ Association looks forward to for what purposes. continuing the work initiated by Governor Bullock in the coming year, guided by the spirit of cooperation and Under the leadership of Montana Governor and WGA Chair collegiality continually modeled by Western Governors. Steve Bullock, WGA has been proud to launch the Western Governors’ National Forest and Rangeland Management Respectfully, Initiative. During the course of this effort, by focusing on the steps we can be taking to increase the overall health of our forests and rangelands, we are also taking steps to increase their resilience to wildfire, and other threats like insects, James D. Ogsbury disease and invasive species. WGA Executive Director

PAGE 3 • NATIONAL FOREST AND RANGELAND MANAGEMENT INITIATIVE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Upon assuming the role of Chair of the Western Governors’ Association in July 2016, Montana Governor Steve Bullock proposed that WGA pursue the National Forest and Rangeland Management Initiative. The goals of the initiative are to:

• Examine existing forest and rangeland management authorities and programs to determine their strengths and weaknesses;

• Perform a detailed investigation of the role of collaboratives in restoration;

• Create a mechanism for states and land managers to share best practices, case studies and policy options for forest and rangeland management; and

• Recommend improved forest and rangeland management authorities and encourage more effective collaboration.

The initiative has since assembled a wide range of experts and stakeholders from throughout the West to share insights on land management practices and identify improvements that will enable western states to develop healthy, resilient landscapes and communities.

That effort was greatly aided by the participation of Western Governors, who invested time and effort to host workshops in their respective states: Montana Governor Steve Bullock; Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter; South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard; and Oregon Governor Kate Brown.

The Initiative’s reach was extended by livestreaming regional workshop Montana Governor Steve Bullock launched the National Forest and Rangeland Management Initiative to sessions and posting those meeting bring states, federal land managers, private landowners and other stakeholders together to discuss issues sessions to WGA’s YouTube page, as and opportunities in forest and rangeland management. well as by posting live updates on Twitter. WGA also hosted webinars that states on a path toward healthier, • Reforming federal wildfire budget addressed discrete topics in forest and more resilient , while practices to allow for more rangeland management. continuing to support diverse investment in efforts to build economic opportunities for western resilience and reduce catastrophic Based upon the input from state communities. wildfire risk; and federal land managers, private landowners, local governments, This report outlines the launch • Partnering to advance forest and businesses and non-governmental year of the Initiative and includes rangeland management projects organizations, WGA sought to both administrative and legislative across ownership boundaries to identify best practices and offer recommendations that touch upon achieve landscape-scale goals and recommendations to put western the following areas: streamline processes;

PAGE 4 • NATIONAL FOREST AND RANGELAND MANAGEMENT INITIATIVE Western Governors C.L. “Butch” Otter of Idaho, left, Dennis Daugaard of South Dakota and Kate Brown of Oregon hosted Chairman’s Initiative workshops in their respective states.

• Providing state-led investment to goods and services that can support implementation takes time, WGA support collaboration, prioritize forest and rangeland restoration initiatives are designed to work across limited resources, and ensure objectives; and multiple years. coordinated and effective federal, • Pursuing new statutory flexibility state and local government WGA’s focus now shifts from and authorities to advance engagement; information-gathering to landscape-scale restoration implementation of the launch • Augmenting capacity and projects, and support high-impact year recommendations. Western streamlining environmental analysis programs. Governors will encourage state and and implementation of federal The launch year of the National federal agencies to apply these forests and rangeland restoration Forest and Rangeland Management recommendations to their management projects; Initiative is just the beginning of WGA’s activities, and advocate for the • Strengthening markets for forest work on this initiative. Recognizing adoption by Congress of the legislative products and diversified rangeland that good policy development and reforms identified by the initiative.

NATIONAL FOREST AND RANGELAND MANAGEMENT INITIATIVE • PAGE 5 BACKGROUND

How did we get here? the rising costs of fire suppression, has suffered the permanent loss and the complicating need to stop of more than 30 large mills and scores The West’s forests and rangelands are work mid- to address and pay of smaller mills, while countless others facing an unprecedented health crisis. for urgent wildfires, have reduced significantly curtailed operations. The causes are manifold, including a agency capacity to support forest and Today, maintaining and strengthening history of past fire suppression, an rangeland restoration – including the the capacity of the restoration economy increase in large-scale outbreaks of very measures that can reduce risks across all sectors and addressing the insects, a changing , disease, of uncharacteristic wildfire in the first capacity constraints of federal agencies and invasive species, and an increase place. remains of paramount concern. in the frequency, size and severity of wildfires. The symptoms are Meanwhile, as communities have In the face of these increasing staggering. Today our fire seasons are, grappled with new costs from declining pressures, federal agencies, states, by some estimates, 78 days longer than forest and rangeland health and counties, conservation organizations, they were just two decades ago. Six increased wildfires, a global financial industry and a host of other partners western states have had their largest crisis exacerbated impacts to a key have rallied to achieve considerable or most destructive wildfire events in sector for restoration: the forest success in cooperative restoration the last six years. During that time, products industry. New home starts activity. Since 2008, USFS has 32 million acres of national forests plummeted from 2005-2010, resulting increased the acres treated to restore have succumbed to a devastating bark in the decline of worker earnings by forest and watershed health, and beetle epidemic, and over 100 million 22 percent, and the loss of 79,000 jobs increased timber volume sold by over dead have littered the forests of in the products sector in the 20 percent. Through the Collaborative ’s Sierra mountains West. During 2009 and 2010, West-wide Forest Landscape Restoration program in the aftermath of the state’s severe harvest and lumber output were at their alone partners have treated: more than drought and changing climate. Amid lowest levels since the late 1940s. The 1.45 million acres to reduce the risk these trends, the benefits our forests and rangelands provide (from food and fiber to recreation, water supplies and beyond) are at risk.

A tumultuous and polarizing era in federal forest and rangeland policy – characterized by entrenched legal battles and punctuated by a great recession – has influenced the management of our forests and rangelands. This history – coupled with constrained budgets, high What do we mean by healthy and resilient ecosystems? administrative costs, increasing fire suppression expenses, and other Healthy and resilient forests and rangelands are those that can regenerate challenges – have left federal forests naturally after disturbance and adapt to changes in climate, invasive species and rangelands exposed to health and insects and disease, wildfire, and . They are characterized by: problems. • Dynamic growth and complexity The capacity of local communities, • Diverse habitat, able to sustain a wide range of wildlife and fish states and federal agencies to respond to these threats has been diminished • Healthy by forces beyond their control. In 1995, • Tolerable levels of invasive species, insects and disease 16 percent of the Forest Service’s (USFS) budget was dedicated • High quality and sustainable water supply to fire suppression. By 2015, that • Economic and ecological sustainability: maintaining function number had soared to more than half of while meeting needs for aesthetics, recreation, health, and forest and the USFS’s budget. Over two decades, rangeland products. non-fire staffing within the USFS has been reduced by 39 percent. Today,

PAGE 6 • NATIONAL FOREST AND RANGELAND MANAGEMENT INITIATIVE of catastrophic fire; more than 84,570 acres to achieve healthier forest and watershed conditions through timber sales; more than 1.33 million acres for improved wildlife habitat; and more than 73,600 acres to address concerns from noxious and invasive . New and extended authorities, such as those included in the Agricultural Act of 2014 (P.L. 113–79, aka the 2014 Bill), have helped federal agencies work more efficiently and extensively with partners, including governors and states, and further advanced restoration activities.

The evidence from across the West is clear: we can buck the trends and overcome an uneven history of federal forest and rangeland policy when we work together. States, industry, local governments, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are playing an increasingly critical role in bolstering management capacity, reinvesting in restoration partnerships and advancing Workshops of the Chairman’s Initiative gathered a wide array of stakeholders at workshops in Montana, innovative approaches that not only Idaho, South Dakota and Oregon. restore degraded ecosystems, but also protect communities and provide our current forest and rangeland economic engines for rural America. Why the Western management policies and practices. Equally important have been the locally Governors’ Forest and and regionally-driven efforts that have Rangeland Management The Initiative also offers an emerged from federal agency partners. Initiative? opportunity to elevate successful and These parties have redoubled their innovative ideas and better understand commitment and leadership to foster State-led innovation across the West the impacts and effectiveness of effective collaboration, pursue – coupled with engagement from a broad range of investments in efficiencies, and drive the flow of federal land managers, including NGOs collaboration and forest and rangeland resources to achieve mutually agreed and industry – has created fertile restoration. As United States Supreme upon objectives to improve the health ground for learning, dialogue and Court Justice Louis Brandeis said, a and resiliency of our western forests advancing a bipartisan reform agenda. “state may, if its citizens choose, serve and rangelands. To address the challenges we face, as a laboratory; and try novel social Western Governors recognize a need to and economic experiments without Whether through collaborative efforts examine these excellent but separate risk to the rest of the country.” This to determine appropriate timber and endeavors through a single lens: to has certainly been true with land grazing prescriptions, reintroduction of encourage collaboration among those management practices. Different fire to control fuels and support wildlife with different perspectives, capacities states have employed a wide variety habitat, projects to combat invasive and expertise in a regional discussion of strategies to address needs species, or improvements to watershed of needs for the restoration and ranging from wildlife and fish habitat functions, new and diverse partnerships sustainable management of western conservation, to water quality and are emerging across land ownerships to rangelands and forests. The Initiative watershed protection, to timber help improve the health and resiliency has brought together experts from a management, grazing, of western landscapes. Now more than variety of sectors – from researchers to invasive species, and extractive ever, sustaining and building upon this ranchers – and across a broad range of industries. The Initiative has enabled progress in the face of unprecedented policy interests – from timber industry states to share their successes and, in threats to our forests and rangelands representatives to conservationists some cases, their failures with each requires our collective attention and – to share the best available science other and allow them to build on the action. and practical experience in examining insights of collective experience.

NATIONAL FOREST AND RANGELAND MANAGEMENT INITIATIVE • PAGE 7 What do we mean by restoration?

Restoration is the process of creating and maintaining healthy, resilient forests and rangelands capable of delivering all the benefits that people get from them: clean air and water, habitat for native fish and wildlife, forest products, food sources, opportunities for , and more. Restoration can foster economic opportunities to revitalize communities and benefit the environment at the same time.

During the past year, the Initiative has Partnership – If collaboration is predictability in the achievement of brought together a host of different talking the talk, then partnership is forest restoration, conservation and interests and all levels of government, walking the walk. Effective partnership economic development objectives. and the cooperative dialogue has been involves a commitment to work highly encouraging. There is a strong together for mutual benefit and to Resilience – Resilient forests and sense that we must work together invest the time, money, and effort rangelands and communities go hand if we are to address the challenges needed to accomplish an objective. in hand. Managing for resilience facing western lands and communities. Partnership helps us prioritize limited ensures our lands can continue to Working together requires we put resources and augment capacity when provide for sustainable economies aside parochial interests and find and where it is most needed. It also and that we optimize economic, social ways to work across land ownership demonstrates that our commitments and environmental goals including boundaries. The urgency of the to common goals are substantive and the production of clean air and water, threats requires all parties – states, establishes joint accountability to wildlife and fish habitat; and carbon tribes, landowners, federal agencies, ensure that these goals are pursued sequestration in forests and wood and achieved. nonprofit partners and Congress – to products. It can also help us better cooperatively implement, expand and protect communities and firefighters Urgency – The pace, scale and quality refine the restoration management from increased risks, and expand of restoration must increase amid tools that currently exist, and reinvest and maintain diverse economic the threats to western forests and in the many benefits our rangelands opportunities, customs and culture in rangelands. Since 2010, over 102 and forests provide. rural America linked to public lands. million trees on 7.7 million acres of Through provision of water supplies, California’s forests have succumbed to What are the Initiative’s recreational opportunities and the drought. In Colorado, it is estimated fiber needed to sustainably build management principles that 1 in every 14 standing trees is and rebuild our cities of the future, dead (a total of 834 million trees and philosophy? resilient forests and rangelands also whose deaths are attributed to provide a critical linkage to our urban Collaboration – Solutions born from insect infestations, disease, and communities. Western Governors bipartisan cooperation among diverse the suppression of natural wildfire). recognize that the long-term health interests always yield the most durable Invasive cheatgrass infests over returns. Collaboration is not easy: 100 million acres of rangeland in of the forest and rangeland industries it requires participants to respect western states. Every state in the and enhanced markets for diverse different viewpoints; consider ideas West faces challenges in conserving forest and rangeland products, outside their normal comfort zones; forests and rangelands. While goods and services remains critical and engage in the arduous work of Western Governors and our partners to meeting restoration goals. For the incorporating a wide variety of views acknowledge laudable progress to landowners, businesses and partners into a coherent and workable plan address the management of our that comprise an emerging restoration of action. Growing experience with lands, it is imperative that we scale economy supply-chain, a predictable collaboration offers an opportunity to up our successes to a landscape level and sustainable program of work assess best practices that improve the and increase the pace of restoration helps foster a business environment integrity and efficiency of decision- efforts. Working at landscape conducive to investment that develops making and help achieve solutions that scales not only will help address and maintains critical infrastructure are both innovative and durable. urgent threats, it can help create and capacity.

PAGE 8 • NATIONAL FOREST AND RANGELAND MANAGEMENT INITIATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS

The Western Governors’ Forest and recommendations are included in the Administrative Rangeland Management Initiative is hope that their use will be expanded Recommendations a multi-year effort to examine and in scale. Others have been identified improve federal forest and rangeland by various stakeholders as worthy of States, federal agencies and other management. WGA Chair Steve Bullock consideration and implementation by partners have made significant work during the launch year of the states and federal agencies. progress toward optimizing the use of effort. Under his leadership, WGA has existing statutory land management conducted an extensive examination Second, a legislative section includes authorities. Scaling up these early of current land management practices, recommendations for consideration successes is perhaps the most both at the federal and state level, to by Congress. These recommendations significant opportunity to improve evaluate what is working (and what is would create greater flexibility for efficiency, incentivize action and not) in the management of western federal and state land managers to achieve sustained progress toward rangelands and forests. A broad range address pressing restoration and forest and rangeland restoration goals. of stakeholders contributed their resilience needs. Western Governors Many of these administrative best ideas to the discussion of how encourage Congress to examine these recommendations are intended to to improve land management across bipartisan reforms as it considers be quickly actionable by federal and the West. These recommendations legislation to improve statutory state land managers. It is possible represent a synthesis of the ideas authorities. presented at the Initiative workshops, that, in some cases, a proposed administrative reform may ultimately webinars, and other Initiative Finally, there is a section on require state statutory authorization. opportunities. implementation and next steps. None of these proposed reforms, This includes a short examination The recommendations are divided into however, should require new federal of issues that were discussed over two sections. First, an administrative statutory authority. They do require the past year, but which require section presents those actions that can the commitment and resources further consideration before concrete be implemented within the framework of state and federal managers for recommendations can be offered (e.g. of current federal statutory authorities. implementation. Western Governors Some of these recommendations issues surrounding litigation and the encourage their state agencies and have already been implemented on a use of alternative dispute resolution) federal partners to collaborate on how limited basis in states or in connection as the Initiative moves into its multi- to most effectively implement these with specific projects. These year implementation phase. recommendations.

Montana Governor Steve Bullock hosted the opening workshop of the Initiative in Missoula. He urged attendees in a keynote to “take a hard look at collaboration. What makes it succeed? Why does it fail? It’s a discussion that will set the stage and tone for more hard work to follow.”

NATIONAL FOREST AND RANGELAND MANAGEMENT INITIATIVE • PAGE 9 PRIORITY 1: as Good Neighbor Authority (GNA), and productive capacities to inform Invest in all-lands / Stewardship Contracting Authority management decision-making. cross-boundary (SCA) and Insect and Disease (I&D) designation authority, in forest and A1F: Identify opportunities to improve management opportunities flexibility and integration of grazing (all partners): rangeland systems on both USFS and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) management and targeted grazing as lands. tools to achieve restoration and land A1A: Identify business practice management goals, including wildlife barriers to cross-boundary projects. A1D: Convene partners to explore habitat improvements, drought and Develop training on state and the use of new technologies and data wildfire mitigation and resilience, federal contracting procedures and for collaboration, monitoring and water quality and watershed health, administration for all partners to decision-making, including the use of health management, promotion of improve implementation of cross- state data as outlined in WGA Policy perennial health, and control of boundary projects. Utilize Service Resolution, Species Conservation and invasive species such as cheatgrass. First authorities, which allow multiple the Endangered Species Act. Integrate agencies to partner to share resources, approaches, A1G: Promote grazing allotment procurement procedures and other using monitoring data, assessment, flexibility on federal lands, within FWS authorities, and streamline and and other feedback to assess the and BLM permitting systems and across consolidate agency processes with efficacy of management practices and ownership boundaries, to respond partners. Establish multi-agency pilot inform land management adjustments. to changing range conditions and projects, which can suggest models for environmental considerations. subsequent formal agreements. A1E: Provide federal funding to develop detailed state rangeland action plans A1H: Expand the use of GNA A1B: Increase participation of tribal addressing invasive species, wildlife agreements and other 2014 Farm Bill governments in cross-boundary and fish habitat, and water quality and tools to achieve all-lands restoration management plans and projects. quantity as a complement to State objectives across federal, state, local Forest Plans. These rangeland plans government and privately-owned A1C: Expand opportunities to use tools should include analyses of lands. Include the use of GNA authority developed in the 2014 Farm Bill, such , water, plants, animals and program income to support additional stewardship objectives such as invasive species management and rangeland conifer encroachment. Where programmatic agreements are already in place, use GNA agreements to address priority restoration needs.

A1I: Target funding from USFS, BLM, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and state sources to address cross-boundary management goals (and support monitoring and assessment frameworks) in priority areas. Projects using this targeted funding should be consistent with State Forest Action Plans, wildlife action plans, community-wildfire protection plans and projects in other priority areas determined by federal, state, local and tribal partners based on the best available science.

A1J: Explore the expanded use of youth, veterans, inmate crews and conservation corps to provide cost- effective capacity to support forest and rangeland restoration work across Rangelands support a wide range of multiple uses, from livestock production and recreation to wildlife various land ownerships. habitat and water quality values, across federal, state and private ownerships.

PAGE 10 • NATIONAL FOREST AND RANGELAND MANAGEMENT INITIATIVE WORKSHOP: MISSOULA, MONTANA (Sept. 20-21, 2016) Keynotes: Steve Bullock, Governor of Montana, and Thomas Tidwell, Chief, U.S. Forest Service

SUMMARY

Montana Governor Steve Bullock led off the workshop series for the launch year of the Western Governors’ Association’s (WGA) National Forest and Rangeland Management Initiative in Missoula, Montana. The meeting started off with a look at the challenges Montana faces in , and focused on the role of collaboratives in facilitating management on U.S. Forest Service (USFS) lands.

The Governor, in his keynote address, urged attendees: “Take a hard look at U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell expressed optimism about the work of the Initiative in his remarks: “I collaboration. What makes it succeed? have high expectations if we meet these difficult challenges together and focus on the right challenges. The Why does it fail? How do the federal more we trust in that system, the more we can get done.” land managers embrace it? It’s a discussion that will set the stage and WGA Executive Director Jim Ogsbury “The work we do on these issues and tone for more hard work to follow.” summed up the wide-ranging impact the successes we’ve had are because of the initiative in his opening people with very different ideologies USFS Chief Tom Tidwell expressed remarks: “Public lands management have come together, project by project, optimism about the collaborative ... sounds kind of dry and academic and dollar by dollar,” said Governor work of the Initiative. “I have high and bureaucratic. But what it connotes Bullock, emphasizing the importance of expectations if we meet these difficult is rich and interesting and wildly collaboration. “Our natural resources challenges together and focus on the important. Because when we talk land are a foundation of our quality of right challenges. The more we trust in management, we’re talking about nearly life, and how we manage them must that system, the more we can get done.” every activity taken on western lands.” transcend party politics.”

PRIORITY 2: and contingent on the use of metrics economic elements) to the federal Provide state leadership to that measure performance and project program of work. bolster collaboration on U.S. deliverables. Possible opportunities include: • Support cost-share grants to Department of local governments and local and (USDA) and U.S. • Provide small grants to support non-governmental organizations Department of the Interior collaboration through hiring (NGOs) to enable their participation (DOI) planning and projects facilitators, conducting needed in federal project planning (Western Governors): planning, data collection and and implementation through analysis, and incentivizing collaborative processes. collaborative efforts to retain A2A: Working with their state effective leadership and A2B: Support regular meetings legislatures, Governors could participation. convened by collaboratives and encourage funding to support effective encourage the development of local collaboratives, collaboration on federal • Deliver state funds to targeted principles and best management projects, and all-lands initiatives. federal projects to augment capacity, practices for collaboration. Financial assistance from a variety of expedite project approvals and sources could be targeted to address implementation, and add key state A2C: Invest in key state and federal key priorities and capacity constraints, project priorities (including socio- liaison positions with decision-making

NATIONAL FOREST AND RANGELAND MANAGEMENT INITIATIVE • PAGE 11 authority to provide better engagement WEBINAR: and understanding between state Managing Electricity Reliability Risks forest, wildlife, and rangeland agencies and their federal counterparts (as well on Forests and Rangeland as with partners in industry, NGOs and academia). management A2D: Facilitate the participation of experts discussed local governments in federal decision- best-practices making by dedicating staff to develop for maintaining and provide technical assistance and electrical utility enhance communications across local, rights-of-way tribal, state and federal partners. for the benefit A2E: Champion and encourage the of multiple efforts of state and local governments, resources, municipalities, water utilities and including corporate partners to collaborate on, transmission, and co-invest in, forest and rangeland conservation, restoration – including the support grazing, timber, of collaborative groups – across and wildfire mitigation. Moderated by Anne Beard, Manager of ownership boundaries in key water Vegetation Management and T&D Asset Management for Public supply source watersheds. Service Company of New Mexico, the webinar included a robust discussion of vegetation management challenges. Panelists PRIORITY 3: recommended that transmission corridors be viewed as areas Promote efforts to support of opportunity, and that planning decisions include early fire-adapted communities, engagement with relevant stakeholders. A sample of panelists’ reduce fuels and manage comments: wildfire risks, and • “We need to stop looking at utility rights-of-way as sacrifice ensure a coordinated and areas, and begin to look at them as areas of opportunity effective wildfire response, that can be managed for other plant communities to supply coordinating where habitat for pollinators, small mammals, small lizards, and appropriate with parallel songbirds, etc. This is because and plant efforts such as the National communities are lacking and, in some cases, almost extinct in Wildland Fire Cohesive some states.” Randy Miller, Director, Vegetation Management, PacifiCorp Strategy (all partners): • “There is a need for more early engagement with utilities and A3A: Prioritize restoration activities federal land managers. Engaging early in the process helps across all ownerships to create to better develop a cooperative plan to evaluate the current resilient landscapes in areas facing conditions, identify high risk areas, address those risks, and high wildfire risk, significant watershed develop a plan for maintenance of the remainder of the line. health issues, wildlife and fish habitat Integrated Vegetation Management and greater education degradation, or wildfire-damaged landscapes, including insect and about early and frequent communications with land managers disease priority areas designated is needed.” Reggie Woodruff, Program Manager, U.S. through the 2014 Farm Bill and Forest Service areas identified in state wildfire risk • “The Right-of-Way Stewardship Council is really all about assessments, state forest action plans, trying to promote environmental stewardship, and taking and community wildfire protection plans. advantage of this area of opportunity, in terms of how these millions of acres across the country can be better A3B: Improve interagency managed to meet a broad array of societal benefits, including communication, fire response environmental benefits.” Tom Sullivan, Audit Committee capability, and coordination, including Chair, Right-of-Way Stewardship Council the sharing of firefighting resources. Ensure these activities support fire

PAGE 12 • NATIONAL FOREST AND RANGELAND MANAGEMENT INITIATIVE WORKSHOP: BOISE, IDAHO (Oct. 20-21, 2016) Keynotes: C.L. “Butch” Otter, Governor of Idaho, and Jim Lyons, U.S. Department of the Interior

SUMMARY

The second initiative workshop was hosted by Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter in Boise, Idaho. The meeting opened with an examination of the many forest and rangeland management issues throughout the state. Idaho has been especially active in the implementation of projects using Good Neighbor Authority, and roundtable discussions examined the state’s success in taking advantage of this authority, which allows federal agencies and the state to enter into cooperative agreements to advance management priorities.

The Idaho workshop also examined the Idaho Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter emphasized finding projects of value during his address at the Boise workshop: “I want you all to discuss all of your ideas for improving land management and let’s find those with the success of Rangeland Fire Protection greatest value.” Associations (RFPAs), which engage private landowners with Bureau districts with nearly 300 volunteers the greatest value.” of Land Management wildland fire overseeing more than 7 million acres. monitoring and suppression efforts. Jim Lyons, then-Deputy Assistant These collaborative efforts were Governor Otter also emphasized finding Secretary of Interior for Land a centerpiece of Governor Otter’s projects of value. “People talk to me and Management at the message to attendees. Before 2012, all the time about the cost of doing Department of the Interior, discussed ranchers were not allowed to assist things and I understand cost. But when collaboration’s role in blunting the federal land managers on wildfire someone comes to me and explains impact of wildfires and invasive suppression activities. The Governor, the value of something, that really gets species, noting “these are not public legislature, and federal and state fire my interest. I want you all to discuss land issues or private land issues; agencies subsequently created the all of your ideas for improving land they are resource issues that know no RFPAs, which have now grown to eight management and let’s find those with political or administrative boundaries.”

prevention, full suppression strategies • Encourage interagency use of smoke • Engage with state and local and management of wildfire for management best practices and prescribed burn associations, resource benefits. Continue to seek explore ways to build capacity of established for the responsible opportunities, including revisions to licensed burn managers. use and application of prescribed forest plans, to enhance safety and fire for rangeland management. reduce costs in suppression decisions • Examine liability protection for licensed burn managers who execute while protecting communities. A3D: Incentivize local governments approved prescribed burns, and to take voluntary actions to support A3C: Facilitate the expanded use of address compensation for private the creation and expansion of prescribed fire: property owners negatively affected fire-adapted communities and by escaped prescribed burns. • Convene state and federal air resilience, including the promotion quality specialists to identify • Identify new tools for evaluating of education, fuels management reforms that reduce barriers to and managing prescribed fire risk in projects and improved integration prescribed fire and reduce overall cooperation with federal, tribal and of community wildfire protection health impacts from smoke. local governments. plans with decisions

NATIONAL FOREST AND RANGELAND MANAGEMENT INITIATIVE • PAGE 13 The benefits of healthy forests and rangelands include the protection of environmental values and the promotion of sustainable economic opportunities. when compatible with local goals. restoration in priority areas, including A4D: Continue to implement National Provide additional analyses to help the expanded use of existing statutory Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) communities evaluate the full costs authorities. streamlining efforts that promote best of suppression associated with practices or procedural innovations, development in the wildland urban A4B: Modify employee relocation including the use of landscape-scale, interface (WUI). practices to optimize leadership programmatic, adaptive and iterative development and longevity. Assure analyses. PRIORITY 4: retention of critical capacity for restoration after leaders depart A4E: Support independent research Pursue opportunities to and analysis from NGO, academic, further enhance federal through transition planning, including promotion of local employees where and other partners to inform NEPA agency staff capacity appropriate. and ESA compliance review process and efficiency in the improvements, including estimates of environmental analysis, A4C: Leverage the use of state, the time and cost involved for different review and implementation tribal, and local expertise and project types. Develop metrics for science in federal environmental successful outcomes, including cost of projects (federal partners): and time performance indicators. review, consultation and permitting requirements. Collaborate with A4A: Further explore the use of strike A4F: Consider standardized approaches teams, interagency Endangered Species environmental regulators to reduce to environmental analysis to increase Act (ESA) consultation support, and legislative and regulatory barriers to efficiency and reduce time to decision. other modular capacity to accelerate restoration activities. Ensure agency NEPA implementation

PAGE 14 • NATIONAL FOREST AND RANGELAND MANAGEMENT INITIATIVE policy includes comprehensive training WEBINAR: and accountability for practitioners. The Future of Wild Horse and Burro A4G: Use information technology to Management: Challenges and Opportunities improve the efficiency of NEPA and to provide greater transparency and The conversation focused on the reduce redundant data, analysis and economic and environmental business practices. Provide analytical impacts of wild horse and tools for improved analysis of potential burro overpopulation on implications of no-action alternatives. western rangelands. During the webinar, moderated by U.S. PRIORITY 5: Representative Chris Stewart, panelists encouraged federal Take coordinated state land managers to take quick, and federal action to expand proactive actions to bring herds markets for forest products within Appropriate Management and diversified rangeland Levels (AML), including the use of new technologies and management goods and services that practices. A sample of panelists’ comments: can support forest and • “In Nevada, and across the West, wild horse management is no longer rangeland restoration an emergency, it is a disaster. The program is at a breaking point … We objectives (all partners): must gather 100 percent of horses in an HMA (Herd Management Area). Those horses that are to be returned to the range, but be treated with A5A: Expand opportunities for existing permanent or near permanent fertility control. We cannot continue USDA Rural Development, U.S. Economic to round up horses and not curb reproduction. We will be removing Development Administration (EDA) and 1,000 to 1,100 horses from this HMA again in a few years if we don’t Small Business Administration (SBA) slow reproduction.” J.J. Goicoechea, Eureka County Commission Chair, programs and financing to support wood Eureka County, Nevada product business development and • “If we had proper management and the horse populations were infrastructure. within AML, you would have good range, healthy horses, healthy A5B: Encourage collaboration between wildlife, healthy livestock, and healthy local economies for these USFS Research and Development, State rural communities… This is, and will be, the worst case of inhumane and Private Forestry, and National treatment of animals and man-made ecological disasters in the history Forest System capacities that support of the West.” Tammy Pearson, Commissioner, Beaver County, Utah existing and emerging wood products • “By 2030, we will have spent over $1 billion on the wild horse problem. technologies, including the work of the We are reaching the point where something has to give: it is becoming National Forest Products Laboratory, more cost prohibitive. One of the problems is that the economic with the goal of expanding markets impacts from wild horses is not felt evenly across the country. Your to maximize restoration activity. average citizen in an urban setting, and even some other rural Encourage appropriate research, counties, doesn’t feel the impacts of wild horses.” development and deployment focused Dr. Eric Thacker, Professor of Wildland Resources, Utah State University on commercially-ready technologies with high potential to contribute to current • “The need for proactive management on these western rangelands and emerging restoration objectives. cannot be stated strongly enough. The fact that we typically have Better align these capacities with the five to, at best, 15 inches of annual precipitation makes it critical that contributions of states and industry we do proactive management and not let rangelands get degraded, partners, and actively pursue public- because once they pass a threshold, they cannot be reclaimed.” private partnerships to advance market Callie Hendrickson, Executive Director, White River & Douglas Creek growth, with the goal of providing Conservation Districts in Rio Blanco County, Colorado sustainable economic development opportunities for rural communities. • “This is a call to action. Let’s get the Congress educated, and let’s overcome our fear of the politics of this and have a clear mandate to A5C: Western Governors should identify the BLM (Bureau of Land Management) to follow the law. They’ve got initiatives to support markets that can the tools they need right now to do what needs to be done, but they achieve restoration goals and foster are intimidated by the politics of the national activists.” near-term opportunities for economic Kathleen Clarke, Director of Utah Public Lands Coordinating Office development in rural communities. Opportunities include:

NATIONAL FOREST AND RANGELAND MANAGEMENT INITIATIVE • PAGE 15 • Advancing the use of mass timber A5D: The federal government should and permanently authorizing and (such as cross-laminated timber) negotiate a fair and equitable U.S.- expanding other authorities with in construction of taller buildings Softwood Lumber Agreement the goal of accelerating forest and and community facilities through as an element of maintaining and rangeland restoration. Further action research, demonstration projects, strengthening domestic markets for and improvements are needed in and revisions to national, state and wood products. the 2018 Farm Bill or other federal local building codes. legislation, with particular focus on actions to achieve landscape-scale • Expanding utilization of low- Legislative restoration objectives. value woody biomass for thermal, Recommendations electric and liquid-fuel energy. PRIORITY 1: Engage rural electric cooperatives, Legislative action must address chronic Reform federal fire funding public utilities, community facility capacity constraints and develop managers and other partners in the and expand additional authorities management procedures: research, testing and deployment of that build on past progress. One of L1A: Provide a comprehensive fix new and modified heat and electric the most significant steps Congress for the two challenges posed by the generation projects and liquid- can take to increase the scale and present wildland fire budget approach: fuel facilities from hazardous fuels pace of restoration activities is to 1) the cost of fire suppression (10-year reduction, conifer removal and other comprehensively address federal average) as a share of the agencies’ agency budgeting. The decline of forest and rangeland restoration budgets continues to increase, as federal staff and resources for land efforts. budgets remain relatively flat; and 2) management, in large part due to the need to transfer funds from non- • Exploring opportunities to support the shifting of funds to pay for the fire to fire accounts mid-season when new and diversified rangeland increasing cost of wildfire suppression, budgeted funds are insufficient. products, markets and processing must be resolved in order to meet the infrastructure, such as mobile challenges facing federal agencies. L1B: Address the associated impacts meat processing, renewable energy The 2014 Farm Bill made real progress of wildfire funding on federal natural production (wind and solar), in elevating an implementation role resource management capacity, local and regional food hubs, and for states in federal land management planning and project implementation. recreation. by providing new statutory tools, Ensure budget actions continue to support state wildfire and forestry capacity, including the USFS State and Private Forestry programs. PRIORITY 2: 2014 Farm Bill modifications:

L2A: Permanently authorize the Insect and Disease designation provisions of section 602 of the 2014 Farm Bill and eliminate project constraints from section 603 for condition class or fire regimes outside of the WUI.

L2B: Increase flexibility in the GNA program on road construction/ reconstruction and create flexibility in allocations of program income to support better prioritization of GNA projects across larger .

L2C: Authorize the use of stewardship and GNA funds for recreation improvements and forest and rangeland restoration planning and implementation activities. The cost of fire suppression continues to increase, as budgets remain relatively flat, which results in the need to transfer funds from non-fire to fire accounts when budgeted funds are insufficient. L2D: Consider extending the length of

PAGE 16 • NATIONAL FOREST AND RANGELAND MANAGEMENT INITIATIVE WORKSHOP: DEADWOOD, SOUTH DAKOTA (Dec. 1-2, 2016) Keynote: Dennis Daugaard, Governor of South Dakota

SUMMARY effect in blunting the current invasion. South Dakota was the scene of the third National Forest and The Black Hills has been one of Rangeland Management Initiative the most actively managed areas workshop, hosted by Governor in the U.S., and provides excellent Dennis Daugaard in Deadwood. examples of how timber operations, The Governor encouraged practical the use of prescribed fire, and solutions to land management livestock grazing can contribute to challenges. “I’m so glad to see so the health and resilience of forest much expertise here. But we don’t and rangeland systems. want to use this workshop to just clap each other on the back. We “Proper land management is want to use this to think about how critical,” said Governor Daugaard. to do things better.” “It helps control fire danger and supports economic growth and The Governor pointed out that the tourism. The Black Hills have been City of Deadwood earned its name a great success story for active from a pine beetle infestation back management. Despite vibrant in the 1800s, and insect depredation is still a significant challenge. The timbering, it is still a beautiful forest, attractive to recreationalists. worst beetle outbreak in the state’s “We don’t want to use this workshop to just clap each history has taken place in recent And this has worked because of the other on the back,” Gov. Dennis Daugaard said at the years, but collaborative efforts great relationships developed over Deadwood workshop. “We want to use this to think with the USFS have had a successful time between the state and USFS.” about how to do things better.”

stewardship or timber contracts up to assistance for forest and rangeland streamlined environmental analysis 20 years, or allowing for periodic review management in partnership with for restoration projects envisioned and extension of contacts to provide private landowners. Take steps to over geographies greater than 100,000 economic certainty to restoration provide greater flexibility in the acres (using either environmental industry partners and address related deployment of these programs to assessments or environmental impact cancellation ceiling constraints. Allow achieve restoration objectives. statements, depending on context for a portion (up to five percent) of and size of the project) in landscapes retained receipts from stewardship PRIORITY 3: with demonstrated ecological contracting to be used for subsequent Update the federal and economic need and effective project planning and analysis. existing collaboration among diverse legislative framework to stakeholders. The analysis should L2E: Fully fund conservation title bolster and clarify the be sufficient to allow for project- programs such as Environmental appropriate use of NEPA scale implementation and adaptive Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), tools, support collaborative management, and should include the Conservation Technical Assistance following elements: (CTA), Conservation Stewardship efforts and provide Program (CSP), Conservation additional flexibility in the • Site descriptions or land allocations Reserve Program (CRP), Agricultural development and execution that identify locations within Conservation Easement Program of restoration projects: the landscape in which specific (ACEP), and the Regional Conservation restoration or maintenance Partnership Program (RCPP), that L3A: Create a new pilot program treatments can be used provide technical and financial to prioritize landscape-scale, appropriately;

NATIONAL FOREST AND RANGELAND MANAGEMENT INITIATIVE • PAGE 17 WEBINAR: • Standards and guidelines consistent with the appropriate forest plan Rangeland Management Strategies and project-level design criteria for and Tools: Promoting Resiliency and projects; Addressing Invasive Species • Identification of the cumulative impacts of the project; and A panel of rangeland ecologists and • Provisions allowing for the researchers implementation of project-level discussed emerging actions barring the introduction technologies of new information or unforeseen that increase circumstances. the resilience of western rangeland Congress should consider creating a plant communities limited and short-term categorical to invasive exclusion (CE) under NEPA available to weeds. Panelists expedite work in these pilot landscapes emphasized that, while environmental analyses are as new species being developed, available for use at appear and range the agency’s discretion provided the use patterns analyses achieve defined progress change, land managers must remain adaptable, experimental, milestones. and innovative. The panel was moderated by Jeremy Maestas, L3B: Congress should direct federal Sagebrush Ecosystem Specialist with the U.S. Department of agencies to build consistency in Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service. A sample of environmental analysis and bring panelists’ comments: agency practice in conducting EAs • “I think it’s really important that we take to heart, not just in more in line with the administrative words but in actions, that it’s not the year 1850 anymore. We policy intent of streamlined, summary have a fundamentally different disturbance ecology that’s documents. Agency guidance should present within the annual grass zone. We are going to have to clarify significance thresholds and think outside the traditional box and embrace that new ecology Extraordinary Circumstances language if we are going to be able to maintain resilient landscapes.” for NEPA based on best practices and Chad Boyd, Rangeland Ecologist, Research Leader, Burns, Ore., provide, where possible, consistent Agricultural Research Service approaches to interpreting these NEPA requirements when agencies • “Our strategic approach to and rangeland management and the courts have had conflicting in is to try to do the right thing, at the right place, at interpretations. the right time. It’s not as easy as going out and killing some weeds; it’s about understanding what the situation is, and L3C: Develop a new NEPA restoration knowing about how the species that you’re dealing with fits into CE that is based on decisions that situation. It’s important to find leverage points that are documented in a Decision Notice and driven by ecological understanding, and to find where we can Finding of No Significant Impact over put a small amount of effort and have a large amount of result.” the past five years where no significant Brian Mealor, Director, University of Wyoming’s Sheridan impacts to the environment occurred. Research and Extension Center Project activities could include commercial and noncommercial timber • “If our choice is to spend a lot of money and fail repeatedly harvest, hazardous fuels removal with native seeds or be successful with exotic seeds and projects, prescribed burning, post- establish an exotic monoculture, that’s a tough choice in terms fire restoration and herbicide use. of conservation values in the long run. I don’t think we’re going The CE should use the best available to get all the societal outcomes were looking for if we don’t find science, rely on collaboration, and some other solutions and new routes to establish native plant have environmental safeguards communities.” Jay Kerby, Southeast Oregon Project Manager, for consistency with appropriate The Nature Conservancy management plans and existing law and policy. In designing the CE, Congress should rely on agency analysis of past decisions.

PAGE 18 • NATIONAL FOREST AND RANGELAND MANAGEMENT INITIATIVE L3D: Allow federal agencies to analyze only the action and no- action alternatives when a project is collaboratively developed, unless a third alternative is proposed during the scoping and meets the purpose and need of the project.

L3E: Reward successful implementation of collaborative projects through increased funding, retained-receipt authority, or other capacity to pursue subsequent projects.

L3F: Resolve outstanding issues with potential requirements to reinitiate endangered species consultations following the adoption, amendment or revision of an appropriate management plan. Nearly 400 attendees from across a wide spectrum took part in the regional workshops held in Montana, Idaho, South Dakota and Oregon. PRIORITY 4: Strengthen and expand opportunities; improve the accessibility Litigation/Alternative high impact programs: of public lands; and respond to Dispute Resolution (ADR) wildfires and other natural disasters. Although litigation over federal forest L4A: Codify and fund the USFS management decisions has declined L4E: Codify and direct funding for the State and Private Landscape Scale considerably over the past two decades, Joint Chiefs Landscape Restoration Restoration Competitive Grant program lawsuits can still frustrate forest Program to facilitate continued to prioritize work consistent with state collaborative efforts and have a ripple partnership and investment between forestry goals and action plans. effect on broader federal practices and USFS and NRCS to support restoration policy. The topic of litigation and its L4B: Allow for investment of a portion projects where federal and private potential alternatives is both complex of hazardous fuels funding on state land ownership and management goals and controversial. There are no easy or and private lands commensurate with intersect. simple answers, but it is necessary to program funding increases for National explore whether better procedures and Forest System lands. Implementation outcomes can be achieved. L4C: Pass legislation to promote forest and rangeland product markets and and Next Steps During the past year, Western Governors technologies, and expand funding for heard from workshop participants As the Initiative enters its second year, the Community Wood Energy Program. about issues associated with litigation. Western Governors will be primarily Use program funds to create and focused on the implementation of This feedback led to a WGA-sponsored incentivize state, federal and tribal these recommendations, within webinar that explored the present partnerships in support of these their own states, collaboratively and future role of forest litigation, objectives. through WGA and in legislation being potential alternatives to traditional adjudication in federal courts, and other L4D: Pass legislation, such as the considered by the U.S. Congress. alternatives that might expedite review 21st Century Conservation Service Several matters were raised over the or allow for a certain set of projects to Corps Act, to make it easier for young past year that deserve additional proceed while claims are considered. A people and veterans to complete attention, but time constraints or quality, cost-effective maintenance subject complexity prevented a broad spectrum of conservation and and improvement projects on public thorough consideration of these timber industry representatives, public and tribal lands and across issues. WGA intends to continue the officials, and other interested parties the country. These programs could conversation on these matters and participated in the webinar. address the backlogged maintenance other emerging items with the goal of needs of land and water management providing concrete recommendations The webinar panel explored Alternative agencies; enhance outdoor recreation in these areas as well. Dispute Resolution (ADR) as a means

NATIONAL FOREST AND RANGELAND MANAGEMENT INITIATIVE • PAGE 19 WORKSHOP: BEND, OREGON (Jan. 23-24, 2017) Keynotes: Kate Brown, Governor of Oregon, and Leslie Weldon, Deputy Chief, U.S. Forest Service

SUMMARY

Governor Kate Brown hosted the fourth workshop of the National Forest and Rangeland Management Initiative in Bend, Oregon. The meeting highlighted collaboration’s role in creating economic opportunities, fostering robust rural economies, and preserving natural resources.

“We know we accomplish more working together. We have benefited tremendously from this collaboration in Oregon,” Governor Brown observed in her opening remarks. Governor Kate Brown noted during her opening remarks at the Bend workshop that “In Oregon, we continue “I am focused on creating jobs in our to pursue strategies to accelerate the pace, scale, and quality of restoration of our federal forests.” timber and rural communities,” she continued. “In Oregon, we continue Forest Partners collaborative has shared stewardship with the states, with to pursue strategies to accelerate the resulted in the reinstatement of federal land managers, and tribes, and pace, scale, and quality of restoration of active management. That has led communities.” our federal forests.” to a 200 percent increase in home sales in the area, as well as school Deputy Chief Weldon encouraged Governor Brown noted, as an example, enrollment increases and a decrease in initiative participants to “not be limited that in 2006, the timber sale program unemployment. by conventional thinking” in looking on the Malheur National Forest was for innovative solutions to the threats effectively zero. Disagreements over USFS Deputy Chief Leslie Weldon facing forests and rangelands in the forest management were grinding commended the work of the initiative, West. “Our challenges are great,” restoration activities to a halt. The noting that the workshops “are really Governor Brown observed, “but I am formation of the Blue Mountain helping us chart a strong path for confident our resolve is greater.”

of resolving forest management region. Some participants expressed and efficacy of ADR, many agree that disagreements. The most frequently concern that Congress could change plaintiffs should have an appropriate cited alternative to litigation was the current system for everyone venue in which to air opposition to, or arbitration. Engaging an arbitrator to address the actions of a few. grievances over, forest and rangeland – instead of a federal judge – to Others emphasized the importance projects. At the same time, litigation adjudicate claims is appealing to of retaining the ability to challenge intended to stall or halt collaboratively industry and conservation interests. government actions due to substantive developed projects – without As there are different systems or procedural violations of law, and consideration of a project’s merits, of arbitration (and widespread expressed reservations that ADR quality, or the collaborative process dissatisfaction with the current could be implemented in a way that used in project design and decision- system), a more thorough examination safeguards these principles. It was making – undermines the objectives of of arbitration as an alternative to also suggested that a limited-scale ADR all parties and fosters disincentives for litigation is warranted. pilot program could provide valuable achieving restoration and management insights on the feasibility of different objectives. Most current litigation on behalf ADR approaches. of environmental organizations is Western Governors see a need concentrated in the Northern Rockies Despite a variety of views on the merits for further dialogue to determine

PAGE 20 • NATIONAL FOREST AND RANGELAND MANAGEMENT INITIATIVE recommendations that can help Finally, WGA will explore additional tribes and states is that of one resolve chronic litigation challenges, opportunities for partnerships to sovereign government to another. while allowing for the appropriate advance collective priorities and States and tribes frequently adjudication of claims. Strategies needed restoration actions in Hawaii collaborate and cooperate through should explore the full range of and the U.S. territories. compacts or other agreements on ADR tools, potential variations matters of mutual concern (such as in the timing and scope of these Tribal Practices and environmental protection and law tools in project development and Additional Collaboration enforcement). decisions, and other strategies that Opportunities can be deployed administratively or The Tribal Forest Protection Act (P.L. legislatively to significantly reduce Tribal lands and tribal traditional 108-278) does allow the Secretaries litigation delays and risks beyond ecological knowledge (TEK) are an of Agriculture and Interior to give the use of ADR. Western Governors important component of forest and special consideration to tribally- look forward to pursuing options and rangeland management in the West. proposed SCA or other projects on recommendations further in year In the U.S., more than 55 million federal lands to protect the Indian two of the initiative in consultation acres of land are held in trust by the trust resources from fire, disease, or with federal agencies and interested federal government for various Native other threats. It is clear, however, that stakeholders. American tribes and individuals. The there are additional opportunities for vast majority of these lands are located collaboration with Tribes. For example, Pacific Islands in western states and are owned the integration of tribal lands into Management Challenges and managed by the 567 federally cross-boundary land management recognized American Indian tribes and discussions has proven to be of great The flora and fauna of the state of Alaska Natives. The federal Bureau of benefit in many instances. While Hawaii and U.S. territories in the Indian Affairs (BIA) is responsible for some aspects of tribal involvement Pacific Ocean differ markedly from in the administration and management of were discussed at the initiative the continental U.S. Many of the land the surface land and 57 million acres workshops, opportunities to include management challenges faced by the of subsurface minerals estates held in tribes in the planning and execution Pacific Islands are instantly familiar trust for Native American and Alaska of restoration activities should be to any continental state forester or Natives. federal land manager. These include: examined further. In the coming year, Tribes possess nationhood status WGA plans to convene a western tribal • water quantity and quality; and retain inherent powers of self- forest and rangeland restoration workshop or webinar to explore • invasive species; government, and states have no authority over tribal governments increased collaboration opportunities • insect and disease control; unless expressly authorized by to achieve mutual tribal and state land • changing climate; Congress. The relationship between management objectives. • wildfire and public safety; and • watershed function.

WGA will examine the challenges faced by the Pacific Islands and develop a strategy for these areas that can be integrated into the broader WGA National Forest and Rangeland Management Initiative. WGA plans to convene a Pacific Islands workshop or webinar (or combination) to explore the land management challenges in the state of Hawaii and the Pacific territories, including island challenges identified in their forest action plans. WGA will also examine how individual islands collaborate with federal agencies to accomplish restoration and seek information on the level of U.S. Forest Service Deputy Chief Leslie Weldon commended the work of the Initiative at the Bend workshop, engagement of non-federal entities in noting that participants “are really helping us chart a strong path for shared stewardship with the states, the execution of restoration activities. with federal land managers, and tribes, and communities.”

NATIONAL FOREST AND RANGELAND MANAGEMENT INITIATIVE • PAGE 21 Enhanced Tracking and WEBINAR: Performance Metrics Land Management Conflict: WGA plans to pursue emerging Current Litigation and the Future ideas to better track and measure impacts of forest and rangeland of Alternative Dispute Resolution restoration in collaboration with Citizen-suits, collaboration, and federal agencies, academic partners alternative dispute resolution (ADR) and Congress. Improved tracking was the focus of the conversation. and metrics are needed to chart Moderated by David Dreier, progress, better understand the President of Foresight LLC, a diverse ramifications of inaction, and assist in panel discussed how collaboratives prioritizing future work. Preliminary can be structured to avoid lawsuits, recommendations include: when ADR is appropriate, and how an equitable outcome can be • Examine the creation of a Federal reached when litigation does occur. Forest and Rangeland Planning A sample of panelists’ comments: and Project Dashboard to enable periodic and real-time monitoring • “If you were to ask anybody, ‘Has litigation been a benefit to the of federal project planning and whole process?’ I think an objective answer would be, ‘No.’ Today, implementation, including improved we are re-litigating the same issues under fundamental laws that we measures of restoration outcomes. have litigated for several decades. The courts are not a good place to As a part of this, explore the resolve what are the fundamental questions here, and we have to seek alternative venues.” Jim Riley, Principal, Riley and Associates opportunity for a pilot project to develop a collaborative online • “20 years ago, or 30 years ago, litigation over forest planning and sales geographic information system (GIS). was really hammering out big questions about what was the Forest Service’s duty to implement forest plans that manage for multiple • Research and establish common purposes. Many of those big overarching questions have been worked interagency metrics to better assess out through that environmental litigation. Trout Unlimited believes the economic, social and ecological that a sort of sale-by-sale litigation strategy looks in the rearview value of forest and rangeland mirror, as opposed to a strategy that really moves forward National restoration activities, including Forest management in a way that’s helpful for both wildlife species and avoided costs of catastrophic rural communities.“ Laura Ziemer, Senior Counsel and Water Policy wildfire, and economic impacts to Advisor, Trout Unlimited other linked sectors (such as the livestock, timber, water supply and • “The Forest Service is very open to any idea that fosters a mechanism outdoor recreation industries). that allows us to collaborate and engage with people more effectively than the set of tools we have right now. Any process that we can use to Develop recommendations on how help us focus more on working closer with people, getting the project these metrics of the economic right, getting wider support for the actions we are going to do, as value of restoration can be better opposed to the more process-oriented pieces that focus on preparing incorporated into decision-making. for what may occur during litigation, is very helpful to the agency.” Research and establish common Chris French, Director, Ecosystem Management Coordination, U.S. interagency metrics of large-scale Forest Service community wildfire resilience to track progress across multiple • “People want to be part of success. They want to be part of solving projects and resilience strategies. problems locally, of having their own local flair be part of how local lands are managed. You want to incentivize working together and • Integrate rangeland assessment coming up with projects that are durable and can get implemented. metrics (soil, water, plants, animals, That is really where the future of land management lies, but I don’t productive capacity) to create a think that it is a silver bullet. You can’t force people to collaborate, rangeland sustainability report that so there has to be a way for them to continue to engage. These are addresses ecological, economic public lands. If they feel that laws have been violated, substantive and and social impacts of restoration procedural, they should have their day in court.“ activities. Use these metrics to Susan Jane Brown, Wildlands Program Director and Staff Attorney, identify and prioritize restoration Western Environmental Law Center activities on rangelands.

PAGE 22 • NATIONAL FOREST AND RANGELAND MANAGEMENT INITIATIVE The Custer Gallatin National Forest, Montana CASE STUDIES

MONTANA removal along the length of the and produce 165 million board feet water conveyance flume. About four of timber. The efficacy of DNRC Montana has initiated a multi-faceted million board feet of wood products investment is being analyzed to form strategy called Forests in Focus to were also generated by the project, the basis for future investments of accelerate forest and rangeland helping to underwrite the cost of the state funds in federal forest projects. restoration across all land ownerships fuel reduction treatments. and reinforce the positive benefits • Direct Investment in State, Tribal of state engagement in federal land • Investing in Coordination and and Private Forest Projects: Since management. Through the strategy, Implementation of Federal Forest 2014, Montana has invested $5.5 the state has built capacity and Restoration: Montana created a million in more than 34 projects advanced priority projects through a Federal Forest Liaison position on state, tribal, and private forest variety of strategies, such as: in 2014. Doing so has proven lands. The majority of these instrumental in providing clear projects have been implemented, • Chessman Reservoir Stewardship communication and coordination completing forest restoration and Project: Designed to help protect to support state investments in fuel reduction on approximately the Helena water supply, this priority federal projects, advance 10,000 acres, and producing 22 490-acre project on the Helena- new tools under the 2014 Farm million board feet and 71,000 tons of Lewis and Clark National Forest Bill, and ensure state equities are pulp logs. was administered by the Montana reflected in forest plan revisions. Department of Natural Resources • Assistance to Local Governments: (DNRC). Completed in late 2016, Montana has also invested over $2 Through the DNRC Local Government this project reduced hazardous million of state funds in 27 USFS forest Forest Advisor, Montana has fuels on approximately 500 acres of restoration projects, which will help helped bring county commissioners dead and dying forests adjacent to bring them online more quickly. All and USFS leadership together to the reservoir. The project involved told, the investments are expected improve dialogue and coordination difficult hand thinning and fuel to treat approximately 285,000 acres on federal forest planning and

NATIONAL FOREST AND RANGELAND MANAGEMENT INITIATIVE • PAGE 23 Sawtooth Valley, Idaho.

management. Montana has National Forest and adjacent lands the Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) provided financial assistance to owned by the Montana Department of and 1 and 4 of the USFS. It has counties to help pay for travel, Corrections and private landowners. also entered into a five-year agreement analysis, and facilitate their Two other GNA projects on the Lolo and with three forest products industry efforts to engage with their federal Kootenai National Forests are in the cooperators, who have committed to counterparts. In the fall of 2016, planning stages as well. A master GNA providing up to $1 million over five DNRC helped plan and host the first Agreement with the Bureau of Land years to cover partial startup costs annual “County Forest Summit,” Management (BLM) has been finalized for GNA projects. Additionally, IDL which facilitated dialogue between and is awaiting signature; several GNA has entered into a three-year contract federal and state officials around projects are anticipated to be initiated with five environmental firms to forest management issues. DNRC between DNRC and the BLM in 2017. support NEPA through the state’s GNA is also planning to provide financial agreements. This contract allows the and technical assistance to four Collaboration: The DNRC Federal Forest environmental firms to supplement Montana counties as they intervene Liaison and Local Government Forest the individual forests’ NEPA teams as in court on priority USFS projects Advisor have been active in several forest needed, or complete the full analysis that are under litigation. collaborative groups around the state, from start to finish on any National and helped form the Montana Forest Forest that the state has a GNA Good Neighbor Authority (GNA): GNA Collaboration Network in late 2016. agreement with. allows states to enter into cooperative agreements with certain federal agencies and permits them to perform IDAHO Supplemental Project Agreements: Supplemental Project Agreements various land management activities Idaho has been recognized as a state (SPAs) have been developed and signed on federal lands. Montana signed leader in the use of GNA and is using on the Nez Perce-Clearwater, Payette, a Master Good Neighbor Agreement the authority to achieve a number of and Idaho Panhandle National Forests. in July 2016, and completed the pilot different restoration objectives. Jumping Creek Campground GNA The SPAs authorize and describe project soon after. Analysis has GNA Statewide Master Agreement: The how IDL will implement GNA forest started for the Pintlar-Prison GNA state has already established a GNA restoration projects on those National Project on the Beaverhead-Deerlodge Statewide Master Agreement between Forests. Successes include:

PAGE 24 • NATIONAL FOREST AND RANGELAND MANAGEMENT INITIATIVE • The first GNA timber sale (Wapiti County Mountain Pine Beetle Initiative: Since 2013, the Malheur National timber sale) on the Nez Perce- Supported by state and county funds, Forest has tripled its timber output Clearwater National Forests, the County Mountain Pine Beetle and expanded the boundary of the which is expected to generate Initiative identified over 121,000 infested Southern Blues CFLR project area by approximately 4.5 million board and dead trees in four key counties, and 300,000 acres. The state has used feet and $1.2 million in net program by the end of 2015 had treated more its own funds to assist the USFS income for Idaho GNA. than 84,000 of those trees. The result with data collection to reduce NEPA of these concentrated efforts, coupled timeframes. The state has also used • Field work for the Lost Creek Boulder with 1.4 million infested trees harvested firefighting staff on the shoulder Creek and Brundage Vegetation by the local forest products industry, seasons to assist with pre-sale Management Projects. On Lost has achieved a dramatic reduction layout on 54 timber sales statewide Creek Boulder Creek, approximately in the amount of MPB-caused pine to increase the pace of treatment 150 acres have been designated for mortality in the Black Hills. implementation. On the Willamette harvest, and on Brundage, 180 acres National Forest, the state is with 14 treatment units have been estimated to have completed 55 identified for treatment. OREGON percent of all pre-sale layout in the The Federal Forest Restoration fiscal year and helped the forest • Reconnaissance work on the 3,000- Program has been instrumental in exceed its timber target. acre Hanna Flats project, a thinning accelerating the pace, scale and and fuel reduction project, has quality of restoration projects in started near Priest Lake on the Oregon. About 10 percent of program • Another notable success is the Idaho Panhandle National Forest. funds have been awarded as grants to Blue Mountains Cohesive Strategy The field reconnaissance work local collaborative groups to procure Pilot Project, which is located on provided the basis to begin the facilitation services and technical 7.5 million acres of mixed land collaborative conversation with the assistance to reach agreements for ownership in northeastern Oregon, public for a proposed action within landscape scale projects. southeastern Washington and the NEPA process. western Idaho. Federal Records • One example of success is the Blue of Decision were signed on 137,487 Mountain Forest Partners, which acres of collaborative projects switched from a project-by-project SOUTH DAKOTA within the Blue Mountains region approach to an issues-based from 2012-2014, with planning work South Dakota’s effort to address approach to collaboration. This proceeding on an additional 465,356 Mountain Pine Beetle (MPB) infestation has allowed the group to expand acres. In addition to treatments is an excellent example of successful their agreements to keep up with on both federal and private lands, cross-boundary management: the accelerated pace of restoration. the Oregon Department of Forestry Black Hills Forest Initiative: Governor Dennis Daugaard led a Black Hills Forest Initiative focused on state and private lands as a part of the overall MPB effort, and later expanded to federal lands. The state legislature supplied almost $11 million over several years to complete work on priority landscapes across private, state and federal lands. In addition, two Landscape Scale Restoration grants provided by USFS State and Private Forestry over three years added another $600,000 to the MPB suppression effort.

Since 2011, this initiative has resulted in the survey of 278,149 acres of state and private land and the completion of 4,807 acres in Black Hills National Forest timber sales, identifying 672,000 infested trees and the treatment of 557,000 trees. Black Hills Forest, South Dakota.

NATIONAL FOREST AND RANGELAND MANAGEMENT INITIATIVE • PAGE 25 and Department of Fish and Wildlife 50 separate projects covering 27,263 the greater Denver area. (ODFW) partnered to implement a acres in 14 watersheds identified as timber sale on a property owned high priority in the New Mexico Forest From Forests to Faucets is a and managed by ODFW. Action Plan. partnership between the Colorado State Forest Service, USFS, the Natural One notable success has been the Resources Conservation Service, and WYOMING Mescalero Apache Tribe Watershed the Denver Water Department. The Restoration Project. The project Wyoming Governor Matt Mead partnership began in 2010 with the goal targeted three watersheds listed as established a Task Force on Forests of restoring forests affected by wildfire high priority by New Mexico State in 2013. The group was charged and mitigating wildfire risk in critical Forestry, as part of a statewide with examining all forests in the watersheds to reduce future water assessment that looked at watershed state, regardless of jurisdiction, and quality impacts. To date, more than areas that are considered at-risk. providing recommendations to assess 40,000 acres of National Forest System The project was completed ahead of and address the challenges affecting (NFS) lands have been treated for fire schedule due, in large part, to the forest conditions and management. mitigation and restoration. collaboration of the state and the tribe. The final report includes 12 major The restoration work reduced In February 2017, the partnership was recommendations and 53 sub- density throughout the watersheds, renewed until 2021 and $33 million recommendations for the Governor’s promoting forest resiliency, benefiting pledged to complete projects across consideration. The task force’s overall forest health and lowering the NFS and private lands in support of efforts have served as a blueprint threat of uncharacteristic wildfire. This watershed protection for Denver’s for improving forest management will not only improve the watersheds water supply. practices throughout the state. on Mescalero tribal land, but extend protection to and NEW MEXICO communities downstream within the CALIFORNIA Tularosa Basin. The Watershed Restoration Initiative, Governor Jerry Brown established started by New Mexico Governor the Tree Mortality Task Force (TMTF) Susana Martinez in 2014, has enabled to address the effects of bark beetle implementation of forest restoration COLORADO infestation and prolonged drought. projects designed to improve and Soil health impacts from The TMTF includes state and federal protect water quality. Approximately uncharacteristic catastrophic wildfires agencies, local governments, utilities $12.2 million in state funds and an along Colorado’s Front Range, including and various stakeholders working additional $9.475 million of matching the 1996 Buffalo Creek and 2002 cooperatively to coordinate emergency federal funds have been committed Hayman wildfires, have led to severe protective actions and monitor on-the- to carry out initiative work. The state erosion and sediment accumulation in ground conditions. and its partners have undertaken reservoirs supplying for The state estimates that since 2010, more than 100 million trees have succumbed to the stress of beetle infestation or drought. Of California’s 32 million acres of forestland, over 6 million acres have been classified as either Tier I or Tier II High Hazard Zones. The TMTF coordinates federal, state and local governments to ensure that restoration activities are organized effectively, ensuring that these high-hazard areas receive priority treatment. It also serves as an important focal point of communication between different layers of government, non- governmental organizations, tribes, and private landowners, providing regular updates on tree mortality and Firefighters on the 2002 Hayman Fire, whose long-term impacts dramatically affected water quality and the status of restoration activities. supply for the Front Range of Colorado.

PAGE 26 • NATIONAL FOREST AND RANGELAND MANAGEMENT INITIATIVE ON THE WEB

A central objective of this initiative is to enable participants to engage in discussions designed to deliver insights on current land management practices and identify improvements that will put western states on a path to developing healthy, resilient landscapes and communities. To ensure the conversation reaches the widest possible audience, WGA launched an online resource that includes videos of all Workshops, our Webinar series, and a variety of other resources. We’ve also created the Initiative Appendix, a document that delivers expanded detail on the conversations at each workshop, as well as responses to participant questionnaires.

WORKSHOPS

Nearly 400 attendees took part in the four regional Initiative Workshops. The workshops were “livestreamed” on the web and subsequently posted to YouTube. Workshops were hosted by Gov. Steve Bullock in Montana, Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter in Idaho, Gov. Dennis Daugaard in South Dakota and Gov. Kate Brown in Oregon.

WEBINARS

The Initiative webinar series featured the leading thinkers on topics such as “The Future of Wild Horse and Burro Management,” “Rangeland Management Strategies and Tools,” and “Land Management Conflict,” which explored litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution.

Find the Initiative online resource and join the conversation at: westgov.org

NATIONAL FOREST AND RANGELAND MANAGEMENT INITIATIVE • PAGE 27 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS WGA appreciates the time and effort that workshop panelists provided to the initiative. We would also like to thank the following for their assistance throughout the past year:

• Bob Harrington, • Carol Ekarius, Executive Director, • Mike Petersen, Lands Council Montana State Forester Coalition for the Upper South Platte • Ralph Rau, Regional Fire and Aviation • Tim Baker, Member, Northwest Power • Jonas Feinstein, State Conservation Director, USFS-Region 1 and Conservation Council Forester, Natural Resources • Chuck Roady, General Manager, • Christine Dawe, Director of Conservation Service F.H. Stoltze Land and Lumber Renewable Resources Management, • Tom France, Senior Director, • Gordy Sanders, Resource Manager, U.S. Forest Service Western , Pyramid Mountain Lumber National Wildlife Federation • Kelsey Delaney, Policy Director, • Dave Schulz, Madison County Council of Western State Foresters • Tom Fry, Western Conservation Commissioner, MT Director, American Forest Foundation • Patrick Holmes, Natural Resources • John Tubbs, Director, Montana • Ron Gray, Wood Fuel Manager, Advisor, Montana Governor’s Office DNRC Avista Utilities • Russ Vaagen, Vice President, • Buddy Green, Wyoming Deputy Vaagen Bros Lumber Co. Panelists and Speakers State Director, US Bureau of Land Missoula, Montana Workshop Management • Chas Vincent, Kootenai Forest Stakeholders Coalition September 20-21, 2016 • Joseph Hansen, Conservation Forester, Jefferson Conservation District • Honorable Steve Bullock, Boise, Idaho Workshop Governor of Montana • Bob Harrington, Montana State Forester October 20-21, 2016 • Tom Tidwell, Chief, US Forest Service • Wayne Hedman, Bitterroot Restoration • Honorable C.L. “Butch” Otter, • James D. Ogsbury, Committee Governor of Idaho WGA Executive Director • Jennifer Hensiek, Missoula District • Jim Lyons, US Department of the • Matt Arno, Local Government Forest Ranger, Lolo National Forest, USFS Interior Advisor, Montana DNRC • Bill Imbergamo, Executive Director, • James D. Ogsbury, • Tim Baker, Montana Governor’s Office Federal Forest Resource Coalition WGA Executive Director • Denny Iverson, Blackfoot Challenge • Rebecca Barnard, National Forestry • Steve Acarregui, BLM Fire and Aviation Programs Manager, National Wild • Dyrk Krueger, Enhanced Forest Directorate Turkey Federation Management, Inc. • David Anderson, Results • Mo Bookwalter, DNRC-USFS Liaison • Rich Lane, Willis Enterprises • Tera Little, Farm Bill ID Team Leader, • Zoanne Anderson, Maggie Creek Area • Caroline Byrd, Executive Director, USFS Manager, IDL Greater Yellowstone Coalition • Tim Love, Montana Forest • Dennis Becker, University of Idaho • Cecilia Clavet, Senior Policy Advisor, Collaboratives’ Network • Bob Boeh, Idaho Forest Group The Nature Conservancy • Sarah Lundstrum, National Parks • Mike Courtney, Twin Falls District • Tony Colter, Plant Manager, Conservation Association Manager, US Bureau of Land Sun Mountain Lumber Company • Leanne Marten, Regional Forester, Management • Christine Dawe, Acting Director USFS Northern Region • Gordon Cruickshank, Valley County of Forest Management, USFS • Mary Mitsos, National Forest Commissioner • Kelsey Delaney, Council of Foundation • Christine Dawe, USFS Acting Director Western State Foresters • Cassandra Moseley, Director, of Forest Management Institute for a Sustainable • Kelsey Delaney, Council of Western • Ryan Domsalla, West Fork District Environment, University of Oregon State Foresters Ranger, Bitterroot National Forest, USFS • Mark Peck, Lincoln County • Don Ebert, Clearwater County Commissioner, MT Commissioner

PAGE 28 • NATIONAL FOREST AND RANGELAND MANAGEMENT INITIATIVE • Mary Farnsworth, USFS Acting Deputy • Troy Timmons, WGA Bend, Oregon Workshop Regional Forester • Craig Bobzien, USFS, Black Hills January 23-24, 2017 • Craig Foss, IDL National Forest Supervisor - Retired • Honorable Kate Brown, • David Groeschl, Idaho Department • Ryan Brunner, Commissioner of South Governor of Oregon of Lands (IDL) Dakota School and Public Lands • Leslie Weldon, Deputy Chief, US Forest • Toni Hardesty, The Nature Conservancy • Chance Davis, Heart Tail , LLP Service • Darcy Helmick, RFPA Member • Christine Dawe, USFS • James D. Ogsbury, WGA Executive • Alex Irby, Clearwater Basin • Kelsey Delaney, Council of Western Director Collaborative State Foresters • Ron Alvarado, State Conservationist, • Liz Johnson-Gebhardt, Priest • Jay Esperance, SDDA Wildland Fire NRCS Community Forest Connection Director • Bill Aney, Former Eastside Restoration • Don Kemner, Idaho Department • Mike Jaspers, Secretary, South Dakota Coordinator, USFS of Fish and Department of Agriculture (SDDA) • Steve Beverlin, Malheur National • Shawn Keough, Associated Logging • Eric Jennings, Hollow Valley Ranch Forest Supervisor, US Forest Service Contractors - Idaho • Karl Jensen, South Dakota Association • Pete Caligiuri, The Nature Conservancy • Gina Knudson, USFS Salmon-Challis of Conservation Districts National Forest • Nils Christofferson, Wallowa Resources • Greg Josten, State Forester, South • Terry Kramer, Twin Falls County • Peter Daugherty, Oregon State Forester Dakota Department of Agriculture Commissioner (SDDA) • Chad Davis, Partnership and Planning • Keith Lannom, USFS Payette Forest Program Director, Oregon Department Supervisor • Lori “Chip” Kimball, BLM of Forestry USFS, District Ranger, • Charles Lyons, RFPA Member, • Steve Kozel, • Steve Grasty, Judge (Retired), Percy Ranch Black Hills National Forest Harney County, Oregon • Jim Neiman, Neiman Enterprises Inc. • Jeremy Maestas, Natural Resources • Karen Hardigg, Rural Voices for Conservation Service • Dave Ollila, Sheep Field Specialist, Conservation Coalition South Dakota State University • Joe Merrick, Owyhee County • Paul Henson, Oregon State Director, Extension Commissioner US Fish and Wildlife Service • Mikal Moore, National Wild Turkey • Jeff Parrett, Wheeler Lumber, LLC • Paul Hessburg, US Forest Service Federation • Bob Paulson, The Nature Conservancy • Tom Insko, Eastern Oregon University • Peg Polichio, IDL GNA Contractor • Hunter Roberts, South Dakota • Travis Joseph, American Forest • Cheryl Probert, USFS Nez Perce- Governor’s Office Resource Council Clearwater Forest Supervisor • Allen Rowley, USFS • Brenda Richards, Owyhee County • Jason Miner, Governor Kate Brown’s • Bill Smith, South Dakota Department Rancher Natural Resource Policy Manager of Agriculture • John Robison, Idaho Forest Restoration • Cassandra Moseley, University of • David Steffen, Mid Missouri River Partnership Oregon Prescribed Burn Association • Allen Rowley, USFS Rangeland • John O’Keeffe, Oregon Cattlemen’s • Dan Svingen, USFS Management Director Association • Dave Thom, Custer Conservation • Tom Schultz, Director, Idaho • Jim Pena, Regional Forester, District & Coordinator of the MPB Department of Lands US Forest Service Working Group • Julia Sullens, IDL • Sally Russell, Mayor Pro Tem of Bend, • Nancy Trautman, Pennington County • Rick Tholen, Payette Forest Coalition Oregon Commissioner • Troy Timmons, WGA • Mark Stern, The Nature Conservancy • Mark Van Every, USFS, Black Hills • Will Whelan, The Nature Conservancy National Forest Supervisor • Sean Stevens, Oregon Wild • Mike Wood, High Ridge Leadership • John Stromberg, Mayor of Ashland, Oregon Deadwood, South Dakota Workshop • Ben Wudtke, Black Hills Forest December 1-2, 2016 Resource Association • Troy Timmons, WGA • Honorable Dennis Daugaard, • Mary Zimmerman, Black Hills National • Mark Webb, Blue Mountains Forest Governor of South Dakota Forest Advisory Board Partners

NATIONAL FOREST AND RANGELAND MANAGEMENT INITIATIVE • PAGE 29 WGA THANKS OUR . . .

Initiative Sponsors Workshop Sponsor

Workshop Supporters

Initiative Affiliates

Initiative Funding Also Provided By

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