CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................................................... 6 Purpose of the Assessment .................................................................................................................................. 6 Structure of the Assessment ................................................................................................................................ 6 Living Assessment ................................................................................................................................................... 7 Maps of the Assessment Area ............................................................................................................................. 8 Assessment Area, History and Distinctive Features ...................................................................................... 10 RESOURCES MANAGED AND EXISTING PLAN OBJECTIVES .................................................................... 12 BEST AVAILABLE SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION .............................................................................................. 16 FINDINGS ................................................................................................................................................................. 18 Chapter 1: Ecological Integrity .......................................................................................................................... 18 Important Information Evaluated in this Phase ..................................................................................... 18 Nature, Extent, and Role of Existing Conditions and Trends .............................................................. 18 Contributions the Plan Area Makes to Ecological, Social or Economic Sustainability ..................... 53 Information Gaps ....................................................................................................................................... 54 Chapter 2: Assessing Air, Water, and Soil Conditions ................................................................................. 55 Important Information Evaluated in this Phase ..................................................................................... 55 Nature, Extent and Role of Existing Conditions and Future Trends .................................................. 63 Contributions the Plan Area Makes to Ecological, Social or Economic Sustainability ..................... 65 Information Gaps ....................................................................................................................................... 67 Chapter 3: Assessing System Drivers and Stressors ...................................................................................... 68 Important Information Evaluated in this Phase ..................................................................................... 69 Nature, Extent and Role of Existing Conditions and Future Trends .................................................. 69 Contribution the Plan Area Makes to Ecological, Social or Economic Sustainability ....................... 84 Information Gaps ....................................................................................................................................... 86 Chapter 4: Assessing Carbon Stocks ................................................................................................................ 86 Important Information Evaluated in this Phase ..................................................................................... 87 Nature, Extent and Role of Existing Conditions and Future Trends .................................................. 87 Contributions the Plan Area Makes to Ecological, Social or Economic Sustainability ..................... 89 Information Gaps ....................................................................................................................................... 90 Chapter 5: At-Risk Species ................................................................................................................................. 90 Important Information Evaluated in This Phase .................................................................................... 91 Nature, Extent and Role of Existing Conditions and Future Trends .................................................. 91 Contributions the Plan Area Makes to Ecological, Social or Economic Sustainability ................... 107 Information Gaps ..................................................................................................................................... 108 Chapter 6: Assessing Social, Cultural and Economic Conditions .............................................................. 109 Important Information Evaluated in This Phase .................................................................................. 109 Nature, Extent and Role of Existing Conditions and Future Trends ................................................ 111 Contributions the Plan Area Makes to Ecological, Social or Economic Sustainability ................... 120 2 Information Gaps ..................................................................................................................................... 123 Chapter 7: Benefits to People .......................................................................................................................... 124 Important Information Evaluated in this Phase ................................................................................... 124 Nature, Extent and Role of Existing Conditions and Future Trends ................................................ 125 Contributions the Plan Area Makes to Ecological, Social or Economic Sustainability ................... 131 Information Gaps ..................................................................................................................................... 134 Chapter 8: Multiple Uses–Water .................................................................................................................... 135 Chapter 8: Multiple Uses–Fish, Plants and Wildlife ................................................................................... 135 Important Information Evaluated in this Phase ................................................................................... 135 Nature, Extent and Role of Existing Conditions and Future Trends ................................................ 136 Contributions the Plan Area Makes to Ecological, Social or Economic Sustainability ................... 138 Information Gaps ..................................................................................................................................... 139 Chapter 8: Multiple Uses-Range ..................................................................................................................... 140 Important Information Evaluated in this Phase ................................................................................... 140 Nature, Extent and Role of Existing Conditions and Future Trends ................................................ 140 Contributions the Plan Area Makes to Ecological, Social or Economic Sustainability ................... 146 Information Gaps ..................................................................................................................................... 147 Chapter 8: Multiple Uses–Timber .................................................................................................................. 148 Important Information Evaluated in This Phase .................................................................................. 148 Nature, Extent and Role of Existing Conditions and Future Trends ................................................ 148 Contributions the Plan Area Makes to Ecological, Social or Economic Sustainability ................... 152 Information Gaps ..................................................................................................................................... 153 Chapter 9: Recreation Settings, Opportunities and Access, and Scenic Character .................................. 153 Important Information Evaluated in This Phase. ................................................................................. 153 Nature, Extent and Role of Existing Conditions and Future Trends ................................................ 153 Contribution the Plan Area Makes to Ecological, Social, or Economic Sustainability .................... 170 Information Gaps ..................................................................................................................................... 171 Chapter 10: Energy and Minerals ................................................................................................................... 171 Important Information Evaluated in This Phase .................................................................................. 171 Nature, Extent and Role of Existing Conditions and Future Trends ................................................ 172 Contributions the Plan Area Makes to Ecological, Social or Economic Sustainability ................... 175 Information Gaps ..................................................................................................................................... 176 Chapter 11: Infrastructure ...............................................................................................................................