Social Assessment: Clearwater National Forest and Nez Perce National Forest Prepared for: The Clearwater National Forest and The Nez Perce National Forest 12730 Highway 12 Orofino, ID 83544-933 Contracting Officer: Peter J. Ruppel Contracting Officer’s Representative: Elayne Murphy Contract # 53-0276-3-67 Final Report April 2004 Adams-Russell Consulting John C. Russell, Ph.D. Peggy A. Adams-Russell 1688 Springvale Road Placerville, CA 95667 530.621.1633 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The completion of this social assessment would not have been possible without the assistance of residents of the five county project area and personnel of the Clearwater National Forest and the Nez Perce National Forest. Residents of Clearwater, Idaho, Latah, Lewis, and Nez Perce counties as well as members of the Nez Perce Tribe and Coeur d’Alene Tribe graciously offered their time and the opportunity to discuss forest management issues and the character and history of their communities. Personnel in the Ranger Districts as well as in the Supervisor’s offices of both forests also offered their time to discuss study progress and findings. Elayne Murphy and Cliff Mitchell were important resources who shared their knowledge about historical and contemporary interactions between the Forest Service and project area communities. Pete Ruppel provided a steady hand in the administration of the contract to complete this work. Theresa M. Fong contributed her expertise in Geographic Information Systems to construct several maps included in the report. I ABSTRACT Russell, John C. and Peggy A. Adams-Russell (2004). A Social Assessment for the Clearwater National Forest and Nez Perce National Forest. Placerville, CA. Prepared for the Clearwater National Forest and Nez Perce National Forest, Kamiah, Idaho. This report presents findings from a five county social assessment for the Clearwater National Forest and Nez Perce National Forest. This social assessment used primary and secondary source data to address three topics that focused this work: (1) topics of concern among stakeholders regarding Forest Plan revision; (2) desires and expectations of tribal stakeholders for consultation and topics for Plan revision; and (3) stakeholders desires for public involvement for Plan revision. Compiled data from U.S. Census, Bureau of Economic Analysis, and other relevant sources are used to construct a socioeconomic profile of the five counties. Primary data were collected using ethnographic discussion techniques that rely on open-ended questions structured by a topic protocol. Approximately 81 discussion sessions were conducted that incorporated more than 100 individuals from a cross-section of stakeholder interest groups. Findings from the analysis of socioeconomic data are consistent with trends in other western states: the median age of the population is increasing, there is a decline in extractive industries, and an increase in service sectors employment. The five counties show different patterns of employment, income, and natural resource dependency. Clearwater and Idaho counties have similar patterns overall and are they are the most resource dependent. Data from discussions with stakeholders indicates concerns about the validity of the process of Forest Plan revision as well as concern about forest health and fire, timber harvesting, mining, off road vehicle use, roads and access, environmental standards, socioeconomic conditions in resource dependent communities, cultural and historic resources, and recreation. Discussion with members of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe and Nez Perce Tribe indicated desires for early involvement in consultation efforts and specific concerns about salmon and water quality issues, protection of treat rights, environmental quality standards, and reinstatement of the Tribal Liaison position. Discussions about public involvement indicate desires for more outreach and more consideration of local views about resource management. II Table of Contents Acknowledgements....................................................................................... I Abstract................................................................................................... II Acronyms ................................................................................................VII Executive Summary ...................................................................................VIII 1 Introduction......................................................................................... 1 1.1 The National Forests ....................................................................................................4 1.2 Methods ........................................................................................................................8 1.3 Report Organization .....................................................................................................9 1.4 Summary of Key Points .............................................................................................. 10 2 Existing Literature ................................................................................11 2.1 Regional Multi-Community Studies ...........................................................................11 2.2 Social Assessment Studies.......................................................................................... 14 2.2.1 Idaho Panhandle National Forest Social Assessment ....................................... 15 2.2.2 Central Idaho Social Assessments .......................................................................17 2.2.3 Salmon Basin Socioeconomic Overview............................................................. 18 2.2.4 Meadow Face Stewardship Project..................................................................... 19 2.3 The Tribes ................................................................................................................... 21 2.3.1 The Schitsu’umsh or Coeur d’Alene Indians...................................................... 21 2.3.2 The Nee-Me-Poo or Nez Perce Indians ..............................................................25 2.4 Summary of Key Points ..............................................................................................30 3 Socioeconomic Conditions and Trends.........................................................32 3.1 Land Ownership .........................................................................................................33 3.2 Demographic Conditions and Trends........................................................................36 3.3 Economic Conditions and Trends..............................................................................52 3.4 Human Resources Conditions and Trends................................................................ 81 3.5 Summary of Key Points ..............................................................................................89 4 The Social Environment..........................................................................90 4.1 Historical Context: A Chronology ..............................................................................90 4.2 Overview .....................................................................................................................92 4.3 Culture and Lifestyles.................................................................................................93 4.3.1 Cultural Orientations ..........................................................................................94 4.3.2 Lifestyles..............................................................................................................99 4.4 Social Characteristics................................................................................................100 4.5 Tribes and Their Place in the Social Environment.................................................. 105 4.6 Summary and Implications...................................................................................... 109 5 Stakeholder Concerns: Forest Plan Revision................................................ 112 5.1 Context and Process Issues in Forest Plan Revision ................................................113 5.1.1 Stakeholder Interest in Forest Plan Revision ...................................................113 5.1.2 Local and National Interests..............................................................................115 5.1.3 Institutional Framework....................................................................................117 5.1.4 Power and Influence ..........................................................................................119 5.1.5 Accountability and Plan Legitimacy................................................................. 120 5.1.6 USFS Working Relationships with Stakeholders..............................................121 5.2 Resource Management Issues in Forest Plan Revision........................................... 123 5.2.1 Forest Health and Fire ...................................................................................... 124 5.2.2 Timber Harvesting ............................................................................................ 126 5.2.3 Roads and Access .............................................................................................. 134 5.2.4 OHVs Use on Forest Land ................................................................................ 139 5.2.5 Standards..........................................................................................................