July 2004 prework

Regional Ecosystem Office 333 SW 1st P.O. Box 3623 Portland, Oregon 97208-3623 Website: www.reo.gov E-Mail: REOmail@or.blm.gov Phone: 503-808-2165 FAX: 503-808-2163
	Memorandum
Date:	July 13, 2004
To:	Intergovernmental Advisory Committee Members (see attached distribution list)
From:	/s/Anne Badgley, Executive Director
Subject:	July 20-21, 2004 INTERGOVERNMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING PREWORK

The Northwest Forest Plan, Intergovernmental Advisory Committee (IAC) meeting is scheduled for July 20-21, 2004, at the Florence Events Center, 715 Quince Street, Florence, Oregon. Rooms within the allowable per diem rates can be difficult to find during this time of year. As mentioned in our June 3, 2004 memo, participants must make room reservations by today, July 13, 2004, to take advantage of our room blocks at the River House Motel (541) 997-3933 or the Holiday Inn Express (541) 997-7797 (reference "Northwest Forest Plan Intergovernmental Advisory Committee Meeting Travel Update for July 20-21, 2004" REO memo #1948).

The goals for this session are to:

Increase committee members’ knowledge of ways that stewardship restoration projects can be leveraged to meet multiple goals while strengthening community relationships. The IAC previously discussed the basic stewardship contracting concept during the August 2003 meeting and requested future updates. This field trip will illustrate how the concept is being implemented on the ground.
Update IAC members regarding upcoming 10-year monitoring report process. This discussion will cover the kinds of reports that are being written, the basic process used to review and distribute this information, and the scientific review process.
Present information to the IAC regarding the Northern Spotted Owl status review.
Provide written updates on the progress of various Regional Interagency Executive Committee activities focused on improving implementation of the Northwest Forest Plan.
Provide an opportunity for non-Federal and Federal members to communicate on more of a one-on-one informal basis.

July 20, 2004 Overview: Committee members are asked to gather at 11:00 a.m. for the "From Ridge Top to Valley Bottom" field trip at the Florence Events Center parking lot. An agenda for the field trip is attached. Please bring your own sack lunch to the field trip as there will not be an opportunity to purchase food during the trip. The field trip will include two local, and very successful projects on the Siuslaw National Forest that illustrate stewardship, collaboration, and coordination at its best. Participants will be invited to walk along an old road bed (no more than a mile) during the trip and will need to wear appropriate clothing. Suggestions for maintaining your safety and comfort have been attached.

The first destination will be the Green Thin Stewardship Project. This exciting upland restoration project in a late-successional reserve demonstrates how stewardship contracting partnerships and collaboration can be leveraged to build strong support between community members, industry representatives, and state and local governments. We will then travel a short distance to the Karnowsky Creek Restoration Project, which is an internationally recognized restoration project that has also used stewardship contracting strategies. This project includes a very strong educational component. You will be invited to stretch your legs and take a short walk through this valley bottom restoration project.

Informal Reception and Dinner: We have also scheduled an informal reception and dinner following the field trip in the Florence Events Center for committee members, field trip presenters, and other invited community leaders. The oven barbeque chicken and ribs dinner will include chicken quarters and tender pork ribs based in a zesty barbeque sauce, served with potato salad, cole slaw, baked beans, freshly baked rolls, and beverages. The cost for dinner (including gratuity) is $21.00 and will be collected at the door. Please bring exact change.

July 21, 2004 Overview: On the morning of July 21, we will wrap up with a regular IAC meeting from 8 a.m. to 12 noon at the Florence Events Center. An agenda and prework for the field trip and meeting are attached.

If you have any questions regarding this material, please contact your REO Representative, Kath Collier (503-808-2179), or me (503-808-2165). I look forward to seeing you at the field trip and meeting.

Enclosures:

1 – July 20-21 Agendas and Pre-Work (12pp)

cc: Presenters, REO Staff, & PAC DFOs

1945/kc

Intergovernmental Advisory Committee Distribution List

California	Luree Stetson, California Resource Agency, State Representative Cathy Bleier (Alt) Joan Smith, Siskiyou County, CA Counties John Woolley (Alt)
Oregon	Lance Clark, Office of the Governor David Morman (Alt) Rocky McVay, Representative of Oregon Counties Gilbert Riddell (Alt)
Washington	Robert Nichols, Senior Executive Policy Assistant, Office of the Governor Karin Berkholtz (Alt) Albert McKee, Representative of Washington Counties Daniel Cothren (Alt)
Tribes	Merv George, Jr., Executive Director, California Indian Forest & Fire Mgmt Council Nolan C. Colegrove (Alt) David Herrera, Fisheries Manager, NW Indian Fisheries Commission Bruce Davies (Alt) George Smith, Intertribal Timber Council Don Motanic (Alt)
Federal Agencies	Dave Allen, Regional Director, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Terry Rabot (Alt) Elaine M. Brong, Oregon/Washington State Director, Bureau of Land Management Mike Mottice (Alt) Kent Connaughton, Deputy Regional Forester, Forest Service, R-5 Kathy Anderson (Alt) Tom Fontaine Western Ecology Division, Environmental Protection Agency Jennifer Orme-Zavaleta (Alt) Linda Goodman, Regional Forester, Forest Service, R-6 Jim Golden (Alt) Bob Graham, State Conservationist, Natural Resources Conservation Service Dianne Guidry (Alt) Col. Richard W. Hobernicht, District Engineer, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Curt Loop (Alt) Jon Jarvis, Regional Director, National Park Service Rory Westberg (Alt) Anne Kinsinger, Regional Biologist, US Geological Survey Western Region Dave Busch, USGS/REO (Alt) Robert Lohn, Regional Administrator, National Marine Fisheries Service Mike Crouse (Alt) Dave Powers, Environmental Protection Agency Dan Opalski (Alt) Michael Pool, California State Director, Bureau of Land Management Paul Roush (Alt) Tom Quigley, Station Director, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station Cindi West (Alt) Jim Sedell, Station Director, Pacific Southwest Research Station Garland Mason (Alt) Stan Speaks, Area Director, Portland Area Office, Bureau of Indian Affairs Alex Whistler (Alt) Steve Thompson, Manager, California/Nevada Operations Office, Fish & Wildlife Service Phil Detrich (Alt) John Engbring (Alt)

Intergovernmental Advisory Committee Field Trip

July 20, 2004 - Itinerary

"From Ridge Top to Valley Bottom"

Time		Presenter/Host
11:00 a.m.	Registration at Florence Events Center
11:15	Welcome Itinerary Overview and Safety Review	Local Host: Mary Zuschlag (FS)
11:30	Travel to Green Thin Stewardship Project	Todd Merritt (Georgia Pacific) Jeremy Hall (ONRC) Steve Calish (BLM) Dan Karnes (FS) Dave Eisler (Stewardship Group)
12:30 p.m.	Green Thin Stewardship Project Overview of stewardship contracting opportunities and benefits, and applications
1:30	Travel to Karnowsky Creek Restoration	Johnny Sundstrom (Siuslaw Insitute) Jennifer Ayott (RC&D) Eric Nussbaum (SWCD) Cricket Crowder (Watershed Council)
2:15	Karnowsky Creek Restoration (Park and Walk Opportunity)
5:00	Return to Florence Events Center
5:30	Arrive Florence Events Center
	Break
6:30	Informal Reception and Dinner
8:30	Adjourn

Field Trip Safety Tips

Things you can do to minimize your risk and maximize your enjoyment and participation during the field trip include:

What to wear:

Wear comfortable hiking boots and long pants.

It can be cold and windy. Layer your clothing and consider wearing a long sleeve shirt or light jacket.

Hard hats will be optionally available to participants on site.

What to bring:

Bring your lunch!!! There are several local restaurants and stores in Florence.

If you need them, bring emergency bee sting kit, bug repellent, sunscreen, etc.

Consider bringing a bottle of drinking water.

Camera, binoculars, sunglasses

Raingear – even in the summer the weather can be unpredictable.

What will be provided:

Each 24-passenger RAZ bus includes a restroom. A local specialist/manager will be on board to answer your questions. Each bus will also include a radio.

Participants will receive an information packet at registration with a name tag, maps, and other information.

Intergovernmental Advisory Committee July 21, 2004 Agenda Florence Events Center, Conference Rooms 1-3
Time	Topics	Purpose	Presenter
8:00	Welcome Introductions Certification of the March Notes Review of the prework and agenda Meeting Evaluation Card	House- keeping	Linda Goodman Anne Badgley Facilitator
8:15	Public Comment Period
8:30	Stewardship Contracting Activities Upper Siuslaw Late-Successional Reserve Restoration Plan (30) Review of stewardship contracting and restoration activities (10) Critique of the field trip (20)	Field Trip Supplement and Review	Anne Badgley (Moderator) Rick Colvin (BLM) Shawne Mohoric (FS)
9:30	Break
9:45	Overview of 10-Year Monitoring Process Background Status Report & Schedule Updates Preliminary Points of Interest	Timeline & Update	Jon Martin (FS)
10:30	Status Review of the Northern Spotted Owl	Information	Dave Allen (FWS)
10:45	Northwest Forest Plan Implementation Improvement Activities Written updates Tribal recommendations regarding Riparian Reserves	Clarification & Updates	Anne Badgley (Moderator) Bruce Davies
11:00	Round Table Discussion		Anne Badgley (Moderator)
11:45	Closing Future meeting topics and 2005 dates Travel processing for this meeting	House-keeping Reminder	Anne Badgley Facilitator
12:00	Adjourn

Status Reports:

Pacific Northwest Aquatic Monitoring Partnership Update
IAC Recommendations Process Follow-Up

Topic Overviews

Topic: STEWARDSHIP CONTRACTING ACTIVITIES
Presenter/Sponsor: Anne Badgley, REO
Issue Statement: Anne Badgley will bring the round of activities regarding Stewardship Contracting to a close by introducing a short presentation that will detail other local restoration activities sponsored by the BLM. Rick Colvin will provide an overview of the Upper Siuslaw Late-Successional Reserve Restoration Plan (as described below). Shawne Mohoric will provide a brief description of the most recent Forest Service (FS) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) stewardship contracting activities. Finally, Anne will lead the group in a review of the field trip and presentations. This critique will help determine if additional field trips will be scheduled and gather ideas on things we can do to make the trip most worthwhile. A tentative field trip to California has been identified for March 2005.
Action Required:	[ X ] Discussion and Recommendation

Topic: UPPER SIUSLAW LATE-SUCCESSIONAL RESERVE RESTORATION PLAN

Presenter: Rick Colvin (BLM, Eugene District Office)

REO Contact: Debbie Pietrzak (BLM Rep.)

Issue Statement: BLM Eugene District Office has developed a 10-year plan for restoration of uplands and riparian systems on 24,400 acres within the Upper Siuslaw River Drainage. Restoration activities are expected to begin in FY 2005.

Background: BLM, in cooperation with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), has developed a forest and aquatic ecosystem restoration plan for 24,400 acres of BLM-administered lands within a late-successional reserve (LSR) in the Coast Range. The plan provides a 10-year management approach and specific actions needed to achieve LSR goals and Aquatic Conservation Strategy (ACS) objectives set out in the Northwest Forest Plan (NWFP) and the Eugene District Resource Management Plan. Actions are designed to: protect and enhance late-successional and old-growth forest ecosystems; foster development of late-successional forest structure and composition in plantations and young forests; and reconnect streams and stream channels to their riparian zones and upslope areas. The discussion will present an overview of the planning process and the status of the plan.

Action Required: [ X ] Information

Topic: 10-YEAR MONITORING REPORT UPDATE

Presenter/Sponsor: Jon Martin, Interagency Monitoring Program

REO Contact: Dave Busch (USGS Rep)

Issue Statement: This agenda item will update the IAC on the status of the 10-year monitoring report production. The report will be a series of status and trend reports (Marbled Murrelet, Late-Successional Old-Growth, Watersheds, Tribal, Socio-Economic, Implementation, and Northern Spotted Owl), a Synthesis Report, and an Executive Summary Report. Objectives of this briefing are to provide a program overview, review progress on the 10-year report, and discuss report writing and review process.

Background: The NWFP 1994 Record of Decision required a monitoring plan but did not delineate a monitoring program. Implementation monitoring began under a draft monitoring plan in 1996. The goal of the monitoring program is to evaluate the success of the NWFP in achieving the objectives on Federal lands of conserving late-successional habitat and related species, implementing the Aquatic Conservation Strategy, and providing resource production and assistance to rural economies and communities.

In 1999, a strategy and design for the overall effectiveness monitoring program was published. At about the same time, Northern Spotted Owl, Marbled Murrelet, and Late-Successional Old-Growth monitoring plans were approved by the RIEC. The Watershed module (AREMP or Aquatic/ Riparian Effectiveness Monitoring Program) was approved in 2001, and the AREMP monitoring plan was recently published. The Tribal module was approved in 2002, the Socio-Economic module is currently being tested, and the Biodiversity monitoring plan is yet to be developed.

Analysis and Options: The 10-year monitoring report on the effectiveness of the NWFP is the first comprehensive analysis of monitoring data and research results since 1994. This periodic evaluation was recommended in the monitoring strategy and design. The RIEC approved the 10-year monitoring report schedule in September 2001.

Potential Discussion points:

An update on findings is planned for the November 3, 2004 IAC meeting.

PNW has developed a plan for scientific policy and technical peer reviews of the monitoring reports.

Development of a communications plan for report information is the responsibility of agency Public Affairs Officers working under the Forest Service, Region 6 lead.

There are opportunities for integration of information from monitoring reports with upcoming activities such as the status reviews for the Northern spotted owl and marbled murrelet, as well as planned symposia on research and monitoring related to the NWFP.

Action Required: [ X ] Informational

10-Year Monitoring Report Publications and Authors:

· PNW Publications

- Status and Trend of the Northern Spotted on Federal Lands under the NWFP (Lint, Forsman, Davis, Reid, Mowdy)

- Status and Trend of the Marbled Murrelets on Federal Lands under the NWFP (Huff, Baldwin, Falxa, Miller, Nelson, Ralph, Raphael, Strong, Thompson)

- Status and Trends of Late-Successional - Old-Growth Forest under the NWFP (Moeur, Spies, Hemstrom)

- Status and Trends of Watershed Condition under the NWFP (Gallo, Lanigan, Eldred, Gordon, Moyer, Reeves, Larsen)

- Status and Trends in Socio-Economic Conditions under the NWFP (Charnley, Donoghue, Buttolph, Dillingham, Kay, McLain, Moseley, Phillips, Stuart, Sutton, Tobe)

- Synthesis Report (Bormann, Barbour, Busch, Diaz, Haynes, Lee, Marcot, Martin, Molina, Raphael, Reeves, Spies)

- Executive Summary Report

· BLM-FS Publications:

- Tribal (Crespin, Tamez, McConnell)

- Compliance & Implementation (Baker, Ferguson, Hsin, Palmer, Tolle, Winkler)

- Information Management (Palmer, Bingham, Morganti)

Topic: STATUS REVIEW OF NORTHERN SPOTTED OWL

Presenter/Sponsor: Dave Allen (FWS)

REO Contact: Jay Watson (FWS Rep)

Issue Statement: In January 2003, the Department of the Interior entered into a Settlement Agreement with the American Forest Resource Council (AFRC) to conduct a five-year review of the status of the Northern Spotted Owl (NSO). The agreement has been amended three times to allow for submission and review of important information.

Background: A "five-year review" is defined as an assessment of the best scientific and commercial data available at the time of the review. In 2003, in two Federal Register notices the FWS requested submission of any new information (best scientific and commercial data) on the NSO since its original listing in 1990. If the present classification of this species is not consistent with the information available, the FWS may, at the conclusion of this review, initiate a separate action to propose changes to the list accordingly.

Organizational/Funding Implications: The FWS contracted with Sustainable Ecosystems Institute (SEI) to review the biological status of the NSO. Cooperating Federal and State agencies, and non-government organizations and interest groups, provided SEI with information, including the demographic analysis report completed recently under the NWFP monitoring program. SEI established a panel of scientific experts to review the information, and held four public workshops, the most recent on June 22, 2004 to provide opportunity for the interested public to discuss the process and provide comments. SEI will provide their final report in August 2004. The deadline for completion of the FWS= review for the NSO is November 15, 2004.

Action Required: [ X ] Update

Topic: NWFP IMPLEMENTATION IMPROVEMENTS SUBCOMMITTEE
Moderator: Anne Badgley (REO)
Issue Statement: Several RIEC subcommittees have been working on improvement strategies for the NWFP and have provided brief written reports that outline some of their most recent efforts in these areas.
Background: In 2001-2002, the RIEC identified three major concerns on which to focus future NWFP implementation improvement efforts which include: Timber harvest objectives not being met High cost of implementation Procedural obstacles in implementing plan Over the last several years, the RIEC has been involved with several major projects to improve NWFP implementation which have included: Clarification of Aquatic Conservation Strategy Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) Survey and Manage SEIS Streamlined procedures (such as development of exemption processes) In the current round of improvements, the RIEC identified additional activities that could help improve implementation, created subcommittees to work on the issues, and asked each group to provide periodic status reports on their progress. Status reports and presentations have been provided in the last several IAC meetings. A few written status reports were developed for this meeting, with one discussion planned. The table below provides a summary of the activities and which will have reports at this meeting:
Topic	Lead	Update for this meeting	Status
Adaptive Management Areas	Anne Badgley	Written Update	Completed
AREMP 6^th & 7^th Field HUCs Clarification	Tom Quigley/Dave Powers	Written Update	Resolved
Firewood gathering guidance	Anne Badgley	Written Update	Completed
Riparian Reserves	Mike Crouse	Written Update & Discussion	In Progress
Follow-up on Jack Ward Thomas California Review/Report	Kent Connaughton/Tom Quigley	Written Update	Ongoing
Watershed Analysis Recommendations	Jack Blackwell/Kent Connaughton	Written Update	Ongoing
Programmatic Consultation	Mike Crouse	Written Update	Ongoing
Programmatic Consultation – California / Native American Exception for Burning	Jack Blackwell/John Engbring	Written Update	Ongoing

Topic: ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT AREAS

Team Lead: Anne Badgley (REO)

Status: Completed. Decision made at the March 10, 2004 RIEC meeting. The RIEC acknowledged that the AMAs were not fulfilling expectations under the Plan. The RIEC decided to address key AMA issues through future planning efforts, such as scheduled plan revisions for BLM and FS, and site-specific plan amendments that could be undertaken for individual AMAs. The RIEC also agreed that BLM and FS would move forward by focusing their resources on three AMAs (previously identified as Central Cascades, Little River, and Hayfork). This approach provides opportunities to adapt and apply lessons learned to other AMAs, and it is consistent with actions under the recent AFRC Settlement Agreement.

Topic: AQUATIC RIPARIAN EFFECTIVENESS MONITORING PLAN (AREMP) PROTOCOL (6^th & 7^th Field HUCs)

Team Lead: Tom Quigley (PNW) and Dave Powers (EPA)

Status: The AREMP effectiveness monitoring protocol is in the process of being published as a general technical report (GTR) by the PNW Research Station. The RIEC issue was that the science document was being proposed as the publishing source for the monitoring strategy, including the policy decisions that underlie the strategy. A revised manuscript is now in review that more clearly separates policy calls from the monitoring options as outlined by science. PNW has drafted a letter to the RIEC that describes the edits to the AREMP GTR and suggests that RIEC prepare a memo for the record summarizing the AREMP monitoring protocol decision.

Topic: FIREWOOD GATHERING GUIDANCE

Team Lead: Anne Badgley (REO)

Status: Completed. USFS Region 5 had concerns about limitations on firewood gathering in late-successional reserves. This issue has been resolved by Region 5 staff.

Topic: RIPARIAN RESERVES

Team Lead: Mike Crouse (NOAA-Fisheries)

Status: In March 2004, Tribal representatives requested an opportunity to provide written comments to the RIEC regarding Riparian Reserves. Other IAC members were also invited to send in their comments to the REO. Bruce Davies of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission has coordinated Tribal comments on this issue. Comments will be distributed and introduced at the July 21 IAC meeting, and discussed in-depth at a future IAC meeting or conference call.

Topic: JACK WARD THOMAS REVIEW FOLLOW-UP

Team Lead: Tom Quigley (PNW) and Kent Connaughton (FS, R5)

Status: Ongoing. The Forest Service, Region 5 NWFP review of activities in California highlighted several topics and options for improvement of the NWFP. This review has generated discussions among the RIEC, IAC, agency staffs and others including the scientists involved with the original plan ("Gang of Four"). As the RIEC works through their current set of tasks to address various components of the NWFP, they will continue to meet and discuss options to improve the implementation of the NWFP. Results of the California review are being considered and discussed.

Topic: WATERSHED ANALYSIS

Team Lead: Jack Blackwell (FS)

Status: Ongoing. The RIEC agreed that FS Region 5 would prepare a draft memo for RIEC review and potential approval as regional policy clarifying development and use of Watershed Analysis recommendations. At the March 10, 2004 RIEC/IAC meetings, the RIEC discussed potential clarification regarding development and use of Watershed Analysis recommendations. The RIEC agreed that FS Region 5 would prepare a draft memo for RIEC review and potential approval as a regional policy clarification. The draft would be subject to broad review by REO and other key agency staff, and would be reviewed in the context of the upcoming Record of Decision to clarify aquatic conservation strategy language. The RIEC also agreed to provide an opportunity for IAC review prior to a final RIEC decision. At the June 8, 2004 RIEC meeting, Dave Gibbons reported that the Forest Service Region 5 is continuing review of the Federal Guide for Watershed Analysis and several court cases in preparation for completing a guidance letter.

Topic: PROGRAMMATIC CONSULTATIONS

Team Lead: Mike Crouse (NOAA-Fisheries)

Status: Ongoing. Review of existing programmatic consultations within the Northwest region and evaluation of potential for expanding this approach to ESA Section 7 consultations between NMFS and FWS and the FS and BLM. A recent analysis of existing programmatic consultations (LRMP-level, program-level, and batched project-level consultation) revealed the number of active programmatic consultations at both the FWS and NOAA-Fisheries. FWS has 109 currently active consultations, with the majority of those being batched project-level consultations. NOAA-Fisheries has 64 programmatic consultations currently active which includes more program-level consultations. The methodology used to analyze and compile the database included considerations of the utility of expanding consultations, and the pros and cons of expanding programmatic consultations (both by subject, and by geographical area/administrative unit).

Next Steps (who/what/when): This subject was expanded on July 9, 2004 and discussed at the Eastside Executives meeting.

Topic: PROGRAMMATIC CONSULTATION – CALIFORNIA / NATIVE AMERICAN EXCEPTION FOR BURNING

Team Lead: Jack Blackwell (FS)

Status: Ongoing. The RIEC has been evaluating implementation improvements to the Northwest Forest Plan. At the March 10, 2004 RIEC and IAC meetings, the RIEC discussed potential clarification regarding Endangered Species Act (ESA) Programmatic Consultations. At the June 8, 2004 RIEC meeting, Paul Roush, BLM California, reported the interagency executives met May 11 and narrowed the list of possible implementation improvements. Executives agreed to form a chartered subgroup of agency managers to meet several times a year and at least once a year with the agency executives. This group will define roles and issues with the intent of improving interagency implementation. The charter is currently under final review by the California executives.

Topic: IAC ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION

Presenter/Sponsor: Anne Badgley, REO

Issue Statement: In August 2003, the IAC initiated an informal Round Table Open Discussion to increase dialog opportunities among committee members for items that may not fit within the normal agenda. Topics within this time may include ‘early alerts’ for upcoming issues and activities, topics for future meetings, agenda items, and any other NWFP issues of interest to the members. It is not our intent to solicit formal recommendations at this time.

Background: The topic list below summarizes suggestions from the last several meetings received during presentations and discussions. Several of the topics mentioned below have already been addressed as presentations, reports, and/or discussions. A status report addressing IAC Recommendations is attached to this pre-work.

Recent IAC Topics (Suggested and/or Discussed)

Topic (some have been grouped together)	Suggested	Presented/Discussed
Topic (some have been grouped together)	Suggested	Nov. 2003	March 2004	July 2004
The newly signed MOU for Northwest Forest Management as it relates to the economic viability of local communities	November 2003	X
Clean Water Act lawsuits that may have implications for forest management; Clean Water Act and Salmon	November 2003	X
NOAA-Fisheries re-designation of critical habitat for ESUs and associated policy implications; programmatic consultation	November 2003	X	X	X
Update on the Five-year status review for the northern spotted owl and Marbled Murrelet	November 2003			X
The NWFP Monitoring Program 10-year report	Nov. 2003; March 2004	X		X
Strategies for Adaptive Management Areas (AMA); Update on progress of O&C Settlement agreement with respect to AMAs; AMA research ideas	November 2003	X	X	X
Definition of Old Growth	November 2003		X
Further clarification of the role of Watershed Analysis in the decision-making process	November 2003	X	X	X
Compare costs/accomplishments between agencies	March 2003
Oregon Board of Forestry Update/Forest Program (Lance Clark)	November 2003	X
Recovery Planning; The relationship between fire and NWFP rehabilitation	November 2003
Healthy Forest Initiative Update; Relationship & Opportunities between Healthy Forest Initiatives, National Fire Plan, and NWFP	November 2003; March 2004
Status of the REO and REO Geographical Information System (GIS) functions	November 2003	X
Capturing IAC recommendations	November 2003	X	X	X
NWFP Review in Region 5	2003	X	X	X
Streamlining – Burning Exception	2003	X	X	X
Streamlining – Firewood Gathering	2003	X	X	X
Land Allocation Data Map Update	2003		X
Riparian Reserves	2003	X	X	X
Budget trends and shortfalls for planning, reforestation; Partner-ship opportunities; Discussion of the holes/disconnects between the agencies’ needs, hopes, and available financial resources	March 2004	Over-view		X
Stewardship Contracting and Partnerships	2003			X
RAC’s Effectiveness	March 2004
PNAMP Progress Check In	March 2004		X	X
FS/BLM Planning process/changes to NWFP S&G; Proposed FS Planning Rules	March 2004; 2003
Nutrient Cycling and other Science topics	March 2004
Periodic Litigation Updates	March 2004		X

STATUS REPORTS

Topic: PACIFIC NORTHWEST AQUATIC MONITORING PARTNERSHIP UPDATE
REO Contact: Dave Busch (USGS Rep)

Background: In 2000, the RIEC asked Aquatic and Riparian Effectiveness Monitoring Program (AREMP) staff to explore the possibility of developing a monitoring partnership with Washington, Oregon, and California agencies. This resulted in the creation of an ad hoc group of State and Federal natural resource and watershed specialists. This ad hoc group has been meeting since November 2001 to discuss how to coordinate/integrate their different watershed condition monitoring efforts. This group, now known as the "Pacific Northwest Aquatic Monitoring Partnership" (PNAMP) was first introduced to the RIEC in August 2003. Since that time, PNAMP has expanded its membership to include a wide range of organizations – State, Federal, and Tribal, with a common interest in coordinating watershed condition, fish population, and effectiveness monitoring efforts.

Current Status: PNAMP has achieved a number of accomplishments to date:

Relationship Building

Strengthened relationships between State and Federal agencies involved with monitoring watershed conditions in the Pacific Northwest.
Identified major areas to improve integration of monitoring programs.
Expanded coordination efforts to include other agencies and Tribes interested in monitoring aquatic systems.

Work Products

Charter and business practices documents (drafts in preparation for exectutives’ concurrence). The intent of the Charter is to formalize the agreement among Federal, State, and Tribal entities to participate in the coordination of scientific monitoring programs through PNAMP. The business practices document will provide a more detailed explanation of the operation and administration of PNAMP.

Strategy document (draft expected July 2004). To facilitate the higher level of coordination, PNAMP drafted a coordination plan for monitoring in the Pacific Northwest, "Recommendations for Coordinating State, Federal, and Tribal Watershed and Salmon Monitoring Programs in the Pacific Northwest." PNAMP intends to complete work on its coordination plan, by fashioning a forward-looking, strategic monitoring framework titled, "Strategy for Monitoring Watershed Health and Salmon Recovery in the Pacific Northwest." This strategy will form the basis of a coordinated regional approach to fish and watershed health monitoring. The purpose of this strategy is to provide a cost-effective regional approach for monitoring to be considered for adoption and implementation by the appropriate Federal, State, and Tribal governments involved in the region.

Technical product completed (at the request of the Northwest Power and Conservation Council [NPCC]): "Technical Guidance for Subbasin Planners" (May 2004). PNAMP developed guidance to help subbasin planners design the monitoring elements of the subbasin plans being developed under the NPCC’s Fish and Wildlife Program. The guidance document provides general and some specific considerations to the Council and subbasin planners on how their monitoring can fit within the broad range of monitoring activities in the Pacific Northwest.

FY2004 Budget support secured. Coordination function (Coordinator and administrative assistant) supported financially through FY2004. Funding has been received from the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, the Washington’s Office of the Interagency Committee, Bonneville Power Administration, NOAA-Fisheries, and Bureau of Reclamation to fulfill needs through FY2004. A coordinator was hired in May 2004 (Jennifer Bayer, US Geological Survey)

FY2005 Budget and Work Plan (drafts expected August 2004) - PNAMP representatives have been briefing the regional executive groups regarding PNAMP funding request for permanent positions for a coordinator and administrative assistant. Examples of the groups briefed to date include the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, the Washington Salmon Recovery Funding Board, and the Federal Caucus. PNAMP is also seeking direct fiscal support and confirmation of in-kind support for FY2005.

Workgroup planning documents. These documents are in preparation by groups working on watersheds/stream habitat, fisheries/populations, project effectiveness monitoring, and data coordination.

Next Steps: PNAMP is seeking confirmation of support from State, Federal, and Tribal agencies via signature to the PNAMP Charter. PNAMP Steering Committee members will facilitate interaction between their respective agencies and PNAMP regarding review, modifications, and signature process.

Topic: IAC RECOMMENDATION PROCESS FOLLOW UP
REO Contact: Teresa Kubo (EPA Rep)

Background: At the August and November 2003 IAC meetings, discussion was devoted to the process for collecting and tracking IAC recommendations. Based on the questions and needs identified through these discussions, an REO workgroup developed a series of recommendations to improve and clarify the existing process. These recommendations were presented and accepted at the March 2004 IAC meeting.

Consistent with these recommendations, the notes from the March IAC meeting highlighted IAC advice and agreements. The March 2004 recommendations are listed below, along with a discussion of their current status:

Pacific Northwest Aquatic Monitoring Partnership: The IAC is interested in being kept abreast of PNAMP developments. Status: A status review has been included in the prework package for the July 21 IAC meeting. Once the monitoring partnership’s charter has been finalized, it will be made available to IAC members, and discussed at the next IAC meeting.

Litigation Review: It was suggested that this type of an update be scheduled on a regular basis (perhaps yearly). Status: Litigation update was provided in March 2003, and will be scheduled on a regular basis.

Watershed Analysis: The RIEC agreed to provide an opportunity for IAC review prior to a final RIEC decision. Status: Ongoing (see report above). Once this draft is complete, IAC members will be provided the opportunity to review and comment.

Riparian Reserves: Tribal representatives requested an opportunity to provide written comments to the RIEC. Other IAC members were also invited to send in their comments to the REO. Status: Ongoing (see report above). Bruce Davies, Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission, has coordinated Tribal comments on this issue and will introduce and distribute the comments at the July 21 IAC meeting. The information will be discussed in-depth at a future IAC meeting or conference call.