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:

October 19, 2004

To:

Intergovernmental Advisory Committee Members (see attached distribution list)

From:

/s/Anne Badgley, Executive Director

Subject:

INTERGOVERNMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING PREWORK - November 3, 2004

California

Vacant, California Resource Agency, State Representative
Cathy Bleier (Alt)
Joan Smith, Siskiyou County, CA Counties
John Woolley (Alt)

Lance Clark, Office of the Governor
Kevin Birch (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)

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)

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
Carol Schuler (Alt)
Robert Lohn, Regional Administrator, National Marine Fisheries Service
Mike Crouse (Alt)
Dave Powers, Environmental Protection Agency
Socorro Rodriguez (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
November 3, 2004 Agenda
DoubleTree Lloyd Center Hotel, Broadway/Weidler Conference Rooms, Portland, Oregon

Time

Topics

Purpose

Presenter

9:00 a.m.

• Introductions, Changing of the Guard
• Certification of the July Notes
• Review of the prework and agenda
• Meeting Evaluation Process

Housekeeping

Elaine Brong
Anne Badgley
Facilitator

9:15

Public Comment Period

9:30

• Status and Trends Reports
• Synthesis Report
• Management Implications
• IAC Involvement to Date
• Science Conference

Information/ Discussion*

Jon Martin
Nancy Molina
Tom Quigley

11:15

Group Photo

Facilitator

11:30

Lunch

12:30 p.m.

BLM Resource Management Plan Revisions

Update

Dick Prather

1:00

NRCS Conservation Security Program

Update

Bob Graham

1:30

• Introductions
• Charter Update

Update

Dave Powers
Jen Bayer

1:45

Break

2:00

Round Table Discussion

Discussion

Anne Badgley (Moderator)

2:30

Reminder

Anne Badgley
Facilitator

3:00

Adjourn

Topic: 10-YEAR MONITORING REPORT UPDATE

Presenter/Sponsor: Jon Martin, Interagency Monitoring Program

REO Contact: Dave Busch (USGS Rep)

Issue: This agenda item will update the IAC on the status of the 10-year monitoring report production and preliminary findings. 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.

• An update of preliminary findings.

• Recap plans for IAC involvement.

Action Required:

[ x ] Information [ ] Decision

Topic: UPDATE ON BLM RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN REVISIONS

Presenter: Dick Prather, BLM Project Manager, Western Oregon Resource Management Plan Revisions

REO Contact: Debbie Pietrzak (BLM Rep)

Issue: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in Oregon is beginning to revise resource management plans (RMPs) within the Northwest Forest Plan (NWFP) area.

Background: The BLM is beginning a process to revise the RMPs for the Coos Bay, Eugene, Medford, Roseburg, and Salem Districts, and a portion of the Klamath Falls Resource Area of the Lakeview District. These RMPs, which were completed in 1995, incorporate the standards and guidelines and land allocations of the NWFP. All six plan revisions will be developed during a single planning process that will result in one environmental impact statement and six district-specific RMP decision documents. Contingent on funding, the revisions are scheduled for completion by December 2008 to comply with the terms of a settlement agreement with American Forest Resources Council and others.

Dick Prather, Project Manager, will present information on the following aspects of the plan revision process:

• Reasons for revising the RMPs at this time -- recent plan evaluation findings and settlement agreement terms.
• Identification of preliminary issues.
• Plan revision process.
• How BLM will involve other parties in the plan revision process.
• Status of the plan revision effort to date.
• Next steps – activities scheduled in 2005.

This presentation will introduce IAC members to the RMP revision process. Additional presentations and updates will be scheduled at future RIEC and IAC meetings as appropriate.

Action Required:

[ x ] Information [ ] Decision

Topic: CONSERVATION SECURITY PROGRAM (CSP)

Presenter/Sponsor: Bob Graham, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)

REO Contact: Diane Guidry (NRCS Rep)

Issue: The Conservation Security Program (CSP) is a voluntary program that provides financial and technical assistance to promote the conservation and improvement of soil, water, air, energy, plant and animal life, and other conservation purposes on Tribal and private working lands. The CSP may be a useful tool for private and Tribal landowners seeking to coordinate conservation activities across jurisdictional boundaries.

Background: The Conservation Security Program (CSP) was authorized by the 2002 Farm Bill to reward farmers and ranchers who are implementing conservation on America’s working lands. It is a voluntary program that provides financial and technical assistance to promote the conservation and improvement of soil, water, air, energy, plant and animal life, and other conservation purposes on Tribal and private lands. Working lands include cropland, grassland, prairie land, improved pasture, and rangeland, as well as forested land that is an incidental part of an agriculture operation. The program provides equitable access to benefits to all producers, regardless of size of operation, crops produced, or geographic location.

In FY 2004, 18 high-priority watersheds were selected for CSP sign-up. One of these was the Umatilla watershed in north central Oregon. Within the Umatilla watershed, 149 contracts were awarded to producers, totaling over $5 million; the contracts include over 350,000 acres, representing nearly 50 percent of the private lands.

Using the Umatilla watershed as a case study, NRCS will discuss the benefits and overall operation of this new conservation program, as well as its potential for future application on private and Tribal lands in other areas.

Action Required:

[ x ] Information [ ] Decision

Topic: PACIFIC NORTHWEST AQUATIC MONITORING PARTNERSHIP (PNAMP)

Presenter/Sponsor: Dave Powers (EPA), Jennifer M. Bayer, PNAMP Lead

REO Contact: Teresa Kubo (EPA-Rep)

Issue: In this segment, members will be given an update on the several activities occurring as part of the PNAMP initiative.

Background: In 2000, RIEC Executives asked Aquatic and Riparian Effectiveness Monitoring Program (AREMP) staff to explore the possibility of developing a monitoring partnership with Washington, Oregon, and California agencies. Since November 2001, an ad hoc group of State and Federal natural resource and watershed specialists have been discussing 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 of 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. The group hopes to improve monitoring by using consistent monitoring approaches and protocols across all programs; following a scientific foundation; supporting monitoring policy and management objectives; and collecting and presenting information in a manner that can be shared.

Current Status:

• Charter finalized. In September 2004, PNAMP completed a charter to formalize the agreement among Federal, State, and Tribal entities to participate in the coordination of scientific monitoring programs through PNAMP. The charter was designed to be open-ended, with ongoing opportunities to participate. In addition, technical participation for all topics is open.
• Strategy document near completion. PNAMP Steering Committee and technical workgroup members continue to complete work on a coordination plan to facilitate aquatic monitoring in the Pacific Northwest.
• FY2005 Workplan and budget development complete.

Technical workgroups include: Watershed Monitoring, Effectiveness Monitoring, Fish Population Monitoring, and Data Management

Next Steps: PNAMP Charter is in the process of being signed. Many State, Federal, and Tribal entities have signed the PNAMP Charter (including most IAC members). Emerging technical topics include: data coordination, estuary monitoring, and large river monitoring. The next discussion session, which will focus on coordination of estuary monitoring is scheduled for Nov. 10, 2004. We will also begin planning a scoping discussion on large rivers monitoring for mid-November.

For additional information contact Jennifer Bayer at 509-538-2299 x 273 or jennifer_bayer@usgs.gov.

Action Required:

[ x ] IAC Review & Discussion

Topic: IAC ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION

Presenter/Sponsor: Anne Badgley, REO

Issue: 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 will be available during the meeting summarizing suggestions from the last several meetings received during presentations and discussions.

Topic: IAC RECOMMENDATION PROCESS FOLLOW UP

REO Contact: Teresa Kubo (EPA Rep)

Background: In accordance with agreements reached at previous IAC meetings with respect to tracking IAC recommendations, the notes from the July IAC meeting highlighted IAC advice and agreements. The July 2004 recommendations are listed below, along with a discussion of their current status.

1. Future Field Trips: With respect to future field trips, such as the one held in July, IAC members recommended the following: proceed with plans for California field trip in 2005; plan future discussion of CSP and potential cumulative impacts of restoration activities, spend less time in transit when on field trips, and concentrate on a smaller geographic area and incorporate more stops. Status: Recommendations will be incorporated into plans for the 2005 field trip. Initial discussions about the 2005 field trip are planned for the Nov. 3, 2004 IAC meeting. Additional information regarding stewardship activities has been added to the REO website as well as photographs from the field trip.

2. 10-Year Monitoring Report: IAC members expressed an interest in providing input to this process prior to finalization. Status: Scheduled for the Nov. 3, 2004 IAC meeting. Future updates will be scheduled.

3. Riparian Reserves: Tribal representatives provided written comments to the RIEC Chair regarding Riparian Reserve (RR) management (coordinated through Bruce Davies of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission). At the IAC meeting in July, Bruce provided IAC members with an introduction to the tribal comments and highlighted the need to: (1) Create an analytical framework to evaluate RR modifications and treatments as they pertain to Aquatic Conservation Strategy (ACS) objectives; (2) Clarify in detail how to identify break points between intermittent and perennial streams and; (3) Monitor activities to evaluate impact from RR modifications and treatments that might be used in the future to change RR widths. Status: Tribal comments concerning RR management have been forwarded to RIEC members. For further information see the Status Report accompanying this November 3, 2004 IAC prework entitled "Northwest Forest Plan Improvements Update – Riparian Reserves Status".
   
4. Future Potential Topics for Discussion:

• NRCS Conservation Security Program (over-arching issues on landscape management and restoration activities/policies). Status: Scheduled for the Nov. 3, 2004 IAC meeting.
• Roadless Rule Changes: Status: The public comment period ends Nov. 15, 2004. This topic may be revisited after that time pending further action/issues at the state level.
• Implementation Improvements. Status: Additional status reports and oral updates are planned, pending availability of information and presenters.
• BLM Resource Management Plan revisions. Status: Scheduled for the Nov. 3, 2004 IAC meeting.
• Revisit creative funding solutions (service agreement using National Fire Plan dollars). Status: This topic may be revisited at a future date pending availability of presenters and information.

Topic: NWFP IMPLEMENTATION IMPROVEMENTS SUBCOMMITTEE

Contact: Anne Badgley (REO)

Issue: Several RIEC subcommittees have been working on improvement strategies for the NWFP. Updates and written reports for the various committees have been provided at each of the last several meetings.

Background: In 2001-2002, the RIEC identified three major concerns on which to focus future NWFP implementation improvement efforts including:

Topic

Lead

Update for this meeting

Status

Adaptive Management Areas

Anne Badgley

Completed

AREMP 6^th & 7^th Field HUCs Clarification

Tom Quigley/Dave Powers

Resolved

Firewood gathering guidance

Anne Badgley

Completed

Riparian Reserves

Mike Crouse

Written Update

Ongoing

Follow-up on Jack Ward Thomas California Review/Report

Kent Connaughton/Tom Quigley

Ongoing

Watershed Analysis Recommendations

Jack Blackwell/Kent Connaughton

Ongoing

Programmatic Consultation

Mike Crouse

Ongoing

Programmatic Consultation – California / Native American Exception for Burning

Jack Blackwell/John Engbring

Ongoing

Topic: NORTHWEST FOREST PLAN IMPROVEMENTS UPDATE - RIPARIAN RESERVES STATUS

REO Contact: Shawne Mohoric (FS-R6 Rep)

Issue: Consideration of the need for potential changes to Riparian Reserve management.

Background: In 2003, several RIEC sub-committees were established to investigate potential improvements to the Northwest Forest Plan. Mike Crouse was named team lead of the Riparian Reserves (RR) sub-committee. At the November 5, 2003 RIEC meeting, REO was directed to provide a brief summary of the types of activities occurring within RR and report on adjustments to RR widths. On March 10, 2004, the RIEC and IAC received a presentation addressing these topics (meeting notes from that presentation are available on the REO website at: http://www.reo.gov/library/iac/letters/1931iac.htm). The REO did not recommend changes to RR management at that time.

At the March 10, 2004 meeting, the IAC tribal members indicated they would collect and consolidate tribal input to the RIEC on this topic. The RIEC received their input in writing during the July 21, 2004 IAC meeting, in a paper entitled Tribal Comments on NWFP Intermittent Stream Buffer Modification, 7-13-04. This paper was distributed in the meeting notes. The tribal document focuses on three potential RR management modifications:

1. Creating an analytical framework to evaluate RR modifications and treatments as they pertain to ACS objectives
2. Clarifying in detail how to identify break points between intermittent and perennial streams and
3. Suggesting monitoring activities to evaluate impact from RR modifications and treatments that might be used in the future to change RR widths.

Current Status: At this time, the agencies propose no changes to RR management. The 10-year NWFP Effectiveness Monitoring Evaluations are underway and will be published in the Spring of 2005. In addition, a NWFP monitoring results conference has been scheduled for April 2005. Managers will use this information to inform their decisions concerning potential future changes to the NWFP implementation. Management Implications will be developed and addressed concurrently with the evaluation reports and address issues associated with NWFP implement-ation, including RR management. Tribal comments concerning RR management have been forwarded to RIEC members, and will be considered further during the development of the Management Implications report.

Next Steps: The RIEC and IAC will have continued dialogue on potential future changes to the NWFP resulting from monitoring evaluations.