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:

November 18, 2004

To:

Intergovernmental Advisory Committee Members (see attached distribution list)

From:

/s/Anne Badgley, Executive Director

Subject:

INTERGOVERNMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING NOTES - November 3, 2004

Enclosed please find notes for the November 2, 2004 Regional Interagency Executive Committee (RIEC) meeting held at the DoubleTree at Lloyd Center Hotel in Portland, Oregon. Primary topics discussed included:

Detailed information about these activities, and future meeting dates have been summarized in the attached document. Several changes to our proposed meeting calendar were requested and have been summarized for your information:

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 meeting.

 

Enclosures:

1 -- November 3 Meeting Notes (6pp)
2 -- Updated Meeting Calendar for CY2005 (1pp)

cc: Presenters, REO Staff, & PAC DFOs

2004/kc
 

Intergovernmental Advisory Committee Distribution List

California

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

Oregon

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)

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
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)

 

ISSUE SUMMARIES

Topic: 10-YEAR MONITORING REPORT UPDATE

Presenter/Sponsor: Jon Martin, Interagency Monitoring Program Lead

REO Contact: Becky Gravenmier (PNW Rep)

Issue: The 10-year monitoring evaluation on the effectiveness of the NWFP is the first compre-hensive analysis of monitoring data and research results since 1994. A series of reports are being generated as a result of this evaluation, portions of which will include IAC advice. In preparation for those reports, the IAC is being periodically updated.

Background: The NWFP 1994 Record of Decision required, but did not delineate, a monitoring program. In 1996, implementation monitoring of the NWFP began based on a draft monitoring plan. 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 RIEC approved the Watershed module (AREMP or Aquatic Riparian Effectiveness Monitoring Program) in 2001, and the AREMP monitoring plan was recently published. The RIEC approved the Tribal module in 2002, the Socio-Economic module is currently being tested, and the Biodiversity monitoring plan is yet to be developed.

Discussion: Jon Martin, Interagency Monitoring Program Lead, presented preliminary findings of the status and trend reports (Marbled Murrelet, Late-Successional Old-Growth, Watersheds, Tribal, Socio-Economic, Implementation, and Northern Spotted Owl) to the IAC. There was great interest and discussion regarding the report findings and content. Discussions included the following topics: future adjustments to the monitoring program, socioeconomic case studies, concern on using three late-successional old-growth forest definitions, sharing of the data and maps, and identification of future threats to the forest.

Nancy Molina, BLM, presented an overview of how the RIEC intends to address management implications of the science findings and synthesis document. She shared the approach to summarizing the findings and potential implications for management consideration. The proposal was well received by the IAC who expressed an interest in participating in the review of the draft implications and the option to provide advice to the RIEC.

Tom Quigley, PNW Research Station, gave a brief overview of the upcoming NWFP conference (April 19 and 20) and invited the IAC to attend. The IAC calendar was modified so that committee members could meet following the conference on April 21 to share their insights and perspectives with the RIEC and interact on management implications. The IAC was eager to attend the conference and participate with the development of management implications. The Tribal representatives on the IAC expressed an interest in sharing additional information from a Tribal Forum they intend to hold December 9. The NWFP conference steering committee will work with the management agencies to determine how best to share Tribal Forum results.

Decisions: The IAC will attend the NWFP conference on April 19-20, 2005 in Portland. IAC will participate in a meeting April 21, 2005 with RIEC to share their perspectives and advice. The March IAC meeting will be a conference call to prepare them for the workshop and share information.

Action Required: Several updates to the RIEC/IAC calendar were made (see attachment 2).


Topic: BLM RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN REVISIONS

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

REO Contact: Debbie Pietrzak (BLM Rep)

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

Summary of Discussion: 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. The six plan revisions will be developed during a single planning process that will result in one environmental impact statement (EIS) and six district-specific RMP decision documents.

Dick Prather presented information regarding the plan revision process and the roles and responsibilities of cooperators (a handout summarizing key points was included in the meeting packet). Dick indicated that cooperators participate in the EIS process and provide advice, however, decision making authority rests with the BLM. A question was raised regarding whether the revision effort would consider community wildfire protection plans. Dick indicated that fire and fuels management had been identified as a preliminary issue, and that the team would be looking at how to incorporate information from community wildfire protection plans.

Although scheduled for completion in 2008, the planning process is contingent upon funding, and a continuing budget resolution would likely affect progress. Planning updates will be scheduled at future RIEC and IAC meetings as appropriate.

 

Topic: CONSERVATION SECURITY PROGRAM (CSP)

Presenters: Bob Graham and Jay Gibbs, Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS)

REO Contact: Dianne Guidry (NRCS Rep)

Issue Statement: 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.

Summary of Discussions: Bob Graham introduced Jay Gibbs who presented a PowerPoint Presentation about the "Conservation Security Program" (CSP). The goal of the CSP is to reward landowners that have done the ‘right thing’ for natural resources conservation and to motivate others to do the same. The presentation focused on the Umatilla Watershed, one of only 18 watersheds nationwide selected in 2004 for CSP. For 2005, ten Oregon watersheds have been selected for participation in the Conservation Security Program.

Elaine Brong and Linda Goodman asked about the eligibility of forested lands for CSP. Jay indicated that to be considered eligible, private non-industrial forested land can only be an incidental part of a larger agricultural operation. Public lands are not eligible for receiving CSP payments, but the conservation work done on these lands may be used to determine if an applicant meets eligibility requirements. Lastly, Jay mentioned, and Bob emphasized, that Federal participation at the local level would really help the CSP application process, and requested that both BLM and USFS managers "embolden" their field staff to support the Conservation Security Program.

Additional Information: www.or.nrcs.usda.gov. The PowerPoint presentation provided at the IAC can be downloaded from www.reo.gov/iac.


Topic: PACIFIC NORTHWEST AQUATIC MONITORING PARTNERSHIP (PNAMP) UPDATE

Presenters: Dave Powers (EPA), Jen Bayer (PNAMP Coordinator)

REO Contact: Dave Busch (USGS Rep)

Issue Statement: Report on the status of PNAMP development and accomplishments

Summary of Discussion: Dave Powers provided an introductory reminder about PNAMP’s history, its relationship to the NWFP, and its roots in the Aquatic Riparian Effectiveness Monitoring Program (AREMP). Dave introduced Jen Bayer the PNAMP Coordinator. Jen reported on the significant progress achieved on developing a charter and obtaining signatures from executives with Federal, State, Tribal, and intergovernmental organizations. Although a large number of agencies have already signed, the process remains open to additional organizations approving the charter. The 2005 PNAMP work plan is structured around coordinating monitoring efforts in the areas of watersheds, fish populations, project effectiveness, and data management. Bruce Crawford, representing the State of Washington, commented on PNAMP’s connections to their State of the Salmon report and its importance in developing answers to higher level questions about monitoring. Roger Blair (EPA Research) mentioned the positive interrelationships between PNAMP and their aquatic monitoring sample design efforts.

 

Topic: ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION

REO Contact: Teresa Kubo (EPA/REO), Laurie Lee Jenkins (NPS/REO)

Issue Statement: Round Table discussion time provides committee members with an opportunity to share ideas, news, and perspectives in an open and unstructured forum.

Summary of Discussion:

Federal/General:
  • George Smith noted that the IAC would benefit from regular litigation updates, and requested a brief discussion of two recent 9th circuit decisions (Klamath-Siskiyou Wildland Center v. BLM and Gifford Pinchot Task Force v. Fish and Wildlife Service).
    • In the first case, The BLM was ordered to reassess the environmental effects of four timber sales in southern Oregon based on their cumulative impact, instead of their individual impact. Elaine Brong reported that the BLM is still discussing how to respond to the ruling. They are looking at the case in the context of ESA and NEPA. She noted the difficulty presented by the need to conduct Section 7 consultation at the project scale, and NEPA at the landscape scale.
      • In the second case, the Court held that the FWS' regulatory definition of "destruction or adverse modification" of critical habitat was not an appropriate interpretation of the ESA. The Court ruled that Congress intended "destruction or adverse modification" to be triggered when sufficient critical habitat is lost so as to threaten a species' recovery, even if sufficient critical habitat remained for the species' survival. Barry Mulder reported that the FWS has provided its field offices with interim guidance on how to assess effects to critical habitat. The FWS is still determining how to respond to this ruling.
  • John Hofman (Northern California Counties) reported on EMAP statewide assessments that are feeding into a national level eco-region analysis. Preliminary reports in Sept. 2005; target report completion is December 2005.

Oregon:

  • Lance Clark reported that Oregon State Ballot Measure 37 passed. This measure requires that private landowners be compensated when state/local regulations impact their property value. He indicated that the measure will be difficult to implement and very expensive to administer. He also noted that the potential relaxation of planning rules could increase pressure on Federal Lands to provide for endangered species habitat and other values.
  • Lance Clark also noted that Governor Kulongoski recently addressed the Oregon Board of Forestry. At that meeting the governor praised the state forest management plans and suggested Federal Land Management agencies look at the plans and their approach to Adaptive Management.
  • Lastly, Lance Clark reported that Governor Kulongoski would like to make the Board of Forestry meetings an open forum for State and Federal land issues. It is hoped that Federal land management agencies will use this forum to testify at the State level on resources issues.

Washington:
  • Dan Cothren shared information with the IAC about the current situation in Wahkiakum County. At present, protection afforded 13 marbled murrelet nesting sites have severely curtailed timber production in the county and surrounding area. Dan voiced concern that the ongoing Habitat Conservation Plan (Washington State Dept. of Natural Resources) development effort lacks the State/Federal coordination needed to bring it to a successful conclusion. Without the HCP, upwards of 3,000 acres remain unavailable for timber production. NOTE: The FWS contacted Mr. Cothran after the meeting to discuss further.
  • Bruce Crawford reported that on December 15, 2004, Governor Locke will hand over a regional recovery plan for the Lower Columbia River. This is the first State-led salmon recovery plan completed for Washington. Other plans will be completed by June of 2005.
  • Bruce Crawford also reported that Governor Locke signed the PNAMP charter and created a new comprehensive monitoring program for the State. The new group recently had their second meeting. The group includes nearly all of the State natural resource agencies, as well as Tribal and Federal interests.
  • Lastly, Bruce Crawford reported that the third State of the Salmon (SOS) report is under development. The report will be State and regional in focus, and will look at habitat (limiting factors analysis), abundance, and other issues of key importance to the public, such as barrier removal. There is not a lot of information available from Federal lands to incorporate into the report. There is a need to coordinate with Federal partners to create a composite picture for future reports.

California:
  • Joan Smith noted that the Klamath Basin continues to present major issues and opportunities. The counties are currently working on issues related to Coho salmon recovery, FERC relicensing, and fire safe issues.
  • Joan Smith also noted that the Secretary of Interior announced the roll-out of the Conservation Implementation Program or CIP. This is an advisory group that will work with stakeholders to identify solutions to Klamath Basin issues.
  • Joan Smith also reported on ongoing work with Fire Safe Councils to develop community plans. The Councils provide a good way to partner with the communities and ultimately get funding on the ground, but more funding is needed, as are more efforts to get the word out about the Councils and their work.
  • Lastly, Joan took the opportunity to invite the IAC to northern California for a field trip next August.

 

Housekeeping

 

Other Potential Future Topics Identified in the Meeting

Meeting Roster

Badgley, Anne (REO)

Holmgren, Derek (Tetra Tech.)

Bayer, Jen (USGS, PNAMP)

Jenkins, Laurie Lee (NPS, REO)

Birch, Kevin (OR Dept. of Forestry)

Kubo, Teresa (EPA, REO)

Blair, Roger (EPA, Research)

Loomis, Becky (REO)

Brong, Elaine (BLM)

Martin, Jon (FS, R6)

Busch, Dave (USGS, REO)

Mohoric, Shawne (FS, R6, REO)

Clark, Lance (State of OR)

Molina, Nancy (BLM)

Collier, Kath (REO)

Morris, Steve (NOAA-Fisheries, REO)

Connaughton, Kent (FS, R5)

Motanic, Don (ITC)

Cothren, Daniel (WA State Assoc. of Counties)

Mottice, Mike (BLM)

Crawford, Bruce (State of WA)

Mulder, Barry (FWS)

Crespin, Bruce (BLM )

Pietrzak, Debbie (BLM, REO)

Davies, Bruce (NWIFC)

Pool, Mike (BLM, CA)

Gibbons, Dave (FS, R5)

Powers, Dave (EPA)

Gibbs, Jay (USGS)

Prather, Dick (BLM)

Goodman, Linda (FS, R6)

Quigley, Tom (PNW)

Graham, Bob (NRCS)

Roush, Paul (BLM, CA)

Gravenmier, Becky (PNW, REO)

Shevock, Jim (NPS)

Guidry, Dianne (NRCS)

Smith, George (ITC)

Herrera, David (NWIFC)

Smith, Joan (Siskiyou County Board of Supervisors)

Hofman, John (CA Counties)

Young, Kristi (FWS, REO)

Attachment 2 – Updated IAC Meeting Calendar for CY 2005

Date

Time

Meeting Type

Location

Committee/1-2 Key Topics (if known)

Dec./Jan. (TBS)

1 - 3:30 p.m. (est.)

Conference Call

 

IAC - Monitoring Status and Trends Updates: Management Implications, Synthesis, and Tribal

Mar. 17

TBS

Conference call

 

IAC - Overview of the Science Conference

April 19-20

Full days

Conference

Jantzen Beach DoubleTree Hotel, Portland, OR

Conference on Science and the Northwest Forest Plan: Knowledge Gained Over a Decade

http://www.reo.gov/Research/forest_plan_flyer.pdf

April 21

8 a.m. -

12 noon

Face to Face

DoubleTree Hotel,

Lloyd Center, Portland, OR

IAC - Using Science to Improve Implementation, feedback from the Science Conference

Aug. 17

8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Field Trip

Northern California

IAC/RIEC – Implementation Improvements. NOTE: Be sure to include travel time on your calendars as needed

Nov. 16

TBS

Face to Face

Portland, OR

RIEC/IAC

TBS – To Be Scheduled

Updates for this calendar are posted on: http://www.reo.gov