Regional Ecosystem Office

333 SW 1st
P.O. Box 3623
Portland, Oregon 97208-3623
Phone: (503) 326-6265 FAX: (503) 326-6282

              Memorandum

Date:     August 9, 1995

To:         Intergovernmental Advisory Committee Members (See distribution list)

From:     Donald R. Knowles, Executive Director

Subject:  August 1995 Intergovernmental Advisory Committee Meeting Notes

Enclosed are the notes from the August 1995 Intergovernmental Advisory Committee (IAC) meeting, including:

Our next IAC meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 28, in Redding, California, with an IAC field trip planned for the afternoon of Wednesday, September 27. An additional field trip is being planned for Friday, September 29, primarily for REO staff. IAC members would be welcome on either field trip. Logistical information will be sent to you as soon as the details are worked out. If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact Gary S. Sims (503-326-6274), Linda Kucera (503-326-6283) or your agency representative.

Enclosure

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REO
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Date: August 9, 1995
Subject: August IAC Meeting Notes

Intergovernmental Advisory Committee Distribution List

California
Francie Sullivan, Shasta County Supervisor
Terry Gorton, Assistant Secretary, Forestry and Rural Economic Dev., California Resource Agency

Oregon
Rocky McVay, Curry County Commissioner
Paula Burgess, Assistant to the Governor for Natural Resources, Office of the Governor

Washington
Harvey Wolden, Skagit County Commissioner
Amy F. Bell, Deputy Supervisor for Community Relations, WA Dept. of Natural Resources
Bob Nichols, Senior Executive Policy Assistant, Governor's Office (Alternate)

Tribes
Greg Blomstrom, Planning Forester, CA Indian Forest & Fire Management Council
Mel Moon, Commissioner, NW Indian Fisheries Commission
Jim Anderson, Executive Director, NW Indian Fisheries Commission (Alternate)
Gary Morishima, Technical Advisor, Intertribal Timber Council
Guy McMinds, Executive Office Advisor, Quinault Indian Nation (Alternate)

Federal Agencies
Michael Collopy, Director, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, National Biological Service
Dennis Fenn, Western Regional Director, National Biological Service
Anita Frankel, Director, Forest and Salmon Group, Environmental Protection Agency
Eugene Andreuccetti, Regional Conservationist, Natural Resources Conservation Service
Bob Graham, State Conservationist, Natural Resources Conservation Service (Alternate)
John Lowe, Regional Forester, USDA Forest Service, R-6
G. Lynn Sprague, Regional Forester, USDA Forest Service, R-5 (Alternate)
Thomas Murphy, Director, Environmental Research Laboratory, Environmental Protection Agency
Charles Philpot, Station Director, Forest Service, PNW
Stan Speaks, Area Director, Portland Area Office, Bureau of Indian Affairs
Ron Eggers, Assistant Area Director, Portland Area Office, Bureau of Indian Affairs (Alternate)
Ron Jaeger, Area Director, Sacramento Area Office, Bureau of Indian Affairs
Michael Spear, Regional Director, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
William Stelle, Jr., Regional Director, National Marine Fisheries Service
Hilda Diaz-Soltero, Southwest Regional Director, National Marine Fisheries Service (Alternate)
Jacqueline Wyland, Division Chief, Environ. & Tech. Services, National Marine Fisheries Service (Alternate)
Elizabeth Gaar, Senior Policy Coordinator, National Marine Fisheries Service (Alternate)
Tom Tuchmann, Director, Office of Forestry and Economic Development (Ex Officio)
William Walters, Deputy Field Director, National Park Service
Elaine Zielinski, State Director, Bureau of Land Management, OR/WA
Ed Hastey, State Director, Bureau of Land Management, CA (Alternate)
Dave Howell, District Manager, Bureau of Land Management, Ukiah, CA


 
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

INTERGOVERNMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING

August 3, 1995

Opening Comments by Committee Chair - John Lowe

Watershed Analysis: Final Closure on Section I - John Lowe

Recommendation by the IAC and agreement of the RIEC to issue Section I of the Guide with the following adjustments:

Watershed Analysis: Agreement and Next Steps for Section II - Ranotta McNair

General agreement on purpose: Section II will serve as a technical supplement or "tool box" for Section I. As new or revised watershed "analysis methods, techniques, and analytical approaches" become available, the RIEC Chair will issue them through separate transmittal letters.

General agreement on goals of Section II: meet Northwest Forest Plan (NFP) goals, ensure scientific credibility, provide "methods and techniques," and provide for cooperation and coordination with other watershed analysis processes.

Additional Direction and Agreements:

Public Comment - Emphasis on Section II

No one requested time on the agenda to address the committee.

Habitat Conservation Planning within the Range of the Northern Spotted Owl - Curt Smitch, Assistant Regional Director, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Deschutes Provincial Advisory Committee - James Golden, Deputy Forest Supervisor, Deschutes National Forest, Chair of the Deschutes Provincial Advisory Committee (PAC) and the Provincial Interagency Executive Committee (PIEC)

Proposed Coho Salmon Listing - Garth Griffin, National Marine Fisheries Service

Proposal: On July 19 the NMFS proposed listing three evolutionarily significant units (ESUs) of coho salmon on the Pacific coast as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The proposed listing will include Central California Coast, Southern Oregon/Northern California Coasts, and the Oregon Coast (all native coho salmon stocks from south of the Columbia River to northern Monterey Bay California). Two additional ESUs (Lower Columbia River/Southwestern Washington Coast and Puget Sound/Strait of Georgia) were given candidate status, which requires NMFS to reevaluate their status in 1 year.

The Salmon Conservation Strategy: NMFS intends to move rapidly during the next year to develop an organized federal, state, tribal, and local salmon conservation strategy that builds on

efforts underway throughout the three states. The key elements of the salmon conservation strategy consist of the following:

Next Steps: NMFS will hold public hearings in Washington, Oregon, and California. The public comment period on the proposed listings ends October 23, and the final determination for listing is to be completed by July 1996.

Salvage Update - John Lowe, Elaine Zielinski, and Tom Tuchmann

Public Law 104-19 includes nationwide provisions for timber salvage, and language regarding green tree sales, including the disposition of Section 318 sales. At this time, the salvage provisions are less controversial than the ones concerning Section 318 sales in the area of the NFP. The Section 318 language is being reviewed at the Washington level to clarify: the definition of marbled murrelet nesting, whether particular substitute volume must be identified within 45 days, and whether the language is specific to Section 318 sales or whether it applies to sales within the geographic area of Section 318. Depending on the final interpretation, implementation of the Section 318 sale provisions may be more or less challenging, with varying implications for the NFP.

HOT TOPICS

Revised Proposal to Designate Critical Habitat for the Marbled Murrelet - Curt Smitch

Marbled Murrelet Recovery Plan - Curt Smitch

Forest Health - Anita Frankel, Director, Forest and Salmon Group, Environmental Protection Agency

Eastside Project - John Lowe

Issue Summary from the August IAC Meeting
Meeting Date: August 3, 1995 REO Contact: Ranotta McNair
Topic: Ecosystem Analysis at the Watershed Scale: The Federal Guide for Watershed Analysis (Revised August 1995) (Guide)
Objective:

1. Section I of the Guide:

  • Summarize results of the July 19 and August 3 policy meetings.
  • Finalize agreement on Section I of the Guide.
  • Agree on production and distribution schedules.

2. Section II of the Guide:

  • Agree on the purpose and objectives of Section II of the Guide (analysis methods, techniques, and analytical approaches).
  • Agree on an approach and provide clear direction to the REO for moving forward.
Summary of Discussion/IAC Actions:

1. Section I of the Guide:

The IAC agreed to adopt the recommendations from the July 19 policy group meeting and August 3 breakfast meeting (reflected in "RIEC Decisions" section). IAC concurred that the rewrite of Section I resolved issues previously raised by IAC members. The IAC agreed to the distribution of Section I of the Guide.

2. Section II of the Guide:

General Agreement of Purpose:

Section II will serve as a technical supplement or "tool box" for Section I. The REO will draft wording for Section I of the Guide and a letter of transmittal to describe the linkages between Sections I & II. As new or revised watershed "technical tools" or "methods and techniques" become available, the RIEC Chair will issue them through separate transmittal letters.

The IAC suggested the following Goals and Objectives for Section II:

Goals:

  • Meet NFP goals.
  • Ensure scientific credibility.
  • Provide methods and techniques.
  • Provide for cooperation and coordination with other watershed analysis processes.

Key Objectives:

  • The federal process must maintain flexibility to ensure that state, tribal, county, and local watershed processes can be incorporated locally.
  • Section II of the Guide is a technical supplement or "tool box" for watershed analysis.
IAC Agreements:
  1. Section I of the Guide: Agreed to finalizing and issuing Section I of the Guide.
  2. Section II of the Guide: Agreed to having a Section II, a technical supplement or "tool box," linked to Section I of the Guide. The IAC asked that the REO take the lead role and assess workloads, identify priorities, timelines, and resources needed to revise Section II of the Guide. The RIEC Chair will transmit Section II of the Guide under separate cover(s).

Section II agreements (modified alternative four):

  • The REO was asked to assess Section II, draft analysis "methods and techniques" to determine potential utility, degree of readiness, and consensus about use with the Guide in response to the developed core topics and questions, and identify format needs, timelines, and resources necessary for revision of "methods and techniques." At the September IAC meeting, the REO may present and discuss possible approaches for moving forward with Section II.
  • The methods and techniques in Section II are dynamic and will change overtime. As individual "methods and techniques" are developed/revised, the RIEC Chair will issue them separately or as a set of analysis techniques.
  • "Methods and techniques" will be reformatted and revised to reflect changes, core topics, and agreements reached in Section I of the Guide.
  • Sideboards for revision of Section II of the Guide "methods and techniques":
    1. Consistent format and constraints.
    2. Consistent basic data (varying degrees of consistency may be appropriate or needed).
    3. Data provides basis for later decisions.
    4. Integration and/or synthesis of tools where appropriate to complement each other.
RIEC Decisions:

Agreement to issue Section I of the Guide with the following adjustments:

  • Add the word "not" to pages 3, 19, and 25 to reflect the agreement reached at the July 19 and August 3 IAC policy group meetings. The document now reads: "The rationale for determining that a core question is not applicable will be documented."
  • Add a paragraph in the Guide under the section titled "Relationship to Other Laws, Regulations, Processes, and Lands" to acknowledge federal trust responsibilities to Indian tribes. The recommended paragraph will be added under the subheading: "Federal Trust Responsibilities to Indian Tribes."
  • The transmittal letter for distribution of Section I of the Guide will link it to Section II, which will be identified as being developed for release beginning in the near future.
  • The REO agreed to review suggested editorial changes submitted by IAC member's before issuing the Guide; e.g., Section 4 and 10 of the ESA, strengthen references to fire, and Section II references. Appropriate changes will be incorporated.
Follow-up Actions (who/what/when):
  • The REO was asked to assess existing Section II, draft "methods and techniques" to determine: a) potential utility with the Guide in response to the developed core topics and questions; b) current condition, and degree of readiness, for release and use; and c) the amount of consensus about the contents of each package. Additionally, the REO was asked to identify format needs, timelines, and resources necessary for revision of "methods and techniques" at the September IAC meeting.
  • REO was asked to provide sideboards for revision of Section II of the Guide "methods and techniques":
    1. Consistent format and constraints.
    2. Consistent basic data (varying degrees of consistency may be appropriate or needed).
    3. Data provides basis for later decisions.
    4. Integration and/or synthesis of tools where appropriate to complement each other.
  • "Methods and techniques" will be reformatted and revised to reflect changes, core topics, and agreements reached in Section I of the Guide. The REO will propose a set of tools to be released as soon as they are ready. This group will consist of those that are final and in a polished form, offer the most utility, and have the least amount of controversy.
  • Before release of the revised "methods and techniques" or beginning development of new ones, a status report conference call will be held with IAC members.
  • At the September IAC meeting the REO may present progress todate and review proposals for moving forward on Section II.
  • The "methods and techniques" in Section II are dynamic and will change over time. As individual "methods and techniques" are developed/revised, the RIEC Chair will issue them separately or as a set of "methods and techniques."

Potential Agenda Topics for the
September 28, 1995 IAC Meeting
Redding, California
9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
TIME DURATION

POTENTIAL AGENDA TOPICS

PRESENTER

9:00   Welcome, certify the August meeting notes, and review the September meeting objectives and agenda John Lowe & Linda Kucera
    Research & Monitoring Committee
  • Implementation Monitoring Plan
  • Effectiveness Monitoring Plan
Dan McKenzie
    Salvage Issues John Lowe
and RIEC
   
Break
    IRICC Vegetation Strike Team
  • Policy Issues Associated with Options
  • Agreement and Marching Orders - Next Steps
Tim Quinn
Miles Hemstrom
Chris Cadwell
   
Lunch
    Provincial Advisory Committee Presentation TBA
    OFED Report Update Tom Tuchmann
    Watershed Analysis Guide Section II Update Mike Tehan
    Break
    Budget
  • Potential Budget Impacts on the NFP
  • Propose REO FY96 Budget - Dispose in November
John Lowe
Elaine Zielinski
Don Knowles
    Possible Agenda Items for the November Meeting John Lowe & Elaine Zielinski
    Hot Topics All
    Public Comment Linda Kucera
    Closing Comments John Lowe
4:30   Adjourn John Lowe
 

Possible Status Reports for September 28, 1995

Preliminary Agenda Topics for November 2, 1995

August IAC Handouts:

Status Reports:
Effectiveness Monitoring Plan
Western WA Cascades Provincial Advisory Committee
IRICC Framework Data - California Update

Other Handouts:
Organizational Chart- NW Forest Plan
IAC Identification List
RIEC Identification List
REO Telephone Directory
Acronym List and Acronym Definition
July IAC Notes
August IAC Agenda & Prework
PIEC Presentation Information
Record of Decision (ROD)
Correspondence Log with Current Correspondence Sent - Available for requests
Interagency Vegetation Information Report of the Vegetation Strike Team (June 1, 1995)
Effectiveness Monitoring Plan Report (July 21, 1995)
Draft Recovery Plan Marbled Murrelet Report , U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (July 1995)
Federal Register, Proposed Threatened Status for Three Contiguous ESUs of Coho Salmon
Coho Salmon Briefing Package (July 19, 1995)
Sheet and Rill Erosion (Preliminary Evaluation)
Issues Related to Section I & Section II Proposal for the WA Guide memo (August 2, 1995)
Rescission Bill Proposal
FWS Info Re: draft recovery plan and critical habitat marbled murrelet
3rd Quarter Report on Adaptive Management Areas
Summary addressing Salvage Timber Sales (July 27, 1995)
Results from the July 19 WA Policy Meeting memo (July 10 and July 21, 1995)


 
Intergovernmental Advisory Committee Meeting

August 3, 1995 Attendance List

Name Title Agency

IAC Members and Alternates:
Blomstrom, Greg Forest Planner CA Indian Forest & Fire Mgmt Council
Brown, Jim State Forester Office of Governor, State of Oregon
Collopy, Mike Director, Coop. Reasearch & Tech. National Biological Service
Frankel, Anita Director, Forest and Salmon Group Environmental Protection Agency
Gorton, Terry Asst. Sec, Forest. & Rural Econ. Dev. Office of the Governor, State of California
Graham, Bob State Conservationist Natural Resources Conservation Service
Knowles, Don (DFO) Executive Director Regional Ecosytem Office
Lowe, John Regional Forester Forest Service, R-6
McVay, Rocky County Commissioner Curry County, State of Oregon
Moeller, George Deputy Station Director Forest Service, PNW
Moon, Mel Commissioner NW Indian Fisheries Commission
Morishima, Gary Technical Advisor Intertribal Timber Council
Nichols, Bob Senior Executive Policy Assistant Washington Dept. of Natural Resources
Speaks, Stan Area Director Bureau of Indian Affairs
Spear, Mike Regional Director U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Stelle, William Jr. Regional Director National Marine Fisheries Service
Sullivan, Francie Shasta County Supervisor, District 3 Shasta County, State of California
Tuchmann, Tom Director Office of Economic & Forestry Development
Walters, Bill Deputy Regional Director National Park Service
Wolden, Harvey County Commissioner Skagit County, State of Washington
Zielinski, Elaine State Director Bureau of Land Management, OR/WA

Regional Ecosystem Office:
Fritzler, Carol Lee Administrative Officer Forest Service
Kucera, Linda Facilitator U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
McNair, Ranotta Representative Forest Service
Pietrzak, Debbie Representative Bureau of Land Management
Powers, Dave Representative Environmental Protection Agency
Quinn, Tim GIA Administrator Bureau of Land Management
Romancier, Bob Research & Monitoring Forest Service, PNW
Sims, Gary Representative Bureau of Indian Affairs
Sisto, Tony Representative National Park Service
Watson, Jay Representive U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Ystad, Laurie Secretary Forest Service
 
Intergovernmental Advisory Committee Meeting

August 3, 1995 Attendance List

Name Title Agency

Other Intergovernmental Agencies:
Bradley, Bill Forestry Chief Bureau of Land Management
Caraher, Dave Riparian Manager, Coordinator Forest Service, R-6
Clauson, Steve R-5 Representative Forest Service, R-5
Clune, Tom Policy Analyst Bonneville Power Administration
Gaar, Elizabeth Senior Policy Coordinator, NW Region Natural Marine Fisheries Service
Golden, Jim DES PAC Speaker Forest Service, R-6, Deschutes NF
Grffin, Garth Protected Species Advisor National Marine Fisheries Service
Hall, Jean Director, State & Private Forestry Forest Service, R-5
Magee, Jerry Watershed Team Bureau of Land Management
Mason, Jerry Public Involvement Coordinator Forest Service, R-6
McDonald, Dennis Forestry Coordinator NW Indian Fisheries Commission
McMinds, Guys Executive Office Advisor Quinault Indian Nation
Nehlse, Willa Biologist Pacific Rivers Council
Ogden, Cay Watershed Team U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Shaffer, Anne Policy Analyst Quileute Tribe
Sherer, Steve   Bonneville Power Administration
Smitch, Curt Assistant Regional Director U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Smith, Alexandra Group Vice President Bonneville Power Administration
Somers, Dave Watershed Team Bureau of Indian Affairs
Sprague, Lynn Regional Forester Forest Service, R-5
Tugel, Arlene Assistant State Conservationist Natural Resources Conservation Service
Warner, Bonita Cultural Leader Quileute Tribe

Public:
Suzomoto, Bruce Biologist Pacific Power Commission