Regional Ecosystem Office

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

             Memorandum

Date:    November 8, 1995

To:        Intergovernmental Advisory Committee Members (See Distribution List)

From:    Donald R. Knowles, Executive Director

Subject: November 1995 Intergovernmental Advisory Committee Meeting Notes

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

• Issue Summaries for:
• Adaptive Management Process--How to Look at New Information.
• Natural Resources Partnership (formerly the Three State Proposal).
• Proposed FY 1996 Major Activities.
• Riparian Reserve Evaluation Methods for Section II of the Federal Guide for Watershed Analysis.
• Watershed Boundary Delineations in Washington.
• List of Potential Agenda Items and Status Reports for the December Meeting.

The REO is looking forward to receiving comments from you by November 13 on the:

• Adaptive Management Process.
• Joint Planning Team Charter and Nominations.
• Proposed FY 1996 Major Activities.
• IAC Performance Review.

We are developing a schedule of proposed meeting dates for 1996 and will fax each of you a copy as soon as it is available.

Our next IAC meeting is scheduled for Thursday, December 7, in Portland, Oregon. Location information will be conveyed to you as soon as we have a signed contract. 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

cc: REO

534/lk

Date: November 8, 1995
Subject: November IAC 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
Ken Feigner, Director, Forest and Salmon Management, 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
Thomas J. Mills, 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
Curt Smitch, Assistant 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, Oregon/Washington, Bureau of Land Management
Ed Hastey, State Director, California, Bureau of Land Management (Alternate)
Dave Howell, District Manager, Bureau of Land Management, Ukiah, CA

Opening Comments by the Chair - Elaine Zielinski
Elaine officially assumed the role of the IAC Chair and Don Knowles presented her with an inscribed gavel as a symbol of authority.

Elaine asked that the group take a minute to reflect on the substantial accomplishments of the IAC in implementing the Northwest Forest Plan (NFP) over the past year: agencies met or exceeded their timber volume goals, the watershed analysis guide was completed and is being implemented by the field, and Jobs-in-the-Woods restoration projects successfully benefited the environment and communities.

Elaine suggested that our goals for the upcoming year should include continuing to improve our working relationships and to do an even better job tackling new challenges of NFP implementation.

September Meeting Notes
The September IAC meeting notes were certified as accurate with the following clarification to the Effectiveness Monitoring summary:

The Research and Monitoring Committee (RMC) will describe how the 5 selected effectiveness monitoring emphasis areas and ongoing monitoring efforts address effectiveness monitoring requirements from the ROD (pages E-6 through E-10). For those ROD requirements that are not addressed by the 5 emphasis areas or by ongoing monitoring efforts, RMC will describe how and when those requirements will be addressed.

The notes also included the following clarification for the review process for Section II of the Federal Guide for Watershed Analysis:

The methods and techniques in Section II are dynamic and will change over time. As individual "methods and techniques" are developed/revised, IAC members will be given an opportunity to review and comment. The length of time for the review will be determined on a case-by-case basis, balancing the needs of the reviewers and the users. The REO will consider IAC members' comments, including the need for additional review, when finalizing the methods and techniques. Policy issues will be referred to the IAC watershed analysis policy group. Once finalized, methods and techniques will be issued by the RIEC Chair separately or as a set.

Interagency Steering Committee (ISC) Meeting Feedback: A report was given on the ISC meeting held October 11 by Tom Tuchmann which concerned itself primarily with issues concerning implementation of the Rescission Bill.

IAC Performance Review: The list of the IAC member interests in joining the IAC was distributed. It was agreed that we would use those interests to evaluate how well the IAC was performing. Member comments received by November 13 will be summarized and distributed prior to the December meeting. If no significant comments are received, we may defer this agenda item until an early meeting in FY 1996.

Hot Topics: Update and discussion on implementation of the Rescission Bill.

Public Comment: No one requested time on the agenda to address the committee.

 

Issue Summary from the IAC Meeting
Meeting Date: November 2, 1995	REO Contact: Tony Sisto & Gary Sims
Topic: Adaptive Management Process--How to Look at New Information
Objective: 1. Present and discuss an approach to address adaptive management and the role of new information. 2. Inform the IAC/Regional Interagency Executive Committee (RIEC) of REO efforts to initiate a review of new information aspects of salvage legislation (Rescission Bill).
Summary of Discussion/IAC Actions: The REO presented and discussed the challenges to be met in considering new information and how to maintain the NFP as a viable plan. Some questions were raised concerning the type of changes to the NFP that would come before the IAC for comment. A question was raised whether the RIEC referred to in the discussion papers was the RIEC as described in the ROD, or the RIEC as described in the FACA charter for the IAC? The RIEC as discussed in the material was the RIEC described in the FACA charter. All future references to the RIEC in IAC meetings or material are assumed to be the RIEC as described in the FACA charter unless otherwise specifically noted. This discussion led to the following agreements.
IAC Agreements: 1. The IAC is the public advisory committee to the RIEC and any substantive changes to standards and guidelines (based on ROD E-18) will come before the members of the IAC for comment. The REO will mail out in the next 10 days specific examples that propose how E-18 will be interpreted. 2. The REO will revise the proposed adaptive management process discussion papers distributed for the November IAC meeting and present them for concurrence at the December IAC meeting, based on input from IAC members between now and the December meeting. These comments are expected by November 13. 3. References to RIEC review in discussion and process papers presume IAC review, and such documents referencing the RIEC will be modified prior to the December meeting to include the public advisory committee role of the IAC to the RIEC.
Follow-up Actions (who/what/when): See agreements, above.

Issue Summary from the IAC Meeting
Meeting Date: November 2, 1995	REO Contact: Curt Loop
Topic: Natural Resources Partnership (formerly the Three State Proposal)
Objective: Present, discuss, and agree on a proposal to move toward integration of NFP forest management activities and the RCERT economic development initiative.
Summary of Discussion/IAC Actions: The IAC received a presentation covering the results of three meetings conducted in October 1995. At these meetings, various members from the Multi-agency Command (MAC), RCERT, IAC, Office of Forestry and Economic Development (OFED), REO, states, and tribal organizations discussed how to proceed with the Natural Resources Partnership linking future actions of the IAC and the RCERT. The presentation covered a proposed staffing of a Joint Planning Team (JPT), the selection guidance, and the selection committee. Also covered was a proposed charter for the JPT.
IAC Agreements: The IAC discussed the proposed selection guidance, the selection committee, and the proposed charter and made several suggestions. It was agreed that the selection committee be composed of the two chairs of the RCERT, the chair and vice chair of the IAC, three state representatives from either the IAC or RCERT, three tribal representatives from the IAC, and three county representatives from the IAC for a total of 13. The guidance for nominating individuals for the JPT are that nominations will come: one from the RCERT, one from each of the three states, two from the IAC, three from the tribes, one each from the conservation/environmental sector, labor sector, and industry sector, and three from local governments for a total of 15. It was also understood that one representative each from the FS and BLM would be among the JPT. The IAC agreed that any recommendations for the proposed charter would be forwarded to the REO not later than November 13, 1995.
RIEC Decisions: The RIEC will decide at the December 7 meeting: whether or not to establish a JPT, to approve it's charter, and to receive nominations in accordance with the planning guidance.
Follow-up Actions (who/what/when): The REO will update the proposed JPT charter after receiving and reviewing any suggestions from IAC members. The updated charter will be distributed to IAC members during the week of November 13. A copy of the revised proposed charter will be forwarded to the RCERT for discussion. The RCERT will be asked to provide any suggestions to the REO prior to the next IAC meeting. The RCERT will also be asked to endorse the proposal at their next RCERT meeting on December 6.

 

Issue Summary from the IAC Meeting
Meeting Date: November 2, 1995	REO Contact: Don Knowles
Topic: Proposed FY 1996 Major Activities
Objective: Review and discuss the proposed FY 1996 major activities for the IAC and REO related to NFP implementation.
Summary of Discussion/IAC Actions: Reviewed and discussed the Proposed FY 1996 Major Activities. The IAC will pass any comments or questions regarding the FY 1996 Major Activities to the REO by November 13.
IAC Agreements: .Comments from IAC members regarding evaluation of FY 1995 accomplishments should be submitted to the REO by November 13 in time to be summarized and distributed prior to the December meeting. Any changes and priorities will be agreed to at the December meeting.
Follow-up Actions (who/what/when): If no significant comments are received by November 13, we may convert this issue from an agenda item requiring discussion to a written status report. We would only discuss a status report if an IAC member raised a specific question.

Issue Summary from the IAC Meeting
Meeting Date: November 2, 1995	REO Contact: Mike Tehan, Ranotta McNair
Topic: Riparian Reserve Evaluation Methods for Section II of the Federal Guide for Watershed Analysis (Guide).
Objectives: Review and agree upon direction developed by the IAC watershed analysis policy group on October 12 for the Riparian Reserve technical team. Report on the progress of the technical team.
Summary of Discussion/IAC Actions: It was made clear that the technical team will develop the methods and techniques for evaluating Riparian Reserves during watershed analysis. The team will also perform some analyses of terrestrial species/groups at regional and/or province scales. The technical team itself will not adjust any Riparian Reserve boundaries. The distinction was made between this technical team charged with developing Riparian Reserve analysis methods and techniques and the recommendation to form a standing technical assistance committee to review Riparian Reserve evaluations/adjustments for individual watersheds. While recommended by the policy group, this standing technical committee has not yet been formed. The IAC should consider whether to establish a standing Riparian Reserve technical review committee after the Riparian Reserve module has been completed and approved. Questions were raised regarding coordination with non-federal watershed analyses. This issue was addressed in Section I of the Guide. There was discussion of the necessary skills to develop the evaluation methods. It was suggested that forest engineering and silviculture skills be added to the technical team. There was discussion regarding the motivation for establishing this technical team charged with developing Riparian Reserve evaluation methods and techniques. It was made clear that this effort is essential if we are to assist agency field personnel with the daunting task of evaluating the myriad values and functions of Riparian Reserves to provide sound scientific justification for finalizing interim Riparian Reserve widths prescribed by the ROD. IAC Agreements: IAC requested that the core team expertise be expanded to include engineering and silviculture disciplines to ensure that the technical team product can be efficiently applied by field resource managers. IAC reaffirmed their desire for the technical team to develop analysis methods and techniques that will simplify the process of efficiently analyzing Riparian Reserves to ensure that all goals of the Northwest Forest Plan are expeditiously implemented, including resource protection and commodity production. Follow-up Actions (who/what/when): 1. REO will ensure that the core team expertise includes engineering and silviculture disciplines. 2. IAC will decide at the December meeting whether to pursue final approval for the report via conference call or whether to convene an IAC meeting in January.

 

Issue Summary from the IAC Meeting
Meeting Date: November 2, 1995	REO Contact: Chris Hamilton
Topic: Watershed Boundary Delineations in Washington
Objective: Agree on the proposed resolution of watershed boundary differences between the federal agencies and the State of Washington.
Summary of Discussion/IAC Actions: Washington will continue to use their own version of WRIA. Washington will work with each National Forest to resolve local differences at the Basin (WA)/Watershed (USGS) scale.
Follow-up Actions (who/what/when): None contemplated.

 

Potential Agenda Topics for the
December 7, 1995 IAC Meeting
Portland, Oregon -- 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

TIME	DURATION	POTENTIAL AGENDA TOPICS	PRESENTER
		Welcome, certify the November meeting notes, and review the December meeting objectives and agenda	Elaine Zielinski & Linda Kucera
	60 min.	RCERT/IAC - Review and agree on JPT Charter - Review progress--Discuss (make?) appointments	Curt Loop
	45 min.	Update on Riparian Reserve Evaluation Methods and Techniques--Do we need to schedule a January IAC conference call or meeting?	Mike Tehan
	20 min.	New Information: - Agree on generic process - Review progress on salvage bill	Don Knowles
	20 min.	Proposed IAC Meeting Schedule for 1996 - Frequency of meetings and proposed dates	Elaine Zielinski
	60 min.	Salmon and the NFP--How better to use NFP products and processes for salmon conservation efforts?	Mike Tehan
	30 min.	Snoqualmie Pass AMA Plan--How should the RIEC and IAC review the first completed AMA plan, especially one with substantial impacts on owls and with intermingled private lands?	Jay Watson & ?
	20 min.	IRICC Vegetation Strike Team Recommendations - Present proposed data standards and recommendations for implementation	Tim Quinn & Chris Cadwell
	20 min.	IAC Performance Review - Review comments received - Discuss/seek suggestions for improvement	Gary Sims
		Possible Agenda Items for the Next Meeting	Elaine Zielinski
		Hot Topics	All
		Public Comment	Linda Kucera
		Review Today's Meeting Agreements	Don Knowles & Elaine Zielinski
		Closing Comments and Adjourn	Elaine Zielinski

Potential Status Reports for December 7, 1995

• Update on Implementation and Effectiveness Monitoring
• FY 1996 Major Activities--Agree on proposed activities

Possible Future Agenda Items

• January/February 1996--Report on the OFED end of year report.
• May 1996--Yakama field trip and meeting:

Role of Government-to-Government Consultation--Present an analysis of ways to enhance government-to-government consultation and communication between federal, state, tribal, and local governments on issues related to the implementation of the Northwest Forest Plan.

Items in the IAC Member Red Folders

• Amend the August 1995 and September 1995 Intergovernmental Advisory Committee (IAC) Meeting notes dated November 2, 1995
• Overheads: Adaptive Management Process: How to Look at New Information
• Draft Charter: Joint Planning Team (JPT)
• Letter to the President from the three State Governors regarding the Natural Resources Partnership proposal dated October 30, 1995
• Overheads: Jobs-in-the-Woods/Restoration
• Overheads: Proposed FY 1996 Major Activities
• Evaluation of IAC Performance Since Our First Meeting in March dated November 2, 1995
• Overheads: Agreements from the October 12, 1995 Watershed Analysis Policy Group Meeting
• Fourth Quarter FY 1995 Reports: Adaptive Management Areas
• REO Log of Correspondence Sent: Copies available on request