The Regional Ecosystem Office (REO) reviewed the Davis Late-Successional Reserve Assessment (LSRA) in 1995 and found that it provides a sufficient framework and context for future projects and activities within the LSR. On August 26, 2002, the REO received a request from the Deschutes National Forest to review proposed modifications to the LSRA that would amend treatment criteria that have been previously reviewed and found to be consistent with the NWFP. In response to the request, the Late-Successional Reserve Work Group evaluated the Proposed Modifications To Davis Late- Successional Reserve Assessment to Address Fire and Health Hazards and Risks to Management Strategy Areas Adjacent to Stands With High Amounts of Down Dead Lodgepole Pine and made a recommended finding that, as proposed to be modified, the LSRA’s treatment criteria will still provide for treatments that are beneficial to creation of late-successional forest conditions and otherwise consistent with LSR objectives, contingent upon revisions being made to the modifications enumerated below. After being briefed on the modifications and the work group’s analysis and recommended finding, the REO concurs in the finding.

1. Edit the section Amendments to Davis LSR on page 3, number 1, under the heading "Add a fourth bullet that reads," to read:

   "In lodgepole pine plant associations, treat only areas deemed necessary for long-term forest health and reduction of fire risk in accordance with individual MSA guidelines" (this combines the subsequent paragraph i with the lead-in sentence).

2. Combine paragraphs ii and iv and delete number 3 in paragraph iv as it is redundant.
3. Emphasize in your amendment that you will be leaving untreated areas as described in number 2 of paragraph iv.
4. Specify under paragraph ii that you are addressing down trees when referencing the 10-12 whole trees/acre to be left. Also, please specify a minimum dbh to meet this requirement.
5. We assume that the snag numbers called for in Table 3-2 of the Davis LSRA are still valid and will be included in your prescriptions. Please add clarification to that effect.
6. On page 4, please correct page references under the section: Management options to add MSA L and M. It appears that the first reference should be page 4-107 instead of page 4-104 and the second reference, page 4-117 instead of page 4-177.
7. Although we understand the intent behind the analogy used on page 4, number 4 (describing the "cookie dough" and the "chips"), the second bullet is very confusing. Please offer clarifying language.

In conjunction with issuance of this finding, the REO respectfully asks the forest to schedule a field visit for the LSR work group after the first project has been completed in reliance on the modifications under review. The REO retains the option of amending the finding in this memorandum as a result of that visit.

If you have any questions, please call Shawne Mohoric, LSR Work Group Chair, at 503-808-2175.

1786/ly