Memorandum
Date: September 24, 1997
To: G. Lynn Sprague, Regional Forester, Region 5
From: Donald R. Knowles, Executive Director
Subject: Approval of LSR Proposed Boundary Changes, Six Rivers National Forest
Summary
The Regional Ecosystem Office (REO) and the interagency Late-Successional Reserve (LSR) Work Group have reviewed the Six Rivers National Forest (NF) request for LSR boundary changes. The REO finds that the proposed changes are appropriate.
Basis for the Review
Under the Standards and Guidelines (S&G, page E-18) for the NFP, changes to LSR boundaries are subject to REO review on behalf of the Regional Interagency Executive Committee.
Scope and Description of the Proposed LSR Boundary Changes
On April 11, the REO received for review and analysis a series of proposed LSR boundary changes in the Six Rivers NF. A total of eight LSRs are affected by the proposed changes, resulting in a net increase of about 288 acres in total LSR acreage and about 431 acres of nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for the Northern Spotted Owl. The proposal documentation provided an excellent description, summarization, and graphical representation of the extent of the changes.
The intent of the proposed LSR boundary changes is to reflect more accurately specific spatial and physiographic features on-the-ground. The proposed LSR boundary changes include only those lands managed by the Six Rivers NF. No changes were proposed for adjacent lands regardless of ownership or to those private lands included within the NF boundary. The included maps did reflect changes outside the NF lands, but this was an error and not intended as part of the proposal.
Review of the Proposed LSR Boundary Changes
The interagency LSR Work Group and the REO reviewed the proposed LSR boundary changes with regard to the NFP Record of Decision (ROD) and to interim direction (enclosed) provided to Federal land management agencies. Several questions arose during the review which were discussed with Forest staff. These discussions resulted in clarifications which were documented and aided the review and facilitated the REO in determining that these changes were within the intent of the ROD. These clarifications are summarized as follows:
Conclusion
Based on documentation found in the proposal letter and further clarification from phone conversations with Forest staff, the REO finds that the proposed LSR boundary changes follow the intent of the ROD and will facilitate its implementation.
I would like to thank you for your patience as we developed a process for reviewing proposed LSR boundary changes. While this has been time consuming, your request provided us with an opportunity to develop an excellent outline for handling similar requests in the future. We will provide you with a copy of our approach as soon as it is in final form.
Enclosure
cc:
A. Holden, S.Clauson
Six Rivers NF
REO, RIEC
997/ly