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  NWFP Policy Interpretations

General Exceptions | Review Process | Late-Successional Reserve Exceptions | Key Documents

How is this policy developed? Typically, policy is developed by interagency working groups which use two key references as the basis for policy creation:   

• Record of Decision for Amendments to Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management Planning Documents Within the Range of the Northern Spotted Owl  (PDF, 635K) 
• Standards and Guidelines for Management of Habitat for Late-Successional and Old-Growth Forest Related Species Within the Range of the Northern Spotted Owl (PDF, 907K)

Exceptions or interpretations of existing policies and/or standards and guidelines are occasionally developed to improve Northwest Forest Plan implementation.  Sometimes, exceptions are developed to meet new challenges not foreseen in the original plan or to clarify wording. These exceptions are typically developed and rigorously reviewed by interagency teams of NWFP and topic specialists.  Additional exemptions may be requested by the field at any time.   

1. Rescind the Regional Ecosystem Office (REO) memorandum #1807, dated May 14, 2003, including delegations of RIEC authority to review proposed changes to NWFP standards and guidelines and land allocations; and
2. Revise the process for RIEC review of proposed amendments to Forest Service (FS) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land and resource management plans.

Exemptions to existing policies and/or standards and guidelines are occasionally developed to improve NWFP implementation. Sometimes, exemptions are developed to meet new challenges not foreseen in the original plan or to clarify wording. These exemptions are typically developed and rigorously reviewed by interagency teams of NWFP and topic specialists.

Exception to Survey and Manage pre-disturbance survey requirements for wildland fire for resource benefits - The purpose of this memorandum is to document an exception to pre-disturbance survey requirements for wildland fires for resource benefits outside of designated Wilderness. The use of wildland fire burning within prescribed parameters is one tool to meet ecosystem management needs. The type of prescriptions that meet these goals typically result in longer term habitat maintenance, and reduce the risk of a larger scale more intense fire. July 31, 2003 (1866)

RESCINDED: Delegation of Regional Interagency Executive Committee (RIEC) authority to review specific changes to NWFP standards and guidelines and land allocations. The NWFP Record of Decision and Standards and Guidelines provide for coordination and review by the RIEC of proposed changes to standards and guidelines and land allocations. The RIEC identified opportunities to make this coordination and review more efficient while still satisfying the objectives underlying these processes. This memo documents the RIEC decision to delegate authority to review proposed changes in NWFP standards and guidelines and land allocations incorporated in Forest Service (FS) forest and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) district plans; and clarifies delegated review responsibilities.  May 14, 2003 (1807)

Assessment and Review of Proposed Research under the Northwest Forest Plan.  In 2001, the Regional Ecosystem Office (REO) received questions from field offices asking whether REO review of new proposed research is required.  The REO prepared findings based on interagency discussions (which included participation by research agency representatives) and a review of NWFP provisions clarifying when REO review is required, who would be assessing new research proposals and what factors should be considered.  May 12, 2003 (1819)

These exceptions are focused on Late-Successional Reserve management

Late-Successional Review Index

Review of the Standard and Guideline Concerning 10-acre Minimum for Salvage in Late-Successional Reserves.  November 22, 1996 (834)

Amendment to "Criteria to Exempt Specific Silvicultural Activities in Late-Successional Reserves and Managed Late-Successional Areas from Regional Ecosystem Office Review" of July 9, 1996.  September 30, 1996  (801)

Criteria to Exempt Specific Silvicultural Activities in Late-Successional Reserves and Managed Late-Successional Areas from Regional Ecosystem Office Review.  July 9, 1996 (694)

Criteria to Exempt Specific Silvicultural Activities in LSRs and MLSAs from REO Review.  Silvicultural treatments in LSRs and MLSAs (Young-Stand Thinning [commonly referred to as TSI or precommercial thinning], Release [also commonly referred to as TSI], and Reforestation and Revegetation), are exempted from REO review (ROD, pages C-12 and C-26), where the agency proposing the treatments finds that the specific criteria are met.  April 20, 1995 (362)