Finding: The new science findings suggest that restoring ecological diversity and reducing the potential for loss due to high severity fire may not be successful within the reserves in the mixed- and high-frequency fire regime areas under the current LSR management strategies.

Suggested implications: Revisions to LSOG management in the fire prone areas should be made. The emphasis should be on moving these landscapes toward a natural range of variability in stand structures, landscape patterns and disturbance processes. A dual framework of improving on the existing reserve component and testing alternative approaches would help to determine what kinds of (and also where) active management activities are needed to accomplish the objectives.

Finding: Given the dynamic nature of riparian areas, permanent, unmanaged buffers may not be sustainable over the long term. Other approaches may be needed to enhance riparian conditions and aquatic habitats. In addition, new fish population and habitat information suggests reviewing the Key Watershed network.

Suggested implications: Create a new, scientifically rigorous, framework of criteria for revising interim riparian reserve boundaries and management direction that is more in tune with current watershed science. Also, review the Key Watersheds network and revise if appropriate.

Finding: While the NWFP goals themselves still appear to be appropriate, many cannot be achieved solely on Federal lands – other ownerships (and policy frameworks) also make essential contributions.

Suggested implications: Reconsider the NWFP goals for with a clearer understanding of the role of the Federal lands in light of the contributions of other lands and policies.

Finding: The NWFP does not explicitly consider some significant factors affecting the conditions of forest resources (e.g., global climate change, invasive species, other vegetation types, etc.).

Suggested implications: Incorporate what we currently know about these factors, and take steps to address the uncertainties.

Finding: Even though an immense investment in monitoring was made, 10 years was not enough time to see significant changes in many cases. Lack of specific targets made interpretation of some monitoring information difficult. Finally, new issues have given rise to new questions for monitoring.

Suggested implications: Continue regional monitoring for those critical elements for which it is needed, but revisit the monitoring questions to better address the next decade’s issues. Also, establish more specific goals and benchmarks, and seek better balance among costs, benefits, and expectations.

Finding: The vision for "adaptive management" has been partly fulfilled. There has not been as much "experimentation," with subsequent learning, as was hoped for, partly due to a perceived or real lack of flexibility.

Suggested implications: Increase commitment to learning and flexibility, such that new approaches can be developed and tested. Deal more explicitly with uncertainty and risk, and find ways to increase support for taking measured risks.

Finding: Collaboration among constituents has been a major accomplishment of the NWFP, and the need for collaboration continues. The agencies’ and partners’ experiences provided many "lessons learned".

Suggested implications: Continue seeking ways to improve collaboration. Make it more efficient; streamline processes, and build on the trust that has been established.

Finding: Timber harvest expectations were not met, and predictions of how local communities and the economy would respond to the NWFP did not always materialize. The Federal role in the timber economy and in the well-being of local communities is different than originally thought, largely because there were significant unforeseen changes in regional and local economies over the last 10 years.

Suggested implications: Future Federal planning, decisions, and policies should be shaped by a more accurate understanding of the significance of the contribution of Federal lands and resources to the overall economy, and to communities adjacent to Federal forest lands.

Finding: The policy is unclear, and there are significant gaps in information on the effects of post-fire activities.

Suggested implications: Develop a program of assessments or research that will clarify risks and effects of Late-Successional Reserve (LSR) salvage practices and policies.