CMER Research Update

George McFadden

CMER Study Implementation Coordinator

Favorite Oxymorons

• Military Intelligence

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• Government Worker

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More Oxymorons?

• CMER Cooperator

• CMER Priorities

• CMER Research

• Hardwood Conversion Study

CMER Cooperators

• Federal Agencies

• State Agencies

• Tribal Organizations

• Local Governments

• Landowners

Cooperator Expectations

• Scientific Credibility

• Fiscal Accountability

• Inform Adaptive Management Process

Project Prioritization

Type N Buffer Integrity and Function

Eastside Type F Desired Future Conditions

Type N Amphibian Response

Road Basin-scale Effectiveness Monitoring

Type F Statewide Prescription Monitoring

Mass Wasting Effectiveness Monitoring

Eastside Type F Stream Temperature

Wetlands Revegetation Effectiveness

Project Prioritization (Cont.)

Road Site-scale Effectiveness Monitoring

Hardwood Conversion

Wetland Mitigation

Fish Passage Effectiveness Monitoring

Wildlife Program

WMZ Effectiveness Monitoring

CMZ Effectiveness Monitoring

Forest Chemicals

Active CMER Research Projects

• Bull Trout Overlay– Solar Radiation / Effective Shade

 • RMZ Resampling • Amphibian Sampling Methods

• Hardwood Conversion Project– Hardwood Conversion Temperature Study

 Darius Kinsey Photograph

Active CMER Research Projects• Eastern Washington Large Woody Debris

Dynamics

 • Landform Hazard Classification System &

Mapping Protocols

 • Water Typing Field Validation

 • Eastside Nomograph Project 

                            

Sherry Ballard © California Academy of Sciences

Active CMER Research Projects

• Type N Buffer Effectiveness Monitoring– Type N Buffer Photogrammetric Evaluation

• Eastern Washington Last Fish Habitat Data Collection

• Road Surface Erosion Model Update • West-side Water Typing Field Validation 

Darius Kinsey Photograph

Active CMER Research Projects

• Forested Wetlands Regeneration Developmental Project

 • Tailed Frog Meta-analysis • Red Alder Growth & Yield Model

• Eastern Washington Large Woody Debris Dynamics

 Albert P. Bekker © California Academy of Sciences

Hardwood Conversion Study

• Demonstration Project

• Site Selection– Hardwood Dominated Stands– Evidence of Previous Conifer Stand

• Variables Evaluated– Regeneration Success– Stream Temperature– Regeneration Costs and Methods

Hardwood Conversion Study Strategy

• Implement study as alternate plans

• Landowners will determine:– Reforestation methodology, species, density– Vegetation control methods and frequency – Animal control methods and frequency

• Study will quantify both ecological attributes and economic outcomes

Landowner Requirements

• No cutting closer than 25 feet of stream

• Existing conifers in RMZ will not be cut

• Site must be successfully regenerated

Expected Results

• Conversion Cost Analysis

• Document Successful Silvicultural Prescriptions

• Pre- and Post-Harvest Stream Temperature

• Inform Adaptive Management Process

Summary