Forest Service Land Management Planning

Three-step process1. Assessment2. Plan development3. MonitoringRequired Land Management Plan components: 1. Desired conditions2. Objectives3. Management standards and

guidelines4. Suitability of land for various

activities5. Monitoring program – questions

and associated indicators

The plan must also identify the area’s distinctive roles and contributions within the broader landscape

Wilderness Character:• Development of

desired condition including area’s distinctive role

• Monitoring program

Purpose and NeedIs Action Necessary? (poll question #1)

Wildland-urban interface -- 1,580 private lots within ½ mile of boundary; -- 42% of area within ¼ mile of residents could produce 4’ flame lengths

Suppression history -- 100% suppression, average 4 fires/year-- Suppression impacts

Proposed Action• 11,112 acres of

prescribed burning• 19 units• Implementation over 5-

10 years• 5.8 miles of fire line

Issue: Proposed treatment will impair the character of wilderness with no clear benefit to wilderness values.

Alternative • 6,900 acres of

prescribed burning• 11 units• Implementation over 5-

10 years• 2.8 miles of fire line

Poll Question #2

Effect on Untrammeled Quality

# of actions to ignite fire# of actions to suppress fireNo Action0 actions to ignite fire100% suppression actions continue

Proposed Action1 action per year for 5-10 years to ignite fire45% suppression actions over time

Alternative1 action per year for 5-10 years to ignite fire50% suppression actions over time

Effect on Natural QualityThe hidden consequences of suppressing fire

Acres actually burned versus what might have burned under different weather scenarios

4,700 actual acres burned (1970-2011)119,000 acres estimated burned for 70th percentile burning index

No Action5,000 acres burned over 50 years

Proposed Action65,000 acres burned over 50 acres

Alternative60,000 acres burned over 50 acres

Effect on Opportunities for Solitude or Primitive and Unconfined Recreation

Poll question #3

# of days fire crews are present Duration of temporary closures

No Action0 days of fire crew presenceNo temporary closures

Proposed action and Alternative20 days of presence~2 week temporary closure

Findings - Effect on Wilderness Character

Untrammeled: Short-term decline; Long-term improvementNatural: Short-term stable; Long-term improvementUndeveloped: Stable in short-term and long-term Solitude: Short-term decline; Long-term stable

Overall: Temporary decline in wilderness character with potential for lasting improvement in long-term

Monitoring# of management actions takenChange in % fires suppressedChange in suppression tactics