The Forest Service released two important documents in January. The first is the long awaited Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) for the National Forest System Land Management Planning Rule.  The second is Forest Service Watershed Condition Framework.

After review of nearly 300,000 comments received on the proposed rule and draft environmental impact statement issued February 2011, Forest Service has released their preferred course of action for the national planning rule.  The Record of Decision on the final planning rule is expected within 30 day of February 3, the official release date.

The preferred alternative emphasizes collaboration and strengthens the role of public involvement and dialogue throughout the planning process. It also would require the use of the best available scientific information for decisions.

Highlights of the preferred alternative include:
• Plans must include components that seek to restore and maintain forests and grasslands. 
• Plans would include requirements to maintain or restore watersheds, water resources, water quality including clean drinking water, and the ecological integrity of riparian areas.
• Plans would be required to provide habitat for plant and animal diversity and species conservation. These requirements are intended to keep common native species common, contribute to the recovery of threatened and endangered species, conserve proposed and candidate species, and protect species of conservation concern.
• Plans would provide for multiple uses, including outdoor recreation, range, timber, watershed, wildlife and fish. • Plans would be required to provide opportunities for sustainable recreation, and to take into account opportunities to connect people with nature.
• Opportunities for public involvement and collaboration would be required throughout all stages of the planning process. The preferred alternative would provide opportunities for Tribal consultation and coordination with state and local governments and other federal
agencies, and includes requirements for outreach to traditionally underrepresented communities.
• Plans require the use of the best available scientific information to inform the planning process and documentation of how science was used in the plan.
• The planning framework provides a more efficient and adaptive process for land management planning, allowing the Forest Service to respond to changing conditions.

Along with the national planning rule, the Forest Service released their Watershed Condition Framework.

For background, the Forest Service completed a watershed condition classification on National Forest System lands spring 2011. During the summer and fall of 2011, priority watersheds were identified and work began on Watershed Restoration Action Plans.

The concept of “watersheds” crosses Forest Service Ranger District and National Forest boundaries and includes state, local, and private lands.  Each priority watershed carries a classification of Functioning Properly, Functioning at Risk or Impaired Function.  While priority attention will focus on “Impaired Function” watersheds, close attention is expected on activities within the “Functioning at Risk” watersheds to ensure they do not adversely impact the current classification.

The latest results of this Watershed Condition Framework planning work are available via a publicly available map viewer website where users can:

• See each watershed's overall watershed condition rating and the individual ratings of the watershed condition indicators
• Locate priority watersheds
• Read about why the watershed was selected as a priority
• Download Watershed Restoration Action Plans
• Learn about other important planning items, including estimated costs and restoration partners

The watershed condition classification, priority watershed designation and Watershed Restoration Action Plans are the first three steps in the agency’s Watershed Condition Framework. The interactive mapping capability will better provide current and future partners important information on potential needs for watershed restoration and maintenance and will also increase the public’s awareness of their local watershed conditions and the role they can play in improving them.  The Forest Service is continuing work to make the last 3 steps available as well to complete the Framework cycle.

You can view the new interactive map using the link below:
• USDA Forest Service Watershed Condition and Prioritization Interactive map

More information on the Watershed Condition Framework is available at:
• http://www.fs.fed.us/publications/watershed/

The release of the long awaited Giant Sequoia National Monument Management Plan is expected in the May-June 2012 timeframe.  The development of this plan has over 20 years of controversy and litigation history.

Also within the Sequoia NF, a preliminary decision on action with the Trail of 100 Giants has been released.  A fallen sequoia tree blocked a part of the popular hiking trail.  Recreation and environmental groups have agreed on a plan to build a boardwalk along side the fallen tree to re-open the popular trail.  That work is expected to begin late summer 2012 and be completed within a couple of months.

Another pending action within the Sequoia NF is the Needles Fire Lookout restoration which was destroyed in a fire.  While there is agreement among all stakeholders the tower should be replaced, a final action plan from the Forest Service will not be available until survey crews can review the area after the winter snows are gone.

OHMVR - As noted last month, Daphne Greene was not re-appointed to the position of Deputy Director of the OHMVR Division of California State Parks.  The Governor’s Office has been inundated with requests for her re-appointment.  I drafted a letter of support for her re-appointment which was circulated among the major state OHV groups (California Motorized Recreation Council) for their signature.  Almost 200 association, organizations and clubs around the state have signed on to that letter.  To date, there is no additional news about the Governor’s decision.

Johnson Valley (Save the Hammers) - California Motorized Recreation Council has established a sub-group to develop a plan to combat the proposed Marine expansion into Johnson Valley.  A major fundraising effort will be held during the 2012 King of the Hammers event.  The funds are necessary to engage in lobbying activities in Washington DC to convince Members of Congress that the proposed Marine expansion into Johnson Valley is not a good idea.

A broad base of state and national organizations along with local, state and national businesses are working together to stop the proposed Marine expansion plans.

Release of the Final Environmental Impact Statement is expected on April 27.  The final Record of Decision is expected within 30-45 days later.  After the ROD is signed, the package will be submitted for congressional review and approval.

The Department of Interior has released a draft national strategy to help prepare for and reduce the impacts of climate change on species, ecosystems, and the people and economies that depend on them.

The draft National Fish, Wildlife and Plants Climate Adaptation Strategy is available for public review and comment through March 5, 2012

The strategy represents a draft framework for unified action to safeguard fish, wildlife and plants, as well as the important benefits and services the natural world provides the nation every day, including jobs, food, clean water, clean air, building materials, storm protection, and recreation.

Meanwhile, within BLM Desert District work continues with the WEMO route review.  Public input is being sought from those with knowledge about routes in the desert region. Remaining meeting schedule is:

Barstow meetings: Barstow Field Office, 2601 Barstow Road, Barstow, CA 92311

• Thursday, Feb. 9.       TMA 5: WEMO North Barstow Desert Wildlife Management Area signing sub-regions north of I-15 and SR 58
• Tuesday, Feb. 14.      TMA 6:  El Mirage (including Edwards Bowl area), Fremont, and Iron Mountains signing sub-regions south of SR 58
• Tuesday, Feb. 21.      TMA 8: Lands adjacent to Stoddard and Johnson OHV Areas, and other signing sub-regions south of I-40 and north of SR 247 including east of Interstate I-15

Ridgecrest meetings: Kerr-McGee Bldg, 100 West California Ave, Ridgecrest, CA 93555. 

• Monday, Feb. 6.        TMA 4: Jawbone, Middle Knob and Lancaster signing sub-regions
• Thursday, Feb. 16.    TMA 7:  Ridgecrest, El Paso, Rands and Red Mtn signing sub- regions

Within the past year, all land management agencies (Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Reclamation, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) have either begun or completed “watershed” reviews of lands under their management control. In addition, the same agencies have been engaged in “climate change” impact studies or reviews for several years. While wilderness and wildlife continue to be major impacts to recreation opportunity, water and climate issues are beginning to rise in importance.

On the wildlife front, the Sage Grouse is emerging as a high priority issue.  Initial indications are that grazing and energy development will receive the majority of the impact with the greatest being in Wyoming.

And, a confirmed sighting of a wolf has been reported in northern California in an area where the last reported wolf sighting was in 1924.

And, the Desert Tortoise Recovery Plan is moving forward.  U.S. Fish and Wildlife solicited requests for membership on Recovery Implementation Teams.  I have been selected as the motorized recreation representative on the team for the Western Mojave Region under the tortoise recovery plan.

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