“We are in the business of healthy ecosystems.”

A Business PlanFor

Ecosystem Health & Large-Scale Watershed Restoration

In the

Northern Region

THE PLAN

• The People, The Land, The Water• Our Vision• Our Goal• Our Approach

Watershed Health and Restoration

Sustainable Ecosystems Management

Forest Roads

Recreation

NATURAL RESOURCE AGENDA

NORTHERN REGION PLAN

Opportunities For Ecosystem

Restoration

Ecosystem Conservation

Recreation Strategy

Implications to People and Communities

Potential Use By Forests, Region and WO:

Budget

Workforce

Dialogue w/ Governments Publics and Communities

Forest Plan Revisions

Natural Resource Agenda and Northern Region Business Plan

Current Condition

• Forest, Rangeland and Riparian Vegetative health negatively affected by insects, disease and fire suppression.

• Aquatic health in a downward trend due to resource development, exotic species and fire suppression

• 54 wildlife, 15 aquatic and 216 plant species at risk

Our Vision• Healthy Ecosystems• Resilient to fire and

other disturbances• Support species

diversity• Mosaic of well-

connected habitats• Functions and

processes operating effectively

Our Approach

• Integration of all resources

• Uses the best available data

• Identifies Restoration Watersheds

• Prioritizes restoration activities on a regional basis

Integration of Resources and Information

• Water resources are driving the system

• Integration of all resources is a must

• People are part of the Ecosystem

• The best available information fuels the process

The Water

The Land

The Science

The People

Prioritizing Restoration Watersheds

• Last-of-the-Best– Roadless, Wilderness, and Parks

• “Ready to go” Restoration Watersheds– 10 watersheds have sufficient information/support to

proceed immediately

• Restoration Watersheds– 11 watersheds need additional information prior to

proceeding

• Other Watersheds– Remaining watersheds in the region not considered an

effective use of limited restoration funds

Identifying Restoration Watersheds

Aquatic Priorities

• All Last-of the Best Watersheds

• Clearwater (Lochsa, SF Clw, NF Clw)

• Bighole

• Belt

• St. Joe

Our Next Move

• Forests with “Ready to go” watersheds submit proposals.

• Region help Forests with Restoration Watersheds gather necessary information to develop proposals for 2002.

• Region presents Business Plan and proposals for first 10 watersheds to Chief.

• Depending on Funds, Forest develop business plans for Restoration Watersheds.

Management Implications

• Major shift in agency thinking

• Reallocation of scarce resources

• Long-term commitment to ecosystem recovery

• Truly integrated resource approach

Obstacles to our Vision

• Funding level of the War Department

• Other Regional Plans

• Shrinking federal budgets

• Small partnership base

• Past management decisions

• Resistance to change

Do. Don’t Do.

There Is No Try.