Forest Planning and IRWMPs in the Sierra Nevada

Forest Planning and IRWMPs in the Sierra Nevada Sue Britting June 11, 2013

Coalition of conservation groups Focused on national forests in the Sierra Nevada Supporting a science-based conservation vision Prepares listing petitions and pursues various regulatory mechanisms to secure conservation for at risk resources Active participants in project planning and NEPA process on public lands

• New rule to guide national forest planning (April 2012) • Three Inyo, Sequoia and Sierra NFs selected as early adopters • Planning SN wide and for these three NFs started in 2012 • Other NFs in the SN to follow these

Multi-year Process 2012 2013 • Communication & Collaboration • SN Bioregional Assessment • Complete Need for Change • Science Synthesis completed for SN • Forest Assessments (Inyo, Sierra, Sequoia NFs) • Develop and Analyze Proposed Plan (each NF done separately) Plans completed • Begin Identifying Need for Change 2014 2015 • Public Review of Draft Plan and EIS (each NF done separately) • Approve Revised Plan • Monitor

FS Completed: Collaboration and communication plans for Region 5 and three forest (http: //www. fs. usda. gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUME NTS/stelprdb 5364034. pdf) 2012 • C and C Plans Completed • Science Synthesis completed FS Completed: Science synthesis to address key issues in the Sierra Nevada (http: //www. fs. fed. us/psw/publications/reportsp sw_sciencesynthesis 2013/index. shtml) Conservation Coalition Completed: Strategy to guide engagement in revision process http: //www. sierraforestlegacy. org/

Bioregional Assessment 2013 • Bioregional Assessment • Forest Assessments (Inyo, Sierra, and Sequoia NFs) • Begin Identifying Need for Change on three NFs • Evaluate region wide issues • Covers social, economic and ecological issues • Information to evaluate what parts of the forest plan need to be changed (or what parts should remain the same) • Complete by July 2013 • Background information can be viewed through Living Assessment http: //livingassessment. wikispaces. com/ Forest Assessments • Step down from bioregional assessment • Complete for Inyo, Sequoia and Sierra NFs by end of 2013. Early drafts now posted on WIKI

Give Feedback on Draft Plan Components 2014 • Complete Need for Change • Develop and Analyze Proposed Plan The revised plans must address actions needed to protect and conserve water resources and aquatic habitats.

2015 • Public Review of Draft Plan and EIS • Approve Revised Plan • Monitor • Provide comments on forest plan • Provide comments on monitoring plan • Begin implementing actions