# Presentation: 335026

## Implementing a Dry Forest Strategy in Late-Successional Reserves: the Wenatchee Experience

- Bill Gaines, USFS
- And
- Jeff Krupka, USFWS

## Overview

**Dry Forests and LSRs on the Wenatchee NF**
**Management Approach**
**Implementation Issues**
**New Approaches and Forest Plan Revision**

## Slide 3

## Dry Forests and LSRs

- (NRF Habitat)

## Fire History Literature

**Camp et al. 1997**. Predicting late-successional fire refugia pre-dating European settlement in the Wenatchee Mountains. Forest Ecology and Management.
**Everett et al. 1997**. Structure of northern spotted owl nest stands and their historical conditions on the eastern slope of the Pacific Northwest Cascades. Forest Ecology and Management
**Everett et al. 2000**. Fire history in ponderosa pine/Douglas-fir forests on the east slope of the Washington Cascades. Forest Ecology and Management.
**Everett et al. 2003**. Continuity of fire disturbance between riparian and adjacent sideslope Douglas-fir forests. Forest Ecology and Management.
**Wright and Agee. 2004**. Fire and vegetation history in the eastern Cascade Mountains, Washington. Ecological Applications.

## Northern Spotted Owls

- About 350,000 ac of habitat in Dry Forest
- Monitor ~170 Activity Centers/year (1991-2003)
- 60 (35%) in Dry Forest Types
- 110 (65%) in More Mesic/Moist Forest Types

## Persistence of Spotted Owl Activity Centers(applying Camp et al.  1997)

**Percent**

## 1994-2004 Fires

- Averaging over 45,000 acres burned/year forestwide
- Examples
- 1994 Hatchery/Rat/Tyee – 186,000 acres
- 2001-2002 Chelan Fires – 98,000 acres
- 2003 Okanogan Fires – 107,000 acres*
- 2004 OWNF Fires – 64,000 acres
- Losses estimated as 17 AC and 25,000 acres of NRF*
- OWNF observation = SEI conclusion: more habitat effects due to fire than harvest

## Old Growth Ponderosa Pine Forest Species

- Habitat:
- Potential of about 200,000-220,000 acres (WNF).
- 60% decrease in Habitat Availability (ICBMP).

## How Do We Deal With These Issues?

- Sustainability of Late-Successional Habitat.
- Desire to Restore Dry Forest Habitats.
- Limiting Factors/ Driving Forces (social/political, ESA, etc.)

## Management Approach

- Overview
- Watershed Analysis
- LSRA and Late-Successional Habitat
- Dry Forest Habitat Restoration
- Tools
- Existing NWFP analyses
- Published literature and other new information
- Monitoring and local knowledge

## Watershed Analysis

**Assess the current condition of wildlife habitats.**
**Assess the reference (historic) condition of wildlife habitats (incorporates disturbance ecology).**
**Compare the current and reference condition to estimate trends in habitat (identify sustainability issues).**
**Identify restoration opportunities.**

## Use of Reference Conditions

- “Objectively” gain insights about ecosystem processes and functions.
- “Objectively” gain insights into “trends” about habitat and vegetation conditions.
- Evaluate management/restoration options.
_**NOT**_ to re-create historic conditions everywhere.
- Until someone comes up with a better approach!

## 1997 Wenatchee LSRA

- Describes the 15 LSR/11 MLSA system
- Concept and role of the “Big 3” LSR’s
- Larger role in conservation (60% goal, 20+ pairs)
- Assume act as “source populations”
- Balance Restoration with Protection of Habitat
- Provides flexibility for management within LSR/MLSA’s with high risk of disturbance
- LSR Risk Rating based on departure from reference conditions and potential for human caused ignitions
- Core of the WNF strategy for owl conservation

## Late-Successional Habitat

- Identify the location on a Landscape where LS Habitat is _**MOST**_ sustainable
- Considerations
- Start with Spotted Owl Activity Center(s)
- Fire Refugia (Camp et al. 1997)
- Historically 7-16% of the landscape
- Habitat patches that are in the most sustainable locations on the landscape (riparian areas, north slopes, benches)
- Maintain a Minimum of 40% (other LSRs)-60% (Big 3 LSRs) NRF Habitat in Territory Around Spotted Owl Activity Centers.
- Think outside the “Circle”
- Adjacent CHU/Matrix lands (LSRA sustainability analysis)

## Restoration of Dry Forest Habitats

- Emphasize Old Growth Ponderosa Pine Forest Dependent Species and Fuels Reduction
- May retain Dispersal habitat Characteristics for Spotted Owls in some cases (>40% canopy closure)
- Generally is not spotted owl habitat (NRF)
- Where LS habitat has low probability of being sustained (may be relative)
- Juxtaposed around LS habitat to reduce fire risk
- May Treat Up to 40% (Big 3)-60% (others) of the landscape
- May reduce risks to some stands of spotted owl habitat but likely do not change landscape level risks

## Stand-Level Prescriptions

- Science:
- Stand Reconstruction (Harrod et al. 1999)
- Stand Density Index
- Objectives:
- Restore “old” structures
- Reintroduce processes (fire)
- Reduce fuels/risks
- Tools:
- Thinning
- Thin and Burn
- Prescribed fire
- Pruning

## Monitoring to Adapt Management

- Dry Forest Restoration Monitoring
- Fire and Fire Surrogate
- Birds and Burning
- Northern Spotted Owl Related Monitoring
- Demographic studies
- Northern flying squirrel
- Barred owl ecology

## Implementation Issues

- Varying Quality of Watershed Analyses
- Vegetation data approach
- Use of Reference Condition
- Units have Unique Situations
- Availability of Fire Ecology expertise
- Concerns about “treating” spotted owl habitat
- Former Survey and Manage species
- Land Use Allocations
- Management Approach implemented in “easy” areas, left with complex areas

## New Information and Forest Plan Revision

- SEI Report and Demography Studies
- Rangewide:  More habitat but less owls
- EWC:  substantial decline, averaging 7%
- EWC threats:  habitat, barred owl, WNV?
- Forest Plan Revision
- Opportunity to revise LSRA, risk management?
- Fuel reduction vs. spotted owl persistence?
- Integrate LSR Guidelines with Fire Regime Condition Class?  Adjust LUA boundaries?
- FUELSOLVE
- Appropriate amount of landscape treated?

## Summary

- WNF:  35% of owls occupy dry forest
- Struggling to maintain and develop habitat in a fire-prone environment
- Overall, a good “compromise” strategy but concerns about effectiveness
- Spotted owls continue to decline

## Conclusion

- Forest Plan Revision as an opportunity to develop a new strategic plan, revise the LSRA
- Stay the course after only 10 years?
- Aggressively treat to reduce habitat losses?
- Strategically treat to minimize impacts?
- Other factors influencing decline?

## Questions?