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Interior Columbia Basin Ecosystem Management Project

This is not a NEPA decision document
An Assessment of Ecosystem Components

in the Interior Columbia Basin

And Portions of the Klamath and Great Basins: Volume I

Thomas M. Quigley

Sylvia J. Arbelbide

Technical Editors

Volume I contains pages 1 through 335

Thomas M. Quigley is a range scientist at the Pacific Northwest Research Station, Walla Walla, WA 99362;

Sylvia J. Arbelbide is a geologist at the Pacific Southwest Region, Walla Walla, WA 99362

June 1997

United States Department of Agriculture

Forest Service

Pacific Northwest Research Station

Portland, Oregon
Abstract

Quigley, Thomas M.; Arbelbide, Sylvia J., tech. eds. 1997. An assessment of ecosystem

components in the interior Columbia basin and portions of the Klamath and Great

Basins: volume 1. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-405. Portland, OR: U.S. Department

of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 4 vol. (Quigley,

Thomas M., tech. ed.; The Interior Columbia Basin Ecosystem Management Project:

Scientific Assessment).

The Assessment of Ecosystem Components in the Interior Columbia Basin and Portions of the

Klamath and Great Basins provides detailed information about current conditions and

trends for the biophysical and social systems within the Basin. This information can be

used by land managers to develop broad land management goals and priorities and provides the context for decisions specific to smaller geographic areas. The Assessment area

covers about 8 percent of the U.S. land area, 24 percent of the Nation's National Forest

System lands, 10 percent of the Nation's BLM-administered lands, and contains about 1.2

percent of the Nation's population. This results in a population density that is less than

one-sixth of the U.S. average. The area has experienced recent, rapid population growth

and generally has a robust, diverse economy. As compared to historic conditions, the terrestrial, aquatic, forest, and rangeland systems have undergone dramatic changes. Forested

landscapes are more susceptible to fire, insect, and disease than under historic conditions.

Rangelands are highly susceptible to noxious weed invasion. The disturbance regimes that

operate on forest and rangeland have changed substantially, with lethal fires dominating

many areas where non-lethal fires were the norm historically. Terrestrial habitats that have

experienced the greatest decline include the native grassland, native shrubland, and old

forest structures. There are areas within the Assessment area that have higher diversity than

others. Aquatic systems are now more fragmented and isolated than historically and the

introduction of non-native fish species has complicated current status of native fishes. Core

habitat and population centers do remain as building blocks for restoration. Social and

economic conditions within the Assessment area vary considerably, depending to a great

extent on population, diversity of employment opportunities, and changing demographics.

Those counties with the higher population densities and greater diversity of employment

opportunities are generally more resilient to economic downturns. This Assessment provides a rich information base, including over 170 mapped themes with associated models

and databases, from which future decisions can benefit.

Keywords: Columbia basin, biophysical systems, social systems, ecosystem.
Preface

This document represents a substantial portion of the work of the Science Integration

Team (SIT) of the Interior Columbia Basin Ecosystem Management Project (ICBEMP).

This product results from the efforts of literally hundreds of scientists and technical

specialists. The SIT provided leadership to the entire effort that took more than three years

to complete. Summaries of the work and synthesis products, An Integrated Assessment of the

Interior Columbia Basin and portions of the Klamath and Great Basins and Status of the

Interior Columbia Basin Ecosystem Management Project Summary of Scientific Findings,

appeared before the formal publication of this document. Combined, these pieces constitute the Scientific Assessment of the Interior Columbia Basin and portions of the Klamath

and Great Basins. The Assessment benefltted greatly by interactions with the ICBEMP

Environmental Impact Statement Team members and Project Leaders. The open process

undertaken through this effort represented a first for such a scientific endeavor. We learned

a great deal from the many individuals and groups who took interest in and participated in

the many open meetings and presentations held. The products are better because of this

openness.

The leadership of Charlie Philpot, Denver Burns, and particularly Tom Mills during the

closing months of the process, helped the SIT through the significant internal and external

political process that surrounded the ICBEMP process and products. We recognize that

existence of the document is a result of Jodi Clifford's efforts and persistence in organizing,

coordinating, and editing.

SCIENCE TEAM MEMBERS

Team Leaders

Thomas M. Quigley, Range Scientist, Science Integration Team Leader.USDA Forest Service, Pacific

Northwest Research Station, Walla Walla, WA.

Sylvia J. Arbelbide, Geologist, Deputy Science Integration Team Leader.USDA Forest Service, Pacific

Southwest Region, San Francisco, CA.

Russell T. Graham, Research Forester, Deputy Science Team Leader. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain

Research Station, Moscow, ID.

Aquatics

David Burns, Fisheries Biologist. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Region, Payette National Forest,

McCall, Idaho.

James Clayton, Soil Scientist. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station, Boise, ID.

Lynn Decker, Biologist, Aquatic Team Co-Leader. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Region, San

Francisco, CA.

Robert Gresswell, Fisheries Biologist. USDI Fish and Wildlife Service, detailed to Pacific Northwest

Research Station, Corvallis, OR.

Robert House, Fisheries Biologist. USDI Bureau of Land Management, Idaho State Office, Boise, ID.

Phil Howell, Fisheries Biologist. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Umatilla National

Forest, North Fork Ranger District, Uriah, OR.

Danny C. Lee, Research Biologist, Aquatic Team Leader. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Research

Station, Boise, ID.

Kristene M. Lee, Biologist, Aquatic Team Co-Leader. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Region,

Ogden, UT.

Ken MacDonald, Fisheries biologist USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Wenatchee

National Forest, Wenatchee, WA.

John Mclntyre, Scientist Emeritus, USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station, Boise, ID.

Shaun McKinney, Fisheries Biologist. USDA Forest Service, Umatilla National Forest, Pendleton, OR.
Tracy Noel, Biological Technician. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, Corvallis,

OR.

Jim E. O'Connor, Fisheries Biologist, USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, Walla

Walla, WA.

C. Kerry Overton, Technology Transfer Specialist. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station,

Boise, ID.

Doug Perkinson, Fisheries Biologist. USDA Forest Service, Northern Region, Kootenai National Forest,

Libby, MT.

James R. Sedell, Research Biologist, Aquatic Team Co-Leader. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest

Research Station, Corvallis, OR.

Bruce E. Rieman, Research Fisheries Biologist Service, Intermountain Research Station, Boise, ID.

Russell F. Thurow, Fisheries Research Scientist. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station,

ID.

Jack E. Williams, Aquatic Scientist, Aquatic Team Co-Leader. Bureau of Land Management, Idaho State

Office, Boise, ID.

Ken Tu, Forester. USDA Forest Service, Umatilla National Forest, Walla Walla, WA.

Pat Van Eimeren, Fisheries Biologist. USDA Forest Service, Northern Region, Flathead National Forest,

Kalispell, ID.

Economics

Richard W. Haynes, Research Forester, Economics Co-Team Leader.USDA Forest Service, Pacific

Northwest Research Station, Portland, OR.

Amy L. Home, Research Forester, Economics Co-Team Leader.USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest

Research Station, Portland, OR.

Wendy McGinnis, Ecbnomist.USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, Portland, OR.

Nicholas Reyna, Forest Economist.USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station.Walla

Walla, WA.

Landscape Ecology

Ann L. Acheson, Air Program Manager.USDA Forest Service, Northern Region, Missoula, MT.

Carl Almquist, Geologist.USDI Bureau of Mines, Western Field Operations Center, Spokane, WA.

Kenneth Brewer, Landscape Ecologist.USDA Forest Service, Flathead National Forest, Kalispell, MT.

Sue Ferguson, Research Climatologist.USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, Seattle, WA.

Gary L. Ford, Soil Scientist.USDA Forest Service, Idaho Panhandle National Forest, Coeur d'Alene, ID.

Thomas P. Frost, Research Geologist.USDI Geological Survey, Western Mineral Resources Branch,

Spokane, WA.
Iris Goodman, Research/Landscape Hydrologist.Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Landscape

Characterization Research and Development, Las Vegas, NV.

Wendel J. Hann, Landscape Ecologist, Landscape Ecology Team Co-Leader.USDA Forest Service,

Northern Region, Missoula, MT.

Colin Hardy, Supervisory Research Forester.USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station,

Missoula, MT.

Paul F. Hessburg, Research Plant Pathologist/Entomologist, Landscape Ecology Team Co-Leader.USDA

Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, Wenatchee, WA.

Mark E. Jensen, Landscape Ecologist/ Landscape Ecology Team Co-Leader.USDA Forest Service,

Northern Region, Missoula, MT.

Jeffrey L. Jones, Wildlife Biologist.USDA Forest Service, Beaverhead National Forest, Dillon, MT.

Lynn Kaney, Silviculturist.USDA Forest Service, Colville National Forest, Newport, WA.

Michael G. (Sherm) Karl, Rangeland Management Specialist/Ecologist.USDA Forest Service, Pacific

Northwest Research Station, Walla Walla, WA.

Robert E. Keane, System Dynamics/Research Ecologist.USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Research

Station, Missoula, MT.

Steve Leonard, Range Conservationist. USDI Bureau of Land Management, Nevada State Office, Reno, NV.

Don Long, Forester.USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station, Missoula, MT.

Mary E. Manning, Ecologist.USDA Forest Service, Northern Region, Missoula, MT.

Cecilia McNicoll, Ecological Analyst/Inventory.USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station,

Missoula, MT.

James P. Menakis, Forester.USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station, Missoula, MT.

John Nesser, Soil Scientist.USDA Forest Service, Northern Region, Missoula, MT.

Roger Ottmar, Research Forester.USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, Seattle, WA.

David Powell, Forest Silviculturist.USDA Forest Service, Umatilla National Forest, Pendleton, OR.

Bradley G. Smith, Quantitative Community Ecologist.USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research

Station, Bend, OR.

Mike Stimak, Forester.USDI Bureau of Land Management, Upper Columbia-Salmon and Clearwater

Districts, Coeur d'Alene, ID.

Social

Stewart D. Allen, Sociologist.USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, Walla Walla, WA.

Jon S. Bumstead, Social Scientist, Social Science Team Co-Leader. US DA Forest Service, Pacific

Northwest Research Station, Walla Walla, WA.

James A. Burchfield, Sociologist, Social Science Team Co-Leader.USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest

Research Station, Walla Walla, WA.
Steven J. Galliano, Landscape Architect.USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, Walla

Walla, WA.

Richard C. Hanes, Anthropologist/Native American Topics Specialist. USDI Bureau of Land

Management, Oregon/Washington State, Eugene, OR.

Gary Loeffler, Landscape Architect.USDA Forest Service, Mt. Hood National Forest, Zigzag, OR.

Steven F. McCool, Social Scientist, Social Science Team Co-Leader.USDA Forest Service, Pacific

Northwest Research Station, Walla Walla, WA.

Joan Trent, Attitudes/Values/Beliefs Specialist.USDI Bureau of Land Management, Montana State

Office, Billings, MT.

Spatial

Becky Gravenmier, Natural Resource Specialist/GIS, Spatial Team Leader.USDI Bureau of Land

Management, Oregon/Washington State Office,Portland, OR.

John StefFenson, GIS Specialist.USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Portland, OR.

Andrew Wilson, GIS Specialist.USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Portland, OR.

Terrestrial

Katie Boula, Wildlife Biologist.USDA Forest Service, Umatilla National Forest, Pendleton, OR.

Michael A. Castellano, Research Forester.USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station,

Corvallis, OR.

Lisa Croft, Botanist, Vascular and Non-Vascular Plants Group Leader.USDA Forest Service, Ochoco

National Forest, Prineville, OR.

Michelle Eames, Wildlife Biologist.USDI Fish and Wildlife Service, Spokane, WA.

Christina Hargis, Wildlife Ecologist.USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station, Logan, UT.

Randal J. Hickenbottom, Wildlife Biologist, Terrestrial Team Co-Leader.USDA Forest Service, Pacific

Northwest Region, Portland, OR.

Richard S. Holthausen, Wildlife Ecologist, Terrestrial Team Co-Leader.USDA Forest Service, Washington

Office, Corvallis, OR.

John F. Lehmkuhl, Wildlife Ecologist, Terrestrial Team Co-Leader.USDA Forest Service, Pacific

Northwest Research Station, Wenatchee, WA.

Bruce G. Marcot, Wildlife Ecologist, Terrestrial Team Co-Leader.USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest

Research Station, Portland, OR.

Wally Murphy, Wildlife Biologist.USDA Forest Service, Umatilla National Forest, Pendleton, OR.

Robert H. Naney, Wildlife Biologist, Vertebrates Group Leader.USDA Forest Service, Okanogan

National Forest, Okanogan, WA.
Kurt Nelson, Wildlife Biologist, Terrestrial Team Co-Leader. USDA Forest Service, Payette National

Forest, McCall, ID.

Dave Newhouse, Wildlife Biologist.USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Region, Ogden, UT.

Christine G. Niwa, Research Entomologist, Invertebrates Group Leader.USDA Forest Service, Pacific

Northwest Research Station, Corvallis, OR.

Wayne Owen, Botanist.USDA Forest Service, Boise National Forest, Boise, ID.

Mike Pellant, Ecologist.USDI Bureau of Land Management, Idaho State Office, Boise, ID.

Martin G. Raphael, Research Wildlife Biologist, Terrestrial Team Co-Leader.USDA Forest Service, Pacific

Northwest Research Station, Olympia, WA.

Terry Rich, Wildlife Biologist.USDI Bureau of Land Management, Idaho State Office, Boise, ID.

Roger Rosentreter, Botanist.USDI Bureau of Land Management, Idaho State Office, Boise, ID.

Vicki Saab, Wildlife Research Biologist.USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station, Boise, ID.

Fred Samson, Wildlife Biologist.USDA Forest Service, Northern Region, Missoula, MT.

Roger E. Sandquist, Forester.USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Portland, OR.

J. Stephen Shelly, Regional Botanist.USDA Forest Service, Northern Region, Missoula, MT.

Karl Urban, Forest Botanist.USDA Forest Service, Umatilla National Forest, Pendleton, OR.

Barbara Wales, Wildlife Biologist/Data Base Manager.USDA Forest Service, Wallowa-Whitman National

Forest, La Grande, OR.

Nancy Warren, Wildlife Biologist.USDA Forest Service, Flathead National Forest, Kalispell, MT.

Michael Wisdom, Wildlife Biologist.USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, La Grande, OR.

Elaine Zieroth, Wildlife Biologist, Terrestrial Team Co-Leader. USD A Forest Service, Okanogan National

Forest, Tonasket, WA.

VOLUME

CONTENTS

VOLUME I

Chapter 1 - Introduction

Executive Summary-Biophysical Environments

Executive Summary-Landscape Dynamics

Executive Summary-Broadscale Assessment of

Aquatic Species and Habitats

Executive Summary-Terrestrial Ecology

Executive Summary-Economic Assessment

Executive Summary-Social Assessment

Executive Summary-Information System

Development and Documentation

Chapter 2 - Biophysical Environments of the Basin

VOLUME II

Chapter 3 - Landscape Dynamics of the Basin

VOLUME III

Chapter 4 - Broadscale Assessment of Aquatic Species and Habitats

Chapter 5 - Terrestrial Ecology of the Basin

VOLUME IV

Chapter 6 - Economic Assessment of the Basin

Chapter 7 - Social Assessment of the Basin

Chapter 8 - Information System Development and Documentation
Acknowledgments

Literally hundreds of individuals have contributed to this publication. We thank all those

who contributed to any portion of the overall Assessment effort. Individual chapters have

included acknowledgments specific to that component of the Assessment. Editing and

assembly of these chapters has been an enormous effort. Jodi Clifford, Liz Galli-Noble,

Kathy Helm, Lynn Starr, Ann Marie Walker, Shari Whirwell, Lisa Meabon, Mary Carr,

Ellen Eberhardt, Laurienne Riley, Tracy Noel, Cindy Dean, Heidi Bigler Cole, Kathy

Campbell, Connie Gilbreath, Eloisa Munden, Dan Mayer, Minnie Williams, Kelly

Wenzlick, Krista McHugh, and Berna Macintosh have all contributed to this task. Irene

Stumpf and Shari Whitwell created or edited many of the graphics. Traci McMerritt provided the cover design. Managing data, maps, tables, and databases for the Assessment was

the specific responsibility of the Spatial Analysis Team: Becky Gravenmier, Terry Locke,

Arthur Miller, Andy Wilson, Thang Lam, Dave Gilde, Mike Dana, Gary Lorimor, and

Dora DeCoursey. Undoubtedly, we have failed to recognize many who made significant

contributions to the Assessment, we apologize for any oversights.