fORESTs AND wOODLANDS 

San Juan Islands National Monument RMP 

The San Juan Islands National Monument consists of approximately 1,000 acres, of which roughly 760 consist 

Forests and Woodlands and the Planning Process 

of forests and woodlands (78% of the monument). The northernmost islands, and north slopes and draws on the 

southern islands, are covered by moist, closed-canopy forests containing western red cedar, grand fir, and Douglas 

fir. As one travels south, the forests consist of more open and dry woodlands and grasslands. The dry woodlands are 

dominated by Douglas fir, lodgepole pine (shore pine), Pacific madrone, and Oregon oak. The dry site communities of 

grasslands oak-savannahs and dry woodlands are quite unusual in the otherwise wet Pacific Northwest. 

Through the planning process, the BLM will determine how and whether to protect and manage forests and 

woodlands over the next 15 to 20 years. This will include exploring different management approaches that could 

respond to the types of planning issues described below. We want your help in expanding and/or refining these issues 

(More information on reverse side.) 

Preliminary Planning Issues 

•	What types of management is needed to protect and restore forests and woodlands in a

healthy and resilient state? 

•	What types of management should be considered to reduce the risk of catastrophic

 wildfire? 

•	Whatrole should fire management play in the monument to preserve and restore forests

and woodlands that were previously maintained through periodic burning by the Native 

Americans and/or early settlers, and from natural ignitions? 

• What types of management should be considered to reduce the negative impacts from

wildland fires? 

What is THE San Juan Islands National Monument RMP? 

The Bureau of Land Management is developing a Resource Management Plan (RMP) 

for the San Juan Islands National Monument which will guide the management of these 

spectacular lands in a manner that ensures the protection of their remarkable cultural, 

historic, and ecological values for the benefit of generations of Americans to come. 

San Juan Islands National Monument 

Contact us 

BLM, Lopez Island Office 

P.O. Box 3 

Lopez, WA 98261 

mdechade@blm.gov 

news & updates 

Scan our QR Code or visit us at: 

www.blm.gov/SanJuanIslandsNM/RMP 

Or send us an email to: 

blm_or_sanjuanislandsnm@blm.gov 
Forests and Woodlands and the San Juan Islands National Monument 

The variable geology, soils, topography, and climate contribute to the large diversity 

of forests found within the San Juan Islands National Monument. Precipitation and 

disturbance regimes (historic fire frequency) on the southern islands are strikingly similar 

to sites on the east side of the Cascade Range, while the northern islands are similar to 

sites west of the Cascade Range. 

The monument’s drier areas are often relatively open and located on steep, rocky southfacing slopes. The understory of these drier sites is mostly grasses and forbs. Open 

grasslands are diminishing due to the invasion of trees into these areas. As the conifer 

canopy closes in, grass and shrub cover declines. 

Forests classified as North Pacific Maritime Dry-Mesic Douglas-fir-Western Hemlock 

Forest are the most extensive forest type on BLM lands in the San Juan Islands, occurring 

at Point Colville, Chadwick Hill, Iceberg Point, Kellett Bluff, Turn Point, and Patos 

Island. Although the acreage managed by BLM is small, it includes old growth forest 

stands on Patos Island, Iceberg Point, and Chadwick Hill/Point Colville. 

On the southern San Juan Islands, moist forests occur only in draws on Lopez Island 

where precipitation is 17+ inches; moist forests are more extensive on Patos and Little 

Patos Islands due to precipitation levels of up to 29 inches. Soils are usually deeper than 

in drier areas, and are able to support a heavier forest cover. Moist forests often lack 

understory vegetation due to the heavy overstory cover. These sites are usually productive 

and protected from wind and salt spray. 

How does the Proclamation Address this Resource or Use? 

Forests and woodlands are among the diverse San Juan Island habitats that are identified 

for protection under the proclamation. For the purposes of protecting and restoring these 

resources, the BLM shall prepare and maintain a management plan for the monument. 

How does this Resource or use fit into the planning process? 

Through the planning effort, the BLM will determine how the identified lands with forests 

and woodlands will be managed for the next 15 to 20 years. It will also document any 

impacts to forests and woodlands that would be caused by any range of management 

approaches it considers in the planning process.