The three Forest Plans, developed independently, only partially match in management area boundaries or direction. Appeals, litigation and user conflicts have increased. The Project started from a request by a coalition of five environmental groups concerned about conserving watershed biodiversity. The project is an information gathering and sharing project rather than a decision project. Maintaining watershed diversity, water quality and allocating uses of the river are concerns.
Expectations range from primitive recreation and preservation to commodity production.
Implementing integrated resource management at a large scale with a bottom line of conserving biodiversity. Implementing ecosystem management principles of integration, sustainability, public participation and collaboration. Ecosystem management principles are being implemented through working groups and district projects. Researchers are being consulted and the public is participating. The project coordinator worked with EPA and private citizens to develop a funding proposal for application of BMPs on private lands in 1995.