In most cases, this objective should be achievable within a three-year time span. The maintain low strategy is applicable in chronically infested stands where the spread of the beetle has been reduced to a level that can be dealt with under a base or normal level program and within the allowable annual cut. This also includes areas where the outbreak has collapsed but where extensive susceptible stands remain. The strategy can be considered as a sub-set of suppression. The intent is to accommodate expected beetle activity in the normal planning process and to deal with new infestation polygons as they arise.
Detection is critical for application in harvesting programs and other treatments.
All major access will be in place or planned in conjunction with hazard rating. A maintenance program will incorporate all relevant activities to prevent rapid increases in the beetle population. A maintain low program is a base level program and would continue indefinitely. The intent of a holding action strategy is to maintain an existing outbreak at a relatively static level. It is a delaying strategy until adequate resources are available or access created, allowing for more aggressive management.