629-603-0100 Adaptive Management Program Overview (1) The adaptive management program must: (a) Conduct effectiveness monitoring by assessing the degree to which the rules facilitating particular forest conditions and ecological processes achieve the biological goals and objectives. This assessment may include evaluation of cumulative effects. (b) Conduct research inquiry and validation monitoring to: (A) Determine if additional scientific inquiry is needed to fill knowledge gaps related to biological goals and objectives; and (B) Test and improve existing and new models and methodologies used to design and implement forest practice rules intended to meet the biological goals and objectives. (2) The adaptive management program participants include: (a) The Adaptive Management Program Committee (AMPC) described in OAR 629-603-0300 and its composition specified in section 36, chapter 33, Oregon Laws 2022; (b) The Independent Research and Science Team (IRST) described in OAR 629-603-0400 and its composition specified in section 38, chapter 33, Oregon Laws 2022; and (c) The Adaptive Management Program Coordinator described in OAR 629-603-0500. (3) The Board of Forestry and the department shall encourage access to land for the purpose of conducting studies and monitoring contemplated by Division 603 rules. The AMPC and the IRST may each prepare a report to the board describing instances where access to land has been insufficient to achieve the purposes of this rule division. If presented with such a report, the board shall consider whether to initiate rulemaking or other measures to address any research and monitoring problems arising from lack of access to land. (4) The State Forester shall report to the board annually about the status of adaptive management program efforts. (5) The board intends that the process of continuous improvement be applied to the adaptive management program. The department shall conduct performance audits once every six years per Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards. The first audit must be completed by January 1, 202 9 . The performance audits will evaluate whether the program achieved the purposes outlined in OAR 629-603-0000(5). (6) Adaptive management program studies will focus on issues related to the biological goals and objectives. However, studies may address issues that are not related to the biological goals and objectives only if the studies do not impair research and monitoring on issues related to the biological goals and objectives. (7) Adaptive management program research may test whether: (a) Operationally less expensive prescriptions can effectively meet biological goals and objectives; and, (b) More risk averse prescriptions are necessary to meet biological goals and objectives. (8) The following topics shall be prioritized in the initial phase of the adaptive management program: (a) Literature review for eastern Oregon steep slopes; (b) Requirements of baseline and trend monitoring of road rules; and (c) Amphibians. (9) The AMPC may determine when section (8) of this rule is satisfied and therefore those topics are no longer priorities. In the event the AMPC makes these findings, the department shall present the AMPC findings to the board. Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 527.710 & Section 34(2), Chapter 33, Oregon Laws 2022 Statutes/Other Implemented: Section 34(1), Chapter 33, Oregon Laws 2022 History: DOF 14-2023, amend filed 07/01/2023, effective 07/01/2023 DOF 4-2022, adopt filed 11/09/2022, effective 11/15/2022