Since 2008, the purpose of the FFAC IWG has been to pursue implementation of the Board of Forestry’s recommendations on how to accomplish more management on federal lands in partnership with the state. These recommendations appear in the Board’s report, “Achieving Oregon’s Vision for Federal Forestlands”, January 2009.

FFAC IWG: Vision and purpose statement (revised 3/4/2011):

“The IWG is focused on supporting landscape-scale, active restoration of federal forest lands by identifying and removing barriers to restoration of forest and watershed health. We will:

1) help collaboratives identify local forest health priorities, develop landscape-scale forest restoration plans, and find agreement for active management;

2) advocate for sustainable and predictable supply of biomass and merchantable timber, and

3) advocate for supportive state and federal policy.

These activities will restore forests, help sustain communities by creating jobs and maintaining forest-sector infrastructure, and enhance Oregon’s energy independence.  The IWG will initially focus on the dry, fire-prone forests found east of the Cascades and in the southern interior of Oregon.”

In April 2011, the FFAC IWG adopted a framework for an action plan that includes:

A) Develop a Landscape Assessment Tool Kit

B) Create a System to Facilitate and Reduce the Cost and Time for NEPA Analysis and ESA Consultation

C) Provide Project Staffing Support to Federal Agencies

D) Provide Support for Engaging with Local Collaboratives

E) Identify Funding Sources

F) Create a Subcommittee for Policy Issues

Results

• Conducting an assessment to identify priority forest health and economic geographies for landscape scale forest restoration assessments.
• Development of a GIS map of local forest health collaborative processes in Oregon.
• Inventory of local forest health collaboratives’ status and needs.
  •   Discussion with collaborative groups to provide technical assistance including:  assistance in conducting a landscape scale assessment, assistance in starting a new collaborative process, assistance in helping to implement a landscape forest health project, and assistance in developing an economic forum.
•  Reviewed and commented to USFS R-6 on CFLRP applications.  Arranged key local collaborators dialogue with the IWG to review needs in conjunction with CFLRP applications (Deschutes, Fremont-Winema, and Malheur NF).
• Working on “meta-level” needs of all forest collaboratives in Oregon:
  • Partnership to design and deliver a multiparty monitoring guidebook.
  •  Development of a “collaborative capacity” grant fund led by USFS Region 6.
  •  Early work to develop an Oregon Network of forest health collaborative groups.
• Leveraging funds to help the Malheur National Forest implement forest health projects in Grant and Harney counties where timber supply is badly needed to support the retention of critical infrastructure

Additional Resources

Federal Forestlands Advisory Committee

Achieving Oregon’s Vision for Federal Forestlands, Oregon Board of Forestry, January 2009