B&B Complex

Policy and Management Issues

Blue Balls Salvage Logging Unit, May 15, 2004

Policy

"Any course or plan of action, especially, in governmental or business administration, such a course or plan designed to influence future decisions, actions, etc." Funk & Wagnalls Standard College Dictionary (1963: 1045)

"Policy making is more art than science, creating policies from a shifting palette of social, political, legal, and environmental concerns." Using Scientific Input in Policy and Decision Making (Adams and Hairston 1994: 1)

The B&B Complex Fire burned land that is mostly owned by the public, while the US Forest Service is in charge of most of the management in the area. Managing these public lands is restricted by numerous federal and state laws, regulations, and policies. Often the management processes involve millions of dollars. Being of economic importance puts these issues in the hotseat. Heated public debates often involve government agencies, lawyers, environmentalists, and citizens. Over time, these political actions may result in significant policy changes. However, to untangle and implement change in some policies can take years and decades of debate.

Policy is dramatically affecting post-fire management actions in the B&B area. The Forest Service is attempting to harvest some timber, although due to certain policy constraints and other factors, progress has been slow. The burned area has some timber (burnt snags) that may be economically beneficial to harvest, however how economic has been a big question, as many of the trees in the burn area were already dead from the spruce budworm attack. So far, only snags that were a roadside hazard have been cut, as well as thinning in a few "experimental" areas.

It will be interesting to watch how policy affects the future management in the B&B area. We have at least two fires that can be used for comparison. In the Biscuit Fire , we have mostly chosen to leave the snags for wildlife, even though it has been a huge economic loss. The possible environmental benefits to wildlife by leaving so many snags, will be documented and analyzed by many for years to come. The Tillamook Fire, clearcutting, and susequent reforestation has shown us that we can succesfuly regrow an entire forest. Different environmentalist groups now want this area protected from future logging to ensure the safety of old-growth forests, riparian areas and other sensitive habitats.

This website is arranged into the four principal groups of policies governing the management of the B&B Complex, and also by the principal issues and concerns currently involved in these policies.

 

Policies

National Forest

National Wilderness

Oregon Department of Forestry

Warm Springs Indian Reservation

 

Public Opinions

News, Letters, and Editorials

Key People

 

Public Concerns

Homepage
Issue of Concern Response
Aesthetics

Contact

Discussion

NEPA

Air Quality

Contact

Discussion

NEPA

  Anadromous Fish

Contact

Discussion

NEPA

Bull Trout Habitat

Contact

Discussion

NEPA

Biomass Fuels

Contact

Discussion

NEPA

Catastrophic Events

Contact

Discussion

NEPA

Conflicting Regulations

Contact

Discussion

NEPA

Cultural Resources

Contact

Discussion

NEPA

Endangered Species

Contact

Discussion

NEPA

  Erosion

Contact

Discussion

NEPA

Fuel Treatment

Contact

Discussion

NEPA

Hunting and Fishing

Contact

Discussion

NEPA

  Insects and Diseases

Contact

Discussion

NEPA

Land Ownership Boundaries

Contact

Discussion

NEPA

  Local Jobs

Contact

Discussion

NEPA

Meadow Restoration

Contact

Discussion

NEPA

  Native Plants

Contact

Discussion

NEPA

  Noxious Weeds

Contact

Discussion

NEPA

Old-growth Trees

Contact

Discussion

NEPA

Prescribed Fire

Contact

Discussion

NEPA

Public Outreach

Contact

Discussion

NEPA

  Recreational Uses

Contact

Discussion

NEPA

Reforestation Planning

Contact

Discussion

NEPA

  Road Abandonment

Contact

Discussion

NEPA

Salvage Logging

Contact

Discussion

NEPA

  Spotted Owl Habitat

Contact

Discussion

NEPA

  Timber Sales

Contact

Discussion

NEPA

  Time Delays

Contact

Discussion

NEPA

  Urban Interface

Contact

Discussion

NEPA

Water Quality

Contact

Discussion

NEPA

  Wildfire Risks and Costs

Contact

Discussion

NEPA

  Wildflower Habitat

Contact

Discussion

NEPA

National Wilderness Policies

National Wilderness Act: can prescribed burn practices replace "let it burn" policies? www.fs.fed.us/land/wdfire.htm

Oregon Department of Forestry Policies

Structure-based management is being tested in the site of the world's largest tree-planting and snag harvesting project ever: the Tillamook Burn

Warm Springs Indian Reservation Policies

Pioneers in IRMP (Integrated Resources Management Plan) for forests, rivers, grasslands, and people.

©2004 Oregon Websites and Watersheds Project, Inc.