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
Warm Springs Indian Reservation
Public Opinions
Public Concerns
Homepage |
Issue of Concern | Response |
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Aesthetics | Contact Discussion NEPA |
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Air Quality | Contact Discussion NEPA |
| Anadromous Fish | Contact Discussion NEPA |
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Bull Trout Habitat | Contact Discussion NEPA |
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Biomass Fuels | Contact Discussion NEPA |
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Catastrophic Events | Contact Discussion NEPA |
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Conflicting Regulations | Contact Discussion NEPA |
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Cultural Resources | Contact Discussion NEPA |
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Endangered Species | Contact Discussion NEPA |
| Erosion | Contact Discussion NEPA |
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| Fuel Treatment | Contact Discussion NEPA |
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Hunting and Fishing | Contact Discussion NEPA |
| Insects and Diseases | Contact Discussion NEPA |
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Land Ownership Boundaries | Contact Discussion NEPA |
| Local Jobs | Contact Discussion NEPA |
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Meadow Restoration | Contact Discussion NEPA |
| Native Plants | Contact Discussion NEPA |
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| Noxious Weeds | Contact Discussion NEPA |
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Old-growth Trees | Contact Discussion NEPA |
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Prescribed Fire | Contact Discussion NEPA |
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Public Outreach | Contact Discussion NEPA |
| Recreational Uses | Contact Discussion NEPA |
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| Reforestation Planning | Contact Discussion NEPA |
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| Road Abandonment | Contact Discussion NEPA |
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Salvage Logging | Contact Discussion NEPA |
| Spotted Owl Habitat | Contact Discussion NEPA |
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| Timber Sales | Contact Discussion NEPA |
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| Time Delays | Contact Discussion NEPA |
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| Urban Interface | Contact Discussion NEPA |
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Water Quality | Contact Discussion NEPA |
| Wildfire Risks and Costs | Contact Discussion NEPA |
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| Wildflower Habitat | Contact Discussion NEPA |
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.
