Implementing a Dry Forest Strategy in Late-Successional Reserves: the Wenatchee Experience Bill Gaines, USFS And Jeff Krupka, USFWS

Overview Dry Forests and LSRs on the Wenatchee NF Dry Forests and LSRs on the Wenatchee NF Management Approach Management Approach Implementation Issues Implementation Issues New Approaches and Forest Plan Revision New Approaches and Forest Plan Revision

Dry Forests and LSRs (NRF Habitat)

Fire History Literature Camp et al Predicting late-successional fire refugia pre- dating European settlement in the Wenatchee Mountains. Forest Ecology and Management. Camp et al Predicting late-successional fire refugia pre- dating European settlement in the Wenatchee Mountains. Forest Ecology and Management. Everett et al Structure of northern spotted owl nest stands and their historical conditions on the eastern slope of the Pacific Northwest Cascades. Forest Ecology and Management Everett et al Structure of northern spotted owl nest stands and their historical conditions on the eastern slope of the Pacific Northwest Cascades. Forest Ecology and Management Everett et al Fire history in ponderosa pine/Douglas-fir forests on the east slope of the Washington Cascades. Forest Ecology and Management. Everett et al Fire history in ponderosa pine/Douglas-fir forests on the east slope of the Washington Cascades. Forest Ecology and Management. Everett et al Continuity of fire disturbance between riparian and adjacent sideslope Douglas-fir forests. Forest Ecology and Management. Everett et al Continuity of fire disturbance between riparian and adjacent sideslope Douglas-fir forests. Forest Ecology and Management. Wright and Agee Fire and vegetation history in the eastern Cascade Mountains, Washington. Ecological Applications. Wright and Agee Fire and vegetation history in the eastern Cascade Mountains, Washington. Ecological Applications.

Northern Spotted Owls About 350,000 ac of habitat in Dry Forest About 350,000 ac of habitat in Dry Forest Monitor ~170 Activity Centers/year ( ) Monitor ~170 Activity Centers/year ( ) 60 (35%) in Dry Forest Types 60 (35%) in Dry Forest Types 110 (65%) in More Mesic/Moist Forest Types 110 (65%) in More Mesic/Moist Forest Types

Persistence of Spotted Owl Activity Centers (applying Camp et al. 1997) Percent

Fires Averaging over 45,000 acres burned/year forestwide Averaging over 45,000 acres burned/year forestwide Examples Examples 1994 Hatchery/Rat/Tyee – 186,000 acres 1994 Hatchery/Rat/Tyee – 186,000 acres Chelan Fires – 98,000 acres Chelan Fires – 98,000 acres 2003 Okanogan Fires – 107,000 acres* 2003 Okanogan Fires – 107,000 acres* 2004 OWNF Fires – 64,000 acres 2004 OWNF Fires – 64,000 acres Losses estimated as 17 AC and 25,000 acres of NRF* Losses estimated as 17 AC and 25,000 acres of NRF* OWNF observation = SEI conclusion: more habitat effects due to fire than harvest OWNF observation = SEI conclusion: more habitat effects due to fire than harvest

Old Growth Ponderosa Pine Forest Species Habitat: Habitat: Potential of about 200, ,000 acres (WNF). Potential of about 200, ,000 acres (WNF). 60% decrease in Habitat Availability (ICBMP). 60% decrease in Habitat Availability (ICBMP).

How Do We Deal With These Issues? Sustainability of Late-Successional Habitat. Sustainability of Late-Successional Habitat. Desire to Restore Dry Forest Habitats. Desire to Restore Dry Forest Habitats. Limiting Factors/ Driving Forces (social/political, ESA, etc.) Limiting Factors/ Driving Forces (social/political, ESA, etc.)

Management Approach Overview Overview Watershed Analysis Watershed Analysis LSRA and Late-Successional Habitat LSRA and Late-Successional Habitat Dry Forest Habitat Restoration Dry Forest Habitat Restoration Tools Tools Existing NWFP analyses Existing NWFP analyses Published literature and other new information Published literature and other new information Monitoring and local knowledge Monitoring and local knowledge

Watershed Analysis Assess the current condition of wildlife habitats. Assess the current condition of wildlife habitats. Assess the reference (historic) condition of wildlife habitats (incorporates disturbance ecology). Assess the reference (historic) condition of wildlife habitats (incorporates disturbance ecology). Compare the current and reference condition to estimate trends in habitat (identify sustainability issues). Compare the current and reference condition to estimate trends in habitat (identify sustainability issues). Identify restoration opportunities. Identify restoration opportunities.

Use of Reference Conditions “Objectively” gain insights about ecosystem processes and functions. “Objectively” gain insights about ecosystem processes and functions. “Objectively” gain insights into “trends” about habitat and vegetation conditions. “Objectively” gain insights into “trends” about habitat and vegetation conditions. Evaluate management/restoration options. Evaluate management/restoration options. NOT to re-create historic conditions everywhere. NOT to re-create historic conditions everywhere. Until someone comes up with a better approach! Until someone comes up with a better approach!

1997 Wenatchee LSRA Describes the 15 LSR/11 MLSA system Describes the 15 LSR/11 MLSA system Concept and role of the “Big 3” LSR’s Concept and role of the “Big 3” LSR’s Larger role in conservation (60% goal, 20+ pairs) Larger role in conservation (60% goal, 20+ pairs) Assume act as “source populations” Assume act as “source populations” Balance Restoration with Protection of Habitat Balance Restoration with Protection of Habitat Provides flexibility for management within LSR/MLSA’s with high risk of disturbance Provides flexibility for management within LSR/MLSA’s with high risk of disturbance LSR Risk Rating based on departure from reference conditions and potential for human caused ignitions LSR Risk Rating based on departure from reference conditions and potential for human caused ignitions Core of the WNF strategy for owl conservation Core of the WNF strategy for owl conservation

Late-Successional Habitat Identify the location on a Landscape where LS Habitat is MOST sustainable Identify the location on a Landscape where LS Habitat is MOST sustainable Considerations Considerations Start with Spotted Owl Activity Center(s) Start with Spotted Owl Activity Center(s) Fire Refugia (Camp et al. 1997) Fire Refugia (Camp et al. 1997) Historically 7-16% of the landscape Historically 7-16% of the landscape Habitat patches that are in the most sustainable locations on the landscape (riparian areas, north slopes, benches) Habitat patches that are in the most sustainable locations on the landscape (riparian areas, north slopes, benches) Maintain a Minimum of 40% (other LSRs)-60% (Big 3 LSRs) NRF Habitat in Territory Around Spotted Owl Activity Centers. Maintain a Minimum of 40% (other LSRs)-60% (Big 3 LSRs) NRF Habitat in Territory Around Spotted Owl Activity Centers. Think outside the “Circle” Think outside the “Circle” Adjacent CHU/Matrix lands (LSRA sustainability analysis) Adjacent CHU/Matrix lands (LSRA sustainability analysis)

Restoration of Dry Forest Habitats Emphasize Old Growth Ponderosa Pine Forest Dependent Species and Fuels Reduction Emphasize Old Growth Ponderosa Pine Forest Dependent Species and Fuels Reduction May retain Dispersal habitat Characteristics for Spotted Owls in some cases (>40% canopy closure) May retain Dispersal habitat Characteristics for Spotted Owls in some cases (>40% canopy closure) Generally is not spotted owl habitat (NRF) Generally is not spotted owl habitat (NRF) Where LS habitat has low probability of being sustained (may be relative) Where LS habitat has low probability of being sustained (may be relative) Juxtaposed around LS habitat to reduce fire risk Juxtaposed around LS habitat to reduce fire risk May Treat Up to 40% (Big 3)-60% (others) of the landscape May Treat Up to 40% (Big 3)-60% (others) of the landscape May reduce risks to some stands of spotted owl habitat but likely do not change landscape level risks May reduce risks to some stands of spotted owl habitat but likely do not change landscape level risks

Stand-Level Prescriptions Science: Science: Stand Reconstruction (Harrod et al. 1999) Stand Reconstruction (Harrod et al. 1999) Stand Density Index Stand Density Index Objectives: Objectives: Restore “old” structures Restore “old” structures Reintroduce processes (fire) Reintroduce processes (fire) Reduce fuels/risks Reduce fuels/risks Tools: Tools: Thinning Thinning Thin and Burn Thin and Burn Prescribed fire Prescribed fire Pruning Pruning

Monitoring to Adapt Management Dry Forest Restoration Monitoring Dry Forest Restoration Monitoring Fire and Fire Surrogate Fire and Fire Surrogate Birds and Burning Birds and Burning Northern Spotted Owl Related Monitoring Northern Spotted Owl Related Monitoring Demographic studies Demographic studies Northern flying squirrel Northern flying squirrel Barred owl ecology Barred owl ecology

Implementation Issues Varying Quality of Watershed Analyses Varying Quality of Watershed Analyses Vegetation data approach Vegetation data approach Use of Reference Condition Use of Reference Condition Units have Unique Situations Units have Unique Situations Availability of Fire Ecology expertise Availability of Fire Ecology expertise Concerns about “treating” spotted owl habitat Concerns about “treating” spotted owl habitat Former Survey and Manage species Former Survey and Manage species Land Use Allocations Land Use Allocations Management Approach implemented in “easy” areas, left with complex areas Management Approach implemented in “easy” areas, left with complex areas

New Information and Forest Plan Revision SEI Report and Demography Studies SEI Report and Demography Studies Rangewide: More habitat but less owls Rangewide: More habitat but less owls EWC: substantial decline, averaging 7% EWC: substantial decline, averaging 7% EWC threats: habitat, barred owl, WNV? EWC threats: habitat, barred owl, WNV? Forest Plan Revision Forest Plan Revision Opportunity to revise LSRA, risk management? Opportunity to revise LSRA, risk management? Fuel reduction vs. spotted owl persistence? Fuel reduction vs. spotted owl persistence? Integrate LSR Guidelines with Fire Regime Condition Class? Adjust LUA boundaries? Integrate LSR Guidelines with Fire Regime Condition Class? Adjust LUA boundaries? FUELSOLVE FUELSOLVE Appropriate amount of landscape treated? Appropriate amount of landscape treated?

Summary WNF: 35% of owls occupy dry forest WNF: 35% of owls occupy dry forest Struggling to maintain and develop habitat in a fire-prone environment Struggling to maintain and develop habitat in a fire-prone environment Overall, a good “compromise” strategy but concerns about effectiveness Overall, a good “compromise” strategy but concerns about effectiveness Spotted owls continue to decline Spotted owls continue to decline

Conclusion Forest Plan Revision as an opportunity to develop a new strategic plan, revise the LSRA Stay the course after only 10 years? Stay the course after only 10 years? Aggressively treat to reduce habitat losses? Aggressively treat to reduce habitat losses? Strategically treat to minimize impacts? Strategically treat to minimize impacts? Other factors influencing decline? Other factors influencing decline?

Questions?