Forest Service Land Management Planning Three-step process 1.Assessment 2.Plan development 3.Monitoring Required Land Management Plan components: 1.Desired conditions 2.Objectives 3.Management standards and guidelines 4.Suitability of land for various activities 5.Monitoring program – questions and associated indicators The plan must also identify the areas distinctive roles and contributions within the broader landscape Wilderness Character: Development of desired condition including areas distinctive role Monitoring program

Purpose and Need Is Action Necessary? (poll question #1) Wildland-urban interface -- 1,580 private lots within ½ mile of boundary; -- 42% of area within ¼ mile of residents could produce 4 flame lengths Suppression history % suppression, average 4 fires/year -- Suppression impacts

Proposed Action 11,112 acres of prescribed burning 19 units Implementation over 5-10 years 5.8 miles of fire line Issue: Proposed treatment will impair the character of wilderness with no clear benefit to wilderness values. Alternative 6,900 acres of prescribed burning 11 units Implementation over 5-10 years 2.8 miles of fire line Poll Question #2

Effect on Untrammeled Quality # of actions to ignite fire # of actions to suppress fire No Action 0 actions to ignite fire 100% suppression actions continue Proposed Action 1 action per year for 5-10 years to ignite fire 45% suppression actions over time Alternative 1 action per year for 5-10 years to ignite fire 50% suppression actions over time

Effect on Natural Quality The hidden consequences of suppressing fire Acres actually burned versus what might have burned under different weather scenarios 4,700 actual acres burned ( ) 119,000 acres estimated burned for 70 th percentile burning index No Action 5,000 acres burned over 50 years Proposed Action 65,000 acres burned over 50 acres Alternative 60,000 acres burned over 50 acres

Effect on Opportunities for Solitude or Primitive and Unconfined Recreation Poll question #3 # of days fire crews are present Duration of temporary closures No Action 0 days of fire crew presence No temporary closures Proposed action and Alternative 20 days of presence ~2 week temporary closure

Findings - Effect on Wilderness Character Untrammeled: Short-term decline; Long-term improvement Natural: Short-term stable; Long-term improvement Undeveloped: Stable in short-term and long-term Solitude: Short-term decline; Long-term stable Overall: Temporary decline in wilderness character with potential for lasting improvement in long-term Monitoring # of management actions taken Change in % fires suppressed Change in suppression tactics