Inventory and Monitoring Issue Team Action Plan Ecosystem Sustainability Corporate Team Inter-Regional Ecosystem Management Coordinating Group May 16, 2000

Objectives 1. Brief History 2. Describe Changes to Action Plan 3. Help Needed From IREMCG/ESCT 4. Next Steps Appendix - IM Framework Overview - Specific Comment Summary

History IREMCG “Survey of Inventories” – 11/1999 Adopted IM Framework – 11/1999 Joint Mtg. Draft IMIT Charter to ESCT – 2/2000 ESCT Charters IMIT – 3/2000 Draft IMIT Action Plan Circulated – 4/2000 IMIT Action Plan Decision – 5/2000 Quarterly Updates on IMIT Action Plan

I&M Framework Builds on 1997 Information Management Operating Framework Builds on Core Data Concepts - e.g., Core GIS, FIA, RPA, and FHM Utilizes a Systems Approach Establishes Clear Organizational Roles Develop Plan for Action

Business Engineering Model Industry Standard Requirements Focus Integrated Approach Multiple Scales Iterative Approach Re-Engineering vs. Automation

Action Plan-Task Groupings 1.Business Requirements Analysis 2.Systems Approach - Standards/Classification 3.Collaboration Agreements/Systems 4.Communication Strategy 5.Data Exchange System 6.Accountability/Reporting 7.Organization Structure/Roles 8.Data Collection/Analysis Protocols

Priority Actions Prepare for Hard Work Ahead (1 st 6 Months) –Integrate On-going Activities –Establish Organization Structure/Contacts –Planning for Business Requirements Analysis –Systems Approach/Classification Systems –Information Gathering Business Requirements Analysis (FY2001)

General Reactions Support National Leadership and Actions Identified Commend FS for Taking on…We Need to do This in my Agency Looking Forward to Results, On the Right Track Support Action Plan, but Concerned About 8 Specific Areas

Changes to Action Plan Segue From Framework to Action Plan –Stress Relationship to Framework –Describe Business Engineering Model –Discuss Expected Results of Implementation System-Based vs. Issue-Based Methods “Nested” Protocols at Various Scales Shift to Mid-Scale Inventories

Changes to Action Plan Target Audience –Will Keep Action Plan at ESCT/IREMCG Level Major Actions Outcome Focus –Will Use Working Group “Assignments” to Capture Operational Details and Relationships

Changes to Action Plan Organization Structure –Increased Priority on Organization Actions Build from Experience In FIA/FHM/NRIS Formalize Contact Network/Roles Ensure I&M Advice and Assistance is Available to Field Units (R&D, IMI, Engineering Technical Centers)

Changes to Action Plan Business Requirements and Protocol Development –Strengthen Field-level Input/Ownership –Exploit Work from FIA/NRIS/FHM –Drop National/Regional Phased Approach Program/Budget Actions –Clarify Program Management Actions –Strengthen Links to Budget Allocation

Help Needed Director/DRF Support and Commitment –Cultural Change Demands Leadership Involvement –Identify R/S/A Staff Director-Level Contact Support IMIT Action Plan Funding Request –Funds Requested For Contractor/Task Groups –Spans $670,000/year –NFIM, SPFH, FRRE Funding Mix

Help Needed People for IMIT/Working Groups –Must have Field Participation for Ownership –Using Ad hoc Process Like SDIT and Others –Next Option is to Establish Organization to do… –Secure Regulatory Agency Participation Tie On-Going Actions to IM Framework –Wilderness Business Requirements - Monitoring –Cohesive Fire Strategy – Assessments

Next Steps Affirm IMIT Charter for Implementation –Continue Joint Leadership? –Bolster Field Representation June 6-8 IMIT Team Meeting –Review Action Plan and Milestones –Make Working Group “Assignments” –Contingency Planning

Next Steps Recruit and Secure Working Group Members –Need to Ensure Field Representation –Engage Regulatory Agencies Meetings and Conf. Call Circuit –FIA Management and Executive Teams –NRIS User Boards and Regional Coordinators

Physical feature Definitions, Protocols, Methods, codes Tree, Douglas Fir, 32.6” DBH, 180 ft. tall, etc. Data collection Information storage Application Information Analysis, Evaluation, Summary Product Reports, Models. Assessments, Maps, etc. Data Base Inventory and Monitoring Protocols Operational Framework for Managing FS Resource Information (1997)

Site Eco-Region National National Core Eco-region Core Watershed CoreSite Core Variables The Core Data Concept Watershed

Integration of Protocols Essential for aggregation and exchange of data Not subject to changing issues/demands Provides “context” for decision making at lower scales Leverages investments made at higher scales R1/4 Integrated Approach vs. Traditional Stand Exams

Changing Our I&M Investment Pattern Currently spending money and addressing most issues at the “site” scale. Shift funds to National and Mid-scales to address issues at more appropriate scales. $ $ National Mid-scale Site National Mid-scale Site

Major Comments … Focus and Scope of Proposed Actions –National vs. Field-level Focus –Relationship to Field-level Activities … Organizational Structure –Cultural Change Demands Leadership –Needed to Provide Integrated Program Leadership

Major Comments …Relationship to Budget Processes –Address Funding Discrepancies –Link to Budget Allocation Processes –Develop Integrated Priority Setting Process …Inter-Agency Collaboration –National Agreements/Leadership Essential –Resolve IT Barriers (e.g., Firewalls)

Major Comments …Pace of Action Plan –Impact/Effect on Field, Especially Cost –Availability of People/Resources –Too Slow …Linkage to Proposed NFMA Rule –To support broad-scale assessments –To support increased monitoring emphasis

Major Comments … Linkages to NRIS –NRIS Viewed as Standardization Method –Linkages Unclear … Level of Detail –Need More Detail to Better Understand –Too Complex, Need Less Detail