An overview

The Basin

Conflict to Collaboration

Headlines: The Path to Collaboration August 18, 1993 – 19 Earth First!ers arrested; tensions run high June 2, 2001 – Meadow Face puts its best foot forward; Diverse group is pulling together to make project work September 8, 2001 – Politics upset some friends of the forest; Rules of organization are in midst of change December 9, 1998 – For the elk of it; Elk hunters, other interests will work together to strengthen herds April 26, 2003 – Judge drops lawsuit over Clearwater access May 30, 2008 – Lawmaker looks for Clearwater compromise

History of the CBC Fish Lake Lawsuit (2000) Konkolville Consortium Clearwater Basin Collaborative Formally Convened May 29, 2008

Senator Crapo’s Letter “Please accept this invitation to participate in a broad-based collaborative effort to craft a vision for the Clearwater Basin contained in the Clearwater and Nez Perce National Forests. With a cooperative vision to enhance the ecological and economic health of our forests and our communities, we can work together toward a better future for the residents and resources of north central Idaho....”

Regional Forester’s Pledge Tom Tidwell, regional forester in charge of national forests in northern Idaho and western Montana, pledged to work to implement whatever the group comes up with. He said anything done on Forest Service land will still have to go through the agency’s public process. But he said having broad agreement up front will make the process smoother. “Whatever comes out of this effort we are going to be supportive of it,” he said. --Lewiston Tribune, May 30, 2008

Purpose and Vision The purpose of the Collaborative is to provide recommendations for actions concerning the use and management of the Clearwater and Nez Perce National Forests within the Clearwater Basin in Idaho Our vision is to enhance and protect the ecological and economic health of our forests, rivers and communities within the Clearwater Basin by working collaboratively across a diversity of interests. --Clearwater Basin Operating Protocols

Strength in Diversity Twenty-three members representing Nez Perce Tribe State and local governments Woods products industry Conservation interests Sportsmen and women Motorized recreation Local business Citizens-at-large

Organizational Structure Dale Harris and Alex Irby, co-chairs Steering committee Four subcommittees: Landscape restoration Land allocation Recreation Rural economies A forest landscape restoration coordinator An administrative assistant

Major Areas of Emphasis Build understanding across the various interests Review, advise and support Forest Service projects Swede Fuels Robo Elk Interface Fuels Develop a strategy/proposal in conjunction with the Forest Landscape and Restoration Act of 2008 Support critical basin efforts (e.g. Dworshak State Park; Clearwater County bioenergy feasibility study) Define how the Collaborative and Forests work together (Memorandum of Understanding) Develop legislative and administrative packages that address: 1. Land allocation issues 2. Recreation issues 3. Economic issues

Building Relationships Delegations from the Collaborative have been in Washington, D.C. meeting with: Representatives from staffs for: Senators Crapo, Risch, Tester, Baucus, Congressmen Minnick and Simpson Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee Agriculture Undersecretary Harris Sherman Forest Service leadership including Chief Tom Tidwell

Value to the Forests Clearwater Basin Collaborative is: A forum where a variety of interests sit at the table A source of knowledge and ideas A source of constructive, and often positive, feedback Clearwater Basin Collaborative has: Facilitated a change in tone of the dialogue regarding Forest Service projects in the Basin Been an advocate and source of support Been a source of valuable information Worked behind the scenes to resolve issues Initiated proactive consensus-building efforts

Lessons Learned Membership Process management Funding Protocols Record keeping and transparency Facilitation and meeting management

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