The Watershed Condition Framework Anne Zimmermann, USFS Director, Watershed, Fish, Wildlife, Air, and Rare Plants April 27, 2012

Secretary’s Vision "Clean, healthy forests are vital to our efforts to protect America's fresh water supply.” "Our nation's economic health, and the health of our citizens, depends on abundant, clean and reliable sources of freshwater.” “The Watershed Condition Framework and map will help provide economic and environmental benefits to residents of rural communities." “The Watershed Condition Framework and map will help provide economic and environmental benefits to residents of rural communities." -Secretary Vilsack, June 3, 2011, WCC Map Rollout

Forest Service Approach  Develop a comprehensive approach to strategically implement integrated restoration on watersheds on National Forests and Grasslands  Develop an outcome-based performance measure for documenting improvement to watershed condition at Forest, Regional, and National scales

The Watershed Condition Framework (WCF) is a comprehensive approach for: evaluating the condition of watersheds, evaluating the condition of watersheds, prioritizing watersheds for restoration or maintenance, prioritizing watersheds for restoration or maintenance, strategically implementing integrated restoration, and strategically implementing integrated restoration, and tracking and monitoring outcome based program accomplishments. tracking and monitoring outcome based program accomplishments. Forest Service Approach

Required Outcome Be able to demonstrate at a national scale that watershed condition has improved as a result of Forest Service integrated restoration activities

STEP A CLASSIFY Watershed Condition Watershed Condition STEP B PRIORITIZE Watersheds for Restoration STEP C DEVELOP Watershed Restoration Action Plans STEP D IMPLEMENT Integrated Projects STEP E TRACK Restoration Accomplishments STEP F VERIFY & MONITOR Watershed Condition Watershed Condition Framework

STEP A Classify Watershed Condition 1.National Forest-based reconnaissance-level office evaluation of watershed condition 2.Achievable within existing budgets and staffing 3.A core set of 12 national watershed condition indicators 4.Relies on professional judgment exercised by Forest interdisciplinary teams using available data. Classify Watersheds Rapid Assessment to achieve National Baseline

Watershed Condition Indicators 1. Water Quality 2. Water Quantity 3. Aquatic Habitat 4. Aquatic Biota 5. Riparian/Wetland Vegetation 6. Roads and Trails 7. Soils 8. Fire Regime or Wildfire 9. Forest Cover 10. Rangeland Vegetation 11. Terrestrial Invasive Species 12. Forest Health Watershed Condition : The state of the physical and biological characteristics and processes within a watershed that affect the hydrologic and soil functions supporting aquatic ecosystems. 8

Watershed Condition Class Watershed Condition Classification: The process of describing watershed condition in terms of discrete categories (or classes) that reflect the level of watershed health or integrity. The classes are: (1) Functioning properly, (2)ּFunctioning at risk, (3) Impaired function. The process of describing watershed condition in terms of discrete categories (or classes) that reflect the level of watershed health or integrity. The classes are: (1) Functioning properly, (2)ּFunctioning at risk, (3) Impaired function. 9

Map of Condition Class National Forest System Watersheds

National Watershed Condition Class (WCC) Results – NFS Watersheds Class 1- Functioning Properly7,88252% Class 2- Functioning at Risk6,75145% Class 3- Impaired Function4313% Total watersheds15,064

STEP A Classify Watershed Condition STEP B Prioritize Watersheds for Restoration Identify priority watersheds for restoration  A small number equivalent to a 5-year program of work (2- 5 per Forest)  Completed at the Forest/Grassland level using an interdisciplinary team process.  Initial designation of 247 priority watersheds completed September 30, 2011

STEP A Classify Watershed Condition STEP B Prioritize Watersheds for Restoration Identify priority watersheds for restoration  Public participation opportunity  Selection criteria:  Active collaboration and partnership opportunities  Ecological, social, economic considerations  Alignment with national/regional strategies and Forest Plan direction  Outside Agency efforts and partnership opportunities

Designated Priority Watersheds in FY11 - Distribution by Condition Class Class 1- Functioning Properly6326% Class 2- Functioning at Risk16366% Class 3- Impaired Function218% Total Priority Watersheds247

Interactive Map of Condition Class and Designated Priority Watersheds USDA Forest Service Watershed Condition Classification and Priority Watersheds Ratings based on assessment on National Forest System land in sixth-level watersheds November 15, 2011 Alaska Puerto Rico

STEP A Classify Watershed Condition STEP C Develop Watershed Action Plans Develop action plans for priority watershed  Collaboratively engage with potential partners  Field assessment to document specific problems  Identify essential projects that address the problems  Implementation schedule  205 Watershed Restoration Action Plans completed September 30, 2011 Essential projects are a discrete group of conservation actions and treatments that are implemented as an integrated suite of activities, focused primarily on restoring or protecting watershed health and therefore improving watershed condition class.

Information contained in WRAPs: List of active partnersList of active partners Key watershed issuesKey watershed issues Important ecological values within watershedImportant ecological values within watershed Description of essential projectsDescription of essential projects Estimate of project costsEstimate of project costs Watershed Restoration Action Plans (WRAPs)

 Overall condition classification ranking and the ranking of its 12 watershed condition indicators.  Location of Priority Watersheds  Downloadable copies of the watershed restoration action plans.  Information on selection criteria, list of active partners, and estimated costs.  Increases the public’s awareness of their local watershed conditions and the role they can play in improving them.  Shapefile available for GIS analysis. Interactive Map of Condition Class and Designated Priority Watersheds 18

Interactive Map of Condition Class, Designated Priority Watersheds, and Watershed Data (including WRAPs) 19

STEP A Classify Watershed Condition STEP D Implement Integrated Projects Implementation  May take 1-6 years or longer Planning, project design, NEPA, implementation Planning, project design, NEPA, implementation NEPA provides an opportunity for citizens to be involved in the planning and environmental review of projects NEPA provides an opportunity for citizens to be involved in the planning and environmental review of projects A watershed is considered to have moved to an improved condition class when all of the essential projects identified in a Watershed Restoration Action Plan are completed.

STEP A Classify Watershed Condition STEP E Track Restoration Accomplishments Tracking  Essential project completion in priority watersheds  Change in condition class due to other reasons (major disturbances, other agency’s actions, etc.)  Beginning to look at Outcomes as well as Outputs: Outputs still recorded for traditional accomplishment reporting. Outputs still recorded for traditional accomplishment reporting. Outcomes to be tracked for accountability. Outcomes to be tracked for accountability.

STEP A Classify Watershed Condition STEP F Monitor and Verification Two-tiered approach for monitoring Tier 1 – Performance accountability A sample of watersheds evaluated annually for classification process and project completion/anticipated results Tier 2 – Comprehensive monitoring Demonstrate that concentration of activities within watersheds improves stream and habitat conditions

STEP A CLASSIFY Watershed Condition Watershed Condition STEP B PRIORITIZE Watersheds for Restoration STEP C DEVELOP Watershed Restoration Action Plans STEP D IMPLEMENT Integrated Projects STEP E TRACK Restoration Accomplishments STEP F VERIFY & MONITOR Watershed Condition Watershed Condition Framework How can it be used?

U SING THE W ATERSHED C ONDITION F RAMEWORK A S A T OOL F OR C OLLABORATION

Sharing our new approach to restoration with partners to: provide a tangible assessment of watershed conditions to stakeholders, provide a tangible assessment of watershed conditions to stakeholders, show the thought process behind our prioritization of watershed restoration projects, show the thought process behind our prioritization of watershed restoration projects, and present vegetation management as part of watershed restoration in a suite of project opportunities and present vegetation management as part of watershed restoration in a suite of project opportunities U SING THE WCF AS A T OOL F OR C OLLABORATION A PLACE TO START THE CONVERSATION WITH S TAKEHOLDERS We think WCF is a good tool to demonstrate the prioritization of restoration But every stakeholder has a different perspective !

The Stakeholders Local Landowners Landowners Municipalities Municipalities Resource-based businesses Resource-based businesses Interest groups Interest groupsRegional Federal and State agencies Federal and State agencies Tribes Tribes Conservation Organizations Conservation Organizations

Use WCF to Frame Conversation WCF can show restoration needs Map results of watershed condition classification by attribute to show where problem areas exists. Map results of watershed condition classification by attribute to show where problem areas exists. Hit the road! Choose tour stops that demonstrate past restoration success and opportunities for future restoration. Hit the road! Choose tour stops that demonstrate past restoration success and opportunities for future restoration.

Overlay the Watershed Condition Framework A core set of 12 national watershed condition indicators.  Professional judgment  Existing information  GIS data Green = Class 1 (Properly Functioning) Yellow = Class 2 (Functioning at Risk) Orange = Class 3 (Impaired Function) How will WCF Results be Used?  Show changes (hopefully improvement ) in watershed conditions over time.  Develop restoration priorities at a broad Forest level (most useful at the indicator or attribute scale).  Communicate and integrate our restoration priorities and strategies with partners.

WCF Model Indicators and their ratings ABC 6 th Field HUC, XYZ National Forest Aquatic Biota ConditionPoor Riparian/Wetland Vegetation ConditionFair Water Quality ConditionGood Water Quantity ConditionGood Aquatic Habitat ConditionPoor Road and Trail ConditionPoor Soil ConditionGood Fire Regime Condition ClassFair Forest Cover ConditionGood Forest Health ConditionGood Terrestrial Invasive Species ConditionGood

Riparian/Wetland Vegetation Condition Data Sources: AREMP WCF riparian analysis Projects: Commercial thinning in Riparian Reserves – direct effect on structure and complexity. Non-commercial thinning in Riparian Reserves – direct effect on structure and complexity. Thinning and placement of small wood in- stream – fall and leave or fall and carry Riparian planting – direct effect over the long term Wet Meadow Treatment – direct effect on wetland dependent ecosystems but small number of acres. Respect the River Projects – direct and indirect effects, protection and restoration of riparian sites but small number of acres.

WCF Standards Open road density calculations were based on open system roads from all jurisdictions, (i.e., FS, State, County, private, etc.). Use operational maintenance level 2-5 roads. Use the following thresholds Good(1): Road density of < 1 mi/mi 2 Fair(2): Road density of 1 to 2.4 mi/mi 2 Poor(3): Road density of > 2.4 mi/mi 2 Open Road Density Projects: Road storage and decommission

Essential Projects to Address Problem Indicators: 1.Upland and Riparian Thinning 2.Road Treatments 3.Dispersed Campsite Treatments

Essential Project #1: Upland and Riparian Thinning The Situation The Solution Indicators addressed: aquatic habitat, riparian/wetland vegetation condition Potential Partner: Even age stands have little diversity in both upland and riparian habitats due to lack of historical fire regimes and past plantation management Increase species and structural diversity by pre-commercial thinning, or falling and leaving trees in both upland and riparian areas. 550 acres have been identified as high priority

Essential Project #2: Road Treatments Roads are located in steep terrain and riparian areas. Erosion from roads negatively impacts aquatic species. In addition roads impact connectivity for fish and other aquatic species. The Situation The Solution Indicators addressed: aquatic habitat, roads & trails Twenty eight miles of high aquatic risk roads will be closed or storm-proofed. Where necessary to protect aquatic resources fills will be removed. Culverts that are barriers to fish will be replaced or removed. Potential Partners:

Essential Project #3: Dispersed Camping Treatments Indicators addressed: aquatic habitat, riparian/wetland vegetation condition The Situation The Solution Potential Partners: Dispersed camping is common along lower Staley Creek decreasing riparian vegetation leading to lack of shade and increased soil erosion. Use Respect the River program to limit public access to fifteen acres of riparian floodplain, restore soil, re-plant vegetation and educate site users.

Field Trips……

….Lead to Ideas …. and to Consensus! Common Ideas Work towards common goals Work towards common goals Multiple benefits (win-win) Multiple benefits (win-win) Take advantage of tools that work Take advantage of tools that work Learn from those that didn’t Learn from those that didn’t

Watershed Restoration Action Plans Describes the features of the sub- watershed. Describes the features of the sub- watershed. Identifies the historic character that has been altered. Identifies the historic character that has been altered. Outlines essential projects that could be done to improve watershed condition class. Outlines essential projects that could be done to improve watershed condition class. This plan can be downloaded from the national website for WCF This plan can be downloaded from the national website for WCF Develop a plan

Looking to the Future Use WCF to collaborate, create jobs, and provide services. Socioeconomic Considerations: Provides both short and long-term benefits to the local area Ecosystem Services: A restored watershed can: Provide clean water, reducing costs for municipalities Provide clean water, reducing costs for municipalities Increase recreational opportunities Increase recreational opportunities Collaboration: WCF can drive project designs and stewardship opportunities Job Creation: The WCF can be used as a framework to create jobs by putting families back to work restoring the watershed.

STEP A CLASSIFY Watershed Condition Watershed Condition STEP B PRIORITIZE Watersheds for Restoration STEP C DEVELOP Watershed Restoration Action Plans STEP D IMPLEMENT Integrated Projects STEP E TRACK Restoration Accomplishments STEP F VERIFY & MONITOR Watershed Condition Watershed Condition Framework Socioeconomic Considerations

Summary of WCF  Throughout the appropriate steps of the WCF process, the participation of partners and the public is both expected and highly encouraged  The WCF is not perfect. It will evolve over time.  Active collaborative partnerships are essential to the success of WCF.

Why your engagement is important today  The emphasis on water and watershed restoration is critical to the Nation’s health and is the FS’s role.  The FS must be able to demonstrate accomplishment and accountability in watershed restoration.  We have tools to systematically demonstrate accomplishment.  We manage public land – we manage your land.

Questions and Discussion Anne Zimmermann, USFS Director, Watershed, Fish, Wildlife, Air, and Rare Plants

Treatment Effectiveness on the Wallow Fire 2011 Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest

Fuel Treatments

Alpine, AZ

Alpine home below fuel treatment

East side of Greer Community Assistance Grants WMS Treatments

West side of Greer Greer

Fire in Greer within treatment area

Eagar South WMS Pre/Post/Wallow

Summary Fire fighter efforts coupled with fuel treatments can save homes. Fuel treatments alone will not save homes. Treatments have evolved over the last 8 years to promote longevity. Treatments can be designed to meet multiple land management objectives. Homeowners who implemented “Firewise” principles aided in protection of homes.