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ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES in rocky mountain coniferous ...

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Darrel L. Kenops<br />

District Ranger<br />

USDA Forest Service, Sel way Ranger<br />

District, Nezperce National Forest<br />

When evaluat<strong>in</strong>g research resul ts and predictive models relevant to rrly management<br />

situations, I ask these questions:<br />

1. Is the research result or predictive model clearly def<strong>in</strong>ed and the environ-<br />

mental consequence illustrated? Does the environmental consequence threaten to<br />

endanger either long-term or short-term productivity?<br />

2. Does the new <strong>in</strong>formation conflict with, or does it compliment, exist<strong>in</strong>g<br />

<strong>in</strong>formation?<br />

3. Is the <strong>in</strong>formation sufficient so data and monitor<strong>in</strong>g requirements are clearly<br />

understood? Do the district and forest management team members understand the pre-<br />

dictive model and its impact?<br />

4. At what level of program implementation is the research result applicable?<br />

How should it be <strong>in</strong>cluded <strong>in</strong> silviculture prescriptions for stands be<strong>in</strong>g entered and<br />

managed? How and when do we reflect the environmental consequence <strong>in</strong> the forest<br />

timber management plan?<br />

5. How will it affect the timber grow<strong>in</strong>g base, rotation length, and associated<br />

resource outputs?<br />

6. Who <strong>in</strong> the forest and district organizations will be responsible for imple-<br />

mentation; and how much time, tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g, new equipment, and cost is <strong>in</strong>volved?<br />

7. What changes would be needed <strong>in</strong> sale area improvement plans, timber sales,<br />

and sil vicul tural contracts?<br />

8. How will we <strong>in</strong>clude research f<strong>in</strong>d<strong>in</strong>gs <strong>in</strong> environmental assessments reports<br />

and <strong>in</strong>terdiscipl<strong>in</strong>ary team action? Should it be used as a guidel<strong>in</strong>e, evaluation or<br />

decision criteria, or as a rnonltor<strong>in</strong>g requiremeut?<br />

9. How do we <strong>in</strong>clude special <strong>in</strong>terest groups, the general public, government<br />

agencies, elected officials, and communities affected by implementation of the re-<br />

search result or predictive model ?<br />

10. What practices or policies must be changed? For example, how do we leave<br />

snags for cavity-nest<strong>in</strong>g birds, yet comply with safety provisions <strong>in</strong> timber sale<br />

contracts?<br />

11. How do we <strong>in</strong>sure that managers will use the <strong>in</strong>f~rmatipn effectively, but<br />

drop or replace it when it becomes obsolete?<br />

My experience is that the most valuable <strong>in</strong>formation and implications are those<br />

that can be applied <strong>in</strong> reach<strong>in</strong>g management decisions at the project level, <strong>in</strong>volv<strong>in</strong>g<br />

stand and/or watershed analyses.

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