Siuslaw National Forest Facilities Master Plan:
Introduction

Reason for the Plan

Each forest is required to prepare a facilities master plan according to Forest Service Manual 7312. 1. The plan is to reflect management objectives established by the Forest Land and Resource Management Plan. The purpose of the master plan is to guide the acquisition, maintenance, upgrading and disposal of facilities no longer needed. The plan covers only administrative sites and does not cover recreational or special use sites.

Previous Plan

The previous plan, written in 1989, was a combined effort of district personnel lead by the forest facilities group, The plan has not been updated since the original writing. Since 1989, the Siuslaw has undergone substantial changes in resource management objectives which have resulted in a significant reduction of personnel. The need for certain types of facilities has changed and some facilities are no longer needed.

The Process

The Siuslaw Board of Directors chartered a team to assist the forest facilities engineer in completing the plan update in FY 97. Members of the team are as follows:

The team developed the following charter:

"Determine the optimum number, type, size and location of facilities needed for the efficient management of the Siuslaw National Forest. Utilize current staffing levels for analysis. In addition, make projections for future facility needs for the next 10 years of operation. Factors to address include accessibility, health and safety, cost effectiveness, O&M costs, historical significance, customer service, and employee needs. Compare existing facilities to optimum needs and make final recommendations listing facilities to keep, proposed renovations, and proposed facilities for disposal."

The team visited each administrative site and looked at all buildings evaluated. Interviews with specialists were conducted to determine needs for specialty areas such as road maintenance, facilities, tree coolers and the operation of the Beaver Creek Seed Orchard. Team meetings were held during the spring and summer of 1997 to develop the plan.

A draft plan was presented to the Forest Leadership Team in September 1997. A final draft of the plan was delayed until after the Alsea/Waldport District consolidation gained final approval in January 1998. The final draft of the plan will be presented at the Forest Leadership Team meeting on April 3, 1998 for a decision to implement as written or recommend revisions. When a final plan is agreed to by the FLT, the Forest Supervisor will sign the final plan to begin implementation.

Implementation and Monitoring

Once the plan is approved, the document will be used as the basis for facility management decisions over the next 10 years. It is anticipated that changes to the plan will be needed as the management objectives of the forest change. Any facility action that is not in conformance with this plan will be referred to the Forest Leadership Team for approval and an addendum to the plan will be documented and made an attachment to the plan.

The Forest Supervisor and District/Area Rangers will be responsible for implementation of the plan. The Forest Facilities Engineer will be responsible for monitoring the plan and document an annual review of the plan to determine accomplishments or need for amendments. This review will be submitted to the FLT annually by October 1st.