Forest Management

The wildlife management program is responsible for managing and protecting fish, wildlife and rare plant habitats. Emphasis is on managing federally listed threatened and endangered species: there are currently eight such species in the Six Rivers. The program also emphasizes management of the 37 Forest Service-designated sensitive plants, fish, and animals that are found in the Forest.

Six Rivers fisheries projects are a focal point for the wildlife management program area and for the Forest. The fisheries element of the wildlife program focuses on managing habitat capable of maintaining and enhancing populations of desirable fish species, with an emphasis on anadromous fish.

In addition, wildlife management program staff actively cooperate and coordinate with entities outside the Forest Service, including tribes, the State of California, and local counties. Staff members also participate in local, regional, and national fisheries resource management advisory committees, technical teams, and professional societies that influence the fisheries resource. Environmental education is an important part of the wildlife management program and includes such activities as participating in endangered species fairs, setting up fishing derbies, and developing interpretive materials.

The purpose of this program is to maintain and improve the Forest’s vegetation resources. Activities include reforestation, timber stand improvement (stand tending), invasive and noxious weed management, and pest management. Additional certified silviculturists are needed on the Forest to facilitate vegetation management work.

The function of the heritage resource program is to identify and protect cultural and heritage resources on the Forest, share these resource values with the American people, and contribute relevant, researched information and perspectives for better management of forest ecosystems. Heritage resources program efforts are directed toward heritage planning, resource identification and protection, interpretation, documentation, and conservation. Databases, site and report files, historic maps and documents, photos, artifacts, and other records must be maintained. The program requires consultation with Native American tribes, the State Historic Preservation Officer, and the President's Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. The Six Rivers' heritage resources program manager is authorized by these regulatory agencies to ensure compliance with Federal and State historic preservation laws and regulations.

This purpose of the watershed, air, and geologic resource management program is to provide clean water for instream values for public and private downstream water users; ensure that geologic information is considered when activities are planned and implemented; and provide technical resource support for various Forest activities. This work includes activities related to management of water quality, water supply, soil quality and productivity, geology and geomorphology. In addition, program staff actively participate in a variety of management, monitoring, data collection, restoration, compliance, and support activities. The Six Rivers conducts extensive watershed condition and restoration activities to protect sensitive forest resources from erosion and sedimentation.

This program focuses on real estate management of National Forest System lands. Work includes land adjustments (purchases, donations, and land exchanges); rights-of-way; boundary management and maintenance; and protection of land ownership title, including encroachment and trespass resolution.

The Six Rivers has numerous specially designated areas, including five Wilderness Areas (see below), three Scenic Byways (see below), 389 miles of Wild and Scenic Rivers, three National Recreation Trails, six Special Interest Areas, the California Backcountry Discovery Trail, and the Smith River National Recreation Area. Each of these areas is designated by State or Federal governments for its unique characteristics and managed for specific agency and national values and missions.

Management and maintenance of specially designated areas includes inventorying, monitoring, signing, and educating the public about each area's values and special character.

What do the terms “timber sale,” “service contract,” and “stewardship contracts” mean?

• A Timber Sale is the sale of commercial forest products, always with return of receipts to the U.S. Treasury.
• Service Contracts are contracts for services (such as pre-commercial thinning, trail maintenance, and fuel reduction), that are funded with appropriated dollars, and do not return revenues to the U.S. Treasury.
• Stewardship Contracts are contracts by the FS and BLM for services (such as pre-commercial thinning, trail maintenance, and fuel reduction) in which some of the costs may be offset by the value of vegetative material removed and may not return revenues to the U.S. Treasury. In addition, any excess receipts could be used for other stewardship contracts.
  • Integrated Resource Service Contracts (IRSC) = Integrated resource service contracts are to be used when the cost of the services exceeds the value of the timber.
  • Integrated Resource Timber Contracts (IRTC) = Integrated resource timber contracts are to be used when the value of timber exceeds the cost of the services.

To learn more visit our Timber Sales page. 

Timber Sales