Species of Conservation Concern

The 2012 Planning Rule (36 CFR 219) defines a species of conservation concern (SCC) as:

"A species, other than a federally recognized threatened, endangered, proposed or candidate species, that is known to occur in the plan area and for which the regional forester has determined that the best available scientific information indicates substantial concern about the species’ capability to persist over the long-term in the plan area” (36 CFR 219.9).

Revised Land Management Plans must be designed to sustain or restore habitat for SCC populations and ensure, to the extent possible, that these species can remain on the landscape over the long term. Stated simply, Land Management Plans help us maintain conditions that provide SCCs with the habitat they need to persist in the Plan area. 

The Forest Service will consider all input received. When reviewing the feedback, the Forest Service will determine if input offers valid scientific information that has not yet been considered. If so, species may be removed or added from the list based on valid scientific information received. Such changes will be documented in the SCC list released either in the draft forest plans or the final forest plans. Learn more about public participation opportunities, including comment periods, here.

An opportunity to provide feedback on the Draft Assessment, Potential Species of Conservation Concern (SCC) list, Lands that May Have Wilderness Characteristics draft inventory, and Wild and Scenic Rivers draft inventory was provided from March 25 - May 26. 

Potential Species of Conservation Concern Lists

Below you will find the lists of potential SCC that are being considered. This list changes throughout the planning process as best available science is considered.

• Potential Species of Conservation Concern - Malheur NF
• Potential Species of Conservation Concern - Umatilla NF
• Potential Species of Conservation Concern - Wallowa-Whitman NF

SCC Process during the Assessment Phase

The assessment phase has three primary SCC tasks that collectively inform the development of the Regional Forester’s SCC lists:

1. Prepare or gather Species Accounts that have the best available scientific information.
2. Determine which species on the list have substantial concern for long-term persistence on each planning unit and record that determination in a substantial concern rationale document, and
3. Develop species guilds or groupings based on ecological conditions the species have in common, including habitat and stressors.

Resources

• Species of Conservation Concern Identification Process
• Species of Conservation Concern Frequently Asked Questions
• Species of Conservation Concern Brochure
• Species of Conservation Concern - 2012 Planning Rule

Get in Touch!

We want to hear from you! You can sign up for our mailing list to receive periodic updates about the plan revision process. Have questions for us?  Send a message to our plan revision inbox or call 541-278-3716 and a team member will get back to you. Learn more about public participation opportunities here.