• Potential Improvements to the Northwest Forest Plan (NWFP)
• RIEC/REO Review Exemption and PIEC Delegation Criteria
• Proposal for Delegation of S&M-Related Reviews to IMG
• Potential Future Options for the NWFP Supporting Organizational Structure
• REO FY '03 Budget

The September meeting also afforded an opportunity for the RIEC to more formally recognize the significant and valuable contributions that Nancy Graybeal has made during many years in support of the committee and the NWFP. Recognition included presentation of a "highly coveted" REO plaque, offering of fond remarks and warm reminisces, and a signed NWFP map.

Also, I would like to provide you with an early reminder of the following RIEC-related events presently on the calendar for the month of October 2002 - namely, the October RIEC meeting, which is scheduled for October 8 (and will probably take all or most of a full day); and the RIEC inter-meeting check-in conference call, which is scheduled for October 18 from 1:00-3:00 p.m.

If you have any questions or concerns about the enclosed notes, please do not hesitate to contact me, your REO representative, or REO Management Analyst Kath Collier (503-808-2179).

Enclosure

cc: REO, DFOs

1764/kc

To: Regional Interagency Executive Committee Members

California Federal Executives

Jack Blackwell, Forest Service
Kent Connaughton, Forest Service
Steve Thompson, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
John Engbring, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Phil Detrich, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Michael Pool, Bureau of Land Management
Paul Roush, Bureau of Land Management

ISSUE SUMMARY

ISSUE SUMMARY

REO Contact/Phone: Debbie Pietrzak/503-808-6006 & Shawne Mohoric/503-808-2175

Topic: RIEC/REO Review Exemption & PIEC Delegation Criteria**

Issue Statement: To present a progress report on the development of criteria to exempt certain modifications to NWFP Standards & Guidelines or Land Allocations from RIEC/REO review and to delegate the review of certain other such modifications to the PIECs

Summary of Discussion: The NWFP Record of Decision (on page 58) and accompanying Standards and Guidelines (S&Gs) (on page E-18) require coordination and review by the RIEC/REO of proposed changes to S&Gs and Land Allocations. In reviewing these requirements, the RIEC identified potential opportunities to reduce unnecessary reviews at the regional level and to provide for increased involvement by the Provincial Interagency Executive Committees (PIECs), while still ensuring that the objectives of the coordination and review would be met. In an effort to capture these efficiencies and improve NWFP implementation, the RIEC asked the REO to develop proposed criteria to exempt certain changes from RIEC/REO review and/or to delegate the review of certain changes to the PIECs as appropriate. Pursuant to this direction, the REO formed an interagency workgroup, which has developed draft criteria that include both exemption criteria and criteria that would allow for delegation of review authority to the PIECs. In her presentation, Debbie described the basic concepts and assumptions that were used in developing the draft criteria. The REO proposed that the workgroup circulate the latest draft to all REO representatives for comment, make any needed revisions, and provide an opportunity for PIEC review and comment. The RIEC concurred, and asked that a revised draft based on that process be distributed to RIEC members by September 30 so as to allow for a RIEC decision at the October 8 RIEC meeting.

Next Steps (who/what/when): The REO will route the proposed draft criteria to all REO representatives for comment, make any needed revisions, and provide an opportunity for PIEC review and comment. A revised draft based on that process will be distributed to RIEC members by September 30 with the goal of obtaining concurrence at the October 8 meeting.

 

ISSUE SUMMARY

ISSUE SUMMARY

Presenter/Sponsor/REO Contact/Phone: Steve Odell/503-808-2166

Topic: Potential Future Options for NWFP Supporting Organizational Structure

Issue Statement: To continue with the RIEC's ongoing discussions on exploring options for the NWFP's supporting organizational structure by reviewing the status of such discussions, providing an overview of some of the fundamental options, and preparing for a decision

Background: The intent of this segment of the meeting The ground work overseen by the outgoing RIEC Co-Chairs was reviewed to orient the new executives and refresh the recollection of those executives who were involved in earlier stages of deliberation. At its meeting in June 2002, the RIEC opted not to move forward with a decision or recommendations on the future of the NWFP organizational structural framework pending the arrival of the new executives.

Summary of Discussion: Steve Odell led off the topic's discussion by providing the RIEC with background information and a framework within which to strategically explore the fundamental roles, responsibilities, and functions of the NWFP supporting organizational structure - in particular the RIEC and REO. In this vein, he briefly reviewed the issues and fundamental categories of options that have arisen out of the RIEC's discussions and deliberations concerning this topic over the past nine months. Among the primary outputs of the committee's work to date are a draft matrix and accompanying concept paper, which were provided at the meeting. The RIEC was also briefed on the current status of the REO. Several committee members raised questions regarding the process that would be required to modify the NWFP's supporting organizational structure and who has the authority to make decisions to effectuate any such modifications. It was suggested that a group of counsel from member agencies be convened to examine these questions. Dave Powers noted that, should a decision be made to modify the RIEC or REO, a transition plan, including a time line, should be developed. He also reiterated his view that the future roles of RIEC and REO ought to be examined and resolved from the distinct perspectives of both the short and long term, keeping in mind the disparate needs and issues associated with each. It further was suggested that a document outlining the respective roles and responsibilities of the RIEC and REO as outlined in the ROD and NWFP S&Gs be made available to committee members. Finally, there was considerable discussion about the need for a document that broadly lays out the fundamental options for reorganizing the NWFP's organizational structure and then, for each, provides general information addressing issues such as the legal process required to implement the proposed modification; the costs associated with implementation; and basic pros and cons.

RIEC Decisions: The RIEC concluded that REO should prepare and include in the prework materials for the October 2002 RIEC meeting a document that sets forth the fundamental categories of options for the future roles of RIEC and REO and, for each, and in very broad terms, describes pros and cons, the process to effectuate, and, relative costs of effectuation.

Next Steps (who/what/when): The REO will develop the materials described above and circulate them at least one week prior to the October 2002 RIEC meeting. At that meeting, RIEC members will continue to evaluate options for the NWFP's organizational structure, particularly for the RIEC and REO, with the goal of reaching a decision or recommendation.

ISSUE SUMMARY

HOT TOPICS

NWFP Litigation Update - Steve Odell decided to forego providing an update on NWFP-related litigation given that he had presented such an overview during the IAC conference call.

Survey and Manage Implementation - Terry Brumley, interagency S&M Program Director, provided a short progress report on Survey and Manage (S&M) program activities. He passed out two hand-outs, including a glossy publication covering the FY01 Annual Species Review and FY01 S&M Accomplishments, plus a one-page status report on S&M Program activities. Progress on the FY02 Annual Species Review was described. Terry provided an update on current and projected activities for pre-disturbance, strategic and random grid surveys, as well as a program forecast indicating areas of program activities and projected costs through FY10.

Land Use Allocation Map Update - Dale Guenther provided a brief overview of the latest developments in the efforts to update the comprehensive NWFP Land Allocation Map. In short, Dale explained that a data call recently was sent to the Forest Service and BLM to compile the present, updated Land Allocation-related data of administrative units into a comprehensive data set that will reflect the series of adjustments that have been made since 1994 and thereby allow for a more accurate identification of Land Allocations at the scale of the entire NWFP area. The due date for the data call is December 20, 2002. Dale further explained that, once compiled, REO will pull together the data collected from the agencies into a single NWFP-wide coverage.

Catastrophic Fire Research Work Group Creation - Cynthia West, representing the Forest Service's Pacific Northwest Forest and Range Experiment Station (PNW), briefed the RIEC on a Forest Service Research program for coordinating investigations that is designed to learn from the 2002 wildfires. PNW efforts will be integrated with those of the Pacific Southwest and Rocky Mountain research stations, as well as with research conducted under the National Fire Plan. There is an interest in working with both clients and other research organizations on fire science needs and plans. She requested nominees from interested agencies for a team that will help to structure this program. Names should be forwarded to Cindy by September 16, 2002.

Status Reports included in the meeting's prework materials provided updates on the following:
• "Forest Restoration & Protection Act of 2002," Wyden-Craig Draft Legislative Proposal
• Forest Futures Conference on September 25, 2002, at Willamette University

An opportunity was provided for RIEC members to ask questions concerning the foregoing Status Reports. No such questions were asked.

HOUSEKEEPING MATTERS

Meeting Feedback: At the close of the meeting, executives were asked to provide feedback on how well they thought the meeting served its objectives. On a scale of 1-5 points, with 5 being the highest rating possible, the average response of the executives was around a 4.

Meeting Hand-outs:

• USDA Forest Service, PNW, Paper "Responding to Catastrophic Fire" September 2002
• Survey & Manage, FY 2001 Annual Status Report
• Draft Concept Paper - Northwest Forest Plan Leadership Organizational Options

Attendees:

(Not Final - Subject to revision)