Science Program Update Spring 2008

Process changes from original WOPR Science Framework

Background

One of BLM’s objectives for the Western Oregon Plan Revision (WOPR) process was to create a sustained dialog between scientists and managers. That dialog included three components:

1. “State-of-the science” review for selected major issues and questions;
2. Informal discussions (also referred to as “informal consultation”) between interdisciplinary team (IDT) members and key scientists; and
3. A Science Team (formally known as the Science Advisory Team, or SAT) to enhance the quality and credibility of Resource Management Plan (RMP) revision analyses through reviewof RMP revision analyses.

Updates for each of these key components of the WOPR science program are summarized below.

"State-of-the science" reviews and technology transfer: Update (Spring 2008)

During initial scoping, BLM identified a number of science issues and questions which it felt were relevant to the WOPR process and which would benefit from research to synthesize current scientific knowledge. BLM established cooperative agreements with scientists with recognized expertise in the relevant fields to conduct “State-of-the science” reviews for these issues. “State-of-the science” review topics were:

1. Wildlife use of dead wood
2. Forest management effects on peak stream flows
3. Aquatic habitat management strategies
4. Human community resiliency
5. Application oflandscape dynamics concepts
6. Young stand management

Each “State-of-the science” review synthesized published, peer-reviewed empirical and model-based studies relevant to forest management in the Plan area. One of the studies produced new modeling results that were used directly in the WOPR analysis. Table 1 (below) notes the current status of these reviews and links to published documents.

Table 1. "State-of-the-Science" Reports and their status.
USGS’ stands for US Geological Survey; ‘GTR’ stands for General Technical Report; ‘PNW’ stands for Pacific Northwest Research station; ‘OSU’ stands for Oregon State University;

¹ This study was funded by the US Forest Service.

Preliminary results from these studies and their utility to the WOPR process were discussed in a public meeting, the “State of the Science Review” held at Oregon State University (June 15, 2006). An overview of this workshop and streaming video of workshop presentations is available:
http://www.fsl.orst.edu/cfer/news/archived/archive.php?feature=18__State-of-the-Science_2006.php

Science Team Review

Since its inception, the Science Team has operated in a review capacity, reviewing WOPR criteria, alternatives, and effects analyses. The Science Team has produced the following review products:

• Review of WOPR Planning Criteria (PDF) - Completed March 20, 2006
• Review of Preliminary Alternatives (PDF) - Completed April 10, 2006
• Science Team Review of Draft EIS (PDF) - Completed March 3, 2008

Personnel Changes

Two personnel changes have occurred in Science Team membership since the team’s inception. Sarah Crim (National Forest System, Region 6), analyzing Timber modeling and Forestry issues, has been replaced by Gary Lettman (Oregon Department of Forestry). Chris Sheridan (BLM) has replaced John Cissel (BLM) as the Science Team Coordinator. Credentials for these two new individuals have been provided on the team member page.