Modern-Day Factors Affecting Modern-Day Factors Affecting the Management of the the Management of the

Chequamegon-Nicolet National Chequamegon-Nicolet National ForestForest

April 12, 2011 Paul Strong, Forest Supervisor

History of the Chequamegon-History of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National ForestNicolet National Forest

1937

Lands acquired after Lands acquired after extensive logging or failed extensive logging or failed

farmingfarming

Cutover lands were left without Cutover lands were left without future management direction.future management direction.

circa 1930

Early Reforestation Efforts – PineEarly Reforestation Efforts – Pine

circa 1930

Early Management Focused on the Best Science and Public Values at the Time

Current Landscape of the Current Landscape of the CNNFCNNF

National Forest Management National Forest Management Act of 1976 – Leading to Act of 1976 – Leading to

Comprehensive Forest Plans in Comprehensive Forest Plans in the 1980’sthe 1980’s

Shift from primarily forestry principles affecting national forests to a mix of values desired by the American public – timber products, access, fish and wildlife habitat, clean water, variety of recreational settings and experience, scenic values.

No one value trumped all of the others – national forests to be managed for optimal mix of “net public benefits.”

First generation of Forest Plans very contentious – appeals and lawsuits. Continues to be process by which the public debates “what national forests are for and how they are to be managed.”

Two Forest Plans for CNNFTwo Forest Plans for CNNF Original in 1986Original in 1986 Revision and combination in 2004Revision and combination in 2004

ChequamegonChequamegon-Nicolet -Nicolet National National ForestsForests

2004 Land and 2004 Land and Resource Resource Management Management PlanPlan

1990 - Forest Service Chief’s direction to Wisconsin Forests - establish a committee of scientific experts to address biological diversity and socioeconomic issues (driven by appeals of 1986 Plans).

Public comments during implementation of 1986 Plans

Monitoring and evaluation data collected for 10+ Years

Major Needs for Change Based on:

Major IssuesMajor Issues

New Science New Science Associated Associated with with Sustainable Sustainable ForestsForests

Access and Access and RecreationRecreation

Timber Timber ProductionProduction

ATV Use ATV Use Disparity Disparity Between Between Chequamegon Chequamegon and Nicoletand Nicolet

ROD provides decisions and rationale by Regional Forester and is the basis for current and ongoing management of the CNNF.

Record of Decision - 2004Record of Decision - 2004

““My decision strikes a balance My decision strikes a balance among competing interests, among competing interests,

opinions and beliefs expressed by opinions and beliefs expressed by local governments and local governments and

businesses, as well as local, businesses, as well as local, regional, and national interest regional, and national interest

groups, scientists, and the groups, scientists, and the general public.”general public.”

Record of Decision and Record of Decision and Forest Plan guide the day-Forest Plan guide the day-to-day operations and to-day operations and project-level decisions on project-level decisions on the CNNF.the CNNF.

Project-Level Planning and Project-Level Planning and DecisionsDecisions

Specific actions occur after “project-level” Specific actions occur after “project-level” analysis and decisions – “Twin Ghost”, analysis and decisions – “Twin Ghost”, “Red Pine”, “Northwest Sands”, etc.“Red Pine”, “Northwest Sands”, etc.

Process driven by National Environmental Process driven by National Environmental Policy Act – NEPA – of 1970 signed by Policy Act – NEPA – of 1970 signed by President Nixon.President Nixon.

Plan activities and desired conditions over a 5-Plan activities and desired conditions over a 5-10 year period based on Forest Plan guidance.10 year period based on Forest Plan guidance.

Project-Level Planning Project-Level Planning TrendsTrends

Contentiousness of Forest Plan decisions Contentiousness of Forest Plan decisions spills over into project-level planningspills over into project-level planning

Appeals and litigation of project-level Appeals and litigation of project-level decisions has led to complex and time-decisions has led to complex and time-consuming analysesconsuming analyses

Forest Service has prevailed in most cases, Forest Service has prevailed in most cases, but has come at a cost of time and effort.but has come at a cost of time and effort.

Other Selected Laws and Other Selected Laws and RegulationsRegulations

Endangered Species ActEndangered Species Act National Historic Preservation ActNational Historic Preservation Act Clean Water ActClean Water Act Clean Air ActClean Air Act Wilderness ActWilderness Act Healthy Forests Restoration ActHealthy Forests Restoration Act Roadless RuleRoadless Rule Travel Management RuleTravel Management Rule

Other Initiatives and Other Initiatives and Activities Affecting Activities Affecting

Management of CNNFManagement of CNNF Cohesive Wildfire Management Cohesive Wildfire Management

StrategyStrategy Sustainable Recreation FrameworkSustainable Recreation Framework Invasive Species Concerns – Gypsy Invasive Species Concerns – Gypsy

Moth, Emerald Ash Borer, etc.Moth, Emerald Ash Borer, etc.

Federal/Local Budget TrendsFederal/Local Budget Trends

Federal appropriations drive CNNF ability to plan and implement programs.

CNNF budget affected by overall budget for Forest Service and choices made on national priorities of Forest Service.

CNNF part of Eastern Region with 15 national forests.

In any year, hope to get reasonable share of regional allocation. Allocation to CNNF affects amount of “business” we can do.

National Forest Relevance in National Forest Relevance in Ashland and Bayfield Ashland and Bayfield

CountiesCountiesVariety of timber products sold annuallyLots of roads open for motor vehicles; others for walking, hunting, etc.Motorized and non-motorized recreational trailsMoquah Barrens – a globally significant landscape feature with local valuesCampgrounds and other infrastructure assets that support local business ventures

Final ThoughtsFinal ThoughtsNational Forests continue to attempt to balance local and national interests.

National forest management driven by national laws, regulations, and budgets.

Local managers engage local public and governments to understand local desires and values.

In an ever increasingly complicated world with pluralistic views, expect national forests to be the place where some value conflicts are played out.

Photo by Tom Crow