1 Jamie T. announced that Jim McGrath died two weeks ago. Jim was a career Forest Service employee who was the Forester at the Wind River Nursery operation on the GPNF. He worked under, and was a friend of, Jim Furnish on the Siuslaw N.F., where he was part of the forest management transition. 2 Minutes from the July and August field trips were approved by general understanding. Minutes of the Sept. 17 meeting were discussed due to need for clarification of several points/comments in the draft minutes. After review - Lisa M. moved, Terry T. 2nd, minutes approved. 3 Presentations: - Siuslaw N.F. collaborative groups: - Dan Segotta from the Central Coast District was contacted, but was unavailable. - Chandra LeGue from Oregon Wild spoke. Oregon Wild is primarily interested in restoration and preservation work on publicly-owned forests. - Chandra related some of the recent history of the Siuslaw N.F. and relevant collaborative groups. - Restoration work began 10 years ago, mainly via commercial thinning. - The Siuslaw was authorized to start Stewardship contracting in 2001 as a pilot program for the concept. Collaboration started on the Central Coast District in 2002 and on the Alsea District in 2005. - The Alsea process was informed by the Central Coast experience. - Interests were divergent at first. Production of a “common goals/ vision” document was a useful exercise. Definition of “best value” helped the process. - The collaborative groups and F.S. Staff take a “whole watershed view” and try to include private landowners within the watershed. - Siuslaw restoration projects have “always made money”. Approximately 40% of the retained receipts are used on 'Wyden amendment' projects (off N.F. Land). - Technical review committee within the Collaborative – mostly F.S. Staff. - NEPA collaboration on both stewardship and standard timber sales. - Multi-party monitoring supported via retained receipts. Annual report on findings submitted by subcontractor(s). (Originally allowed by F.S. due to 'pilot program' status. Now the F.S. supports this activity via budget.). - KEYS TO SUCCESS per Chandra: - Consistent membership – interpersonal relationships, policy continuity; - Goal commonality and commitment; - Agency commitment; - Facilitator (F.S. Supported financially in the Siuslaw case); - Agreement on harvest parameters among group was essential. - Accomplishments of the Collaborative Groups on the Siuslaw N.F.: - Trust factor among participants has increased substantially over time; - Several thousand acres of commercial thinning; - Approximately $2 million in project work. - Questions and comments: - Jim M. noted that the Siuslaw group and staff seem to approach forest management on a larger scale than the GPNF. - Jim M. asked, when does Collaborative Group get involved in process? - Originally, Forest staff asked the group to choose between options; now the group is involved, via subcommittee, from “pre-scoping” through “post-ID Team initial meetings”. - Jim M. asked whether industry Purchasers are involved. Chandra: “Not usually, but might be desirable”. - Nancy R. stated that it would have been desirable to have more involvement of our Collaborative Group sooner in the Cave/Bear project. - Nancy R. asked whether Wyden amendment work contained contract requirements for the landowner to maintain the site for some period. Someone mentioned Colorado projects that did not require maintenance. - Gail F. asked which agencies would monitor Wyden-type work. Chandra said that she would seek examples and report her findings to us. - Gail F. asked Chandra what were the criteria for acceptable collaborative group projects. Chandra said that she would email this information to us. 4 Jim Rice – Mt. Hood NF - Stewardship Coordinator, Clackamas Stewardship Partners: - East-side collaboration group tends to be project specific; the west-side group (CSP) takes a wider view of the relationship and process. - Mt. Hood N.F. started publicizing the stewardship/collaboration idea in 2003. Clackamas Soil and Water Conservation District led the process. - Some existing thinning sales were chosen as suitable for stewardship projects. - Restoration work was added; - Started in 2005 – 2006; - “Success bred success and interest.” - Approximately $1 million in work completed, and another $1 million in process. - Partnered with other agencies on 'Wyden' work – culverts, etc. - Emphasis on the Clackamas River watershed. - Made up of 3 standing subcommittees. - Funding from RAC II, National Forest Foundation, .... - Questions and comments: - Jamie T. asked “which way do the technical contacts occur?” - “Kind of a dance” to some extent. Facilitator plays an important role in sorting out responsibilities. Forest Service staff sometimes wonder, “Why are they (CSP) doing this?” Some struggle, but it generally works. - Forest staff comes to monthly meetings and to specific project meetings. - Lisa M. cited, as an example of merit, her sense that issues are raised earlier for discussion with the ID Team. - Jim Rice added that the F.S. can set time-lines (Staff? Collab? Both?) - Dave L'H. asked about “trade-offs” between past practices and stewardship. - Jim R. - progress from zero to current level of cooperation. “Stewardship is an incredible opportunity.” - Someone characterized the situation as project-oriented, not long-term planning. - Jim R. - the two can merge over time. - Nancy R. - conditions may dictate different treatments than “authorized”, so planning can be somewhat compromised by circumstances. - Rick L. visited a stewardship project on the east-side that earned $0.5 million from a thinned fuel-break around The Dalles' watershed (no retained earnings from other aspects of the project). - Jim M. - stewardship projects here are hampered by small size of units and poor quality of roads. Associated costs make projects financially unviable. - Nancy R. mentioned 'Stimulus' money that will be used to repair some GPNF roads. - Rick L. - The Dalles-area fuel-break project included road maintenance. - Jim M. - dbh limit issues also affect economic viability on GPNF projects. - Jamie T. wants to bring Janine Clayton into the discussion; will contact her. - First stewardship sale on GPNF (Straycat) – difficulties partly due to “doubts from old-timers. But, as contractors get more familiar with process, they are not as resistant to stewardship contracts.” - Discussion of NFF grant to fund a Facilitator. Jamie T. will research. - Todd M. will check whether NFF has quarterly application cycles. - Lisa M. recommended contacting Marcus Kauffman. - Jamie T. asked whether the Collaborative should hold a seminar or retreat with facilitation. - Todd M. will check into the WSU 'Master Facilitator' program/person. 5 Woody biomass discussion: - Nancy R. mentioned 2 'biomass sales' on the Sawtooth project with no takers. - Rick L. stated that SDS is buying all available biomass on east-side Mt. Hood N.F. sales. - Gail F. is aware of a number of grants concerning biomass. - Spencer reported that both sales (one standard, one stewardship) shown to GPAG members during August field trip to Siuslaw N.F. were bought by Georgia-Pacific and chipped for pulp - point being that chips are worth more to them currently than sawlogs. Also, the energy bills in Congress will have an effect on the biomass market in that, if woody biomass is defined as a 'renewable energy source', then biomass-based electrical-generation plants will be more viable. In Washington state, Initiative-937 from 2006 is already driving the big state PUDs and the private generators/distributors to pay 'peak' rates for wind-based power, rather than 'base' rates. If woody biomass is added to the RES definition, there is the same relatively high-priced market demand, due to I-937 mandates. 6 Update on Cave/Bear project for 2009: - Jamie T. reported that Jay McLaughlin has asked for help in reviewing the RFP response. Deadline is next week. Bruce H. volunteered. - Lisa M. and Erin Black are working on defining the restoration aspects. Lisa asked to add this item to the agenda for our next meeting. 7 Bear Creek update: - Spencer reviewed our last few meetings' worth of discussions which lead to a change in the project definition from a hazardous fuels assessment to a habitat restoration project based on achievement of late-seral characteristics and improvement of forest health in the watershed. - The 2007 Feasibility Report, created by Tom Linde's 2006 RAC II project, can serve as the basis for completion of related NEPA documents. Spencer will re-send this document to the Collaborative Group e-mail list. - Further funding will be sought by project sponsors with the 2010 RAC II funding as 'seed money'. - Spencer moved to approve this change in definition; 2nd Lisa M., approved. - Spencer will draft a change letter and circulate to the Collaborative for review. 8 Forest Service update: - Sawtooth Huckleberry Restoration – some hand-thinning done; experimental burns are underway. - WinThin work is starting. Helicopter units started? - Lisa M. announced that GP Task Force has appealed the Wildcat sale ROD. Lisa said that this was the first appeal by GPTF in 7 years. She cited lack of early discussion about the project; concerns about Bull Trout with respect to road-building; the fact that the sale will require a NW Forest Plan amendment. Tom Linde has also appealed the ROD. 9 Other business: - Tim Johnson is the GPNF Stewardship Coordinator (among other things). - Jamie T. felt that Nancy R. was “attacked” at last meeting; criticized 'tone of voice'. Nancy stated that she loves us all. No resolution, but some concerns expressed. - Review by the Collaborative Group of 'letters of support'. Spencer suggested that one 'over my dead body' comment would stop publication. Suggestion was approved. - Jamie T. announced an RVCC conference in Troutdale, Dec. 7 – 10. Primary focus is rural policies. Spencer was selected to attend for Collaborative, because he takes comprehensive (some say “verbose”) notes. Lisa M. will keep her eye on Spencer. - Jamie's draft letter to Secretary Vilsack – approved for publication. - Hemlock Lake recreation – discuss in future meeting. Invite Bengt Coffin. 10 Next meeting: Nov. 12 at the Underwood Community Center @ 15:00. Attendees: Jamie Tolfree, Peggy Bryan, Paul Spencer, Lisa Moscinski, Nancy Ryke, Bruce Holmson, Terry Tanner, Rick Larson, Gail Fullerton, Sally Newell, Todd Murray, John Forsberg, Justin Bush, Jim White, Jim Mickel, David L'Hommedieu | 
