Jim Doran, J.D., IBDR

Community Forestry Resources

P.O. Box 888

Twisp, WA  98856

(ph) 509-997-2295

(cell) 509-293-1535

(fax) 509-997-2192

jimdoran@mymethow.com

                                                                        November 27, 2006

 

Representative Greg Walden

Natural Resources Staff

1210 Longworth House Office Building

Washington, DC  20515

 

Representative Greg Walden

Natural Resources Staff

843 East Main Street, Suite 400

Medford, OR  97504

 

            Re: Tripod Fire Salvage

 

Honorable Greg Walden:

 

This letter is a request for your assistance in the formulation of a collaborative process for post fire salvage projects on public lands in Region 6. By now you have probably already heard that the Tripod Fire Salvage project of Okanogan County, Washington, has failed to meet a timeline that will allow for the salvage of the small diameter material before those trees spoil; i.e. check and crack beyond merchantability.  This letter is a necessary communiquŽ so that the Tripod situation does not get misinterpreted.

 

I was instrumental in forming the Collaborative Action Team (CAT) that was able to assemble all of the regional interests in order to promote the salvage of the small diameter material on a cushion of snow during the winter months.  Amongst those groups represented on the CAT were:  The Wilderness Society, The Lands Council, Conservation Northwest, Boise Timber, Vaagen Bros Lumber, Inc. several local loggers, local environmentalists and community development organizations, and myself as the facilitator.  We presented a plan and a timeline that could have processed this project through NEPA in a timely manner.  Our proposal, contained in the CAT Report dated October 27, 2006, was summarily rejected by the Wenatchee – Okanogan National Forest.  We are very disappointed in that failure. 

 

I attach a copy of the CAT Report of October 27, 2006 and the letter dated November 27, 2006 that has gone to Supervisor Jim Boynton.

 

The positive outcome of this situation is that the CAT and members of the Rural Voices for Conservation Coalition (RVCC), as well as Peggy Kain at the Forest Service Region 6 office, are all interested in reviewing the Tripod situation in order to develop a salvage protocol for the future.  These significant fires are not going to diminish over time, as you are well aware.  We think that the work that you have promoted in legislation (HB 4200) may be a very good starting point.  We want to look at that as a model that might be adjusted to fit this collaborative effort.  You realize that the conservation community was not behind HB 4200.  My vocation has been to bring the differing sides together to fashion an agreement that all can then support.  It appears that this Òpost fire salvage issueÓ has come of age and is ripe for such a process.

 

We also need to look at salvage projects from the past to build the body of scientific and substantive knowledge that will guide this effort.  The goal will be to formulate a protocol before July 2007.

 

One of the ancillary salvage topics is the distraction of personnel and funding from the Forest Service ÒgreenÓ WUI and forest restoration projects to the salvage project.  This is an untenable position for the community groups that have worked on fuels reduction in their neighborhoods.  It also amounts to cultural insanity.  We have three fuels reduction projects in the Methow that will be delayed for at least two years because of the shift in emphasis to the salvage project.  We would like to work with you to find the funding for both programs at the same time.  Otherwise you are going to have some very upset local folks who just avoided the Tripod catastrophe and want their woods to be fire resistant, as was planned.

 

I am not going to pre-judge the analysis of what didnÕt work on the Tripod Fire Salvage efforts.  Suffice it to say that the Òrisk averseÓ Forest Service needs some solid direction and support if we are going to utilize salvage materials in the future.  We would sincerely appreciate your support in these efforts.  I realize your personal commitment to this issue.  I think if we bring these interested voices together on this proposal we can fashion a program and associated legislation to further your goals.

 

Please have your staff contact me for further discussions about this salvage protocol project and how we intend to move this process forward.  I am the unofficial convenor of this salvage protocol committee and I would be more than happy to meet with your staff as necessary.

 

Thank you.    

 

                                                            Jim Doran

 

 

                                                            Community Forestry Resources

                                                            Independent Contractor

 

 

 

Cc: Rep. Cathy McMorris, Sen. Ron Wyden, Sen. Maria Cantwell