Transcript Slide 1
Collaboration on the
Malheur National Forest
Malheur National Forest
• 1.7 Million acres
• Headwaters to Middle,
South and main stem John
Day Rivers
• 88% steelhead spawning in
Middle Fork occurs on the
Malheur N.F.
Malheur National Forest Issues
• Fire adapted ecosystems, frequent fire
• Successful fire suppression policy
• Overgrown forests with too many small trees
Community Impacts
• High unemployment
• Workforce: losing/lost trained workers
• Transition to smaller diameter logs
– New method of business
– New equipment needs/retooling
– Cost is a barrier
Forest Products Industry - Mills
Grant County
Malheur Lumber Company (John Day)
Operating since 1980s
Prairie Wood Products (Prairie City)
Not operating since 2009
Grant Western Wood Products (John Day)
Not operating since 2007
Harney County
Hines/Louisiana Pacific (Hines)
Not operating since 2007
BMFP’s Mission
Blue Mountains Forest Partners is:
a diverse group of stakeholders
who work together
to create and implement a shared vision to
improve the resilience and well-being of
forests and communities
in the Blue Mountains
BMFP History
• Began when the County Government invited
conservation interests to Grant County
• Expanded membership gradually:
– include timber interests, ranchers, landowners,
contractors, local government, conservationists,
USFS, tribes
• Set ground rules and decision-making
framework, zones of agreement
• Utilized third-party neutral facilitators
(Sustainable Northwest)
Who is involved?
• County government
• Local community members
• Environmental
stakeholders
• Industry stakeholders
• Local foresters & operators
Project Development
• Developed by BMFP in coordination
with USFS
• Informed by 2 landscape analyses
– Bigger Look
– CFLRP
Projects
•Dads Creek: 7,200 ac.
•Damon: 19,000 ac.
•Soda Bear: 20,000 ac.
•Elk 16: 42,000 ac.
•Big Mosquito: 36,000 ac.
Successes
• Franklin/Johnson/Van Pelt vs. 21” Rule
– Grand fir key
– Moist mixed conifer
• 2011 CFLRP award
– $2.5 million/year x 10 years
• 10-year IRSC stewardship contract
• Zones of Agreement
Successes
• Completed a strategic plan (2013)
• Secured 501(c)(3) nonprofit status
(in process)
• Hired Executive Director (2013)
• Initiated multiparty monitoring
• Litigation-free since 2006!
For More Information:
Vernita Ediger, Executive Director
[email protected]
541-255-7525