Sierra Nevada Conservation Framework
Core Staff Meeting, CDF/FS Office, Sacramento
27 May, 1998

Notes by Mike Chapel, USFS
(May 28, 1998)

Staff Attending: Jim Barry (CDP&R), Mike Chapel (USFS), Ken Greenberg (EPA), Judy Heath (Calfed), Larry Helm (CDP&R), Russ Henly (CDF), Frank Jerauld (Central Sierra RC&D), Sue Ladner (USDA-RD), Galen Lee (SWRCB), Jerry Reioux (NRCS), and Carl Rountree (BLM).

Observers: Jean Adams (Ansel Adams Gallery), Pat Blacklock (Calif. Cattlemen's Assn.), Sue Britting (Sierra Forest Protection Camp.) and John Hofmann (CFA).

Discussion:

• Mike Chapel provided some background on the Sierra Framework Project for new participants. He noted that the meeting agenda is focused on 1) reports from working groups; and 2) examples of state and federal programs in the Sierra that could have a role with the Framework project.
  
• Frank Jerauld presented a report from the committee that reviewed public participation processes with government. He noted an overall lack of participation by most committee members. Community involvement programs in the Forest Service Intermountain Region was offered as a good model by some committee members. Mr. Jerauld recommended that the public participation component of the Framework should be considered "ongoing and adaptive" and that review of community involvement programs from other areas should continue.
  
• Mike Chapel summarized a list of possible approaches for broad-scale conservation planning in the Sierra. The approaches summarized were:

1.Multi-species habitat conservation plans
2.Biodiversity conservation plans
3.Issue-based planning (fire, old-growth, etc.)
4.Coordinated Watershed plans
5. Multi-scale monitoring leading to coop management plans

• Judy Heath provided an overview of the CalFed Bay-Delta Project, focusing on the Upper Watershed Program. An Interagency Watershed Advisory Team is being organized to help administer the program. Stakeholder meetings are beginning to begin developing coordination mechanisms for watershed activities, funding mechanisms, technical support procedures, and monitoring protocols.
  
• Ken Greenberg described the Clean Water Action Plan that was developed jointly by EPA and the Department of Agriculture. This new program builds on the successes of the Clean Water Act and focuses attention on developing cooperative watershed plans for clean water and completing "unified watershed assessments" to identify watershed restoration priorities. The program is intended to strengthen protection of water quality and healthy aquatic ecosystems on federal lands. Emphasis areas include: protecting public health, controlling pollution runoff, incentives for private land stewardship, restoring wetlands, and protecting coastal waters.
  
• Russ Henly provided a progress report on implementation of the California Fire Plan by CDF. The plan is now in various stages of implementation on CDF's ranger units statewide. The plan systematically evaluates fuels conditions, fire weather, levels of (fire protection) service, and assets at risk to prioritize programs and projects for fire management. The program involves stakeholders to set priorities and is resulting in many community-based fire-safe councils in the Sierra and elsewhere.
  
• Connie Millar briefly discussed a new program from the National Science and Technology Council called "Integrated Science for Sustainable Ecosystems". The program is intended to coordinate natural and social science efforts among federal agencies with the goal of providing cost-effective assessments for use with management. Ms. Millar also provided a draft letter of instruction in prep to guide the Forest Service's science assessment for the Sierra Nevada national forests. She invited comments on the process described in the draft letter.

Following the presentations, several participants offered several general recommendations for integrating state and federal programs in the Sierra. No specific arrangements were made.

The meeting closed with a discussion about the future role for the staff committee and future work for the group. Several observers remarked that the role of staff committee remains unclear and the future direction of the Framework project needs clarification. Mr. Chapel noted that an executive leadership team is being organized and the team will meet as soon as possible. He also promised to discuss the role for staff committee with Regional Forester Sprague and Station Director Salwasser and report back to the committee. The staff team decided to postpone scheduling the next meeting until the roles and expectations from the team has been clarified. Mr. Chapel promised to get clarification and respond to the committee as soon as possible.

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