Findings and Recommendations Task B Findings and Recommendations
Below are the findings and recommendations for the IFMAT IV assessment. Ten general findings were identified, ranging from excessive stand density, backlogs, integration of forestry and hazardous fuel reduction, integration of forest and woodland planning, wildfire protection and suppression issues, wild horse management (see Task A), and insect and disease management.
B1 Finding
Recommendation Reduce stocking density and fuel loadings consistent with tribal goals. Update Forest and Wildfire management plans when there are indications through active forest monitoring that the stocking (and ultimate fuel loading) are above critical levels. This can be accomplished by: ■ Maintaining an active forest monitoring program that can identify when forest density and fuels conditions exceed critical levels. Update plans as necessary based on this information and implementation of treatments. ■ Building additional internal capacity (work force, training, and funding) to meet these challenges (see Tasks A and C). ■ Better integrating the hazardous fuel reduction program needs into forest management planning and activities (see Tasks A and F). Recommendation Develop and implement plans to reduce backlog of precommercial thinning acres. ■ Build additional capacity (work force, training, funding, and contracting) to meet these challenges. ■ Review/include treatment plans developed in the FMP planning process to determine where increases can occur. ■ Develop marketing strategies for biomass products. ■ Integrate hazard reduction activities into green timber sales using recently revised authorities (Task F).
For most forests throughout Indian Country, excessive stand density, high fuel accumulations, and insect and disease issues remain a major forest sustainability issue. ■ Nationally, tribal forest acres of High/Very- High Wildfire Hazard Potential (WHP) rating are increasing. ■ The forested tribal lands in the consolidated BIA Pacific Northwest Region had the highest percent in acres of High/Very-High WHP among all ownership groups (see Table B.4)
B2 Finding
A 500,000-acre backlog of precommercial thinning acres remains since the IFMAT III report. ■ The 10-year average annual level of precommercial thinning is about 4% of the backlog acres. ■ There remains a pressing need for density regulation, fuels reductions and maintenance of forest vigor and resilience to climate change stresses, including wildfire.
94 Assessment of Indian Forests and Forest Management in the United States
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