Task B Findings and Recommendations
B3 Finding
Recommendation Coordinate development of annual plans (Task D, Task F) on each reservation for integrating all forest management activities including hazardous fuel reduction activities and creation of operational wildfire containment lines, in anticipation of future large wildfire events and the need to contain those incidents. ■ Build additional internal capacity (work force, training, and funding) to develop plans for integrating fuels treatments into road network maintenance, harvest plans, silvicultural prescriptions, watershed and wildlife habitat protection, and recreation planning. ■ Review and streamline Regional Office procedures for burn plan approval implementation of prescribed fire projects and associated silvicultural prescriptions connected to planned operational wildfire containment lines.
Implementation of hazardous fuel reduction treatments is often made difficult by the continued separation of traditional forestry and fuels management units, with coordination of such projects often informal within tribal organizations. ■ Annual plans for integrating management activities are not currently required and, tribes lack Regional support for implementation. ■ Secretarial Order 3372 directs all BIA Forestry units to expedite active management of forests to reduce wildfire risks, but delayed BIA approval of burn plans have been cited by a number of tribes as a primary reason they have not been able to reach targets for hazardous fuel reduction.
A wildfire salvage sale on the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Flathead Reservation in Montana. PHOTO CREDIT: MARK RASMUSSEN
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