Findings and Recommendations Task B Findings and Recommendations
B4 Finding
Recommendation Ramp up capacity (work force development, silvicultural training, funding, and contracting) to promote rapid, successful and appropriate reforestation of the existing backlog acres and new needs as they arise. ■ Use all available tools in the silvicultural toolbox (i.e., mechanical, chemical and burning tools and techniques) to create and maintain plantable microsites in order to ensure the successful establishment of tree species; on particularly harsh sites, consider clustered micro-site planting as a regeneration option. ■ Expedite Regional Office funding and support to avoid losing planting windows. ■ Improve the procedures for securing BAER funding and the distribution these funds to meet reforestation needs of lands damaged by wildfire. ■ Evaluate the Forest Development program to determine whether there can be a refocus on this backlog. ■ Work with tribal, Forest Service and other nurseries to develop seedling production to meet demand. ■ Consider potential for collaborative speculative seedling production at the regional or subregional level. Recommendation Specify quantitative torching and crowning targets (i.e., acceptable levels of mortality under given fire weather conditions) in all forest plans. ■ Use these targets systematically to identify hazardous fuel reduction treatment options and priorities. ■ Monitor progress and adapt procedures over time.
Tree planting backlogs have doubled since IFMAT III because of large, high-severity wildfires, particularly in the West, and is likely to grow over the next decade across the regions. ■ The 10-year average annual level of reforestation is equal to 4% of the backlog acres. ■ Available seed and planting stock are often limited, and vegetative competition has reduced regeneration success in many areas due to delayed salvage and planting. ■ Delayed funding has also jeopardized regeneration success.
B5 Finding
Torching and crowning targets based on quantitative wildfire risk assessments are not well articulated in most forest and wildfire plans (or Integrated Resource Management Plans), so fuels treatments and hazard reduction effectiveness are difficult to evaluate in plans or on the ground.
96 Assessment of Indian Forests and Forest Management in the United States
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