the BIA planning process, and building support processes for implementation IFMAT II found that planning was decentralized, resulting in a wide variation between forest plans in terms of approach, content, and quality. Progress on IRMPs was slow. While most FMPs defined a “tribal vision” there was much room for improvement. Progress had been made in describing ecological processes, describing the future forest, and linkages to operational plans, but there was still room for improvement. IFMAT II found that most plans defined sustainability solely in terms of harvest outputs. IFMAT II found that Continuous Forest Inventory
(CFI) compared favorably to inventory and planning systems used by other agencies, but there were organizational inefficiencies in the CFI effort and in GIS support. At that time, continuing support of the CFI system was uncertain. It found that because of inadequate planning budgets, most BIA support was aimed at inventory analysis, rather than forest planning. Larger tribes were found to have the resources to support their own forest planning efforts. IFMAT II recommendations focused on strengthening the planning effort and the systems that support it. IFMAT III found a wide variety between plans in terms of quality of the plans – some plans were
much more comprehensive and detailed than others. It also suggested some general areas of strength and weakness across the set of plans reviewed. Few plans, for example, addressed staffing and funding needs with much specificity. Most plans, on the other hand, had a clear statement about the vision and purpose of forest management. IFMAT III recommendations focused on strengthening the planning effort and the systems that support it. While some of IFMAT I-III forest management planning recommendations have been initiated, many recommendations have not been addressed, and continue to be repeated across multiple Assessments.
Riparian management on Passamaquoddy tribal lands in Maine. PHOTO CREDIT: VINCENT CORRAO
130 Assessment of Indian Forests and Forest Management in the United States
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