A changed copy of the sample letter that we would like you to send out to your key constituent and project planning mailing lists outlining the S&M process and providing an opportunity to receive more information is attached.  Please mail this out as soon as possible.

Authenticated by
Maggie Weaver
Management Asst.

Attachment

Distribution:

Attachment: Sample Letter

Dear Interested Public:

The Bureau of Land Management and the Forest Service have begun a process to determine a course of action for 80 species which have a requirement for surveys to be conducted before implementing ground-disturbing activities in FY 1999 (October 1, 1998). These species are covered by the Survey and Manage and Protection Buffer Standards and Guidelines in the Northwest Forest Plan, which were developed to assist in maintaining the persistence of species thought to have some level of risk within the range of the northern spotted owl. None of these species are listed under the Endangered Species Act. Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service biologists, botanists, researchers, and scientists have developed methods to survey for 47 of the 80 species. We have been unable to develop effective survey techniques for the remaining 33 species because either identification is extremely difficult (only a very few, highly trained specialists can identify these species), or it takes many years of looking at the area to prove the absence of these species. A list of these 33 species is attached.

We propose to delay surveys for a year for these 33 species. A change in survey schedule for these species would allow a substantial portion of the FY 1999 projects planned under the Northwest Forest Plan, including recreational developments, watershed improvements, prescribed fire, and timber sales, to be accomplished while we develop more efficient means to determine the presence of these 33 species. We will continue to survey for the 47 species which can successfully be found and identified. Federal scientists predict that a one year change in survey schedule would not pose a substantial risk to these 33 species.

We are preparing an Environmental Assessment (EA) to analyze the effects of the proposed change in schedule. We expect to release the EA for public review in October, 1998. In the 30 days following release of the EA, we will accept your comments on the proposed action and our assessment of the effects. A decision regarding this action will be made in December, 1998.

During the next year, the agencies will also complete a comprehensive review of the results of implementing the Survey and Manage standard and guideline since 1994. During this period we will:

• research ways to improve survey identification of some of the 33 species;

• provide additional training to agency personnel in species identification and survey protocols

• evaluate sharing scarce resources and expertise to maximize survey efforts; and
• undertake an evaluation of other changes to the Survey and Manage and Protection Buffer provisions of the Northwest Forest Plan. These changes might include: (1) evaluating all 400 species covered by Survey and Manage standard and guideline to assure that they are in the appropriate survey category; (2) merging the Survey and Manage and Protection Buffer requirements; (3) clarifying the way species are to be evaluated and moved among Survey and Manage components or dropped from this standard and guideline in the future; and (4) strengthening the adaptive management aspects of this program.
• Actions proposed as a result of this comprehensive review will be addressed in a separate environmental document. The EA described in this letter covers only the proposed change to revise the schedule for implementing surveys for the 33 species in question in the National Forest Plans and BLM District Plans within the range of the northern spotted owl.

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If you are interested in receiving a copy of the EA or if you would like information on the review of the Survey and Manage program please let us know. You can send your request to be on our mailing list to Bill Torgersen, Bureau of Land Management, Oregon State Office, P.O. Box 2965, Portland, Oregon 97208. Additional information on the EA for the schedule change, including a list of the species, can be obtained at any of the BLM District or National Forest offices within the range of the northern spotted owl. Additional information including the complete text of the Northwest Forest Plan Record of Decision and Standards and Guidelines, the list of species covered by the Survey and Manage standard and guideline can be found on the Internet at www.or.blm.gov/information.htm. The EA will also be posted on the Internet when it is released for public review and comment.

Signature Block
Forest Supervisor or District or Field Manager