About Survey and Manage
Survey and Manage (S&M) is a mitigation measure of the Northwest Forest Plan (NWFP, 1994) for little-known and rare species. S&M was amended in January 2001. S&M has no direct link to the Endangered Species Act or special-status species programs for the FS or BLM. There are 3 criteria for species to be listed as S&M:
- The species must occur within the NWFP area.
- The species must be closely associated with late-successional or old-growth forest.
- The reserve system and other NWFP Standards and Guidelines do not appear to provide for a reasonable assurance of species persistence.
Why Survey and Manage
During the 1980’s and 1990’s, there was a series of attempts to define management of old-growth forests (and northern spotted owls) and a series of challenges by environmental groups and the timber industry. In response to one of these challenges, Judge Dwyer enjoined the Forest Service until the Agency adopted standards and guidelines for conservation of the northern spotted owl. This was to be completed by March 1992. This plan was also challenged, and again Judge Dwyer issued another injunction until the Forest Service made the changes he addressed -- among other things, the viability of old-growth-related species.
The Forest Service formed another team, the Scientific Analysis Team, to address Judge Dwyer’s concerns. Its report was completed in March of 1993. The report contained a viability evaluation process for species associated with old-growth forests. The Forest Ecosystem Management Assessment Team (FEMAT) used the SAT process in its effort to produce the Northwest Forest Plan.
A total of 1120 species were evaluated in FEMAT to assess viability. In response to public comments, an additional 490 species were evaluated between the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement and the final. One of their charges was to develop a list of possible mitigation measures to be incorporated in the standards and guidelines. This resulted in 406 species being included in the S&M mitigation measure.
The above is an attempt to satisfy the National Forest Management Act requirement to provide for the persistence of species throughout their range.
What is Survey and Manage?
Today S&M is a list of mitigation measures for 296 species and four arthropod guilds. There are requirements to complete pre-disturbance surveys for 65 species, manage known sites for most, and conduct broad surveys for all.
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Last Updated: April, 2006
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