Wallowa Whitman Forest CollaborativeNils D. ChristoffersenWallowa Resources

2,392,508 acres

3 states

10 counties

bordered by the Umatilla and Malheur NFs

Elevation varies from 9,985 to 875 feet

Four ranger districts, one national recreation area, and four wilderness areas

Origins Various collaborative efforts at county

levels, including 17 year effort in Wallowa County

Three NE Oregon Counties extended the initial invitation to explore value in larger forest level collaborative.

First meeting 7 June 2012. 48 participants from 29 different stakeholders. Agreed on value to form and proceed.

Collaborative PurposeTo improve the social, economic, and ecological resiliency of the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest and local communities through collaboration

by a diverse group of stakeholders.

Structure WR Project Manager – Fiscal Agent

NFF and DFZ funds SNW Facilitator 10 Member Operating Committee

State and County Forest products Environmental groups OSU Extension Local community and private landowners

Collaborative has met 9 times including its formative meetingAverage of 37.4 participants per meeting (337 participant days)Also held one field trip in fall 2012 – Lower Joseph CreekSecond field trip scheduled this week – East Face Project

Accomplishments Building collaborative relationship amongst stakeholders. Operations Manual Approved – 22 Signatories to date General findings and recommendations for restoration of the

Lower Joseph Creek Watershed Approved. 5th HUC Integrated Resource Assessment Recommendations across resource areas

Initiated stand level confirmation of implementation opportunities Completed 3,000 acres – confirmed 2,515 acres

Initiating work on new project in Whitman District (Baker County) – potential pilot partnership with ODF, ODFW and Comprehensive Wildfire Strategy

Secured funds for Year 2 staffing.

Year 2 Targets Expand and maintain diverse collaborative

membership Complete NEPA for Lower Joseph Creek Projects Advance work on East Face Project Explore opportunities for Landscape Learning

Model effects of different management scenarios on wildlife and fish habitat, fire regime condition classes, stand treatments in identified biophysical groups – moisture/temperature regimes, and riparian areas.

Explore opportunities for coordination and efficiency in staffing / facilitation with other Blue Mountain Collaboratives.

Lower Joseph Creek – Warm/Dry Biophysical

Average Annual Fire Suppression Cost

1986-2007: $6.7 million per year

Haypen 3 stewardship contract

Biomass – (1.0”-4.9”) 23% of cut trees per acre.

Pulp fiber – (5.0”-6.9”) 33% of cut trees per acre.

Integrated Biomass Campus

Lower Joseph Creek -Cool / Dry Biophysical

Lower Joe Integration Forests and Fuels Range Wildlife Riparian and Fisheries Roads and Recreation Cultural Social and Economic