Management Indicator Species Plan Amendment
The Forest Service is attempting to minimize their forest monitoring requirements by altering the management indicator species (MIS) lists that are tracked across all Sierra Nevada National Forests. The 2001 and 2004 Framework requires the Forest Service monitor effects that Forest Service projects have on the long-term viability of these species and the long-term health of the habitats that they depend upon for survival.
We are deeply concerned that the revision of existing monitoring requirements will have significant environmental consequences and will weaken existing protection for species and the biological diversity of the Sierra Nevada. It is important to note that the needs of forest health, ecosystem integrity, and species survival is not regarded as a primary purpose of this proposed amendment to a program which if followed and acted upon diligently as the 2001 Framework recommended, there would likely be monitoring data available addressing impacts from Forest Service management on species of importance and the habitats they depend upon.
Appendix E of the 2001 Sierra Nevada Framework required that the Forest Service develop a monitoring program for a wide variety of essential and important wildlife species within the National Forests of the Sierra Nevada. This important list of MIS within Appendix E survived the Bush Administration's dismantling of the 2001 Sierra Nevada Framework. The existing monitoring requirements for MIS and related species are an essential part of land management plans and provide a valuable safety net to reduce the likelihood of plan implementation having significant adverse environmental impacts.
The Forest Service in Region 5 is attempting to sidestep one of the most important tools the public has for gauging management impacts and environmental health. The monitoring of wildlife species including sensitive species and management indicator species is one of the few ways land managers can be held accountable for the effects of their decisions. Monitoring has long been the under-funded “step-child” of the forest planning process until recently when the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of environmental plaintiffs on two key cases in California. The Red Star Fire Salvage and the Power and Fred’s Fire Salvage cases affirm that forest plan monitoring for habitat and population trends is the law. Region 5 is now attempting to circumvent important monitoring requirements in the 2001/2004 Sierra Nevada Framework by amending the forest plans of the 11 Sierra Nevada national forests to significantly weaken forest monitoring requirements.
The Record of Decision for the proposed amendment was released on December 14, 2007. After reviewing the comments of Sierra Forest Legacy and numerous other conservation organizations, and concerned citizens the Forest Service maintained their support for the proposed changes to species monitoring in the Sierra Nevada.
Sierra Forest Legacy along with the Sierra Club, Forest Issues Group, Defenders of Wildlife, Sierra Foothills Audubon Society and the Center for Biological Diversity submitted an appeal on February 4, 2008 to this misguided decision. Subsequently,on August 25, 2008, the Forest Service issued its denial of all issues raised by the public appeals.
Update--September 9, 2008
Lawsuit Filed to Restore Meaningful Wildlife Monitoring
Our defense of a rigorous monitoring effort on behalf of wildife species throughout the Sierra continues. After exhausting all other attempts to persuade the Forest Service of the scientific and legal deficiencies of weakening MIS monitoring requirements in the Sierra-wide forest management plans, Legacy filed suit on September 9 to restore meaningful monitoring to the region. Read the lawsuit at the top of the "Resources" column to the right, and read the press release here.