1. RESOURCE ADVISING IN SPECIAL MGMT. AREAS

2. TYPES OF SMA’S Designated Wilderness WSA - Wilderness Study Area National Monuments and similar areas Wild and Scenic Rivers National Scenic and Historic Trails ACEC - Areas of Critical Environmental Concern * Other RMP identified management objectives & administrative designations

3. POLICY/PLAN DIRECTION READ Guide: Appendix F Wilderness (6340) – Protect Wilderness character WSA – (6330) – Non Impairment Nat. Monuments (6220) – Protect Objects and Values Scenic & Hist. Trails (6250/6280) – Trail Corridor Protection, High Potential Route Segments (Historic trails) Wild and Scenic Rivers (6400) Free-flow & Outstandingly Remarkable Values ACECs (1613) – Relevant and Important Values Many areas also have separate plan, or direction in RMP– Get familiar with these before fire season – Learn about protected values – talk to other specialists!

4. MIST  Minimum Impact Suppression Tactics  “Light-on-the-Land” Methods  Resource Advisor Guide – Appendix I  Incident Response Pocket Guide – IRPG  Page 100 in 2010 version  Be aware of where MIST guidelines are described in current year’s IRPG. Firefighters have this guide with them on the line and it provides a good reference.

5. More on Wilderness/WSAs Wilderness = 2.7 % of U. S. California – Largest population and most wilderness in lower 48 – recipe for conflicts BLM California 3.8 million acres wilderness 1.6 million acres WSAs 1/3 of BLM lands in state

6. WILDERNESS vs WSA WSAs Studied by BLM for potential wilderness designation In “holding pattern” till Congress makes decision to designate or not Objective is avoid > minimize > repair impact, nonimpairment of area’s suitability for designation BLM recommendation does not matter – Congress makes final decision Motorized equipment use is permitted. Vehicles allowed only on existing two-track routes – otherwise minimum necessary Wilderness Most Protective Congressional Land Designation Roadless undeveloped landscapes “Deference” to allowing nature to take its course Suppression actions rarely benefit wilderness –taken to protect life and property. Objective: avoid > minimize > repair impacts to preserve wilderness character Motorized equipment not permitted -- Exception for emergencies = minimum necessary = reasonable justification

7. Use of Dozers Use Requires State Director authorization See Handouts for Wilderness Dozer Authorization Form READ participates and signs form Manage dozer impacts through entire life cycle of fire Largest and longest lasting suppression impact in CA Wilderness/WSAs

8. Key Questions on Equipment Approval Form Were alternatives considered outside wilderness? Heavy equipment minimum tool necessary? Why? Values at risk – consequences of not using equipment? What protections are in place to Minimize damage? Detailed description of proposed use Completed form submitted to CASO within 24 hours of verbal approval

9. Fireline Damage Suppression Repair & ESR Obliterate all routes/dozer lines in wilderness Obliterate all but inventoried routes in WSAs – prevent route proliferation Sort out suppression repair vs. ESR responsibilities Complete what you can during incident but followup work often needed on supp. Repair Incorporate road closures/enforcement into ESR Involve wilderness specialist in process

10. Additional Support Resources WWW.Wilderness.netWWW.Wilderness.net Outstanding Web site –Fire management toolbox National Conservation Lands Program Leads Bob Wick: 916-978-4665 rwick@blm.govrwick@blm.gov Mark Conley (916)978-4641 mconley@blm.govmconley@blm.gov Field Office Recreation/ Wilderness Specialist, National Monument manager and other resource specialists familiar with area values.