Wallowa Whitman Forest Collaborative Nils D. Christoffersen Wallowa 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 participants from 29 different stakeholders. Agreed on value to form and proceed.

Collaborative Purpose To 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 meeting Average of 37.4 participants per meeting (337 participant days) Also held one field trip in fall 2012 – Lower Joseph Creek Second 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.  5 th 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 : $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