<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40">
<head>
<meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii">
<meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 12 (filtered medium)">
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:purple;
text-decoration:underline;}
span.EmailStyle17
{mso-style-type:personal-compose;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:windowtext;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026" />
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" />
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]-->
</head>
<body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple>
<div class=Section1>
<p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:15.6pt'><span style='color:black'>Private
Forests News list members:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:15.6pt'><span style='color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:15.6pt'><span style='color:black'>ODF
Private Forests Division deputy chief Peter Daugherty issued this guidance memo
to ODF staff regarding proposed revisions to protocols concerning </span><span
style='color:black'>special resource sites and interim rules for Northern Spotted
owl sites on private forestland in Oregon.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:15.6pt'><span style='color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:15.6pt'><span style='color:black'>Please
share with forest landowners, stakeholders and other interested parties.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:15.6pt'><span style='color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:15.6pt'><span style='color:black'>Kevin
Weeks<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:15.6pt'><span style='color:black'>ODF
Agency Affairs Office<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:15.6pt'><span style='color:black'>(503)
945-7427<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:15.6pt'><span style='color:black'>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:15.6pt'><b><span style='color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;line-height:15.6pt'><b><span
style='color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;line-height:15.6pt'><b><span
style='color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;line-height:15.6pt'><b><span
style='color:black'>Private Forests Transition Update</span></b><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;line-height:15.6pt'><b><span
style='color:black'>2010 NSO Protocol Update Policy</span></b><span
style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;line-height:15.6pt'><b><span
style='color:black'>March 31, 2010</span></b><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:15.6pt'><b><span style='color:black'> </span></b><span
style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:15.6pt'><b><u><span style='color:black'>Purpose</span></u></b><span
style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:15.6pt'><span style='color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:15.6pt'><span style='color:black'>This
document outlines interim ODF Private Forests guidance regarding implementation
of the special resource site and interim spotted owl rules in light of the
revised 2010 United States Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) Protocol for
Surveying Northern Spotted Owls (NSOs). No rule changes are being
proposed. The draft 2010 USFWS NSO protocol and associated transition
memo can be found at <a
href="http://www.fws.gov/oregonfwo/Species/Data/NorthernSpottedOwl/Recovery/">http://www.fws.gov/oregonfwo/Species/Data/NorthernSpottedOwl/Recovery/</a>.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:15.6pt'><span style='color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:15.6pt'><span style='color:black'>The
information provided is important to share with landowners, their consulting
biologists, and other state and federal agency staff you regularly interact
with. These stakeholders will need to understand (1) that USFWS NSO
survey data standards are changing and (2) that the option to request a review
for changing a NSO site status to “abandoned” will be temporarily
suspended in the near future. For questions about the survey protocol,
please refer interested parties to the web link above or a USFWS field
office. For questions about the suspension of NSO
“abandonment” review requests, they can contact Marganne Allen
(Field Support, Policy, & Monitoring Manager 503-945-7240, mallen_AT_odf.state.or.us).
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:15.6pt'><span style='color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:15.6pt'><b><u><span style='color:black'>Background</span></u></b><span
style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:15.6pt'><span style='color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:15.6pt'><span style='color:black'>The impetus
and need for this new protocol is related to the “invasion” of
barred owls throughout the range of spotted owls and subsequent behavioral
changes by spotted owls. Because barred owls are similar in size and
ecology to spotted owls, they compete for the same nesting and foraging
resources. Barred owls are aggressive and are known to attack spotted
owls and to displace them from their nesting areas. Most importantly, the
presence of barred owls is known to reduce the effectiveness of surveys since spotted
owls are less likely to respond to calls during survey efforts. Thus
there is an increased risk of not detecting spotted owls even though they may
actually be present. This protocol was based on years of available
research plus new analysis that examined the effects of barred owls on spotted
owl response rates. The new protocol is based on both scientific analysis
and professional opinion.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:15.6pt'><span style='color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:15.6pt'><span style='color:black'>The new
protocol has increased the number of night visits, added a day-time walk
through survey for some operations, further emphasized the use of digital
electronic calling methods, and recommends spot-checks for operations with
survey data collected more than two years ago. For more specific details
see the draft protocol at the weblink above. A key change is the removal
of the section on declaring sites historic or abandoned. The research
examined showed that sites can go vacant for many years (sometimes up to 12+
years) and then be recolonized by owls. The science did not indicate a
clear answer to support declaring sites historic after 3 or more years of
survey. This issue has been forwarded to the spotted owl recovery
team. The USFWS recommends that if you have spotted owl sites with 3
consecutive years of no responses, you should refer to the revised recovery
plan, which is anticipated for release in late 2010, for guidance on management
of those sites.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:15.6pt'><span style='color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:15.6pt'><span style='color:black'>2010 is
a transition year for implementation of the new protocol. This protocol
will remain draft through 2012, with updates occurring for the 2011 and 2012
field seasons pending additional peer review. USFWS will be accepting
feedback on the protocol during this period.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:15.6pt'><span style='color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:15.6pt'><b><u><span style='color:black'>Interim
NSO Rule Guidance</span></u></b><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:15.6pt'><span style='color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:15.6pt'><span style='color:black'>These
protocol changes will affect what data is acceptable for use in identifying
nest sites and activity centers and the “abandoned” status of NSO
sites. Private Forests personnel should be aware of and share the
following information with landowners, their consulting biologists, and other
state and federal biologists or other key staff you interact with regarding NSO
sites:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:15.6pt'><span style='color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in;line-height:15.6pt'><span
style='color:black'>•</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt;color:black'>
</span><span style='color:black'>Data from surveys conducted according to the
1992 protocol will be acceptable through the 2010 survey season for use in
identifying nest sites and activity centers. Starting in the 2011 survey
season, the department endorses and strongly recommends the use of the revised
protocol for gathering information on spotted owl occupancy.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;line-height:15.6pt'><span
style='color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in;line-height:15.6pt'><span
style='color:black'>•</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt;color:black'>
</span><span style='color:black'>The review of requests to change the status of
NSO sites to “abandoned” will be limited to data sets up to and
through the 2010 field season and collected according to the 1992 protocol at a
minimum. For example, an abandonment request whose third year included
2010 survey data conducted to at least 1992 protocol standards will still be
accepted for review. This suspension will be revisited by December 31,
2010 or upon the release and review of the revised recovery plan in late
2010, whichever comes first. It is not known at this time what kind of
recommendations the recovery plan will offer regarding changes in site status
or management options, though at a minimum additional surveys are a likely
outcome. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:15.6pt'><span style='color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:15.6pt'><span style='color:black'>There
may be exceptions in specific cases. Brad Knotts (Field Coordinator) or
Marganne Allen (Field Support, Policy & Monitoring Manager) can provide
support when reviewing survey information or abandonment requests.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:15.6pt'><span style='color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:15.6pt'><span style='color:black'>Landowners
and operators must realize that compliance with Oregon Department of Forestry
forest practice rules does not imply compliance with the federal Endangered
Species Act, which is enforced by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Parties conducting operations on state and private forest lands are subject to
all federal requirements under the Endangered Species Act, as well as any
requirements of the forest practice rules. Questions pertaining to the
federal Endangered Species Act should be directed to the Portland office of the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at 503-231-6179.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:15.6pt'><span style='color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:15.6pt'><span style='color:black'>Expiration:
December 31, 2010<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>#ODF#<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</body>
</html>