Tongass National Forest

There may be inconsistency in implementing TPIT or inventory protocols across the Tongass. In some cases the inventory protocols may not appear to fit the landscape situation and therefore are applied differently between locations. Line Officers may need different levels of species information to support reasoned decision making and thus direct personnel to do levels of inventory different than some believe are necessary to meet the protocols. These lead some to believe protocols may be inconsistently applied across the Forest.

An objective of the Forest Plan, page B-12 (Wildlife), Information Needs – is to move to a Forest-wide habitat inventory program.

TPIT clarifications included Appendix A that deals specifically with sensitive plants, goshawks, brown bear foraging sites, etc. and how surveys and inventories are to be done. This direction was implemented as a letter that was re-issued in subsequent years. It is also not clear how the protocols fit with recent efforts to standardize data collection and storage locally and nationally.

Convene a group to determine if the TPIT inventory protocols are still valid and/or if they need to be adjusted to meet current and future project and Forest Plan needs. Other agency representatives and the PNW will be used as appropriate. The effort should provide appropriate recommendations for survey and inventory protocols necessary to support reasoned project decision making and future Forest Planning efforts.

• Forest Planner
• Line Officer Representative
• Forest Ecologist/Botanist
• Forest Wildlife Biologist

• Report with refreshed guidance for TES surveys and protocols necessary to support informed decision-making.