Science Synthesis to Inform Plan Revisions
Within the Northwest Forest Plan (NWFP) Area
Project Overview
10/27/15
Background: The U.S. Forest Service Pacific Northwest (which includes Oregon and Washington) and Pacific Southwest
(which includes California) Research Stations are developing a science synthesis to inform the revision of land management
plans (forest plans) for 19 national forests within the Northwest Forest Plan (NWFP) area. The NWFP amended land
management plans in 1994 in order to protect threatened and endangered species associated with late successional and oldgrowth forest habitats while still contributing to social and economic sustainability. U.S. Forest Service Region 5 (California) and
Region 6 (Oregon and Washington) have requested the synthesis to provide a thorough, up-to-date review of the relevant
scientific literature pertaining to key resource management topics within the NWFP area. In preparation for forest plan revision,
the Regions would like a general technical report (GTR) ready for peer review by the end of calendar year 2016 so it can be
used at the beginning of the forest plan revision process to inform the forest assessments.
Purpose: Synthesis of existing science to provide managers with a science foundation for revision of forest plans within the
NWFP area.
Approach: Science provides the foundation for credible decision-making. Forest Service Research and Development
works at the forefront of science to improve the health and use of our Nation's forests and grasslands. The 2012
Planning Rule requires the use of the best available scientific information to inform decisions. The NWFP-wide
science synthesis will inform the assessment phase of forest plan revision under the 2012 Planning Rule. It is
essentially information gathering that brings together the relevant scientific information focused on key topics and
management questions.
Figure 1. The NWFP science synthesis is part of the pre-assessment phase of forest plan revisions for R5 and R6.
The synthesis will be based on the 20-year Northwest Forest Plan monitoring reports
[http://www.reo.gov/monitoring/reports/20yr-report/], other published peer-reviewed science and agency data bases.
The synthesis will be published as a GTR and subject to peer review following the Office of Management and Budget and US
Department of Agriculture guidelines (http://www.fs.fed.us/qoi/peerreview.shtml). The science synthesis will consider currently
available peer-reviewed science that is published by a reputable scientific or professional journal or through an agencysponsored peer-review process that meets the general criteria for competent and credible peer review. University theses,
government reports, symposium proceedings etc. may be considered if certain topics are not adequately covered in peer
reviewed literature.
1
Project Leads: Dr. Thomas Spies (link name to bio sketch), Pacific Northwest Research Station and Dr. Peter Stine
(link name to bio sketch), Pacific Southwest Research Station, are the co-leads and editors of the synthesis.
Scientists from the PNW and PSW Research Stations will be lead authors for synthesis chapters and sections.
Coauthors will include other research station scientists and scientists from other agencies or universities as needed.
Examples of synthesis topics covered: The synthesis will be organized around the conservation, restoration and socioeconomic goals and themes of the NWFP. The synthesis will address topical areas relevant to plan revision such as:

















Old growth forest ecosystems
Listed species including the northern spotted owl and marbled murrelet
Other species associated with older forests
Aquatic and riparian species and ecosystems
Socio-economic well-being, community stability, timber harvest
Collaboration
Stakeholder attitudes
Tribal values and resources
Role and effects of disturbance agents
Early successional and other developmental vegetation stages
Climate change
Conservation strategies and effectiveness
Restoration strategies and effects
Uncertainties and scientific disagreement
Geographic variation within the NWFP area
Integration and tradeoffs
Considerations for management
General Products and communication:
 PNW Research Station General Technical Report (GTR)
 1-2 journal articles for peer reviewed journals
 Presentations, webpages, reference literature database, and other outreach products
General Schedule:
 Lead authors identified: Summer 2015
 Outlines finalized: Fall 2015
 First draft of entire document including integration chapter: Late Summer 2016
 Draft ready for peer review & management review: Fall 2016
 Draft ready for policy review: January 2017
 In Press draft complete: Spring 2017
 Hardcopies of GTR available: Fall 2017 or later
 Post-publication communications: Winter 2017-Fall 2017
Contacts:
Tom Spies, Research Ecologist, FS Pacific Northwest Research Station, tspies@fs.fed.us ; 541-750-7354
Peter Stine, Director of Partnerships and Collaboration, pstine@fs.fed.us; 530-334-0435
2