| A unit of Lasting Forests
evolving since March 30, 1999 |
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A Total Forest Management Plan
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Typically, in environmental documents, three alternatives are presented -- a no-action alternative then several others. Within Lasting Forests we suggest there are millions of options, especially because of different sequences in which actions may be taken. We propose to continue to develop the optimization procedures within the system further so that more comprehensive sets of actions may be optimally selected.
We typically propose three major feasible alternatives because of past patterns and because some docoments require such a list. We have done the screening and there are likely to be major differences among the alternative. They are not an equal distance apart in their "scores" or ability to achieve landowner objectives. While we argue for Alternative III, the grounds for doing so are very limited. In this planning system we have built into the processes those of the rational decision maker(s) who usually attempts to maximize some concept of total long-term expected benefits, of utility, and will attempt to do so at lowest long-term costs. The difficulties of doing so are enormous. We minimize them as we reluctantly suggest only three groups of options.
Alternative I - Continuation - The work on the land is perceived to be very satisfactory. It is progressive and adequate. Improvements have been made and are expected to be in place.
The major efforts are to capture the work now underway, provide maps and documents so that work can be carried on or completed should there be personnel changes.
An adequate public relations program exists. Fire protection, recreation opportunities, grassland and tree management are underway. The deer herd is being harvested. Continual monitoring of the herd will allow the surplus to be taken and damage to vehicles, tree-reproduction, and landscaping to be avoided or reduced.
Without clear objectives, and awareness of rapidly changing objectives, a stable, small, active program is appropriate, hitting "hot spots" and emergencies and responding to needs where many of the public can be benefitted with small re-allocation of staff or budget.
The costs are estimated to be no more than 5% more than those of the past three years (exclusive of inflation).
Alternative II - Intensive - The Intensive alternative is one that develops a strong, sound, working, comprehensive environmental system for the area. The system includes:
1. Clarifiying of objectives among areapersonnel, the local publics, and the general public. (Working for an improved R score.)
2. Expanding of the R* Guidance "documents" of the system.
3. Implementating of as many of the descriptions, herewith, of:
4. Developing of a baseline and biodiversity survey unit to establish the current conditions as a basis for comparing change per dollar invested in the programs for the area. This is in part a monitoring activity but includes the need to take corrective actions. It goes beyond monitoring and becomes adaptive management.
The costs are primarily in salary and support action for staff to implement work, largely with available resources. This work may be accomplished (implemented to a maintenance stage) in four years.
Alternative III - Advanced - The advanced alternatives include all of these of Alternative II but implement them in 3 years and expand the concept to the remainder in R* Guidance. Additional components of the alternative are:
1. Developing a demonstration/training area
2. Intensive, expanded development of computer support for objectives formulation
3. Cooperative work with neighbors and leasees for concessions for bird watching, tours, horseback rides, and related activities.
4. Education units designed to influence educators or select groups of students so that the influence of the Station's programs goes beyond local children and their parents.
5. Using existing programs, hardware, and concepts to make the area a center of useful programs related to ecosystem management -- one with physical demonstrations of the sites and the results of using the software developed.
The Advanced Alternative is based on a system premise that most plans and most ecosystems have more things in common than they have that are unique. It seems highly cost effective to develop systems (such as the Lasting Forests system ) that can be used in many ways in may areas. We need not "start from scratch" on every forestry/ecological/environmental project. The Advanced Alternative develops extensive, practical work for the area, but, by design, makes it highly likely it can be used elsewhere. As improvements occur, maintenance costs of the current system decrease and recommendations improve.
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This Web site is maintained by R. H.
Giles, Jr.
Last revision January 17, 2000.