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INTERIOR COLUMBIA BASIN ECOSYSTEM
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INTERIOR COLUMBIA BASIN ECOSYSTEM
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Summary:
Alternative 4 aggressively restores ecosystem health through active management using an integrated ecosystem management approach. Priority is placed on forest, rangeland, and watershed health. Actions are designed to produce economic benefits whenever practical.
Description:
Alternative 4 is designed to aggressively restore ecosystem health through active management, the results of which resemble endemic disturbance processes including insects, disease, and fire. The alternative focuses on overall watershed restoration including short term vegetation management; e.g, prescribed burning, and thinning, to improve ecosystem health. Watershed restoration is designed to reduce risks to property, products, and economic and social opportunities that can result from large disturbance events such as wildfire, insects, and disease. Direct involvement with other Federal agencies, and Tribal, state, and county governments will be used in planning, identifying, and implementing programs and projects.
The priority in this alternative is placed on forestland, rangeland, and watershed health, including riparian and aquatic health. Vegetation management is designed to mimic natural disturbances resulting in patterns and structures that are more resilient and sustainable over time. Actions taken to achieve desired conditions are designed to produce economic benefits whenever practical. A wide variety of management tools are available under this alternative. It is highly consistent with, and responds to key science findings.
This alternative provides conservative approaches for riparian management through an extensive system of riparian conservation areas where the main objectives are restoration and maintenance of riparian function. In addition, it retains existing specially designated areas, such as wilderness, Wild and Scenic River corridors, research natural areas, and areas of critical environmental concern. Natural processes can function in these areas, providing refuge for species needing minimal human contact. It also provides for more cautious management approaches in areas of higher risks.
Alternative 4 allows actions to proceed based on existing knowledge, while providing a process for other actions where more information or analysis is needed over time. It is an approach that examines overall landscape conditions before individual actions are initiated.
There are many risks that resource managers must consider, including those risks that the environment poses to people and things people value, as well as risks to the environment from human activities. Alternative 4 provides an effective balance in managing multiple risks from natural events and human activities. Through the restoration emphasis and adaptive management approach, a modest increase in risk in the first several years is balanced with achieving significant risk reduction in subsequent years.