1) Active silvicultural management can accelerate stand structure development.

This is a basic premise of our FMP. Though it is well grounded, it is, like all management approaches, an assumption that can be tested. Another way of putting it is - What are the most effective silvicultural interventions - and when should they be applied - to create diverse forest structure? Developing and testing silvicultural approaches that create diverse forest structures while providing volume and revenue is a high priority for us.

The CFER program is investigating some components of this question. In addition, we have recently partnered with Doug Maguire to develop a research project examining the response of stands to commercial thinning - with a particular emphasis on the interactions with Swiss Needle Cast. We are also beginning to explore ways of addressing and testing integrated management of young stands (beginning at stand initiation) for productivity and structural diversity.

2) There is a predictable relationship between stand structure and species habitat requirements.

This is another basic premise of the FMP. These relationships are displayed in a species/habitat matrix in the FMP. The relationships are based in part, on the species/habitat relationships presented in Brown (1985) and updates. There has been a lot of good work in this area, some of it supported by ODF through the COPE program. But because it is such a fundamental assumption of our plan, it does warrant further and ongoing attention. Further discussion on where the work is best targeted would be helpful (specific species? Specific guilds? Specific habitats?).

3) Active management through a combination of landscape level strategies and site specific standards will result in maintaining and restoring properly functioning aquatic and riparian habitats.

The NW FMP uses a blended approach to manage riparian and aquatic systems at both the landscape level and through site specific prescriptions. Research work that can examine the interactions of both landscape level and site specific riparian prescriptions would likely be complex - but it is needed.

4) Information need: to bring together and truly integrate the research work that has already been done so that it is accessible to forest policy makers and practitioners. We need to build the "loom" to "weave the fabric" of all the facts and wisdom that has already been collected.

Some follow up thoughts:

I have presented information needs that are central to our FMP. In reality, whenever we begin conversations with other land managers - we look for common ground and overlap. If there is enough common ground, much work can be done through coops. If not, we decide which projects we need to develop on our own. The availability of qualified and interested researchers also factors in to which projects we ultimately pursue.

Another point: the "clash of cultures" that sometimes exists between researchers and forest managers (ref example: Science Findings article on Blue Mountain project).

Table 1.1: Working Hypotheses of the Northwest and Southwest Oregon State Forests Management Plan (see p. 3-18 NWFMP and p. 3-12 SWFMP at http://www.odf.state.or.us/stateforests/sfplan.htm)

· The citizens of Oregon will continue to support integrated and active management of state forests in Western Oregon to provide for multiple outputs and benefits.
· An active and integrated forest management approach will provide for high levels of sustainable and predictable timber and revenue while concurrently providing habitat for native fish and wildlife species.
· Identification and protection of key habitat areas for specific species will maintain existing populations as a source to colonize new habitat.
· Species will colonize new habitat as it develops over the longer term.
· A diverse array of stand types will, at various times, provide for achievement of all the resource goals outlined in the FMPs.
· Providing for biodiversity at the landscape level requires providing for an array of forest conditions through time and space that emulates conditions created by historic disturbance regimes.
· Providing for a diverse array of forest conditions through time can be accomplished in a managed context through the application of silvicultural principles.
· A diverse array of forest conditions will enhance overall forest health and reduce the risks of catastrophic loss from insects and disease.
· Active management through a combination of landscape-level strategies and site-specific standards will result in maintaining and restoring properly functioning aquatic and riparian habitats.
· Timber markets will exist over time for the range of timber types and qualities that will be produced from state forests. The diverse "portfolio" of products available from a diverse array of stand structures will strengthen the ability of state forests to capitalize on changing markets.
· A diverse array of forest conditions will provide diverse recreational opportunities on these state forest lands.
· Long-term management of natural resources can only succeed within a framework that provides for change.

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[Updated: April 4, 2002]