Bioregional Assessment of Northwest Forests
The Pacific Northwest and Pacific Southwest regions of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service collaboratively developed and released a Bioregional Assessment which provides a snapshot in time of the current ecological, social and economic conditions on national forest system lands within the Northwest Forest Plan amendment area as well as two adjacent units.
The Bioregional Assessment was created to provide land managers the spectrum of information reflecting changes in management practices, science, and resource needs that they will require to make the best possible decision when modernizing land management plans. The bioregional assessment is not a decision document and does not impact current forest management. Instead it will be used to shape ongoing engagement with Tribal, state, and county governments, community members, and Forest Service staff as they prepare for the next steps in the planning process together.
Full Document:
Bioregional Assessment - Full Document (.pdf, 25.1 MB) Updated 7/16/20 to correct a data error in Table 4-2
(Larger file .pdf, 85.5 MB)
By Chapter:
- Bioregional Assessment - Introduction (.pdf)
- Bioregional Assessment - Chapter 1 (.pdf)
- Bioregional Assessment - Chapter 2 (.pdf)
- Bioregional Assessment - Chapter 3 (.pdf)
- Bioregional Assessment - Chapter 4 (.pdf) Updated 7/16/20 to correct a data error in Table 4-2
- Bioregional Assessment - Chapter 5 (.pdf)
- Bioregional Assessment - Next Steps (.pdf)
- Bioregional Assessment - Glossary (.pdf)
- Bioregional Assessment - References (.pdf)
Data and Maps Used in the Bioregional Assessment
Spatial data used in the Bioregional Assessment comes primarily from Forest Service datasets in EDW (Enterprise Data Warehouse). Some datasets we used came from other federal agencies (e.g. USGS, EPA, US Fish and Wildlife). Additional datasets came from USFS PNW research station, state agencies, and Oregon State University
The USDA Forest Service makes no warranty, expressed or implied, including the warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, nor assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, reliability, completeness or utility of these geospatial data, or for the improper or incorrect use of these geospatial data. These geospatial data and related maps or graphics are not legal documents and are not intended to be used as such. The data and maps may not be used to determine title, ownership, legal descriptions or boundaries, legal jurisdiction, or restrictions that may be in place on either public or private land. Natural hazards may or may not be depicted on the data and maps, and land users should exercise due caution. The data are dynamic and may change over time. The user is responsible to verify the limitations of the geospatial data and to use the data accordingly.
- Activities (.zip)
- Administration (.zip)
- Administration-Non-Forest Service (.zip)
- Cartography (.zip)
- Ecology (.zip)
- Fire (.zip)
- Fire Perimeters (.zip)
- Fish and Wildlife (.zip)
- Geopolitical (.zip)
- Hydrography (.zip)
- Land (.zip)
- Recreation-Biological Assessment (.zip)
- Transportation (.zip)
- Watersheds-Biological Assessment (.zip)
- Departure Restoration Data (.zip)
- Designated Areas (.zip)
- Fish Critical Habitat (.zip)
- Normal Fire Environment (.zip)
- Recreation (.zip)
- Recreation Site LSR (.zip)
- Riparian Management Areas (.zip)
- Watersheds (.zip)
Supplemental Report to the Bioregional Assessment of Northwest Forests
The USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Regional Office (Region 5) and the Pacific Northwest Regional Office (Region 6) prepared a Supplemental Report to the Bioregional Assessment of Northwest Forests. The Supplemental Report provides a deeper dive into the assessment results, memorializes the wealth of information specialists considered, and provides a detailed compendium of supporting data to the Bioregional Assessment.
The report is not a new product but a supplement to the Bioregional Assessment. Neither the Bioregional Assessment nor the Supplemental Report are decision-documents, and neither will control how the Forest Service manages forests and grasslands.
Full document: Supplemental Report to the Bioregional Assessment of Northwest Forests (31.1 MB .pdf)
By chapter:
- Supplemental Report - Introduction & Chapter 1: Serving People (9.66 MB, .pdf)
- Supplemental Report - Chapter 2: Tribal Rights and Interests (48.1 KB, .pdf)
- Supplemental Report - Chapter 3: Caring for the Land (20.2 MB, .pdf)
- Supplemental Report - Chapter 4: NW Forest Plan Land Use Allocations & Management Direction (855 KB, .pdf)
- Supplemental Report - Glossary, References & Appendix (372 KB, .pdf)
A Foundation of Science
The U.S. Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station (which includes Oregon and Washington) and Pacific Southwest Research Station (which includes California), with the help of the Southern and Rocky Mountain Research Stations, developed three science syntheses to inform the modernization of land management plans (forest plans) for 19 national forests within or adjacent to the NWFP area.
- 2018 Synthesis of science to inform land management within the Northwest Forest Plan area
- 2014’s Science synthesis to support socioecological resilience in the Sierra Nevada and southern Cascade Range
- 2020 Northeastern California plateaus bioregion science synthesis
Supporting Information
The following resources provide additional background on the plan revision process:
- A Citizen’s Guide to Forest Planning
- A Citizen's Guide to Forest Planning - Spanish
- A Guide for State, Local, and Tribal Governments
- Planning Rule FACA Committee
- U. S. Forest Service Planning Rule Website
Story Map Collection; Bioregional Assessment of Northwest Forests
A collection of story maps covering key portions of the Bioregional Assessment of Northwest Forests document produced by U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service Pacific Northwest and Pacific Southwest Regions.Next Steps
The Bioregional Assessment will guide the Forest Service in making strategic decisions about what needs to change in existing land management plans as well as the sequence and timing for modernizing them through amendments or revisions. When a decision is made regarding the Forest Service’s most effective and efficient investment in plan modernization, the public will be notified in full compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the National Forest Management Act (NFMA). Plan modernization efforts in the assessment area will be a collaborative effort between the Pacific Northwest and Pacific Southwest regions.
Keep Connected
We know that effective public engagement depends on meeting people where they are, talking with them about what they care about, and making connections to how their public lands provide the multiple benefits that society and their communities seek.
Following the release of the Bioregional Assessment, we’ll begin Tribal Listening Sessions followed by robust public engagement through collaborative dialogs in Washington, Oregon, and California to ensure that we identify and understand issues and opportunities important to the communities that we serve before any formal plan revision or amendment efforts. We’ll share information about the public engagement opportunities on this web page, and you can click NWFP Updates to receive updates delivered to your inbox.
Sharing Your Thoughts
We have an email set up so you can share your thoughts with the team that developed the Bioregional Assessment. This is not a place to submit public comment and your remarks will not be treated as public comment. Your remarks will be read, however, we will not respond to each remark we receive.
FS-Northwest Plan Modernization Remarks: SM.FS.pmodremarks@usda.gov