Ecological Site Description Interagency Implementation Team

IB 2014-035
Information Bulletin

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20240
http://www.blm.gov

February 12, 2014

 

In Reply Refer To:

1734/4400/7100 (220/280) P

 

EMS TRANSMISSION 02/12/2014

Information Bulletin No. 2014-035

 

To:                   All Washington Office and Field Office Officials

Attn:  Program Leads from Fire and Aviation (FA-100),

           Resources and Planning (WO-200), Energy, Minerals, and Realty

           Management (WO-300) and the National Landscape Conservation

           System and Community Partnerships (WO-400)

From:              Assistant Director, Resources and Planning

Subject:           Ecological Site Description Interagency Implementation Team

 

This Information Bulletin (IB) announces the appointment of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) members of the Ecological Site Description (ESD) Interagency Implementation Team, formed with the Natural Resources Conservation Service and U.S. Forest Service.  This team was developed as directed under Policy B in the Rangelands Interagency Ecological Site Manual (MS 1734).

Roles on the BLM’s ESD Interagency Implementation Team have been assigned as follows:

 

Primary Team

Bob Bolton (WO-220) – Leader

Larisa Ford (WO-280) – Back-up Leader

Sherm Karl (NOC) – Range

Tim Bottomley (NOC) – Forestry

Steve Smith (National Riparian Service Team) – Riparian

Ron McCormick (WO-280) – Wetland

 

Support Team

Alan Bass (UT State Office) - Range

Wade Salverson (WO -220) – Forestry

Dale Stewart (OR/WA State Office) – Riparian

Melissa Dickard (NOC) – Wetland

Elroy Masters (AZ State Office) – Wildlife

Louisa Evers (OR/WA State Office) – Climate Change/ Fire Ecology

 

The Primary Team will be the lead BLM representatives on the ESD Interagency Implementation Team.  The Support Team members will serve as both back-up for the primary representatives and additional subject matter experts.

Initially, the BLM members of the team will concentrate their efforts on:

  • Developing BLM policy and guidance for implementing ESD protocols in the Interagency ESD Manual (MS 1734) and Handbook (H-1734-1) for Rangelands.
  • Actively promoting the use of ESDs.
  • Assisting with drafting BLM protocols and/or manual /handbook for forests, riparian and wetland areas.
  • Nominating BLM pilot project sites.

The Interagency Team’s initial duties will include:

  • Finalizing an Interagency Memorandum of Understanding for ESDs.
  • Developing an ESD Implementation Team Charter
  • Implementing protocols in Interagency ESD Manual and Handbook for Rangelands.
  • Identifying policy needed to address ESDs in forests, riparian and wetland areas.
  • Identifying uses and providing guidance for integrating ESD information into adaptive management strategies.

For additional information on current policies concerning ESDs, refer to:

Thank you for supporting this cooperative interagency effort to promote and implement the use of ESDs in management of our valuable natural resources.  If you have any questions please contact Bob Bolton (rbolton@blm.gov, 202-912-7204) or Larisa Ford (laford@blm.gov, 202-912-7137).

 

 

 

Signed by:                                                       Authenticated by:

Joseph Stout                                                    Robert M. Williams

Acting, Assistant Director                              Division of IRM Governance,WO-860

Resources and Planning

Fiscal Year

2014