Northern Spotted Owl Data Standard Version 1.0

This Information Bulletin announces the availability of the Northern Spotted Owl (NSO) Spatial Data Standard Version 1.0.

The Northern Spotted Owl (NSO) data standard documents how spatial location and information about inventory and monitoring activities for Northern Spotted Owls is stored. This dataset is a replacement of the former Northern Spotted Owl database. BLM wildlife biologists and GIS specialists enter and query data that was collected by district staff or contractors. The dataset includes four spatial feature classes and four non-spatial tables.

This dataset is used to document BLM Northern Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis caurina) sites, inventory, monitoring, observations, and nest trees for use in NEPA analysis, ESA consultation for BLM actions, and conservation planning strategies. This dataset can be used to track the status of the species through time (trend). The dataset is an important resource for historic, current, and potential habitat for where this species may or may not occur within the region.

NSO data is often requested, and a limited publication dataset is available to download on the BLM public web. More detailed data can be shared with other federal agencies and state government agencies as well as a variety of requesting non-government organizations, interested parties, and the public through various data sharing agreements.

Any questions about this data standard can be directed to Bruce Hollen, Wildlife Biologist, State Data Steward for NSO at 503-808-6604; John Guetterman, NSO Technical Lead at 541-751-4411; Dana Baker-Allum, Geospatial Data Designer at 503-808-6320; or Eric Hiebenthal, State Data Administrator at 503-808-6565.

Districts with unions are reminded to notify their unions of this information bulletin and satisfy any bargaining obligations before implementation. Your servicing Human Resources Office or Labor Relations Specialist can provide you with assistance in this matter.