Forest Service, US Department of Agriculture WATERSHED - FISH - WILDLIFE - AIR - RARE PLANTS ::: WFW MONTHLY WFW STAFF NEWSLETTER December 2007 CONTENTS News Coming Events Technical Information & Publications Training & Tools Sharing Success Vacancies/ Employment Opportunities General/Cross Area * * * * Air Resource Appeals & Litigation Aquatic/Fish * Continuing Education/WFW * NatureWatch Planning Soil TES * Watershed * * Weather Wildlife * * * Other Staffs or Partners * * * * * Click on the header to take you to this section of the newsletter. Federal job announcements can be found at: http://jobsearch.usajobs.opm.gov/agency_search.asp Submit your information Disclaimer & Non-Discrimination Statement News: GENERAL/CROSS AREAS Tom Darden Retires! Party Date: January 24, 2008 Location: RO - Atlanta After more than 33 years with the Forest Service, Tom Darden is retiring January 3, 2008. Tom's career has ranged from Assistant District Ranger in Mississippi to Regional Habitat Relationships Coordinator and later Program Manager in Atlanta, to National Wildlife Program Leader and then Assistant Director in the WO, to R8 WFRP (now BPR) Director and most recently, R8 Cooperative Forestry Unit Director. Tom is infamous for his brilliant brainstorming and note taking on bar napkins, being an adrenaline junkie, playing drums and gently teaching us about seeing things from other's perspectives such as making presentations with data not color dependent, but including patterns so they can be understood by those with color blindness. Congratulations Tom! We expect you to keep us inspired, even if it is from the seat of your tractor. Submitted by: Jim Fenwood, USFS/R8/WFRP & Shelly Witt, USFS/WO/WFW Rich Fisher Retires! Rich Fisher, Meteorologist & Program Manager, is retiring January 3, 2008. Throughout Rich's tenure with the air program, he has provided the leadership, stability and vision that is needed for a program to be effective and thrive. We have come to operate as a team on many important issues, both large and small. We have firm partnerships and credibility with other agencies and entities, much of it do to Rich's hard work and commitment. Many will sorely miss him. For those in the Denver/Ft. Collins area (or those wanting to travel in), mark your calendars for the evening of February 20th where we'll be honoring Rich in Ft. Collins for his contributions. We'll send out more information later but wanted you to keep it as a placeholder for now. Congratulations Rich! Submitted by Ann Acheson, USFS/WO/WFW Zimmermann on Detail as Associate Deputy Chief for NFS Anne Zimmermann, WFW Director, is on detail as Associate Deputy Chief for NFS starting December 10, 2007. Steve Segovia is acting WFW Director during Anne's detail. Al Todd, from State & Private, is acting WFW Deputy Director starting in January. Submitted by: Shelly Witt, USFS/WO/WFW Netta Grant Returns as Editor Netta Grant resumes her WFW Newsletter editorial job in January. Please send her all your items - agrant@fs.fed.us Submitted by: Shelly Witt, USFS/WO/WFW WILDLIFE Logging Around Salmon Streams Push by Bush Administration Eases Government's motion to withdraw its appeal of the April 2007 adverse ruling on the ACS. * Seattle Post-Intelligencer * Earth Justice Submitted by: Marc Bosch, USFS/WO/WFW Rule on Using Raptors Protected by MBTA for Use in Abatement Activities Federal Register, Vol. 72, No. 236 - December 10, 2007, pg. 69705 (Excerpt) Summary: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have finalized permit conditions to allow the use of raptors protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act for abatement activities. We will authorize the use of these raptors for this purpose under our Special Purpose permits. Allowing the use of captivebred raptors to conduct abatement activities is consistent with ensuring the long-term conservation of these species and will serve a public need. Contact: Shauna Hanisch, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Migratory Bird Management, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, Mail Stop MBSP-4107, Arlington, VA 22203-1610; Shauna_Hanisch@fws.gov 703-358-1714 Submitted by: Jina Mariani, USFS/WO/WFW OTHER STAFF FS Signs MOU with Botanic Garden Conservation International Excerpted from 11/16/07 Letter 1550/1580 On November 6, 2007, Ms. Sara Oldfield, Secretary General of Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI), and Joel Holtrop, Forest Service NFS Deputy Chief, signed a new Servicewide Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This MOU recognizes our long-standing partnership with botanic gardens in the United States, and acknowledges our mutual interest in the conservation and management of rare plants from a global perspective. This partnership enables BGCI and the Forest Service to achieve many of the goals of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation... This new partnership allows us to conserve rare plants through ex-situ conservation at botanic gardens throughout the world. When and where climate change adversely affects the conservation of rare plants in their changing habitats on our national forests and grasslands, we will be able to work with BGCI to find botanic gardens inside and outside of North America where ex-situ conservation of these rare plants may be implemented. Submitted by: Marc Bosch, USFS/WO/WFW Coming Events - Conferences & Meetings: TES - THREATENED & ENDANGERED SPECIES USDA Forest Service 2008 Forest Management Conference - Managing Today for the Future Date: February 4-8, 2008 Location: Reno, NV Information/Registration: www.2008fmc.com Anne Zimmermann (USFS/WO/WFW Director) and Beth Pendleton (USFS/R10/Deputy RF) are key speakers on February 5th. There is a Wildlife meeting February 4th (afternoon) for R5 Biologists. Submitted by: Patricia Krueger, USFS/R5/Ecosystem Conservation WATERSHED 2008 AWRA Riparian Ecosystems & Buffers: Working at the Water's Edge Call for Abstracts - Due Date: February 4, 2008 Dates: June 30 - July 2, 2008 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Information/Registration: www.awra.org/meetings/Virginia_Beach2008/ Submitted by: Sherry Hazelhurst, USFS/WO/WFW WILDLIFE International Partners In Flight Conference Theme: Tundra to Tropics: Connecting Birds, Habitats and People Dates: February 13 - 16, 2008 Location: McAllen, Texas - McAllen Convention Center Information/Registration: www.partnersinflight.org/events/mcallen/ Sponsors: USDA Forest Service, American Birding Association and USDI Fish & Wildlife Service are a few of the many sponsors. Conference Focus: The focus of the conference will be international connections of all sorts that further bird and habitat conservation throughout the Western Hemisphere. Contact: Terry Rich Submitted by: Jina Mariani, USFS/WO/WFW OTHER STAFFS RS-2008 Twelfth Biennial Remote Sensing Applications Conference Date: April 15-17, 2008. Location: Salt Lake City Radisson Hotel Downtown Information/Registration: www.fs.fed.us/eng/rsac/RS2008/ Calling for papers and posters. Conference Focus: "Supporting Resource Management with Technology". The conference emphasizes applications of remote sensing technologies benefiting the resource management community. Papers and posters for all phases of remote sensing and related geospatial technologies used in resource management activities will be presented. As in the past, the conference is national in scope, and all projects are welcome as abstract submittals. Contact: Henry Lachowski, RSAC, Conference Chair. Phone: 801-975-3753; E-mail: hlachowski@fs.fed.us Washington Forest Practices Adaptive Management Annual Science Conference Date: February 20, 2008 Location: Olympia, WA Information/Registration: www.fs.fed.us/pnw/calendar/WASHINGTON%20FOREST%20PRACTICES.doc NARRP-OWP Recreation & Wildlife Planners Conference Theme: Forging a Partnership Between Recreation and Wildlife Planners Call for Presentations DUE: December 21, 2007 Date: May 13 - 15, 2008 Location: Missoula, Montana @ Double Tree Hotel Information/Registration: www.planners08.com Sponsors: National Association of Recreation Resource Planners and Organization of Wildlife Planners. Conference Focus: Providing a forum for planners in both fields to learn from each other, generate new ideas for collaborative approaches to planning, and foster camaraderie among recreation and wildlife professionals. Contacts: Co-Chairs Mike Lewis/NARRP: 406-444-4308; mlewis@mt.gov Larry Gigliotti/OWP: 605-773-4231; larry.gigliotti@state.sd.us Submitted by: Floyd A. Thompson III, WO/Rec. & Heritage Resources Technical Information & Publications: GENERAL/ACROSS AREAS National Forest Service Library - DigiTop Expands Offerings Again! Ecological Restoration Journal is electronically available. Link: http://er.uwpress.org/ DigiTop NFSL - Forest Service employees can access DigiTop through a link on the NFSL web page. Submitted by: Julie Blankenburg, USFS/NFSL Training & Tools: GENERAL/CROSS AREAS WFW Continuing Education - Register! The WFW Continuing Education (CE) program "call" for nominations started electronically in May. Hard copy letters and the brochure went out in July. There is still time to register! Self-funded FS employees can register directly in AgLearn. Some regions assist with tuition - contact our Regional Coordinators or the WFW/CE Program Leader (everyone) for details. Workshops are open to everyone. WFW Continuing Education website How to Register Information * Endangered Species Act for Line * Natural Resource Policy, Values & Economics * Wildlife Conservation & Management * Policy & Legal Aspects of Endangered Species Management - Advanced * Leadership & Communications * Asking & Answering the Right Monitoring Questions * Advanced Concepts in Aquatic Ecosystem Analysis - FY08 Theme: Spatial Analysis of Fish and Aquatic Habitat * Predicting Bedload Transport in Gravel-bed Streams: Computations and Field Techniques * Aquatic Ecosystem Monitoring & Evaluation - Western * Stream & Watershed Restoration Design & Implementation Submitted By: Shelly Witt, WO/WFW/Continuing Education WATERSHED Predicting Bedload Transport in Gravel-bed Stream: Computation & Field Techniques Dates are set! June 24 - 26, 2008 Boulder, Colorado Hosting in coordination with the University of Colorado, Johns Hopkins, University, Colorado State University, and USFS Stream Team. Concepts: * understand the fundamentals of sediment transport modeling with special emphasis on gravel-bed streams; * explain sources of error in making transport estimates; * understand the data needed and evaluate the different options available for making transport estimates based on objectives and data availability. Computations: * learn to use the BAGS (Bedload Assessment for Gravel-bed Streams) software that includes six bedload transport equations; * understand how to select an appropriate model and how to evaluate the reasonableness of outputs. Field Techniques: * learn how to collect field data needed to run bedload equations; * gain an improved understanding of bedload samplers, including bedload traps and Helley-Smith samplers. This course is a combination of lectures, computer labs, and field demonstrations. Information USFS employees can self-register in AgLearn. Problems or questions contact: Shelly Witt switt01@fs.fed.us or 435-881-4203 or shelly.witt@usu.edu Submitted by: John Potyondy, WO/WFW/StreamTeam OTHER STAFF & PARTNERS SAFETEA-LU Training The Forest Service, in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration, developed valuable information for Federal Land Management Agencies regarding the Federal Surface Transportation Program and the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). This program provides funding for transportation system projects including roads, trails, byways, alternative transportation, and transportation enhancements. Forest Service managers need to understand the programs available in SAFETEA-LU and how to be eligible for funding under these programs. Two tools are available providing SAFETEA-LU information managers' need via streaming video. 1. Fifteen separate videos vary from a little over a minute to almost 30 minutes and are packed with information. * 2-minute trailer describing the training * Training video website 2. The publication "Federal Surface Transportation Programs and Transportation Planning for Federal Land Management Agencies-A Guidebook" describes the programs available and planning efforts required to participate in the programs. Download Submitted by: Floyd Thompson, WO/REC Utah State University Stream Restoration Registration for the 2008 Stream Restoration short course is now open. Part one, "Stream Restoration Principles" - July 14-18, 2008. Part two, "Geomorphology and Sediment Transport in Channel Design" - August 18-22, 2008. Information/Registration: http://uwrl.usu.edu/streamrestoration/ Contact: Lael Gilbert, Utah State University, lael.gilbert@usu.edu, 435-753-9152 Submitted by: Shelly Witt, USFS/WO/WFW 2008 International Seminars and Workshops Hosted by US Forest Service and Partners 3 seminars/field courses available: www.fs.fed.us/global/is International Field Course on Wildlands and Protected Area Management, cohosted by the Center for Protected Area Management and Colorado State University. Dates: July 8 - August 10, 2008 Tuition Cost: $5195 USD Application Deadline: March 14, 2008 International Seminar on Protected Area Management is held in the northern Rocky Mountains of the western United States Designed for senior level planners and managers Dates: August 4-22, 2008 Tuition Cost: To be determined Application Deadline: May 2, 2008 International Seminar on Forest Administration and Management, cohosted by US Forest Service International Programs and Northern Arizona University Dates: October 6-21, 2008 Tuition Cost: $6,500 USD Application Deadline: April 15, 2008 Submitted by: William Woodland, NFS/Training Sharing Success: AQUATIC/FISH Region 9's: USFS Success Story Reporting System Lake Vesuvius Fishery Gets a Check-up By: Rebecca Ewing (R09_Wayne) (Excerpt) Anglers lost their favorite Wayne National Forest fishing hole when the Forest Service drained Lake Vesuvius in 2001 to make important repairs to its dam. During the three-year repair project, volunteers, local conservation clubs, and Forest Service biologists took advantage of the dry lake bottom to improve fisheries habitat. They constructed numerous fish cribs and reefs to enhance diversity of underwater habitat, and seeded the lake bed with rye grass. As the lake refilled in 2004, decomposition of the rye grass provided an immediate jumpstart for the lake's food chain and provided cover for the fingerling largemouth bass and bluegill that were stocked by the Ohio Division of Wildlife. ... A May 2007 electrofishing survey was conducted at Lake Vesuvius to monitor the bass and bluegill fishery. ... Roger Boggs, a Wayne National Forest recreation technician, assisted the Division biologists during the electrofishing survey. ... While largemouth bass and bluegill were the species of interest during the survey, spotted bass comprised 20 percent of the electrofishing sample. Other fishes collected included warmouth, longear sunfish, white crappie, white sucker, gizzard shad, golden redhorse, channel catfish, and yellow bullhead. Preliminary survey results suggest that the habitat improvement work benefited the new fishery. "The biologists told me that the bass growth rates were real good", reported Boggs. "The lake was restocked in 2004 with 2-4 inch largemouth bass and we were netting bass over 15 inches in length just three years later". Brook Trout Genetics Used to Prioritize Stream Crossing Improvement Projects Graduate student's research ties in with Eastern Region efforts to inventory and assess road-stream crossings. By: Andrew Madsen (R09_RO) (Excerpt) In order to make informed decisions about prioritization of stream restoration locations within watersheds that achieve fish diversity objectives, managers need information about relative risk to population persistence at specific locations. The risk to each particular population needs to be considered against the costs associated with investing funds for restoration activities designed to reduce risk to population persistence. Anne Timm's ongoing graduate research is a collaborative partnership with several Eastern Region national forests, the Northern Research Station, Virginia Polytechnic and State University and the United States Geological Survey Biological Research Station genetics lab at the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point. The project will use native eastern brook trout genetic markers and will attempt to incorporate genetic diversity and previously identified threats to brook trout populations to develop a population viability model for assessing risk to particular population's persistence. The proposed model will focus on brook trout populations that are influenced by culvert barriers to movement at stream crossings, which has been identified as one of the most significant threats to stream fish community diversity. ... Brook trout have experienced significant population declines and is the only native salmonid of the eastern United States. Forests in the Eastern Region hope to benefit from the tools developed from Timm's effort. Region 9 has been inventorying and assessing road-stream crossings for the past several years to identify migration barriers for all aquatic communities. ... Aerial Stocking in High Elevation Ponds Benefits Wilderness Forest works with state agency to ensure a healthy brook trout population. By: Nick Schmal (R09_RO) The Green Mountain National Forest (GMNF) in cooperation with Vermont Game and Fish Department (VGFD) continues the aerial stocking of native eastern brook trout in high mountain wilderness ponds using helicopters. Historical records indicate that stocking of the high elevation lakes and ponds dates to the early 1970s, but some biologists from the state of Vermont think stocking initially occurred in the 1950s. Stocking was originally conducted using fixed wing aircraft in the spring and snowmobiles during the winter months. Natural populations of native brook trout are not sustained due to human effects of acid deposition and sedimentation. From the late 1700s up to the early 1900s, Vermont landscapes changed from 90-95 percent forested cover to less than 35 percent forest. These changes resulted in substantial erosion over most landscapes and significant amounts of sediment input into aquatic ecosystems. Historical impacts are still seen today, and mitigation by dredging sediments or bringing in trout spawning gravels is not feasible in wilderness settings. Aerial stocking is minimally intrusive. Forest personnel followed the minimum requirements decision guide and other agency guidelines for wilderness fish and wildlife management to evaluate high elevation pond fish stocking effects and appropriateness. This was accomplished to insure compatibility with wilderness management laws and direction. Stocking of young/small brook trout is the least invasive means of approaching the natural wilderness conditions of having a population of trout with multiple ages and size classes as wild populations would have. High elevation ponds are desirable as a brook trout recreational fishery and provide a unique experience in remote wilderness areas. Stories Submitted By: Nick Schmal, USFS/R9/WFRPR Region 9's: USFS Success Story Reporting System open to all the USFS - submit your "Success Story" Going Nose to Nose...its all fun and games until somebody gets their head bit off. Vacancies/Employment Opportunities Federal job announcements can be found at: http://jobsearch.usajobs.opm.gov/agency_search.asp Outreach Notice: Zone Wildlife Biologist - Humboldt-Toiyabe NF Mountain City, Santa Rosa, & Ruby/Jarbridge Ranger District GS-486-11 Contact: Genny Wilson, Forest Wildlife Biologist, 775-355-5386 or gewilson@fs.fed.us. RATS "All RATS will be responsible for performing all or some of the tasks below; however, all work will be done in coordination with OFDA personnel. RATS are considered U.S. Government (USG) employees, and, as such, are required to further USG foreign policy objectives." More information... WFW Newsletter Contact Information: Disclaimer - Non Discrimination Statement WFW Newsletter is a monthly newsletter without a clever name and is provided by the National Forest System Watershed-Fish-Wildlife-Air-Rare Plants staff (including Soils and Meteorology) of the USDA Forest Service. Contributions are welcome and should be submitted to Netta Grant at agrant@fs.fed.us or your favorite Program Leader no later than the 20th of each month. We reserve the right to edit contributions for clarity and brevity. Emphasis on brevity. Links to detailed URLs or documents are great - include them in your information contribution. If photos are included in your submission please provide alternative text with each photo. Alternative text should not repeat captions but describe the scene shown in the photo. If brevity and clarity are a struggle for you, we recommend the "Plain & Simple! Document Writing" workshop instructed by Dr. Jud Monroe. Vacancy Positions listed are for outreach purposes only and are not full announcements. Interested individuals should contact the units referenced or consult the USAJOBS website. 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