Charter

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Tasks

• Review strategies and tactics that have been used by various agencies (USFS, other US federal agencies, tribes, states, Canadian agencies, etc.) to manage western spruce budworm (WSB).
   
• Summarize the current state of knowledge regarding the management of WSB, emphasizing options available to the USFS. Example topics include the effects of entomological unit size on management options, USFS capacity for implementing silvicultural treatments, NEPA considerations, the optimum distribution of resources between suppression and prevention efforts, etc.
   
• Convene a workshop for FHP specialists, scientists, and land managers from diverse agencies to review and critique the "state of knowledge" summary and identify research needs and opportunities.
   
• Develop a public information strategy for WSB management, including consideration of an array of tools such as websites, brochures, maps, posters, CDs, TV/radio/newspaper outlets, etc.

Team Members

• Seeking representatives from R6-FHP, Oregon Dept. of Forestry, Washington Dept. of Natural Resources, BC Ministry of Forests, Tribes, national forests, etc.
   
• Kathy Sheehan (ksheehan@fs.fed.us; 503-808-2674) will be the Team Coordinator; contact her to participate on this team, contribute information, review the "state of knowledge& summary, attend the workshop, etc.

General Approach

• Recruit team members
  • brainstorm ideas for objectives, general approach, timelines, specific questions to be addressed, etc.
  • mostly "meet" via conference calls / NetMeeting / emails
     
• Gather information (publications, reports, maps, etc.) by general topic: suppression, prevention, communication, etc. - post on website
   
• Analyze information; potential variables to be considered (partial list!):
  • All Treatments: measurements of treatment success, previous defoliation history, size of treatment unit, geographic location, timing within an outbreak (start vs. end of an outbreak), other concurrent disturbance agents (drought, other defoliators, root disease, etc.), stand species composition and structure, site characteristics, potential inflight from surrounding areas, treatment costs, relative reliability of treatment information
  • Prevention Treatments: thinning intensity
  • Suppression Treatments: pesticide active ingredient, formulation, within-season timing (host phenology - synchrony, instar treated)
  • Logistical considerations: NEPA requirements, agency capacity for treatments, time-frames required, total management costs
  • Communication options: target audiences, which "tools" work best for those audiences
     
• Summarize findings and recommendations
  • Strive to reach consensus - via emails, conference calls, NetMeetings, face-to-face meetings as needed
  • Individuals or small groups write drafts, whole team reviews the drafts
     
• Convene a workshop to review the draft "State of Knowledge" summary
  • Piggy-back with the annual western defoliators meeting (or similar group)
  • Address research needs
  • Seek feedback on communication tools
  • Revise the summary (and do additional analyses) where appropriate
     
• Develop communication options
  • Identify most effective "tools"
  • Create those tools as funding and time allows

Revised Timeline

August 2007	* Recruit team members * Create website
August 2007 - June 2008	* Gather information & post on website
current status	this project has been put on hold due to other assignments

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This webpage was last updated on May 24, 2010.
Please send comments and suggestions about this website's content to Kathy Sheehan

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