Summary: A workshop entitled: Integrating Ecological Risk Assessment and Economics in Environmental Decision-Making: Fire Management Case Study was held in October, 2006 sponsored by the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) and the Johnson Foundation at the Wingspread Conference Center, in Racine, WI. The goal of this workshop was to examine previously published principles for management of complex environmental issues in the context of wildland and forest fire management in the USA. Because fire management is such a broad topic, the Fire Program Analysis system (http://www.fpa.nifc.gov/) was selected as a focal point. The existing capabilities of the FPA system (i.e., optimal resource allocation for initial attack), as well as planned capabilities regarding optimal resource allocation for fuel reduction, were examined. Workshop participants analyzed how the FPA addresses the following question: How should public resources (including resources for fuel reduction and initial attack) be allocated to minimize the risks to social welfare (including life and health; built and other cultural assets; and ecological and other natural resources) posed by wildfires in the U.S.? The planning committee and workshop participants evaluated the extent to which an existing risk management and evaluation framework can be used to address this question. This framework is entitled “Valuation of Ecological Resources: Integration of Ecological Risk Assessment and Socio-economics to Support Environmental Decisions” and is currently undergoing review for publication. The Steering Committed and workshop participants included many disciplines related to fire management including economists, ecologists, social scientists, risk assessment experts, and risk management experts. A description of our analysis of the FPA system will be submitted for publication in the SETAC journal, Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management.

Project ID: FY06TS11