Sage Steppe Ecosystem Restoration Strategy EIS
Project Summary
Completion Date: 2008
Partners
US Forest Service
USDI Bureau of Land Management
JW Associates was the prime consultant for a project to analyze options for reducing the density of juniper stands within the sage steppe ecosystem on 6.5 million acres of Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management lands in northeastern California. This project was a programmatic approach to landscape-scale restoration of the sage steppe ecosystem.
The JWA team has finished work on the Final EIS and the ROD has been signed. The analysis for the project was done at a programmatic, landscape level and may require amending BLM Resource Management Plans for the Alturas, Surprise, and Eagle Lake Field Offices.
JWA Project Actions
Programmatic, landscape level analysis
Project management
NEPA and public involvement leaders
Management of subcontractors to assemble a specialized, technical team
GIS analysis
Scoping an public outreach
Facilitation of 9 public meetings and organization of public comment periods, including field meetings
Preparation of 13 specialist reports
Preparation of draft and final EIS documents
Benefits
Restore habitat conditions for sage grouse and other sage-obligate species
Enhance hydrologic functions
Reduce the risk of wildfire
Key Issues Addressed
Impacts on livestock grazing during restoration efforts