Wildlands CPR Leads Collaborative Group on Restoration Principles

September 26, 2007

Collaboration seems to be the current “solution” for dealing with natural resource issues. Collaborative groups are forming all around the West to deal with issues ranging from fuels reduction to motorized recreation, and while collaboration is not the answer to all our natural resource dilemmas, Wildlands CPR is helping lead one such effort that holds great promise for ecologically sound restoration in Montana. The group calls itself the Montana Forest Restoration Committee. Marnie Criley, Wildlands CPR’s Restoration Coordinator, chaired the group’s Vision and Principles Subcommittee and serves on the Steering Committee to help guide the larger effort.

Watch a recent newscast here.

In January 2007, the National Forest Foundation and Artemis Common Ground convened thirty-four conservationists, off-roaders, outfitters, loggers, mill operators, and state and Forest Service officials to discuss the possibility of writing a set of principles to guide the restoration process on national forests in Montana. The principles would represent a “zone of agreement” where controversy, delays, appeals, and litigation are significantly reduced. While we had some strong differences of opinion, everyone agreed that the effort was worth pursuing — we all want to see restoration that would provide both ecological as well as community benefits.

From February through July, 10 people from conservation groups, the Forest Service, timber mills and motorized recreation met face-to-face for nearly 50 hours to hash out a set of principles. We reviewed other restoration principles, including national principles that Wildlands CPR co-authored several years ago, and applied them to Montana.

The involvement of the Forest Service was essential for making the principles a viable agency tool, among other contributors to our success. Don’t think we had smooth sailing all through the process: roads, fire and the commercial use of wood products were tough issues to resolve. However, by being honest and committed, having a sense of humor, talking issues out and listening to each other, we were able to find common ground. While none of us changed our fundamental positions, all were changed by the process. On August 1, the Montana Forest Restoration Working Group unanimously approved thirteen principles and an implementation plan. Of course, now comes the hard part — putting the principles in practice on the ground.

Our hope is that success with this initial effort will fuel the group’s commitment to use these principles to advance ecologically appropriate restoration projects — projects that put ecological needs first while also addressing economic and social needs like community vitality.

Wildlands CPR will continue our involvement and push for road removal as a key component of restoration projects. As part of the Steering Committee for the Council, Marnie will be working with the Bitterroot and Lolo National Forests to implement the Principles in on-the-ground projects.