Table Of Content

Historic, Archive Document Do not assume content reflects current scientific knowledge, policies, or practices. A S ’ 1997 February Edition V^JjlENTOFAGRg^ Published for Forest Service employees and retirees by the: Public Affairs Office Intermountain Region Forest Service U.S. Department of Agriculture Federal Office Building 324 25th Street Ogden, Utah 84401 Meghan Dugan, Editor Susan McDaniel, Design & Layout Heidi mid Buff enjoy an afternoon of fishing in the Frank Church- River of No Return Wilderness. IN THIS ISSUE I learned to fish at an early age. siblings, and if you caught an extra My stepfather would gather up big trout, you were considered a C the family clan in our Chevrolet celebrity for the whole summer. Thanks for a Great 1996!. M station wagon and head for the Only later in life, did I find out National Forest where we'd spend that most of the trout we caught as Research + Partners + 5 hours trying our luck at catching youngsters were "planters"-fish that Process - PROGRESS. trout. had been raised in a hatchery and At that age, it didn't matter then released into the wild to get 10 Field Day Nets Big Results. what kind of a trout we caught or caught by a ten-year-old kid who what kind of bait we used to "lure" had saved up his allowance to buy a the fish into biting. What mattered is rod and reel. Even later, I found out Sawtooth NF Brings 14 that we caught fish and whoever in that my hard earned allowance had Ghost Town to Life. the family caught the most fish helped to raise that fish (through (within limits of course!) each trip excise taxes on sporting goods). A was always envied by the other pretty nifty deal if you ask me. continued on page 6 RF Message Thanks for a Great 1996! From an intense Nation's National Forests were in the forefront of both the Presidential fire season to the and Congressional campaigns. As a result, the public and candidates elections, 1996 focused on these issues and the was a challenge Forest Service was under a great deal of pressure and scrutiny to Intermountain carry out our business in a profes¬ portions of the Intermountain sional non-partisan manner. Even Region. As usual, the Agency and employees rose to though much of the debate centered you as individuals rose to meet the on issues in the Intermountain challenge. What stands out I think is meet Region, I think we conducted that the focus on safety that has been business fairly and professionally re-emphasized this past couple of I and stayed above the political debate years paid off fremendously. The that was going on around us. Thank potential for accidents was certainly n the January 1996 edition of the you. there with extreme burning condi¬ Intermountain Reporter, I talked 1996 was also one of the worst tions and extended assignments for about the furloughs and thanked fire seasons in Forest Service history. crews and overhead wifh records or those of you who worked through This was true nationally as well as in near records of aircraft hours. An those periods and everyone else who accomplishment to be proud of- went through those stressful times thank you and congratulations. and came back to work that piled up I think the focus on safety while you were out. Sounds trite, benefited our regular work program but it's hard to believe a full year has as well. 1996 turned out to be a very gone by since those troublesome safe year in the Intermountain times and in many ways, they Region. I know that doesn't just seemed to set the stage for the year happen. Keep up the good work, that followed. and I hope we can strive to make First, 1996 was an election year 1997 just as safe or safer. and natural resource issues and It may not be as visible as it debate about management of the needs to be, but I think we made Editorial Policy—Intermountain Reporter The following editorial policy reflects the 3. The Regional Forester's message will Meghan Dugan, Payette NF, P.O. Box 1026, Regional Forester's desire to produce a express his current feelings regarding McCall, Idaho 83638. Photos to accompany quality Regional newsletter that enhances situations within the Region. text are to be sent to the Editor separately. internal communications and helps make 4. The content of the Reporter will be 7. Articles should not exceed 800 words in the Intermountain Region a good place to consistent with Forest Service policy. length. work. 5. All submissions must be delivered to the 8. Photos should be black and white. Editor by the 1st of the month prior to the 9. All articles are subject to editing. 1. Articles in the Intermountain Reporter desired publication date. 10. Not all articles that are submitted will will feature people. 6. Articles should be sent to the Editor on DG, be printed. 2. Each issue will attempt to contain (M.DUGAN;R04F12A) and a hard copy to 11. The Editor has final say over content. something about each National Forest within the Region. Page 2 RF Alessage good progress on our path to agencies could do it faster, better, It's "Rediscovery" last year. The Re¬ cheaper and were willing to take obvious gional Office is very close to the over management of National Forest that it will "Desired Future" organization and lands. be a year several of the Eco-groups have also Tensions between agencies of change made good progress. Tm especially have been high and the personal for the excited about the implementation of integrity and professionalism of Forest many of the Service Teams and some Forest Service employees have Service. establishment of "Boards of Custom¬ been challenged. Of course we know We have a ers" for those teams. The "Service that much of the debate was political new Chief Teams and Boards of Customers" and philosophical and didn't have and concepts are the cornerstones of much if anything to do with what already Rediscovery and are truly unique in really matters-the results on the know the Forest Service. Implementation ground. there are of these concepts is on the cutting I think that everyone involved other edge and will, I think, position the in the Salvage effort throughout the pending Intermountain Region well from a Region is to be commended for changes in budgetary standpoint and provide rising above the rhetoric, rancor and the Na¬ outstanding customer service as we political debate to do the outstand¬ tional Leadership Team. The tradi¬ move into the next century. ing professional job that you always tion of having a career natural do. resource professional as Chief continues, and as far as I know, the 1996 will probably also Forest Service is the only Federal From my perspective, be known as the agency headed by a career profes¬ it was an excellent job year of "Salvage." sional. I think that still speaks well carried out under a to the credibility and trust the tremendous amount Agency continues to have with The passage of the Salvage of pressure in an interest groups. Congress and the Rider as part of the Budget Rescis¬ Administration. The new Chief, environmentally sion Act set up one of the more Mike Dombeck, is a fisheries biolo¬ sensitive manner, and contentious, rancorous debates gist and was with the Forest Service the results on the about natural resource management at the field. Regional and National that I have seen in my 30 plus years ground will be lasting Office levels before going to the with the Forest Service. The Industry proof of that. Again, Department of Interior in 1989. told us we weren't moving fast thank you for a It's a tremendous challenge to enough and from the environmental be Chief of the Forest Service, and I job well done. community we heard we were know the Intermountain Region will "logging without laws." Elected do everything we can to support the officials held hearings and were There are so many things that Chief and National Leadership Team critical of our efforts, and we even could be mentioned as outstanding in carrying out the Forest Service heard that some of our state partner accomplishments in the past year Mission. We look forward to seeing that it would take this entire edition Mike in the Region. of the Reporter to cover them. A few 1997 will hopefully conclude that come to mind are the Interior the Interior Columbia Basin Ecosys¬ Columbia Basin Ecosystem project, tem Management Project with the the Recreation Demonstration Fee Draft Environmental Impact State¬ Project, the Capital Christmas Tree ment scheduled to be released early and Olympic Planning effort are all in 1997 and the final in late 1997 or projects that many have contributed early 1998. It has been a tremendous towards and we can take pride in. effort with two Interagency teams All of these items along with and a Science team. When com¬ the many accomplishments at each pleted, it will set the standard for National Forest combine to make Forest Plan revisions and environ¬ 1996 a year to be proud of. mental assessments. It will also This is also a time to look at the provide the guidelines for inter¬ challenges in the next year. agency collaboration to levels we Page 3 RF Message haven't had before, and it will relationship with the Delegation and provide a framework for an ecosys¬ Governors that is so beneficial. tem approach to management that Another challenge we face is to maintains the integrity of ecosystems continue improving our relationships over time and space. with local communities. I think the I think a critical challenge in climate has improved tremendously 1997 will be implementing the in the past year, and we need to keep Recreation Fee Demonstration Project that momentum going in 1997. and the Private/Public Ventures for Also in 1997, we will be prepar¬ Recreation Facilities and Services. ing to implement a new financial Both of these programs are very management system. As you may exciting, and we have some excellent know, the Agency didn't fare very projects here in the Intermountain well as a result of an Office of Inspec¬ Region. I think in the budget climate tor General audit. In fact, the findings we face, it will only be through could not have been much worse-we programs such as these that we can received an "Adverse Opinion." It's continue to provide high quality critical to the Forest Service that we National Forest recreation experi¬ turn this around. If we don't. Con¬ ences the public has come to expect. gress will lose confidence in the 1997 will also bring us one year Forest Service with potentially closer to the 2002 Winter Olympics. devastating impacts on future As I already mentioned, our planning budgets. We also owe it to the public effort got off to a great start in 1996 to better account for our finances. and now with the Snowbasin land As a result, several teams have exchange and Master Plan legislation been working over much of the last having passed, we can move into year to develop a new financial Until he was 19, George Wash¬ high gear to bring the Snowbasin management system. It's critical that ington celebrated his birthday venue on line as well as our other each and every one of us, not just the on February 11. But when the Olympic planning efforts. 1997 will Fiscal staffs, become knowledgeable British parliament replaced the be a key year in getting ready for about the new system and implement Julian calendar with the 2002. it. Gregorian, his birthday fell 11 The election year did not bring Finally, 1997 will be a key year days later, on February 22. about massive changes in the state to move further down the path of legislatures in the Region or with our Rediscovery. Early in the year, we Has there ever been a White Congressional Delegation, but it did plan to assess our progress and look House without a First Lady? produce a few changes. It will be for any adjustments that need to be Yes, James Buchanan (1857- important for us to get to know the made based on what we have learned 1861) was a lifelong bachelor. new members we have while con¬ over the past couple of years and tinuing the excellent working rela¬ hopefully move ahead with full The presidents carved on tionship we currently have with implementation for the Regional Mount Rushmore were chosen existing members of the Delegation Office, Service Teams, Centers of to represent the nation’s and state legislators. Excellence, Capital City organiza¬ founding (Washington) its In the Intermountain Region, tions and the Eco-groups. political philosophy (Jefferson); one of tools we have to build relation¬ I think it will be an exciting year its preservation (Lincoln) and ships with elected officials is the for the Forest Service and the Inter¬ its expansion and conservation Congressional Development Pro¬ mountain Region, and I look forward (Teddy Roosevelt). gram. To my knowledge, the Inter¬ to writing next January's Regional mountain Region is the only Region Forester's Message and seeing how Virginia has the honor of being that has this "mini" legislative intern we did on these important programs the birthplace of more presi¬ program and it has served us well. in 1997. dents than any other state- When the letter for candidates comes eight: Washington, Jefferson, out in 1997,1 encourage you to Keep up the great work! Madison, Monroe, William consider applying. It provides a Henry Harrison, Tyler, Taylor, tremendous career development and Wilson. Ohio is second with opportunity and fosters the long term seven. Page 4 Region Research + Partners + Process = New Research Natural Areas Established in the Intermountain Region R esearch Natural Areas-ah, Enter the PROCESS-the bane conditions that are needed for those pristine places set aside of scientists and managers alike! research, study, observation, moni¬ for scientists to bury them¬ Site-specific disclosure of the conse¬ toring and maintenance of biological selves forever in research para¬ quences of establishing these areas diversity. dise ... or could there be something in perpetuity is required by law The coordination of all this more going on here? (NEPA). When these areas were work involved cooperation among RESEARCH Natural Areas proposed, the understanding was Districts, Forests, Regional Office, were proposed in the Forest Plans, that there would be an opportunity Research Station, and various and planned to be established once to further analyze the particulars of partners, and many TFIANKS are the fieldwork and paperwork were each site. Under the leadership of due to all the players involved. This done. This was needed to get the "process junkies" like Sharon Paris, cooperation will continue in 1997, representative areas in the national NEPA Coordinator on the Boise NF, with work to be completed in network of ecological areas desig¬ and Betsy Rickards, NEPA Coordi¬ Wyoming, Nevada and Utah. And, nated in perpetuity for research, nator in the RO, Research Natural the work has just begun on these education and to maintain biological Areas were grouped into logical newly established areas. Now we diversity on National Forest System analyses based on how much work need to capture their value as Lands. In Region 4, Dr. Alma had already been accomplished and reference points for monitoring and Winward coordinates the program State boundaries, as this is how our gain understanding on the effects of along with Dr. Angela Evenden, who partners are organized. our management practices. Research is the Natural Areas Program The results are significant Natural Areas accomplish several Manager for Regions 1 and 4 and the PROGRESS made in the formal purposes, perhaps the most impor¬ Intermountain Research Station. establishment of Research Natural tant of these in an ecosystem context Fieldwork and paperwork- Areas in the Intermountain Region - is to "save all the pieces"-and that's these can take time, real time, so- a total of 42 in 1996. These include 36 PROGRESS. enter the PARTNERS. For research Research Natural Areas in Idaho; If you would like to know Natural Areas this includes partners four in Utah; and two in Nevada. more about the Natural Areas like: The Nature Conservancy in And, amendments were made to Program, feel free to contact Angie Utah and Nevada; Idaho Natural eight Forest Plans to change the Evenden at the Forest Sciences Lab Areas Coordinating Committee; status of these areas from "pro¬ in Missoula, 406-542-4150. Idaho Conservation Data Center; posed" to "established" Research and Wyoming Diversity Database. Natural Areas. Along with this came by Betsy Rickards These organizations work coopera¬ completion of the establishment R4 NEPA Coordinator tively with the Forest Service and reports for each Research Natural Regional Office Research Station to complete the Area, with signatures by the Re¬ fieldwork and establishment records gional Forester, Research Station for each Research Natural Area. Not Director and on through the ranks to a small task, as these areas tend to be the District Ranger. This establish¬ remote with limited access. It's this ment record houses the key informa¬ low level of disturbance that gives tion that defines the agreements value to the research and monitoring reached on how each area is to be potential of undisturbed areas. managed to protect the unmodified Page 5 Forest continued from page 1 My love of fishing never diminished, and I ended up Avith a minor in fisheries biology and a job that even paid me to study fish. Another sweet deal. I was happy to see my daugh¬ ter Heidi get the fishing bug as well. She watched me fish and when old enough, grabbed a pole and copied my casting techniques. I was elated when Heidi hooked her very first trout at age 4 and was even more excited when she caught a 12 pound silver salmon in Alaska during her fifth summer. I almost fell overboard with excite¬ ment when the salmon took her lure! Heidi calmly said, "I've got one Daddy" and proceeded to reel it in like a pro which helped calm my Heidi and her two friends fishing for "polka dotted" fish. nerves, but I still held my breath until the salmon was safely netted to explain that some fish, like kids, Heidi liked the trip so much, I and in the boat. need help growing up, but once they took her back to the same place this I was impressed with my got old enough, they could go out on summer. We even invited a couple of daughter's inquisitiveness when she their own. The human analogy may her friends to show them how great started asking me why all fish didn't not have been totally correct, but at the fishing was. They all caught look the same. I impressed her with least she was able to relate to it. "polka dotted" fish, and we cooked my ichthyological knowledge, Her mind was a sponge and them over a campfire "like the especially when recalling the scien¬ would soak up all of the information Indians did." tific names of the different Salmo- I provided her. The answers would I was especially proud of my nids. She tried repeating the genus prompt her to ask even more ques¬ daughter when she took the pole and species names, but even we tions which I tried to answer. I wish and went down to the creek all by professionals have a hard time teenagers had the same thirst for herself and came back with a fish. pronouncing these tongue twisters, knowledge as youngsters do. It's She then became the resident expert so she came up with her own when you learn enough that you and showed her two friends how to nomenclature. Rainbow trout think you know all the answers that catch 'em. Other fun times were became "pretty red sided" and you stop learning and start being hiking along the trail, playing in cutthroat trout were called "polka dangerous. At least that's my theory lush stands of beargrass and observ¬ dotted" fish. She liked the name of adolescent human behavior. ing wildlife, including a nearly tame kokanee but pronounced them When my daughter was six, I deer. We heard a coyote howl, and I "kooky knees." flew her into a Forest Service wilder¬ showed the kids how to tell different Heidi especially liked the ness area where the "polka dotted" animals from the tracks and drop¬ "polka dotted fish." When I ex¬ fish, although small, were numerous pings they leave. plained that the "polka dotted" fish and unlike kids, weren't picky about It was an enjoyable weekend to were native and the rainbows were the food they ate. She caught some say the least, and I am already hatchery fish, I ended up taking her using grasshoppers for bait and then looking forward to making the trip to a fish hatchery so she could see wanted to try out the fly rod I was an annual event. Although my how the "pretty red sided fish" were using. With me holding her hands, daughter isn't old enough to under¬ raised. she was able to hook and land a stand the differences between She enjoyed looking at all the couple of fish with the fly rod. We managed and wilderness land¬ fingerlings in the raceway but did get a few snags and the line got scapes, I do think she said it all wanted to know why they had to be tangled a lot, but she really liked this when, after one of her friends was kept there and why "polka dotted form of fishing as she could see the hesitant to eat the fish on a stick, fish" didn't need a hatchery. I tried fish take the fly. Heidi assured her friend that "These Page 6 Forest Heidi Becker with the "polka dotted" fish she caught all by herself. Her friend Ben is holding up the one he caught. polka dotted fish taste best, even better than tuna fish." So there, you have it, wilder¬ ness fish do faste better. I'm just thankful there are wild places where kids can go and see nature without any human strings, except an occasional fishing line, aftached. I am also proud of the way the Forest Service manages our Forests and am proud to be a member of Team FS. by Kurt Becker ID Team Leader for Frank Church- Ben, Dustin, and Heidi with the "polka dotted" fish they caught. Not much for size but delicious River of No Refurn when cooked over a fire on a stick. Wilderness Coordination Salmon/Challis National Forests The nearly tame deer that ivandered into our camp entertained the kids. Page 7 Forest Flat Pickin’ Smokey Bear Gives Hugs and K Fire Facts to Trick-or-Treaters F emmerer Ranger District Forester, Keith Chasteen, has been winning a lot of contests or the past two years, Smokey Bear has helped local doing his Flat Pick Guitar Picking. He won the children celebrate a safe Halloween while continu¬ 1995 Wyoming State ing to spread his fire prevention message, "Only Flat Pick Guitar YOU can prevent Forest Fires!" Championship, the This was the second year in a row that the familiar 1995 Open Flat Pick bear participafed in the Safe Kids Trick or Treat Celebra¬ Contest for Wyo¬ tion at the Magic Valley Mall in Twin Falls. Each year, ming Sfate and took more than 2,000 children stand in line to give Smokey a second place at the hug or shake his hand and collect his tips for preventing 1994 Open Flat Pick wildfires in the Forest. Guitar Champion¬ According to Twin Falls District Fire Prevention ship. He also Technician Barbara Lloyd, children young and old alike competed in the seem to know Smokey and what he stands for. "Smokey's National Flat Pick popularify was evident by the long lines and happy faces Keith Chasteen, Wyoming State Flat Pick Guitar Contest. of batman, clowns, angels and other costumed-charac- Guitar Champion. Keith travels to ters," Lloyd said. "Smokey Bear is loved by all who see workshops held in him." West Virginia, Kansas and Utah to expand his knowl¬ edge of the guitar. He gives lessons through the West¬ by Barbara Todd ern Wyoming Outreach College and also teaches on a Public Affairs Specialisf personal level. Keith has been playing guitar for the Sawtoofh National Forest last 18 years and has also branched out to the fiddle and took third place in 1996 Wyoming State Fiddle Novice Contest. He is a very talented musician. Five years ago, Keith and District Forester Jeff Laub founded the Kemmerer Coffee House. The Coffee House is a place for locals fo showcase their talents in sing¬ ing, playing instruments, and reading poetry. Keith and Jeff occasionally Jeff Laub, co-founder of the Kemmerer Coffee bring in different House, jams on the harmonica. Kemmerer locals artists for the showcase their artistic talents at the Coffee public to enjoy House. and listen to. This has been a great asset to the community and helps bring another art form to our city. They are both to be applauded for their efforts. We at the Kemmerer Ranger District are really proud of Keith and his many musical accomplish¬ ments. by Barbara Duncan Kemmerer Ranger District Bridger-Teton National Forest Page 8