This file is part of the FS Resources section at: http://www.wilderness.net/fs/

1

• This file is part of the FS Resources section
  at http//www.wilderness.net/fs/

2
Fish and Wildlife Management in WildernessAFWA
Policies and GuidelinesSHORT version

• Notes to presenters
• The materials in this presentation are derived
  from the Wilderness Act, Forest Service Policy,
  and the AFWA Policies and Guidelines.
• This presentation contains readily available
  information only and it is not presented as
  official FS or AFWA training
• A LONG version of this presentation with
  additional, more specific information on specific
  types of projects from the AFWA P and Gs is also
  available.
• The AFWA P and Gs and additional information is
  found in the Fish and Wildlife Management Toolbox
  found at www.wilderness.net/toolboxes/

3
Management of Fish and Wildlife in National
Forest Wilderness Areas
4
The Wilderness Act

• Section 4 (d) (8)
• Nothing in this Act shall be construed as
  affecting the jurisdiction or responsibilities of
  the several States with respect to wildlife and
  fish in the national forests.
• The Wilderness Act did not change any authorities
  previously granted to the states or reserved to
  the federal government.

5
The Wilderness Act

• Section 4 (b)
• Except as otherwise provided in this Act, each
  agency administering any area designated as
  wilderness shall be responsible for preserving
  the wilderness character of the area and shall so
  administer such area for such other purposes for
  which it may have been established as also to
  preserve its wilderness character.
• The Wilderness Act did prescribe that the federal
  agencies are responsible for preserving
  wilderness character.

6
Forest Service Wilderness Management Policy

• 2323.32 - Management of Wildlife and Fish
• 1. Recognize that States have jurisdiction and
  responsibilities for the protection and
  management of wildlife and fish populations in
  wilderness. Cooperate and work closely with
  State wildlife and fish authorities in all
  aspects of wildlife and fish management.
• 2. Wildlife and fish management
  programs shall be consistent with
  wilderness values.

7
Forest Service Wilderness Management Policy

• 2323.32 (5) - Management of Wildlife and Fish
• Apply the "Policies and Guidelines for Fish and
  Wildlife Management in Wilderness and Primitive
  Areas," developed jointly by the Forest Service,
  Bureau of Land Management, and the Association of
  Fish and Wildlife Agencies AFWA
• Note AFWA Policies and Guidelines
• Revised - June, 2006

8
Policies and Guidelines for Management of Fish
and Wildlife in Wilderness, AFWA 2006
POLICIES AND GUIDELINES FOR FISH AND WILDLIFE
MANAGEMENT IN NATIONAL FOREST AND BUREAU OF
LAND MANAGEMENT WILDERNESS (as amended June,
2006)
Fish and Wildlife Management Toolbox
http//www.wilderness.net/toolboxes/
9

• Management of Fish and Wildlife in Wilderness
• What is the purpose of the AFWA Policies and
  Guidelines ?
• The purpose of these guidelines is to develop
  and expand a framework of cooperation upon which
  projects and activities may be planned and
  accomplished while working cooperatively at the
  national, regional, and local levels.

AFWA A. page 3
10

• Management of Fish and Wildlife in Wilderness
• Who manages fish and wildlife populations and who
  manages habitat?
• consistent with applicable Federal and State
  laws, the States and the Federal government each
  have management responsibilities affecting fish
  and wildlife, and will endeavor to work
  cooperatively in the fulfillment of these
  responsibilities.
• AFWA A. and B. page 3

11

• Management of Fish and Wildlife in Wilderness
• What do the AFWA Policies and Guidelines say
  about the responsibility to preserve wilderness
  character?
• The FS and BLM are required to preserve
  wilderness character as directed by the
  Wilderness Act, while supporting the States fish
  and wildlife objectives, to the extent such
  objectives are consistent with the Act.
• AFWA B. page 3

12

• Management of Fish and Wildlife in Wilderness
• Federal agency approval is needed for projects,
  regardless of method or equipment used, such as
• Application of pesticides (herbicides and
  piscicides included)
• Research and surveys methods that infringe on
  the wilderness environment
• Habitat alteration
• Wildlife transplants
• Wildlife (predator) damage control
• Visitor use management
• Fire Management

AFWA F. pages 5-15
13

• Management of Fish and Wildlife in Wilderness
• Federal agency approval is needed for projects if
  they require
• Use of motorized equipment, mechanical transport,
  landing of aircraft, motor boats, motor vehicles,
  structures, installations, temporary roads for
  any activity including
• Research and surveys
• Facility development (i.e. water and fish
  developments and maintenance of existing)
• Threatened and Endangered species
• Population sampling
• Spawn taking
• Fish stocking

AFWA F. pages 5-15
14

• Management of Fish and Wildlife in Wilderness
• Use of the Minimum Requirements Decision Process
  (MRDP) Outline (Attachment A) to determine the
  Minimum Requirements
• the State agency will conduct the Minimum
  Requirements Decisions Process, in close
  coordination and cooperation with the Federal
  administering agency,
• The Federal administering agency will make the
  final determination of the minimum requirements.

AFWA Attachment A pages 14-17
15

• Management of Fish and Wildlife in Wilderness
• The objective is to cooperate and coordinate and
  implement necessary projects that meet both
  wilderness and fish and wildlife management
  objectives.
• For more information visit the Fish and Wildlife
  Management Toolbox at http//www.wilderness.net/t
  oolboxes/