Landscape Management Conservation Approach. The conservation strategy for the spotted owl in the Applicants SHA is based on a landscape approach to biology and forest management that results in a measured timber harvest beneficial to the Applicants and the local economy, and a habitat plan beneficial to the spotted owl. A landscape approach in this area of the state (in the White Salmon and Columbia Gorge SOSEAs and surrounding areas) to support spotted owl conservation has already been adopted by the state through the WDNR HCP and the federal government through the implementation of the President’s Northwest Forest Plan (Interagency SEIS Team 1994). Both landscape plans are strongly supported by the FWS as preferred to “circle management” to provide habitat necessary for the recovery of the spotted owl. With the exception of one owl site center, all owl nest sites near the Covered Lands are on WNDR or USFS owned lands. All site centers on USFS lands are protected through the implementation of the President’s Northwest Forest Plan (Interagency SEIS Team 1994). All site centers on WDNR land are protected under the WDNR HCP with permanent, variable size nest set asides, averaging approximately 200 acres per site (WDNR). Currently, state rules employ circle management on private timberlands. Thus, in addition to the protections provided on WDNR and USFS lands, the adjacent Applicants operate under spotted owl circle protection rules that result in fixed radius circles managed to provide 40% suitable habitat. As previously noted, fixed-circle habitat protection is less desirable for the spotted owl than a landscape approach, particularly as regards to forest health and the fire prone landscapes of the eastern Cascade Mountains, where the covered lands are located. Here, large blocks of habitat can be eliminated in a single fire or forest health event. Equally important, the current regulatory environment is creating great uncertainty and disincentives for the Applicants to provide spotted owl habitat on their lands. Without the regulatory assurances available through a SHA, the Applicants are induced to aggressively focus on eliminating spotted owl habitat on their lands through the harvest of surplus habitat within spotted owl circles, and all other areas of the Applicants ownership containing suitable spotted owl habitat. With the landscape approach provided through a SHA, disincentives for the Applicants providing spotted owl habitat are removed since they will be provided the regulatory assurances n...
