82 



Shasta-Trinity (Calif oniia) National Forests have adopted a no-cut buffer averaging 100 to 200 feet wide, and ranging up 

 to 400 feet, on aU class I, II and ID streams, while the Mt. Baker-Snoquafanie and Olympic National Forests 

 (Washington) aUow extensive logging in all riparian areas, with a few restrictions to prevent total stand removal. Few 

 plans provide any protection at all for Class IV tributaries and fewer still protect riparian areas along headwater streams, 

 despite dieir important contributicms to the downstream envinmment. 



An example of new authorities needed: 1) Inter- Agency Pohcy Consistency and Alignment to Manage at the Watershed 

 level. 



Aldiough a number of federal statues speak to inter-agoicy coordination, agencies are still authorized to act based on 

 Aeir own statutory goals and mandates and internal agency priorities. Legislation which defines common missions and 

 goals, and aligns agency management poUcies of riverine-riparian ecosystems and biodiversity is needed to provide 

 watershed level coordination and consistency. 



CONCLUSION: PRC beUeves Aat new poUcies is needed to provide tmiform watershed protection and restorati<Hi 

 directives for all federal land managonent agencies. These poUcies must include riparian management directives 

 directly from Congress, elevating important issues of riparian pohcy from the lowest levels of administrative authority to 

 the highest level of government 



