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may later be useful in supporting cumulative effects analysis 



requirements required by NEPA for proposed federal actions. 



Ecoregional assessments are processes to develop and summarize 

 current, science-based information on the status of the 

 biological, physical and human characteristics. These 

 assessments are often triggered by issues that can not be 

 effectively analyzed solely within National Forest boundaries, 

 such as habitat needs for threatened, endangered and sensitive 

 species, water quality or forest and rangeland health problems. 

 In certain situations, an ecosystem- wide EIS and Record of 

 Decision (ROD) may be developed utilizing assessment 

 information. Decisions based on the EIS and documented the ROD'S 

 may amend appropriate forest plans and regional guides. This 

 approach is planned for the Interior Columbia River Basin. 



Ecosystem assessments can save time and money in the long run in 

 helping to meet the requirements of the National Forest 

 ."Management Act ;nFMA) , NEPA, the Clean Water Act (CWA) , and the 

 Endangered Species Act (ESA) and reducing the risks of 

 litigation. For instance, it is estimated that the Interior 

 Columbia River Ecosystem Management Project (which includes the 

 scientific assessment accompanied by two EIS's and a scientific 

 evaluation of alternatives) will allow cunendment of forest plans 

 and regional guides at a cost that is less then the cost that 

 would have occurred if separate environmental analyses were 

 prepared for each forest plan. We also believe it will be less 



