278 



These forests include the Lassen, Modoc, Plumas, Tahoe, Eldorado, Stanislaus, Si- 

 erra, Inyo, Toyiabe and Sequoia National Forests, and the area of the Lake Tahoe 

 Basin Management Unit contained in the State of California. We recognize that the 

 $150,000 appropriation is not sufficient for meeting the requirements of a long-term 

 study of the Sierra Nevada ecosystem and will continue to seek future funding to 

 meet the long-term goals of this project. 



In the interim, it is our intention that the $150,000 appropriation be used to fiind 

 a six month independent study of the Sierra Nevada range as well as a written re- 

 port describing alternative strategies for the protection of these ecosystems. As part 

 of this exercise, the study should produce maps identifying the old-growth forest 

 ecosystems and key watersheds on National Forest lands in the Sierra Nevada 

 range and the plant and animal species associated with those ecosystems. Further- 

 more, it should evaluate different alternatives for protecting the old-growth Sierra 

 Nevada forests and key watersheds, including a determination as to whether there 

 is a need to estabUsh a reserve system to susteun a Sierra old-growth ecosystem and 

 an identification of the areas that may warrant designation as old-growth forest or 

 watershed reserves. Recommendations for the management of forest and range 

 lands in and outside such reserves should also be included. 



Each suggested management alternative should be assessed to determine the risk 

 to the ecosystem and associated species that would result from its implementation. 

 "-Likewise, the effect of each management alternative on timber harvest levels and 

 other management activities in affected areas should also be provided. The study 

 should be accompanied by an explanation of the assumptions used in considering 

 each management alternative. 



In order for this effort to succeed and be credible, it is imperative that an inde- 

 pendent panel of scientists with expertise in a variety of forest disciplines be ap- 

 pointed to work with the many knowledgeable experts within the Forest Service it- 

 self We would suggest that perhaps a half-dozen scientists recognized for their work 

 in Sierran late successional old-growth forest ecosystems, wildlife and fisheries biol- 

 ogy and forest planning be selected. Each member of the panel should be a recog- 

 nized expert in the field for which he or she is appointed and should be free of con- 

 flict of interest. A number of scientists who would fulfill these qualifications, and 

 whom we believe would be willing to serve on such a panel, have been suggested 

 to us. We would be happy to discuss these appointments with you or your designee 

 at any time. 



As this study will be conducted in a relatively short timeframe, we do not expect 

 that the panel will be gathering data from the field, but will compile existing infor- 

 mation from the number of agencies and organizations involved in forest research 

 in the Sierra Nevada range. We would encourage the team to consider the maps, 

 data, and recommendations generated by the California Spotted Owl Steering Com- 

 mittee, the Forest Service's Range and Resources Assessment Program and Rec- 

 ommendations for Managing Late Seral-Stage Forest and Riparian Habitats on the 

 Tahoe National Forest, the State of California and Forest service's joint Sierra Ne- 

 vada Vegetation Mapping Project, and the Sierran Biodiversity Institute. We antici- 

 pate and respectfully request support from Forest Service personnel in assisting the 

 scientific panel. We will also be writing to the Secretary of Interior and representa- 

 tives from the organizations noted above to request their cooperation in this effort 

 as well. 



This study should provide the Congress with the comprehensive data needed to 

 make important policy decisions concerning further management of the Sierra Ne- 

 vada forests. It is our hope that by working cooperatively with the Forest Service 

 and other State and Federal agencies, we can identify management alternatives 

 that will assure the long-term health and sustainability of these forest ecosystems 

 and their associated species. We are grateful for your support and cooperation in 

 this effort and look forward to working with you. Please do not hesitate to contact 

 us if you have any further questions or if we can offer any assistance. 



Thank you for your assistance. 

 Sincerely, 



George Miller, 



Chairman, Committee on Natural 

 Resources 

 KiKA De La Garza, 



Chirman, Committee on Agriculture 

 Gerry Studds, 



Chairman, Committee on Merchant 

 Marine & Fisheries 

 Bruce Vento, 



