Clearwater Basin Collaborative
An overview
The Basin
Conflict to Collaboration
2009
1995
Headlines: The Path to CollaborationAugust 18, 1993 – 19 Earth First!ers arrested; tensions
run highJune 2, 2001 – Meadow Face puts its best foot forward;
Diverse group is pulling together to make project workSeptember 8, 2001 – Politics upset some friends of the
forest; Rules of organization are in midst of changeDecember 9, 1998 – For the elk of it; Elk hunters, other
interests will work together to strengthen herdsApril 26, 2003 – Judge drops lawsuit over Clearwater
accessMay 30, 2008 – Lawmaker looks for Clearwater
compromise
History of the CBC
Fish Lake Lawsuit (2000)
Konkolville Consortium
Clearwater Basin Collaborative
Formally Convened May 29, 2008
Senator Crapo’s Letter
“Please accept this invitation to participate in a broad-based collaborative effort to craft a vision for the Clearwater Basin contained in the Clearwater and Nez Perce National Forests. With a cooperative vision to enhance the ecological and economic health of our forests and our communities, we can work together toward a better future for the residents and resources of north central Idaho. . . .”
Regional Forester’s PledgeTom Tidwell, regional forester in charge
of national forests in northern Idaho and western Montana, pledged to work to implement whatever the group comes up with. He said anything done on Forest Service land will still have to go through the agency’s public process. But he said having broad agreement up front will make the process smoother. “Whatever comes out of this effort we are going to be supportive of it,” he said.
--Lewiston Tribune, May 30, 2008
Purpose and Vision
The purpose of the Collaborative is to provide recommendations for actions concerning the use and management of the Clearwater and Nez Perce National Forests within the Clearwater Basin in IdahoOur vision is to enhance and protect the ecological and economic health of our forests, rivers and communities within the Clearwater Basin by working collaboratively across a diversity of interests.
--Clearwater Basin Operating Protocols
Strength in DiversityTwenty-three members representing
Nez Perce TribeState and local governmentsWoods products industryConservation interestsSportsmen and womenMotorized recreationLocal businessCitizens-at-large
Organizational StructureDale Harris and Alex Irby, co-chairs
Steering committeeFour subcommittees:
Landscape restoration Land allocation Recreation Rural economies
A forest landscape restoration coordinatorAn administrative assistant
Major Areas of Emphasis Build understanding across the various interests Review, advise and support Forest Service projects
Swede Fuels Robo Elk Interface Fuels
Develop a strategy/proposal in conjunction with the Forest Landscape and Restoration Act of 2008
Support critical basin efforts (e.g. Dworshak State Park; Clearwater County bioenergy feasibility study)
Define how the Collaborative and Forests work together (Memorandum of Understanding)
Develop legislative and administrative packages that address:1. Land allocation issues2. Recreation issues3. Economic issues
Building RelationshipsDelegations from the Collaborative have been
in Washington, D.C. meeting with:Representatives from staffs for:
Senators Crapo, Risch, Tester, Baucus, Congressmen Minnick and Simpson Senate Energy and Natural Resources
SubcommitteeAgriculture Undersecretary Harris ShermanForest Service leadership including Chief Tom
Tidwell
Value to the ForestsClearwater Basin Collaborative is:A forum where a variety of interests sit at the tableA source of knowledge and ideasA source of constructive, and often positive, feedbackClearwater Basin Collaborative has:Facilitated a change in tone of the dialogue regarding
Forest Service projects in the BasinBeen an advocate and source of supportBeen a source of valuable informationWorked behind the scenes to resolve issuesInitiated proactive consensus-building efforts
Lessons LearnedMembershipProcess managementFundingProtocolsRecord keeping and transparencyFacilitation and meeting management
Learn Morewww.clearwaterbasincollaborative.org