1. Woodpeckre habitat sharing with industry 3. Organizing a public forum to establish a blueprint for the Southern Center for Sustainable Forests 1996 NRLI 1995 logging in endangered woowoodpecker habitat Hunter Birckhead, NC Division of Forest Resources Debbie Robertson, NC Department of Agriculture Debbie and Hunter convened a group representing wildlife interests, timber and other commercial interests, and neighboring landowners to develop a management plan for a large tract of state-owned forest that currently provides habitat for at least one endangered species. The stakeholders successfully negotiated a plan that not only improved habitat for the red-cockaded woodpecker -- an endangered species, but increased income from the sale of timber and pine straw. ==================================================================== FROM NRLI 's 1996 practicums Organizing a public forum to establish a blueprint for the Southern Center for Sustainable Forests 1996 Mary Lou Addor, Dept. of Parks, Rec. & Tourism Mgt., NCSU; Rob Bailey Dept. of Forestry, NCSU; Laura Pickens, Dept. of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management, NCSU In 1995, the Governor's Task Force on Forest Sustainability recommended the establishment of a Southern Center for Sustainable Forests to carry out research necessary to provide a sound scientific basis for sustainable forestry practices. Recognizing that many people and organizations have different philosophies about forest sustainability, and have an interest in steering the Center's research agenda, the three participants have organized a forum where all interested stakeholders can work together to set priorities for the Center. The outcome of the forum will be a blue print for action reflecting the interests of the forest industry, environmental organizations, and forest land managers from around the state. Top ================================================================== Preventing Sedimentation from Timber Harvesting in Northwestern North Carolina Reid Hildreth, NC Division of Forest Resources Loggers and timber buyers in northwest NC have been in dispute with the NC Division of Forest Resources (NCDFR) over compliance with the forest practice guidelines provisions of the state's sedimentation pollution laws. Reid convened a meeting of timber buyers, loggers, consultant foresters, and landowners to develop a formal agreement between stakeholders and the NCDFR to prevent water quality degradation during timber harvesting while respecting the needs and constraints of the stakeholders. The outcome was a cooperative working relationship between the NCDFR and independent loggers and timber buyers where loggers now bring NCDFR onto the job site to assist them in complying with the forest practice guidelines. Developing a Federal-State Partnership for Forest Management at Corps of Engineers Reservoir Projects Carol Banaitis, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers owns land surrounding three large reservoir projects in northcentral North Carolina. The State Division of Parks and Recreation leases and manages portions of the property surrounding the lakes. The two agencies have differing philosophies regarding the management of public forest lands at the reservoir projects. Over the course of several years, discussions on forest management has evolved into general disagreement over active management versus preservation of this resource. Carol is working to bring these two agencies to the table to negotiate a management regime that will satisfy the interests of both agencies. Reinventing the NC National Parks,Parkway and Forests Development Council Nann Guthrie, NC Department of Environment, Health and Natural Resources; Lanny Hass, NC Cooperative Extension Service Since 1947, the NC National Park, Parkway and Forests Development Council has acted as an advisory body to the federal land management agencies in Western NC, addressing development of recreational facilities, travel and tourism, and transportation. Over the years, the Council's activities stagnated, and the partnership between federal and state agencies weakened. Nann and Lanny organized a retreat for the Council to come together and develop a new mission and vision. Since the retreat, the Council has met monthly, fulfilled its short-term objectives,sent six resolutions to the Governor, and made substantial progress in addressing a 30-year dispute between Swain County and the Federal Government. 1997 Practicum Participation and Leadership in the White Oak River Watershed Advisory Board John Fitzgerald, NC Division of Soil and Water Conservation; and Al Weller, Weyerhaeuser Co. The White Oak River Watershed Advisory board is a group of citizen stakeholders from three counties who meet once a month to identify water quality problems in the watershed, gather information on the problems, and generate solutions by consensus. Al joined the advisory board as a representative of private and public forestry, while John joined as a representative of agricultural interests. The board recently convinced the NC DOT to re-engineer designs for a causeway expansion to protect the White Oak River from storm water runoff. Al and John are actively participating in the board's current endeavor, which is an attempt to decrease the number and length of shellfish closures. Top =============================================================== Mary Jo Padgett, Environmental Conservation Organization of Henderson County Because Henderson county is the fastest growing county in Western North Carolina, sedimentation has had a major impact on local streams. Over the last few years, citizens and environmental groups have been pressing County Commissioners to pass a local ordinance to help control sedimentation. Mary Jo's organization, the Environmental Conservation Organization (ECO) has played a leadership role in promoting a local erosion control ordinance in the county. Mary Jo has utilized her conflict resolution skills learned at the Natural Resources Leadership Institute to appeal to the local Chamber of Commerce, County Commissioners, the Governor, and local legislators to garner support for a plan to reduce erosion and sedimentation in Henderson County. ====================================================== Tree Industry Jeffrey Owen, NC Cooperative Extension Service TREE FARMERS VS CLEAN WATER ADVOCATES The traditional farmers of the Fraser Fir Christmas tree industry in Avery and Watauga counties must increasingly share their community with an influx of new neighbors who often hold differing attitudes about land use and agriculture. Primary areas of concern have involved pesticide and fertilizer usage by farmers and the quality of surface and ground water in the community. Jeff has identified, contacted, and received commitments from environmental, industry, and community stakeholders to form a planning group. The planning group will frame the issue, identify specific actions to involve the community in the dialogue, and form task groups to follow through on the actions. Jeff hopes to decrease the polarization of the stakeholder groups by initiating