2/7/2012. Mission Mountains Wilderness Contracting as a management alternative Climb the mountains and get their good tidings John Muir

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1 Wilderness Contracting as a management alternative Climb the mountains and get their good tidings John Muir Kari Gunderson Wilderness Education and Management Specialist Swan Valley, Montana In memory of Cal Tassinari, pioneer in Wilderness and Avalanche Education Outstanding beauty Rugged, snowcapped peaks Several small glaciers, alpine lakes, meadows, & clear cold streams Elevations from 4,500 ft to 9,820 ft McDonald Peak A long narrow mountain range in northwestern Montana stretching 40 miles West slope managed by Salish- Kootenai Tribes (89,500 acres) East slope managed by Flathead National Forest (73,877 acres) Flathead (Salish), Pend d Oreille, & Kootenai Indians used area for fishing, hunting, berry gathering, & other traditional practices 1

2 They traveled across the Mission Divide from the Mission Valley. Several miles of trails in the wilderness are of Indian origin : First white men to spend time in Missions were fur trappers, David Thompson, Jocko Finley, & John Howe 1901: Morton Elrod, founder of Yellow Bay Biological Station, led first scientific exploration of the range : Northern Pacific Railway Co. organized exploration of the area. Forest Service employees accompanied explorers and first maps of area were made after this expedition 1931: portion of the was classified as a primitive area. 30 percent of land within the area owned by Northern Pacific Railway Co. (NPRC) 30 s- 40 s: Negotiation between FS and NPRC resulting in land exchange of NPRC s land in higher elevations for National Forest land elsewhere in the Swan Valley January 4, 1975 Wilderness is officially classified as wilderness & managed in accordance with Wilderness Act of 1964 Cal Tassinari becomes first Wilderness ranger in Missions 1978: Tassinari writes first management plan for area. The historic document still provides primary basis for on-theground wilderness management : Kari Gunderson works as seasonal wilderness ranger & is mentored by Tassinari 1979: Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes approve Tribal Wilderness Area The first time an Indian tribe decides on its own to protect land as Wilderness 2

3 1983: Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act places pressure to cut government spending Tassinari works with Flathead National Forest personnel to write a contract solicitation to provide privately contracted wilderness ranger services in the Before retiring, Tassinari felt contracting would be best way to guarantee adequate funding for on-the-ground management Solicitation uses the Wilderness management plan to outline work to be done, frequency of visitations to each area, seasons of work Contract is advertised in Federal Register as a competitive contract bidding process 18 proposals are submitted Contract solicitation requires separate business proposal & written narrative describing how work will be accomplished 1984: Mission Mountains becomes nation s first wilderness where on-the-ground stewardship of the land is conducted by private contractors April 1984: Contracted awarded to Gunderson/Flood Wilderness Partnership Contract includes: Trail opening (50 miles) Litter cleanup & site naturalization Visitor contact Campsite inventory work (LAC) Initially work divided into 3 seasons: Heavy-use: June 15- September 15 Moderate-use, September 16- November 15 Low-use: Nov mid May (11 years): Wilderness Ranger Services contract between Flathead National Forest and private contractors Initial term of first contract ran from June June Term extended for 1 year to June 1986 Next contract was awarded in March Contract allowed four 1-year extensions. All yearly options were exercised and the contract expired end of The contract was again awarded in April 1991 with three 1-year extensions. All yearly options were exercised and the contract expired at the end of 1994 Another contract was awarded in April 1995 through April 1996 with the option to extend the contract for three additional periods. April 1996: Flathead National Forest announces intent to "not renew the contract." Decision based on lack of budget flexibility & budget uncertainties since Congress had yet to pass a budget for the FS for FY 1996." Swan Lake Ranger District plans to have members of District staff to periodically go into the MMW to take care of some of the work previously provided by contract wilderness rangers 3

4 1996: Forest Service states that "the contract with the Flathead National Forest has been looked upon nationally as an example of how private industry and the Forest Service can come together in a working relationship that provides cost effectiveness wilderness management while advancing wilderness values. Contractors are recognized as " leaders in the field." People in the Swan Valley are upset about the change and feel a need to continue the wilderness ranger program. "Friends of the Mission Mountains" is formed to coordinate local fundraising efforts. Local fundraising efforts are initiated & half of required amount secured through auctions, chili feeds, donations, and bake sales. Forest Service reviews its budget and comes up with the other half. 1997: Swan Ecosystem Center (SEC) begins formal agreement with Flathead National Forest (FNF) to provide wilderness ranger services in Missions funded as cost-share agreement between SEC & FNF. Funding comes through SEC from Kendall Foundation (through the Pinchot Institute) & National Forest Foundation (with money contributed to it under a challenge costshare agreement by Flathead National Forest). Similar stewardship service contracts between the SEC, Flathead National Forest & contract wilderness rangers have continued through Matching monies since 2000 have come from MT Fish, Wildlife, & Parks grant generated from gas tax revenue to support nonmotorized & motorized trail maintenance programs. Other funding comes from the National Forest Foundation and private donations. Swan Ecosystem Management and Learning Center A community-based nonprofit organization. Mission: Work to maintain the Swan Valley s unique natural resources and ensure that a vibrant human community can sustain itself within a healthy ecosystem through stewardship, education, economic vitality, and conservation on public and private lands. Pro s of contracting - Savings to taxpayers - If funding is secured, it will be spent on the ground, NOT to cover overhead costs - High level of accountability from contract specifications - High level of autonomy for Wilderness rangers, fewer political implications Con s of contracting - Contractors receive no benefits (retirement, insurance, etc.) - Vehicle maintenance is high cost - No law enforcement authority - Some bias from agency personnel towards contractors 4

5 Our greatest THREATS to the MM Wilderness are: --Snowmobile trespass --spread of noxious weeds (invasives) Since 1984 the only privately contracted wilderness rangers anywhere in the National Wilderness Preservation System Currently there are 2 seasonal wilderness rangers working from early June through mid-october to fulfill the wilderness ranger services contract. I d like to recognize Lucas Lamar, wilderness ranger, & Anne Dahl, President, Swan Ecosystem Management & Learning Center 1. Technology Creep vs. Minimum Tool Philosophy 2. Loss of opportunities/appreciation for solitude 3. Violation of the food storage order-food containment 4. Fragmentation and isolation of W. as ecological islands (Hendee & Dawson, 2001) 5. Adjacent land management activities (Hendee & Dawson, 2001) --Plum Creek, trophy homes 6. Wild land fire suppression (Hendee & Dawson, 2001) 7. Lack of political and financial support for wilderness protection and management (funding for people and programs is required to maintain high standards of wilderness naturalness and solitude). Hendee, J. & Dawson, C. (2001), " Stewardship to Address the Threats to Wilderness Resources & Values. The International Journal of Wilderness, 7:3. Photographs taken by Cal Tassinari & Kari Gunderson 5

6 Wilderness Management Distance Education Program Contact Information TO REGISTER or FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT OUR WEBSITE OR CONTACT US AT Wilderness Management Distance Education Program The University of Montana College of Forestry & Conservation Missoula, MT