Recovery Plan for the Northern Spotted Owl - DRAFT

Management Rules for Designated Conservation AreasThe draft recovery plan recommends that activities on federal lands within theDCAs be focused on improving habitat conditions for spotted owls.The following specific management rules for federal lands in DCAs are recommended.1. No timber harvest is allowed in habitat suitable for northern spottedowls.2. Silvicultural practices, such as thinning, will be used to promoterapid development of owl habitat in those areas that currently donot provide habitat suitable for owls.3. Salvage of trees in stands significantly affected by fire, wind, insects,or diseases may occur but will be limited to safeguard owlhabitat.4. Management activities designed to reduce the risk of large-scale fireor insect infestation are limited to those needed to assure thecontinued existence of owl habitat within the DCA.5. The recovery plan recommends that federal lands inside DCAs, withthe exception of wilderness areas and national parks, be designatedas critical habitat.6. It also recommends that a management plan be prepared for eachDCA before management activities are implemented.Acres (thousands)35,000_D ~~~~25,000-Total acresrangewide 20,00030,000-15,000-Lull 10,000-_ .lTotal acres in 5,000-DCAs 3 rangewideNonfederal land' Federal land NRF habitat 2Figure ES.1. Total acres in the range of the northern spotted owl and in DCAs 3 within the range.'No commitments are implied by inclusion of nonfederal land within DCA boundaries. Management of these lands is discussed insection 1Il.C.4.2 NRF habitat = nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat. This information is available only for federal land.3 DCA = designated conservation area.x