Day One ~ Day Two ~ Day Three ~ Day Four

10:05AM
Define measurable response variables, strengthen scientific basis for legacy guides, improve operations: these three goals will likely be the focus of the group going forward.

Break time.

11:48AM
As I noted earlier, Brown Bear notes will be posted later, probably late this evening once I glance at the notes of others.

TCS extends a big welcome to all those following along, and a special hello to all the Forest Service employees visiting our site! Wow! You all have been all over this site these last few days! If you are in town for these proceedings, please come to our deer modeling slide show tonight (wednesday) at 6:30pm at First Lutheran Church. We would love your input; comment forms for non-panel members will be made available ;-) .

1:10PM
I just spoke with Orville Daniels and Dennis Neill and they explained to me that I had incorrectly referenced their conversation with regards to a message I posted this morning. They were not speaking about these proceedings. The error was mine.

1:52PM
Joe Cook is now presenting on other mammals - including endemics.

There is a good discussion occurring now about newly identified and confirmed endemics. Some of the focus is on the Archipelago Wolf and the Ermine, with sampling taken from island environments and continental references. Mitochondrial data and nuclear data support species distinction for the Ermine. A similar analysis is provided for Marten. The data represented on the slides will require further study, but it is quite comprehensive.

Sub regions and linkages data are represented and these connections may be emphasized. Linkages between islands, corridors within islands, and corridors within OGRs should be kept in line.

What is being advocated for is a shift in management emphasis: an island centered approach with interagency collaboration. Increased divergence, centers of endemism, and increased probability should be included. Introduction of exotics and invasive species is a concern. Raccoons are an example. Emerging pathogens and disease is mentioned (canine distemper). Magnified effects of habitat modification, wildlife consumption, mining, human encroachment and tourism, and climate change are all considerable factors.

Red backed vole have 4 subspecies in Southeast Alaska, two of which are known only from 1 or 2 islands. 4 different habitats on Wrangell Island were the focus of studies. There were marked annual fluctuations, few captures in peatland mixed conifer, etc. Conversion of watersheds to managed habitats leads to more Keen's mice and may be detrimental to voles.

We should identify Meaningful Management Units, centers of endemism, isolation and linkages, and consider long term impacts on islands ie roads and higher human densities. Establish a precautionary principle is a consideration also stated in this presentation.

Also there should be consideration to fully develop baselines for Tongass biological diversity. This could include full biotic surveys, surveys of gaps, interagency coordination with respect to carnivores, and TLMP surveys (planned timber sales).

A very intriguing discussion!

2:52PM
Dave Person just spoke to the misleading nature of numbers that state that only 5% or 10% or whatever of the Tongass is affected by logging, and felt that the way these numbers are calculated and utilized should be reconsidered. He discusses Prince of Wales as an area where what is affected is disproportionately large. Larry Lunde explains that the 19 or so bio regions and relationships with surrounding bio regions are considered in the conservation strategy. Steve MacDonald is now discussing that Mike Sallee confirms the presence of flying squirrels on Gravina, and the discovery (not by Mike Sallee) of Ermine on Annette, and that the hypotheses associated with connectivity (sub regions and linkages) are relevant. Pinch points are important.

Should elk be a part of the conservation strategy for TLMP? Not sure who raised this question.

Steve MacDonald is discussing again the problems of the raccoon on the Tongass and how it should be considered in the scheme of things.

Are surveys being done on endemics as outlined by TLMP? What are urgent considerations for the Plan? Natalie Dawson raises these questions. Kuiu Island Marten is urgent, according to Joe Cook. Planned actions on POW complex of islands is important as well (connectivity and fragmentation). It is urgent that we start doing a survey to fill gaps, and collection of samples does not have to be overly expensive. Steve MacDonald raises Dall Island and Suemez Island as curious places. Etolin and Zarembo as well...Larry Lunde discusses when the Forest Service does a project on an island that is 50,000 acres or smaller, the standards and guidelines perform surveys. That information is available at the district level. Gene DeGayner want to establish how priority arrangements will be made (via interagency cooperation), possibly on an annual basis.

4:00PM
Good evening from sunny Ketchikan!