Craters of the Moon National Monument
II. Compliance with NPS Policy and Relation to Other Plans
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Wildland Fire Management Plan Craters of the Moon National Monument II. Compliance with NPS Policy and Relation to Other Plans |
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A. NPS Management Policies Concerning Fire Management
It is the policy of the National Park Service to allow natural processes to occur to the extent practical while meeting park unit management objectives. NPS Management Policies (1988) state that "Fire is a powerful phenomenon with the potential to drastically alter the vegetative cover of any park. Fire may contribute to or hinder the achievement of park objectives. Park fire management programs will be designed around resource management objectives and the various management zones of the park". Specific guidance on wildland fire is contained in Directors Orders (DO-18) and attendant Reference Manual (RM-18) for the National Park Service, and "The Wildland and Prescribed Fire Management Policy: Implementation and Reference Guide" (1998).
B. Enabling Legislation and Purpose of Monument
1. Craters of the Moon National Monument was established in 1924 by Presidential Proclamation. Boundary adjustments were made in 1928, 1941 and 1962 by Presidential Proclamation and in 1996 by legislation. The presidential proclamations have been consistent in recognition of the area resources:
"...which contains a remarkable fissure eruption together with its associated volcanic cones, craters, rifts, lava flows, caves, natural bridges, and other phenomena characteristic of volcanic action which are of unusual scientific value and general interest; and ...this area contains many curious and unusual phenomena of great educational value and has a weird and scenic landscape peculiar to itself..." [Proclamation No. 1694 - May 2, 1924 - 43 Stat. 1947]
2. The NPS studied suitable areas for wilderness designation in the 1960's and recommended to Congress that 43,243 acres of the monument be designated as wilderness. The legislation passed Congress and the law designating the Craters of the Moon National Wilderness Area was signed in 1970. The wilderness area is managed in accord with the Wilderness Act of 1964 and suppression activities within wilderness are to be conducted in keeping with "minimum requirement" protocols identified in Director's Order #41, Wilderness Preservation and Management. The Wilderness Area is a mandatory "Class I" area under the Federal Clean Air Act. The Act created as a national goal "the prevention of any future and the remedying of any existing impairment of visibility in mandatory class I Federal areas".
C. General Management Plan Fire Objectives
The CRMO General Management Plan (1992) includes the following direction regarding fire management:
Page 10: "The present practice of suppressing all wildland fires in the monument presents problems because much of the monument is inaccessible. Fire suppression costs are high relative to the benefit, since there is very little to burn in most places and the policy of total suppression does not conform to the appropriate management response of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) which manages adjacent lands."
Page 24: "A coordinated fire management plan is also needed. Information from the rare plant survey can be used to identify rare plant locations that should be protected from fire and fire management planning can be carried out accordingly."
Page 61: The following General Management Plan objectives are related to fire management:
"To perpetuate the natural ecosystems of the monument through active and effective resource management programs."
"To preserve visibility and associated vistas and to prevent deterioration of the air-shed and all air quality related values."
"To foster an understanding and appreciation of the environmental forces that formed the present day landscape of the Snake River Plain as well as an understanding of the plants and animals that have adapted to this harsh habitat."
D. Resource Management Plan Objectives
National Park Service Management Policies (USDI 1988) define natural resource management as the concept of perpetuating a total natural environment or ecosystem, as compared with the protection of individual features or species. This concept is a distinguishing feature of the service's management of natural lands. Accordingly, the primary goal outlined in the monument's Resource Management Plan is the preservation of natural and cultural resources.
The Resource Management Plan objectives are to maintain or restore the natural resources of the monument, by allowing natural processes to operate unimpeded whenever feasible. This concept is not limited to impacts originating solely within the monument boundary. Both the monument's Resource Management Plan and General Management Plan document the need for a Fire Management Plan which will emphasize the natural role of fire in the ecosystem. Once approved the Fire Management Plan will be considered a supplemental action plan in conjunction with the Resource Management Plan. The Fire Management Plan will advance these objectives by allowing the fire to resume a role in determining the composition and development of vegetative communities within the monument.
E. Fire Management Plan Description
The Fire Management Plan (FMP) for Craters of the Moon National Monument is a detailed program of action to carry out fire management policies and objectives. Development of an approved fire management plan will facilitate the goal of managing wildland fires in portions of Craters of the Moon National Monument for resource benefits. As a secondary benefit the plan will reduce suppression costs without compromising public or firefighter safety.
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