A
cooperative project
of the
USDA Forest Service
Northern Region,
Rocky Mountain Region,
Southwestern Region,
Intermountain Region,
Rocky Mountain Research Station,
and the
Montana Natural Heritage Program
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USING FOREST SERVICE RESEARCH NATURAL AREAS
RESEARCH-MONITORING-EDUCATION-MANAGEMENT
The Forest Service Research Natural Areas (RNAs) System represents a
valuable ecological resource for scientists, managers and educators.
The Forest Service encourages scientific and educational use of
Research Natural Areas. These activities are coordinated by the
Rocky Mountain Research Station RNA Coordinator and the Regional RNA
Coordinators in Forest Service Regions 1, 2, 3, and 4 (Click
here to view map of regional boundaries). The process for requesting permission to use RNAs is described below.
APPLYING TO USE RESEARCH NATURAL AREAS
Research Natural Areas (RNAs) are established by the USDA Forest Service as representative examples of minimally
disturbed natural ecosystems for non-manipulative research activities, monitoring, and the protection of biological
diversity. The Forest Service encourages research and monitoring studies in RNAs. Research on RNAs has the
potential for improving the understanding of ecosystems and the management of public lands. The Rocky Mountain
Research Station RNA Coordinator can assist with the approval process. Scientists planning research in Forest
Service RNAs are encouraged to discuss their research program with the RNA Coordinator.
The purposes of an approval process for research and monitoring on RNAs are:
- To insure that the ecological integrity of the RNA or other purposes for which the RNA was designated are
not damaged by research or related activities.
- To provide information to scientists about other research occurring on the RNA so that potential
collaborations may be fostered and conflicts avoided.
- To insure that protection and site integrity for the individual scientific study, especially permanent plots,
are maintained.
- To maintain records of research activities and research results to benefit the National Forest System and
future researchers.
- To meet Forest Service regulations as specified in the Forest Service Manual (FSM 4063.04 and FSM 4063.33).
APPROPRIATE USE
In general, non-manipulative research that does not significantly impact the ecological composition, structure, or
function of the area is appropriate for RNAs. The level of acceptable use varies by RNA, depending on the rarity of
taxa, fragility or resilience of the ecosystems, and cumulative impacts of use.
APPROVAL OF PROJECTS
All research and monitoring use (including use by Forest Service scientists and managers) of RNAs on National Forest
System land in Regions 1,2,3, and 4 requires approval by the Director of the Rocky Mountain Research Station (RMRS).
This includes all Forest Service RNAs within Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico,
North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming. Applications for most small-scale studies will be approved by the
Station Director. Where appropriate, a Station scientist may be assigned as liaison. When proposed research will
involve several Research Natural Areas, only one research request form is required with an attached list with the
name and location of each RNA.
In addition to Station Director approval, all proposed research on RNAs requires approval by the District Ranger
from the Ranger District on which the RNA is located. Special Use Permits may be required by Ranger Districts.
For RNAs within Wilderness or other Congressionally designated areas, Regional Foresters have authority for
approving research projects in coordination with Station Directors. In some Regions this authority has been
delegated to National Forests or Ranger Districts (check with the Ranger District). Before applying, those planning
activities are encouraged to discuss their projects with Station RNA
Coordinator, or other Station scientists, the Region RNA Coordinators,
local National Forest RNA Coordinators, or District Ranger (see individual RNA
pages for contact information).
HOW TO APPLY
Please visit the Rocky Mountain Station
Research Natural Area web site for information on how to apply for research permission on an RNA.
OBLIGATIONS FOR RNA USERS
As part of the research approval, the researcher agrees to notify the appropriate Ranger District office when
fieldwork is being conducted. In addition, plant and animal specimens collected during the course of study will be
deposited in a herbarium or museum approved by the Station Director. Special permits are required for collection
of any threatened, endangered, or sensitive species.
All research users of RNAs are expected to file a brief summary report with the Rocky Mountain Research Station and
the Ranger District when work is completed. This report may be in the form of a letter that outlines findings.
To assist the Forest Service in compiling research information from RNAs, we also require copies of any publications
or reports derived from research on RNAs for our files. It is important for the Forest Service to maintain
cumulative records of all research activities on RNAs.
MANAGEMENT OF RESEARCH NATURAL AREAS
RNA management is the responsibility of National Forests and Ranger Districts. However, the Forest Service Manual (FSM 4063.04b.1b and 4063.04c.2) specifies that "Station Directors have authority to approve all management plans" for RNAs and that "Forest supervisors must coordinate with the Station Director or Director's representative to address needed changes in management or protection". The collaboration between Ranger Districts and Research Stations in RNA management will help insure that there is a sound scientific basis for management plans or management actions on RNAs.
RNA management should be designed to protect or restore the natural ecological communities, species, and processes that the RNA was designated to represent and protect. The RNA manual (FSM 4063) provides significant discussion with regard to RNA management. Prescribed fire projects on RNAs designed to restore fire as an ecological process to fire dependent ecosystems should pay particular attention to the risk of invasion or spread of non-native weed species in RNAs.
National Forests or Ranger Districts planning management projects on RNAs or interested in developing management plans for RNAs should coordinate these activities with the Research Station RNA Coordinator.
In planning management projects on RNAs or in areas that include RNAs or portions of RNAs, National Forests and Ranger Districts should be aware that RNAs are one of the "extraordinary circumstances" listed in FSH 1909.15.30.3 that prohibit the use of Categorical Exclusions from Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) or Environmental Assessments (EA).
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