USDA Forest Service Unveils Proposed Planning Rule to Provide Science-based Framework to Support Healthy Forests and Communities
Forest Service Seeks Public Comment on Proposed Rule
ALBUQUERQUE, February 10, 2011 – The USDA Forest Service unveiled its proposed Forest Planning Rule today which would establish a new national framework to develop land management plans that protect water and wildlife and promote vibrant communities.
Forest Service land management plans guide management activities on the 155 National Forests and 20 Grasslands in the National Forest System. The proposed planning rule provides a collaborative and science-based framework for creating land management plans that would support ecological sustainability and contribute to rural job opportunities. The proposed rule includes new provisions to guide forest and watershed restoration and resilience, habitat protection, sustainable recreation, and management for multiple uses of the National Forest System, including timber.
“This proposed planning rule seeks to conserve our forests for the benefit of water, wildlife, recreation and the economic vitality of our rural communities,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “The proposed rule will provide the tools to the Forest Service to make our forests more resilient to many threats, including pests, catastrophic fire and climate change. Healthy forests and economically strong rural communities form a solid foundation as we work to win the future for the next generation.”
Publication of the proposed planning rule in the Federal Register will kick off a 90-day public comment period. The Forest Service will use comments to develop a final rule for publication in late 2011. To encourage public engagement, the Forest Service is hosting an open forum to discuss the proposed rule on March 10, 2011 in Washington, D.C. The meeting will be Web cast to allow for national participation, and there will be additional public forums held throughout the country. The proposed rule, meeting information, and additional information can be found at www.fs.usda.gov/planningrule.
Highlights of the proposed planning rule include:
The Southwestern Region will continue to actively engage on possible refinements to the draft planning rule by hosting public forums in Albuquerque and Phoenix in early April, 2011. The Region hosted two public roundtables in Albuquerque and Phoenix, and various tribal collaboration meetings in New Mexico and Arizona in April 2010.
Of the eleven National Forests in the Southwestern Region, six are currently revising land management plans under the provisions of the 1982 planning rule. This includes five of the six National Forests in Arizona and the National Grasslands plan being developed by the Cibola National Forest. All six efforts will continue under the 1982 rule provisions, and will be completed with final revised plans expected by mid to late 2012. The remaining six plans (the five National Forests in New Mexico and the Tonto National Forest in Arizona) will all be revised under the new planning rule.
“The Forest Service has been a steward of American lands for more than a century, and this proposed planning rule will build on that tradition," said Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell. “We value the thoughtful input we've received in the development of this proposed rule, and we look forward to continuing collaboration to construct an adaptive management framework for the people's forests and grasslands, based on sound science and reflecting public values."
The proposed rule is the product of the most participatory planning rule development process in Forest Service history. To develop the proposed rule, the Forest Service held over 40 public meetings and roundtables across the country that drew more than 3,000 participants, and hosted a blog to engage the public. Additionally, the Forest Service reviewed more than 26,000 comments on the notice of intent to issue a new planning rule.
The proposed rule would update planning procedures that have been in place since 1982, creating a modern planning process that reflects the latest science and knowledge of how to create and implement effective land management plans. More information is available at www.fs.usda.gov/planningrule.
Forest Service Seeks Public Comment on Proposed Rule
ALBUQUERQUE, February 10, 2011 – The USDA Forest Service unveiled its proposed Forest Planning Rule today which would establish a new national framework to develop land management plans that protect water and wildlife and promote vibrant communities.
Forest Service land management plans guide management activities on the 155 National Forests and 20 Grasslands in the National Forest System. The proposed planning rule provides a collaborative and science-based framework for creating land management plans that would support ecological sustainability and contribute to rural job opportunities. The proposed rule includes new provisions to guide forest and watershed restoration and resilience, habitat protection, sustainable recreation, and management for multiple uses of the National Forest System, including timber.
“This proposed planning rule seeks to conserve our forests for the benefit of water, wildlife, recreation and the economic vitality of our rural communities,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “The proposed rule will provide the tools to the Forest Service to make our forests more resilient to many threats, including pests, catastrophic fire and climate change. Healthy forests and economically strong rural communities form a solid foundation as we work to win the future for the next generation.”
Publication of the proposed planning rule in the Federal Register will kick off a 90-day public comment period. The Forest Service will use comments to develop a final rule for publication in late 2011. To encourage public engagement, the Forest Service is hosting an open forum to discuss the proposed rule on March 10, 2011 in Washington, D.C. The meeting will be Web cast to allow for national participation, and there will be additional public forums held throughout the country. The proposed rule, meeting information, and additional information can be found at www.fs.usda.gov/planningrule.
Highlights of the proposed planning rule include:
- A more effective and efficient framework that would allow adaptive land management planning in the face of climate change and other stressors.
- Increased requirements for public involvement and collaboration throughout all stages of land management planning.
- Improved ability to respond to climate change and other stressors through provisions to restore and maintain healthy and resilient ecosystems.
- Increased protections for water resources and watersheds.
- More effective and proactive requirements to provide for diverse native plant and animal species.
- Provisions to guide the contributions of a National Forest or National Grassland to social and economic sustainability.
- Updated provisions for sustainable land, water and air-based recreation.
- Requirements to provide for integrated resource management of a range of multiple uses and values, including timber, wilderness, energy, mining, grazing, and ecosystem services.
- New requirements for a local and landscape-scale monitoring program that are based on the latest science.
The Southwestern Region will continue to actively engage on possible refinements to the draft planning rule by hosting public forums in Albuquerque and Phoenix in early April, 2011. The Region hosted two public roundtables in Albuquerque and Phoenix, and various tribal collaboration meetings in New Mexico and Arizona in April 2010.
Of the eleven National Forests in the Southwestern Region, six are currently revising land management plans under the provisions of the 1982 planning rule. This includes five of the six National Forests in Arizona and the National Grasslands plan being developed by the Cibola National Forest. All six efforts will continue under the 1982 rule provisions, and will be completed with final revised plans expected by mid to late 2012. The remaining six plans (the five National Forests in New Mexico and the Tonto National Forest in Arizona) will all be revised under the new planning rule.
“The Forest Service has been a steward of American lands for more than a century, and this proposed planning rule will build on that tradition," said Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell. “We value the thoughtful input we've received in the development of this proposed rule, and we look forward to continuing collaboration to construct an adaptive management framework for the people's forests and grasslands, based on sound science and reflecting public values."
The proposed rule is the product of the most participatory planning rule development process in Forest Service history. To develop the proposed rule, the Forest Service held over 40 public meetings and roundtables across the country that drew more than 3,000 participants, and hosted a blog to engage the public. Additionally, the Forest Service reviewed more than 26,000 comments on the notice of intent to issue a new planning rule.
The proposed rule would update planning procedures that have been in place since 1982, creating a modern planning process that reflects the latest science and knowledge of how to create and implement effective land management plans. More information is available at www.fs.usda.gov/planningrule.
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