Missouriwatcher
Editor, Senior Moderator
Forest Service Seeks Public Comment on Proposed Rule
WASHINGTON, Feb. 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...
Publication of the proposed planning rule in the Federal Register will kick off a 90-day public comment period, ending May 16. The Forest Service will use comments to develop a final rule. 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 outdoor recreation, range, timber, water, wildlife, wilderness, energy, mining, and ecosystem services.
* New requirements for a local and landscape-scale monitoring program that are based on the latest science.
...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.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 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...
Publication of the proposed planning rule in the Federal Register will kick off a 90-day public comment period, ending May 16. The Forest Service will use comments to develop a final rule. 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 outdoor recreation, range, timber, water, wildlife, wilderness, energy, mining, and ecosystem services.
* New requirements for a local and landscape-scale monitoring program that are based on the latest science.
...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.