Black Hills National Forest Plan Revision

• It is a comprehensive document that guides forest management, use, and protection for a period of at least 15 years.

• It aims to balance multiple uses and the restoration and maintenance of forest and water ecosystems.

• It identifies areas that may be suitable for special designations such as wild and scenic rivers and wilderness.

• Once approved, all subsequent projects must comply with the Forest Plan.

• The forest and surrounding areas have experienced significant environmental, social, and economic changes since the current plan was published in 1983 and last amended in 2006.

• The 2012 Planning Rule includes new policy and analytical requirements.

• This is an opportunity to incorporate new science, knowledge, and contemporary public input.

• Visit the U.S. Forest Service Planning Rule website and click on “View table showing status of land management plans” near the bottom of the Planning Rule website.

• Forest Plan Revision processes generally take 3-5 years.

The 2012 Planning Rule is the current Forest Service direction for revising forest plans.

• Features include:

  o A three-phase process: assessment, revision, monitoring

  o Enhanced commitment to public engagement including youth and other populations historically less involved in forest planning

  o "All lands” perspective that requires consideration of the forest within the broader landscape

  o The application of best available science

1. Terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems

2. Air, soil, and water resources and quality

3. System drivers (including natural changes in vegetation communities and precipitation patterns), system stressors (including invasive species and climate change), and the ability of the Forest to adapt to change

4. Carbon stocks (the amount of carbon the Forest can store or release)

5. Wildlife species that are at risk, including threatened and endangered species

6. Social, cultural, and economic conditions

7. Benefits that people obtain from the Forest, referred to as "Ecosystem Services"

8. Multiple uses such as recreation, range, timber, watershed, fish, and wildlife

9. Recreation settings and opportunities, access, and scenic character

10. Renewable and nonrenewable energy, and mineral resources

11. Infrastructure such as roads, recreational facilities, and utility corridors

12. Areas of tribal importance

13. Cultural and historic resources

14. Land status and ownership, land use, and access patterns

15. Existing specially designated areas such as Wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers, as well as consideration of additional designated areas

• The 2012 Planning Rule significantly expands public involvement opportunities by including more frequent public collaboration throughout the entire planning process. Under the current process, public involvement begins earlier and continues through plan monitoring. The 2012 Planning Rule emphasizes collaboration, requires improved transparency, and strengthens the role of public involvement throughout the planning process. The rule also requires the Black Hills National Forest to use the best available scientific information to inform decisions.

• Forest Plan Revision is an open and collaborative process. Opportunities will exist to:

  o Offer knowledge and data pertinent to Forest Planning,

  o Share perspectives and discuss what works in the Forest plans and what needs improvement.

  o Help fill the picture of what best available science includes,

  o Work side-by-side with forest specialists, colleagues, working group members and interested individuals with varying ideas to find common ground.

  o Learn about all the components of a Forest Plan.

• A schedule will be posted on this website once it is determined.

• Yes, and please encourage them to participate as often as possible and to spread the word widely by sharing with others.

• Email: SM.FS.BlackhillFPR@usda.gov

• Phone: 605-673-9200

• Mail - Black Hills National Forest Supervisor's Office, c/o Forest Plan Revision Team, 1019 N. 5th Street, Custer, SD 57730

• You may share any of the information on this Black Hills Forest Plan Revision website with others.

• Those without internet access can call the Black Hills National Forest Supervisor's Office at 605-673-9200 for more information.