Timeline and Phases

Where are we now in the process?

In summer 2019, the updated draft plan and associated draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) were released for public comment with a 90-day formal comment period. These comments have helped us improve the final plan and final environmental impact statement (FEIS) which was recently posted here. See our timeline below for the steps leading to plan implementation.

Phases of Forest Plan Revision

The 2012 Planning Rule identifies a three-phase framework for revising forest plans:

Phase I Assessment

This phase involves an evaluation of relevant information including existing ecological, economic, and social conditions and trends across the broader landscape. The information helps inform the need to change the 1985 Forest Plan.

Phase II – Revision

In this phase, the 1985 Forest Plan is revised. The process for revising a plan includes: preliminary identification of the need to change the plan based on the Phase I assessment, development of a proposed plan, consideration of the environmental effects of the proposal, providing an opportunity to comment on the proposed plan, providing an opportunity to object before the proposal is approved, and, finally, approval of the plan and preparation of the environmental impact statement (EIS).

Phase III – Monitoring

Monitoring is continuous and provides feedback for the planning cycle by testing relevant assumptions, tracking relevant conditions over time, and measuring management effectiveness. The monitoring program includes plan-level and broader-scale monitoring. The plan-level monitoring program is informed by the assessment phase; developed during plan development, plan amendment, or plan revision; and implemented after plan decision. The Regional Forester develops broader-scale monitoring strategies. Biennial monitoring evaluation reports document whether a change to the plan or change to the monitoring program is warranted based on new information, whether a new assessment may be needed, or whether there is no need for change at that time.

Timeline

updated August 30, 2021

DATE	MILESTONE
July 26, 2019	Draft Plan and Draft Environmental Impact Statement are posted on the Cibola website
August 9, 2019	Federal Register Publishes Notice of Availability (NOA)
August 9, 2019	ABQ Journal (Newspaper of Record) Publishes NOA. Start of 90-day Comment Period/Public Review
August 20, 2019	Joint Cibola NF, Carson NF, Santa Fe NF public meeting, 2–8pm, Santa Fe Community College, Santa Fe NM
August 27, 2019	Mountainair public meeting, 5–7pm, Dr. Saul Community Center, Mountainair NM
September 5, 2019	Mount Taylor public meeting, 5–7pm, Cibola County Building, Grants NM
September 17, 2019	Magdalena public meeting, 5–7pm, Magdalena School/Fine Arts Center, Magdalena NM
September 18, 2019	Joint Tribal meeting with Cibola NF, Santa Fe NF, Carson NF, 10am–12pm, Santa Fe NF Supervisor’s Office, Santa Fe NM
September 26, 2019	Sandia public meeting, 5–7pm, Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center-West Social Hall
November 7, 2019	End of 90-day comment period
November 2019 – January 2020	Conducted Content Analysis of comments
January 2020 – October 2020	Reviewed and responded to comments
February 2020 – October 2020	Updated Alternatives and the Land Management Plan (LMP) in response to comments
September 24, 2020 (145 days)	Submitted Biological Assessment to USFWS- initiated formal consultation pursuant to Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act for the Land Management Plan
October 2020	Incorporated DEIS Comments into Draft FEIS, prepared Response to Comments Appendix to FEIS
November 2020	Region 3 Regional Office (RO) review of Draft FEIS and Final LMP
December 2020 – February 2021	Revise Draft FEIS and Final LMP based on RO Review
May 13, 2021	Final Biological Opinion issued by USFWS
July 28, 2021	Washington Office briefing on Final Plan/FEIS
August 27, 2021	Post Final Plan, FEIS, and Draft Record of Decision to Cibola website
September 2, 2021	Federal Register Publishes NOA, Start 60-day Objection Period
November 1, 2021	End of 60-day Objection Period
November 2021 – May 2022	Objection Review/Resolution Period (90 days)
Summer – Fall 2022	Forest Plan Implementation begins

Alerts & Warnings

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