2020 Forest Plan, FEIS, Draft ROD

2020 Land Management Plan

The existing 1986 forest plans are more than 30 years old, exceeding the 10-15 year duration of plans directed by the National Forest Management Act. Since the 1986 forest plans were completed, there have been changes in ecological, social, and economic conditions in the area, as well as changes in resource demands, availability of new scientific information, and promulgation of new policy, including the 2012 planning rule. These changes necessitate a plan revision to ensure that management direction is responsive to current issues and conditions.

The National Forest Management Act directs the development, amendment, and revision of land management plans to provide for the multiple use and sustained yield of the products and services on Forest Service lands, including outdoor recreation, range, timber, watershed, wildlife and fish, and wilderness (16 U.S.C. 1604(e)). The 2012 planning rule guides this planning using a collaborative and science-based approach to promote the economic, social, and ecological sustainability of national forests and grasslands and other administrative units of the National Forest System. For more detailed information about the 2012 planning rule, see https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/planningrule/home/.

Final Environmental Impact Statement

Alternative F, as described in the Final EIS and the accompanying Helena – Lewis and Clark National Forest Land Management Plan, has been selected as the preferred alternative. Alternative F is based on alternative B from the Draft EIS, with modifications in response to comments, and includes features of all alternatives considered. It addresses the need for change, meets the requirements of the Planning Rule, 36 CFR 219, is responsive to local government, tribal, and public engagement, and is based upon over 30 years of knowledge gained from implementation and amendment of the 1986 Forest Plans.

This alternative represents a mix of recommended wilderness areas and lands identified as suitable for timber production. It includes direction to provide for unique ecological conditions, active management of timber products and fuel reduction, recommended wilderness areas, and wild and scenic rivers. The mix of opportunities available for primitive recreation and nonmotorized recreation experiences versus less primitive and more motorized recreation experiences is consistent with current travel plans, except in the case of recommended wilderness areas.

Draft Record of Decision

The draft Record of Decision (draft ROD) documents rationale for approving the Helena – Lewis and Clark National Forest Land Management Plan (referred to as the 2021 Plan). Based upon the review of all alternatives, alternative F provides the best mix of land and resource uses that best meet public needs while moving the Forest toward its desired conditions. The requirements of the National Forest Management Act and this alternative reflects the best overall arrangement of multiple uses while maintaining the long-term health and productivity of the land. Best available science was also considered.

When compared to the other considered alternatives, the selected alternative will:

Provide public benefits by supporting 2,000 jobs in the local and regional economies, a projected increase of over 400 jobs from the current plans, provides an estimated $83 million in labor income across local and regional economies.
Increase acres treated and produce more timber volume than the current plan.
Allow for greater options in managing unplanned naturally ignited wildfires as a tool to help restore ecosystems and reduce the risk future fire.
Improve project-level planning, and implementation efficiency, by updating outdated management direction that doesn’t address landscape level restoration needs.
Support shared stewardship through increased partnerships and management flexibility.

The decision represents a mix of recommended wilderness areas and lands identified as suitable for timber production. It includes provisions for unique ecological conditions, active management of timber products and fuel reduction, recommended wilderness areas, and wild and scenic rivers. The mix of opportunities available for primitive recreation and nonmotorized recreation experiences versus less primitive and more motorized recreation experiences is consistent with current travel plans, except in the case of recommended wilderness areas.

Documents

In addition to the documents below, the Forest Plan Revision Team discovered wording in the FEIS, Summary and draft ROD that needs to be corrected. The correct language can be found on this errata sheet.

2020 Land Management Plan

The 2020 Land Management Plan includes the main body of the plan plus appendices.

2020 Land Management Plan

2020 Land Management Plan Appendices

Appendices Cover
Appendix A. Maps
Appendix B. Monitoring Program
Appendix C. Potential Management Approaches and Possible Actions
Appendix D. Vegetation Classification and Descriptions
Appendix E. Priority and Conservation Watersheds
Appendix F. Nothern Rockies Lynx Management Direction Record of Decision
Appendix G. Scenery Managment
Appendix H. Forest Plan Readers Guide

Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS)

The main body of the FEIS has been broken into two parts due to its size. Part 1 includes: Chapter 1, Chapter 2, the first half of chapter 3, an index specific to Part 1, and literature specific to Part 1. Part 2 includes: the second half of chapter 3, an index specific to Part 2, and literature specific to Part 2.

The FEIS also includes a glossary, a list of preparers and appendices.

FEIS Summary

FEIS Part 1

FEIS Cover and Table of Contents
FEIS Chapter 1
FEIS Chapter 2
FEIS Chapter 3 Part 1

Aquatic Ecosystems and Soils; Air Quality; Fire and Fuels Terrestrial Vegetation Old Growth, Snags, and Downed Wood; Plant Species at Risk; Pollinators; Invasive Plants; Terrestrial Wildlife Diversity; Terrestrial Wildlife Species at Risk; and Elk

FEIS Chapter 3 Part 1 Index
FEIS Chapter 3 Part 1 Literature

FEIS Part 2

FEIS Cover and Table of Contents
FEIS Chapter 3 Part 2

Recreation Settings, Recreation Opportunities; Recreation Special Uses; Recreation Access; Scenery; Administratively Designated Areas; Congressionally Designated Areas, Cultural, Historical, and Tribal Resources; Lands; Infrastructure; Social and Economics; Livestock Grazing; Timber and Other Forest Products; Geology, Minerals, and Energy; and Carbon and Climate

FEIS Chapter 3 Part 2 Index
FEIS Chapter 3 Part 2 Literature

FEIS Glossary
FEIS List of Preparers

Final Environmental Impact Statement Appendices

Appendix A. Maps
Appendix B. Methodologies
Appendix C. Aquatic Ecosystems Best Available Scientific Information
Appendix D. Supplemental Species Information
Appendix E. Recommended Wilderness Analysis Process
Appendix F. Wild and Scenic River Eligibility Study Process
Appendix G. Response to Comments
Appendix H. Terrestrial Vegetation, Wildlife, and Timber Methodologies and Results
Appendix I. Natural Range of Variation Analysis and Results
Appendix J. Climate and Carbon Supplemental Information
Appendix K. Potential Recreation Direct Effects

Draft Record of Decision

Biological Assessments and Biological Opinions

USFS, Biological Assessment for Whitebark Pine, 2020 Forest Plan for the Helena – Lewis and Clark National Forest
USFS, Biological Assessment for Threatened, Endangered, and Proposed Terrestrial Wildlife Species, 2020 Forest Plan for the Helena – Lewis and Clark National Forest
USFS, Aquatic Biological Assessment for Bull Trout, 2020 Forest Plan for the Helena – Lewis and Clark National Forest
USFWS, Biological Opinion
- Terrestrial
- Aquatic (coming soon)

Additional Supporting Documentation

GIS