Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests Plan Revision
The Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests are currently in the process of revising their Forest Plan using the 2012 Forest Planning Rule for the National Forest System. This section provides information on the forest planning process and how you can learn more and become involved. The existing Nez Perce and Clearwater National Forest plans were written in 1987, and the forests were administratively combined in 2013, resulting in the need for a revised Forest Plan for the combined forests. A draft Proposed Action for the new Forest Plan was released in July 2014, and we are currently collaborating with the public on Alternative Development.
Where Are We Now in the Process?
The Forest Plan Revision Team released the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for public comment on December 20, 2019.
Public Participation is Welcome!
Please click here to learn how you can get involved with Forest Plan Revision!
Forest Plan Revision Schedule
The Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest began revising its Forest Plan in 2012 using a collaborative approach and the use of the best available science under the new planning guidelines. The following table outlines the planning phases, process and activities, and provides links to key documents or information for each phase of the planning process.
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Process/Phase
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Description
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Date
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2014 Proposed Action and Assessment
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The Forest initiated the Forest Plan Revision in early 2012.After 20 months of collaboration with the public, Nez Perce Tribe, partner agencies and the Clearwater Basin Collaborative, the Forests released an assessment in June 2014 and Notice of Intent with the draft proposed action in July 2014. A corrected Notice of Intent was released in September 2019 updating the timeline for the Forest Plan Revision process. For more information, click the link to the left.
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July 2014
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Preparing for Alternative Development Document
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The Forests received and used 13,800 scoping comments to develop issue statements to the 2014 Proposed Action and to revise forest plan components. Click the link to the left to view the Framework for Alternative Development document.
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December 2017
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Wild and Scenic River Evaluation Process
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Forest planners are currently in the process of evaluating river segments for designation under the Wild and Scenic River Act. For more information about this process, click the link to the left.
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In progress
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Wilderness Recommendation Process
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Forest planners are currently in the process of evaluating roadless areas for possible Wilderness recommendation. More information about this process, click the link to the left.
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In progress
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Alternative Development
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The forest intends to develop alternatives using public input. Collaborative and public meetings on alternative development are planned for January and February. The interdisciplinary team will begin analyzing effects of the alternatives for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) in March.
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December 2017 – February 2018
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Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS)
Public comment on DEIS
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Development of a draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) that analyzes the described the affected environment and the environmental effects of each of the Plan alternatives. The DEIS was released December 20, 2019, which initiated a 90-day comment period to obtain public feedback. Comments are used to prepare a final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS).
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December
2019
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Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS)
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Comments on the DEIS are analyzed and reviewed in the development of a final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS). The FEIS identifies any needed changes between the draft and final EIS. The released of the FEIS, Draft Record of Decision and Plan is scheduled to be in Spring 2020 with a 30-day Notice of Availability.
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Proposed
Winter 2021
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Objection Process
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Notice to start the Objection Process which will initiate a 90-day comment period and 90 day resolution period.
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Proposed
Winter/Spring 2021
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Final Record of Decision and Final Revised Forest Plan
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Made by Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest Supervisor
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Proposed
Fall 2021
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Implementation and Monitoring
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Forest Service implements the Plan and begins ongoing monitoring.
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Fall 2021
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Concurrent with the Forest Plan Revision, the planning team is developing a Restoration Action Strategy (RAS) to guide the forests’ program of work now and during implementation of the revised forest plan in an integrated and strategic manner. The RAS will be used to develop objectives for the forest plan and guide integration of resources, though it is not required plan content and will not be formally part of the revised forest plan decision.
Contact Us
We welcome input into any part of the process at any time. Please contact any member of our team listed below. Comments and suggestions may also be submitted to the plan revision e-mail address: sm.fs.fpr_npclw@usda.gov.
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