Forest Plan Revision
The Forest Service Planning Rule is the Federal regulation that sets the procedures and required content for forest plans. The 2012 Planning Rule is the first major update to Forest Service planning procedures in 30 years, reflecting decades of experience and lessons learned. An ecosystems focus is a key change emerging from 30 years of advancement in science and forest planning. Ensuring public participation in the development (and not just the review) of plans, and recognizing the key role of the public and partners in forest management under revised forest plans is another important change.
The Forest Service Directive System consists of the Forest Service Manual and Handbooks, which codify the agency's policy, practice, and procedure. The directives that help the Forest Service achieve the vision articulated in the 2012 Planning Rule are Forest Service Manual 1920 and Forest Service Handbook 1909.12.
Public Participation
National forests and grasslands provide resources that we all use, including timber, fish, forage, wildlife, minerals, recreation, water and many specialty products. The forests in revision are looking for your suggestions to help manage these important resources. In addition to the public engagement information provided on each Forest’s webpage, additional resources are available.
The Federal Advisory Committee on Implementation of the 2012 Land Management Planning Rule developed the following public engagement guides:
Forests in Forest Plan Revision
Forests in Region 4 have and will initiate forest plan revision in different years. Click the links below to visit the Forest Plan Revision web sites for units that have initiated the forest plan revision process: