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Frequently Asked Questions on Proposed Rule

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Here are some common questions the Forest Service has received on the planning rule revision process.Questions and Answers on the Proposed Planning RuleGeneralWhat is the action being taken by the Department?The Department is publishing a proposed planning rule to guide development, revision, and amendment of land management plans for the National Forest System, accompanied by a draft…
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2012 Planning Rule

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The Forest Service released its 2012 planning rule for National Forest System land management planning. The 2012 planning rule was published in the Federal Register on April 9, 2012 and the Forest Service will begin implementing the planning rule 30 days following the publication date. The complete version of the planning rule, including the preamble and rule text, along with other related…
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Land Management Planning, Get Involved

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Land management plans are developed and revised under the 2012 Planning Rule which requires decision makers, referred to as "responsible officials," to emphasize and provide opportunities for public involvement through every step of the planning process. Specifically, the planning rule focuses on engaging with and listening to the public at all phases of the planning process and requires…
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Land Management Plans

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What is a Land Management Plan?A land management plan is similar to a city or county comprehensive plan that helps guide land use and development. In the same way that your town, county, or city is planned to designate where particular uses (such as industrial and residential uses) may occur, national forests plans identify areas intended for specific uses such as timber harvest, primitive…
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Ecosystem Management Decision Support system keeps getting better

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A landscape view of the Bridger-Teton National Forest. USDA Forest Service photo by Pattiz Brothers. OREGON—There is no single correct approach to managing a forest or grassland. Each decision maker must weigh the ecological complexity of these ecosystems, the changing environmental…
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Adaptive Management, Monitoring, and Analysis

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Adaptive ManagementAdaptive management is a structured, cyclical process for resource management decision-making. Feedback from monitoring is used to actively test assumptions when there is uncertainty and changing conditions. Monitoring data tracks relevant conditions over time, and measures management effectiveness…
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