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Frequently Asked Questions on the 2012 Planning Rule

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 GeneralWhat is the action being taken by the Department?USDA Undersecretary Harris Sherman has signed the 2012 National Forest System Land Management Planning Rule. The 2012 planning rule is available on the planning rule website and will be published in the Federal Register soon. The 2012 planning rule was developed after more than two and a half years of public input, including…
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Planning Rule FACA Committee

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Committee OverviewThe National Advisory Committee for Implementation of the National Forest System Land Management Planning Rule (Committee) is no longer active. The Committee ceased operation on February 3, 2018 when the charter expired.This Committee was established in the public interest, to provide advice and recommendations on the implementation of the National Forest System Land Management…
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Collaboration & Public Involvement

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The Forest Service began the planning rule revision process with a commitment to developing a new planning rule that would endure over time. We utilized a transparent and participatory method to accomplish this effort. The 2012 planning rule  requires collaboration throughout the…
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History of Forest Planning

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The National Forest Management Act (NFMA) is an amendment of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 (RPA). This Act establishes standards for how the Forest Service manages the national forests, requires the development of land management plans for national forests and grasslands, and directs the Forest Service to develop regular …
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Planning Rule 101

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The National Forest Management Act (NFMA) of 1976 requires every national forest or grassland managed by the Forest Service to develop and maintain an effective Land Management Plan (also known as a Forest Plan). The process for the development and revision of plans, along with the required content of plans, is outlined in planning regulations, often referred to as the planning rule (the 2012…
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Planning Rule Overview

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The National Forest Management Act (NFMA) requires the Forest Service to develop land management plans to guide management of the 154 national forests, 20 grasslands, and 1 prairie that comprise the 193 million acre National Forest System.  The NFMA required the Secretary of Agriculture to develop a planning rule ‘‘under the principles of the Multiple Use Sustained-Yield Act of 1960, that…
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