Planning

The National Forests belong to all of us. Every 15-20 years each National Forest develops a forest plan which considers how to best manage the forest while providing for multiple uses. This video encourages the public to participate in this important process.

R5 Broad-Scale Monitoring Strategy

The first edition strategy provides a broad perspective on the status and trends of social, economic, and ecological conditions. It complements the plan monitoring programs on each forest unit.

California Spotted Owl Project-Specific Plan Amendments

June 2024 - The Pacific Southwest Region has developed project-specific plan amendment components for projects in Sierra Nevada forests that may impact California spotted owl habitat. See the California Spotted Owl Project-Specific Plan Amendments website for more information and links to documents.

Sequoia and Sierra Forest Plan Revisions

The Sequoia and Sierra Forests were two of eight “early adopter” forests across the country, meaning they were the first to revise their land management plans using the 2012 Planning Rule. The forests have released their final environmental impact statement, final forest plans, and signed records of decision. Updated species of conservation concern lists for each forest are also available. See the Sequoia and Sierra Plan Revision website for more information and links to documents.

Modernizing Forest Plans in the Northwest

The Northwest Forest Plan covers 24.5 million acres of federally managed lands in California, Oregon, and Washington. It was established in 1994 to address threats to threatened and endangered species while also contributing to social and economic sustainability in the region. After nearly 30 years, the Northwest Forest Plan needs to be updated to accommodate changed ecological and social conditions.

Learn more and get involved.

Purpose of the Land Management Plan

The Land Management Plan or "Forest Plan" is the principal document that guides the decision making of Forest Service managers. Forest Plans provide long-term management direction for the resources and uses within a national forest.

The National Forest Management Act (NFMA) is the primary statute governing the administration of national forests. It guides the development, amendment, and revision of land management plans to provide for the multiple use and sustained yield of the products and services on National Forest System 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. More detailed information about the 2012 planning rule.

The existing forest plans for the Sequoia and Sierra forests are more than 30 years old, dramatically exceeding the 10-15 year duration of plans directed by the National Forest Management Act. Since the forest plans were completed in the late 80s and early 90s, there have been changes in ecological, social, and economic conditions in the area, as well as changes in resource demands, and availability of new scientific information and new policy. These changes necessitate a plan revision to ensure that management direction is responsive to current issues and conditions.

Plan revision addresses the following topics:

increasing demand for recreation opportunities and their importance in supporting local economies;
fire and fuels management direction that emphasizes active vegetation management near communities;
new analyses for timber production opportunities;
conservation of wildlife and aquatic habitat; and
new policy and public interest in identifying areas for recommended wilderness and wild and scenic rivers.

You can learn more about local planning activities by viewing the "Planning" section on the website for each Pacific Southwest National Forest. (located under "Managing the Land").