2012 Planning Rule

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 materials can be viewed below. The preamble includes the Under Secretary’s decision, as well as responses to the public comments received on the proposed rule and draft environmental impact statement. 

• 2012 Planning Rule - Federal Register Version (Including Preamble and Rule Text) (PDF - 686 kb)
  • Preamble Only - Federal Register Version  (Includes Under Secretary's Decision and Responses to Public Comments) (PDF - 508 kb)
  • Rule Text Only - Federal Register Version (Without Preamble) (PDF - 157 kb
     
• Biological Assessment for the 2012 Planning Rule (PDF - 121 kb)
  • Addendum to the Biological Assessment (PDF - 11.4 kb)
  • Biological Assessment Appendices A-D (PDF - 46.8 kb)
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Biological Opinion on the 2012 Planning Rule (PDF - 320 kb)
• National Marine Fisheries Service Documents
  • Cover Letter for Biological Opinion and Conservation Review (PDF - 122 kb)
  • Biological Opinion on the 2012 Planning Rule (PDF - 1.08 mb)
  • Conservation Review of the 2012 Planning Rule (PDF - 1.0 mb)
  • Consultation Memorandum (PDF - 182 kb)