Amendment to the 2012 Planning Rule

The Forest Service has published an amendment to the 2012 Planning Rule, within the Federal Register Notice.

The 2012 Planning Rule directs the land use planning process for national forests and grasslands. This amendment clarifies how land management plans originally developed under 1982 Planning Rule provisions are amended under the 2012 Planning Rule, and specifically addresses how 2012 Planning Rule substantive requirements (sustainability, plant and animal diversity, multiple use, and timber) apply when 1982 plans are amended.  The amendment also clarifies how the responsible official determines which topics are and are not required, as well as clarified how to document the rationale for the determinations.

This amendment does not alter or change the process for forest planning, it simply provides technical clarifications.  All of the procedural requirements associated with plan development or revision (public participation, best available scientific information, objections and so on) continue to apply to plan amendments

The Forest Service proposes to clarify how the responsible official determines which topics are and are not required, as well as clarifying how to document the rationale for the determinations.

This clarifying amendment is based on 2012 planning rule, implementing directives, and supporting documents; Forest Service experience gained from early adopter forests; feedback from the National Advisory Committee for Implementation of the National Forest System Land Management Planning Rule while developing the draft amendment; and public comment received  during the public notice and comment period.

A copy of the final amendment can be found below.

 

Related Documents

Federal Register Notice
Frequently Asked Questions