Plan Revision Frequently Asked Questions

A land management plan guides the management and protection of natural resources on our national forests and grasslands to maintain healthy ecosystems and support sustainable uses. Direction in a land management plan is meant to carefully balance the management of different uses, such as defining areas where primitive recreation or timber production may occur or limiting uses in other areas to protect resources like water or rare plants.

The Forest Service revises land management plans to stay current with laws, regulations, and policies; respond to social and environmental changes, and use the best available science to make decisions. Land management plans are revised by a team of Forest Service resource professionals under the direction of a national forest or grassland supervisor, with input from the public, government agencies, and tribes. The land management plan revision process occurs in three phases:

• Assessment of current economic, social, and ecological conditions on a national forest, prairie, or grassland.
• Develop the plan using the assessment of existing conditions and gathering input from the public, other agencies and governmental entities, tribal governments, and organizations.
• Monitor the conditions of the national forest, prairie, or grassland during plan implementation to see if the land management plan is achieving intended desired conditions and objectives or if changes are needed.

Revising the land management plan for a national forest or grassland is part of the ongoing care of our public lands, which belong to all of us. It is important that the land management plan is up to date with new regulations and policies; current ecological, social, and economic conditions; and recent scientific information relevant to the management of resources and uses on public lands.

Public input provides the Forest Service with valuable information on the current conditions, desired use, and cultural, social, spiritual, and economic value provided by the national forest or grassland to the communities or tribes in the plan area. During the plan revision process, there are many engagement opportunities for the public and tribes. These include preparing for and during the assessment of existing conditions on the forest or grassland, during plan development, during the environmental analysis and objection process, and as part of monitoring.

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What is Forest Planning and Why is it Important?

Forest planning:

• Sets the overall management direction and guidance for the entire Forest
• Is used to identify the broad vision for land use and resource development at a forest-wide scale
• Identifies areas suitable for multiple uses and resources
• Does not direct site-specific projects like how to manage a particular recreation trail

Forest planning is important because:

• It is the foundation for every decision made on the Forest
• National forests belong to everyone, and everyone can have a say in how they are managed
• There are more opportunities for public participation in forest planning now than ever
• It does not happen very often; this plan will direct activities in the Forest for the next 15 or more years!

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Basics on the 2012 Planning Rule

The 2012 Planning Rule is a federal regulation that defines what a Forest Plan is and how a Forest Plan is developed. This planning rule is the first update to the Forest Service planning process in 30 years. In particular, the planning rule intends to update planning in 3 major areas: public participation, adaptive management, and plan components.

Public Participation: the 2012 Planning Rule requires public participation at all phases of the planning process. Now, the public can participate in the development of the plan and not just the review of it.

Adaptive Management: Planning is meant to be a cycle that is adaptive and flexible to changing conditions or circumstances. The cycle includes three phases: Assessment, Plan Development, and Monitoring.

• Phase 1. Assessment: determines existing ecological, social, and economic conditions of the Forest
• Phase 2. Plan Development: uses assessment and input from public and other entities to draft and approve a Forest Plan
• Phase 3. Monitoring: determines whether the plan is achieving its desired conditions and objectives. Determines if the plan needs amended or revised

Plan Components Plan components are the actual content of the plan. Together they set the vision for the forest and how to achieve it. Components include: desired conditions, objectives, standards, guidelines, goals, and suitability of lands.

• 2012 Planning Rule
• Ammendment to 2012 Planning Rule
• 2012 Planning Rule Final Directives
• A Citizen's Guide to Forest Planning
• Plan Revision: A Guide for State, Local and Tribal Governments
• Northern Region, U.S. Forest Service Planning & Revision