Revision Process Timeline

From: Ben Johnson, Lolo National Forest Supervisor 
July 16, 2026

Greetings,

I hope you are enjoying the summer season. I’d like to provide an update on the Lolo National Forest’s land management plan revision. Our Forest Service team continues to finalize the draft plan and Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). Although we had planned to release these documents for public comment in July, staff working on the draft environmental impact statement needed more time to finalize the content. To complete the content and prepare both documents for publication, we have shifted the expected release to late summer 2026.

We appreciate your patience and flexibility as we complete this important work. The 90-day public comment period will remain unchanged, and our commitment to robust public engagement continues.

Thank you for your dedication to shaping the future land management plan for the Lolo NF by supporting the revision effort. While there will be much to discuss when the documents are published, please know that my door is always open if you have any questions or concerns about the process in the meantime.

Warmly, 
Ben Johnson

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For additional information and supporting documents related to the Revision Process Timeline, please visit our Document Library page.

1. Pre-Assessment (2021-2022)

   Internal preparation to initiate forest plan revision

2. Assessment (winter 2021/22-summer 2023)

   • Evaluate relevant data and information on existing conditions, roles and contributions, and trends
   • Start natural range of variation modeling; wild and scenic river eligibility; species of conservation concern process; recreation opportunity spectrum and scenery management systems mapping; timber suitability and modeling; and wilderness inventory and evaluation
   • Release Draft Assessment (summer 2023)
   • Release Draft Preliminary Need to Change (summer 2023)

3. Plan Development and Scoping the Proposed Action (summer 2023-winter 2023/24)

   • Timber suitability and monitoring
   • Establish desired conditions and other plan components for all resources
   • Map all proposed land allocations, such as geographic areas, management areas, designated areas, desired recreation opportunity spectrum settings and scenic integrity objectives
   • Identify suitabilities across the landscape
   • Develop a proposed plan monitoring program
   • Release Preliminary Need to Change (winter 2024)
   • Scope the Proposed Action (winter 2024)

4. Develop Draft Environmental Impact Statement and Draft Forest Plan (winter 2023/24-summer 2026)

   • Review public comments from scoping
   • Develop alternatives
   • Develop the environmental impact statement and analyze the effects on resources of each of the alternatives.
   • Release the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (summer 2026)

5. Develop Final Environmental Impact Statement and Draft Record of Decision (fall 2026-2027)

   • Analyze and respond to public comments from the Draft Environmental Impact Statement
   • Select a preferred alternative
   • Develop biological assessment on the selected alternative and consult with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
   • Release Final Environmental Impact Statement and Draft Record of Decision (2027)

6. Objection Process and Final Record of Decision (2028)

   • Objection period, review of objections, and resolution meeting
   • Release final record of decision and revised plan 
   • Begin plan implementation and monitoring!

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