Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests to Release Land Management Plan and Final Environmental...

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service has finalized the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests revised land management plan and final environmental impact statement after a comprehensive planning and public engagement process. The record of decision for the revised plan will be signed on Friday January 10th, 2025.

The revised plan, developed collaboratively since 2012, will guide management of the 4-million-acre Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests for the next 15 years or more.

“The Forest Service asked for the public’s assistance in development of a land management plan that meets the needs of the public we serve. You answered that call and came out by the thousands to assist the agency in developing a plan that balanced the ecological, social and economic needs of stakeholders, our cooperating agencies, the Nez Perce Tribe, local residents and communities across the United States,” said Nez Perce-Clearwater Forests Acting Supervisor Heath Perrine. “The revised plan is designed to ensure we maintain and improve habitats for fish and wildlife, address the wildfire crisis, exceed our tribal treaty right obligations, restore fire-dependent ecosystems, conserve old-growth forests and promote public use of the forest through any mode of transportation or recreation.”

The plan aligns with the agency’s Wildfire Crisis Strategy by treating nearly 65,000 acres annually, including up to 10,000 acres of timber harvest, to promote forest health and forest resource resilience. It is estimated to support 4,000 jobs and provide $163 million in labor income to local and regional economies. The plan also focuses on restoring aquatic and riparian habitat, adapting to a changing climate, nearly doubling potential timber harvest levels, and recommending 263,357 acres for wilderness designation. It also identifies 11 rivers in the forest as suitable for inclusion as Wild and Scenic Rivers.

For the final record of decision, revised plan, environmental impact statement and other documents associated with this release, as well as all past publications and other helpful resources, please visit the planning website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/nezperceclearwater/landmanagement/planning