Forest Plan
Effective beginning 06/04/2025: This website, and all linked websites under the control of the agency is under review and content may change.
The Forest Plan guides the Santa Fe National Forest in fulfilling its stewardship responsibilities to best meet the current and future needs of the American people. The Forest Plan integrates forest restoration, climate resilience, watershed protection, wildlife conservation and opportunities to contribute to local economies.
The purpose of the forest plan is to guide future projects, activities, practices, uses, and protection measures to ensure sustainable multiple-use management on the Santa Fe National Forest for the next 15 years. The forest plan is strategic in nature; it does not authorize projects or activities, commit the Forest Service to take action, or dictate the day-to-day administrative activities needed to carry out the Forest Service’s internal operations (such as personnel matters, law enforcement, or organizational changes).
USDA Strategy and Goals for the Forest Plan
The Forest Plan implements the U.S. Department of Agriculture strategy and was designed with the following three goals in mind:
- Maintain or restore sustainable, resilient terrestrial ecosystems;
- Protect and restore watershed health, water resources, aquatic ecosystems, and the systems that rely on them;
- Actively contribute to social and economic sustainability in the broader landscape and connect citizens to the land.
Santa Fe National Forest Vision
We will be a leader, both in the forest and partnering on lands across northern New Mexico, in achieving three goals:
- Restore fire resiliency to our forest landscapes
- Provide clean and abundant water
- Honor and strengthen ties to the land.
Final Planning Documents
The Record of Decision for the revised Forest Plan was signed July 27, 2022, and implementation of the plan began August 29, 2022.
Maintaining the Plan
The Forest Plan may be amended at any time based on a preliminary identification of the need to change the plan. The amendment and administrative change processes are described at 36 CFR 219.17(b)(2) of the 2012 Planning Rule.