Planning
Effective beginning 6/02/2025
This website, and all linked websites under the control of the agency is under review and content may change.
Welcome to the Forest Plan webpage giving you access to forest planning documents including the revised Monongahela National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (2006) and the Environmental Impact Statement that was used to develop and support the revised Plan. We have added Administrative Corrections to the Forest Plan, which is our way of correcting, clarifying or updating the Plan. Other planning related documents are included, such as our programmatic agreement with state and federal agencies for the assessment and protection of cultural resources on the Forest. Finally, our Forest Plan monitoring, and evaluation efforts are captured in a series of Annual Monitoring Reports.
How the Planning Process Works
Forest planning involves both programmatic land management planning and Forest Plan (also referred to as site specific project planning) implementation. In regard to programmatic land management planning, the revised Monongahela National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan) and Environmental Impact Statement were approved in 2006. Continued planning occurs so the Forest Plan remains a dynamic and responsible tool for managing the Forest's land and resources in a changing social and economic climate. Implementation of Forest projects occur through a three-phase process including watershed analysis, project planning and decisions, and monitoring and evaluation.
2006 Revised Forest Plan and Environmental Impact Statement
The 2011 Updated (2006) Forest Plan, along with the original Forest Plan approved in 2006 and Administrative Corrections, Record of Decision, Summary for the 2006 Forest Land and Resource Management Plan can be found here, the final Biological Opinion for Forest Plan, and any information relating to the 2006 Plan.
Highland Scenic Highway Corridor Management Plan
The Highland Scenic Highway Corridor Management Plan provides management strategies for protecting and enhancing the Highland Scenic Highway. The plan supplements guidance in the 2006 Monongahela National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan.
Proposed Changes to the MNF Monitoring Program
Monongahela National Forest is updating its Forest Plan monitoring program, and we’re inviting the public to share feedback on the proposed changes.
Monitoring helps us track conditions on the Forest and evaluate how well we’re meeting Forest Plan goals. These updates will help us focus on the information we need to ensure our management activities are effective.
A summary of the most recent Biennial Monitoring and Evaluation Report and details about the proposed updates are available online. We welcome your comments through September 8, 2026. Please include “Updated Monitoring Program” in the subject line along with your name and contact information.
You can send comments by:
- Mail: Amy Albright, Forest Environmental Coordinator, Monongahela National Forest, 200 Sycamore Street, Elkins, WV 26241
- Hand delivery: Supervisor’s Office, 200 Sycamore Street, Elkins, WV 26241 (Mon–Fri, 8:00–4:30)
- Email: comments-eastern-monongahela@usda.gov
For more information, contact Amy Albright at amy.albright2@usda.gov or 304‑257‑4488 ext. 7128. Thank you for helping us shape the future of Monongahela National Forest!
Request for Comments on the Proposed Changes to the Monitoring Plan LOCATED HERE
Proposed Changes to the MNF Monitoring Program Questions LOCATED HERE
Other Planning Resources
Through an internal review of our processes, the Monongahela National Forest has developed ways to improve our planning efforts. The Forest’s Resilient Ecosystems and Adaptive Landscapes (REAL) Planning strategy updates the 2020 process, with the ultimate goal of managing for healthy and resilient forests and watersheds that can recover from disturbances such as flooding, droughts, fires, insects, and diseases.
The Sustainability Action Plan (20 pgs./464kb) provides information and recommendations that the Forest can use to reduce its environmental footprint by conserving energy and water, recycling, and converting to more earth-friendly or “green” products and practices. Reductions in usage will not only have fewer impacts on the environment but will also be reflected in cost savings to the Forest, which in turn are savings to the government and its taxpayers, including each and every one of us. These savings can then be used to buy products or implement services and practices that will further reduce the environmental footprint of Forest employees and our customers.
Draft Agreement Between the Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia Division of Culture and History, and The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (209 kb/34pgs)
Appendix C - Cultural Resource Reconnaissance Short Form (54kb/2pgs)
Appendix D - R-9 Cultural Resource Reconnaissance Long Form (79kb/6pgs)