Plan Revision SCC Identification Process

Plan Revision Species of Conservation Concern Identification Process

Under the National Forest Management Act (NFMA) and the 2012 Planning Rule (36 CFR 219.9), the Forest Service must identify Species of Conservation Concern (SCC) during land management plan revision and include plan components that provide ecological conditions for their long-term persistence.

What are SCC?

Species of Conservation Concern are native species known to occur in the plan area (not federally listed) for which the best available scientific information (BASI) shows substantial concern about their ability to persist long-term. To learn more, read some of the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about SCC.

Various colors of tan, gray, pink, blue, green image showing the species of conservation concern checklist — What are Species of Conservation Concern?
*(USDA Forest Service)*

What is the process for identifying SCC on the Tongass?

The Tongass SCC identification process follows Forest Service directives and includes several steps:

Assemble the List of Species to Consider: Includes species ranked as critically imperiled, imperiled, or vulnerable (NatureServe ranks G/T1–G/T3 or S1–S3), species identified by Tribes or Alaska Native Corporations, and species with local conservation concerns.
Screening: Removes species that are not native, not known to occur, or that are ESA-listed.
Evaluation: Applies eight scientific criteria to determine if there is substantial concern for persistence in the plan area.
Public, Tribal and Other Agencies Engagement: Draft lists are shared for input during multiple phases.
Regional Forester Review: The Proposed SCC List is finalized as the Regional Forester’s SCC List for inclusion in the revised plan.
For more information, read the full SCC Identification Process for the Tongass National Forest.

Various shades of green from dark to light circles showing the ID process — Process used to assemble the lists of species to be considered as SCC at different stages of the identification process.
*(USDA Forest Service)*

How does the SCC Process relate to the Land Management Plan Revision?

The SCC identification runs parallel to plan revision through four stages: Pre-Assessment, Assessment, Plan Development and Environmental Analysis, and the Objections Process and Final Decision.

Various colors of yellow, pink, blue showing the Stages of the SCC Process during Land Management Plan Revision — Stages of the SCC Process during Land Management Plan Revision.
*(USDA Forest Service)*

What is the status of the Tongass SCC Identification Process?

The Tongass SCC process is currently in the Plan Development Phase. A total of 501 species were considered in the Tongass SCC Process. From those, 276 species were carried forward as part of the Species Under Review List, and draft evaluations have been completed. These include nine aquatic species, 47 wildlife species, and 220 species of plants, lichens and fungi combined. Preliminary findings show that some of these species (12%) may have substantial threats and could be recommended as SCC. So far, these include one (1) aquatic species, six (6) wildlife species, and 32 species of plants, lichens and fungi.

A zig zag image in blue, orange, red, green — Roadmap of the SCC Process during the Tongass Land Management Plan Revision.
*(USDA Forest Service)*

Why does this matter?

Identifying SCC helps ensure that the revised Tongass Land Management Plan maintains species diversity and ecosystem integrity, supporting species persistence and the ecological services they provide—such as pollination, water filtration, and habitat for other species—while balancing multiple uses of the forest.

Key Documents

General

Species Lists & Evaluations

List of Species Considered but Not Proposed as SCC (Draft)
Proposed SCC List (Draft)
- List Species Evaluations (Draft)
Regional Forester’s SCC List (final step of process)

Plan Revision Homepage