Kaibab National Forest

Kaibab Forest Plan Revision

Thank you for visiting the Kaibab National Forest's Plan Revision website.

The current Kaibab National Forest Plan was implemented in 1987. In the years since then, many social and resource conditions changed, scientific information improved, and land management policies evolved. Though the plan was amended many times, some changes could not be addressed quickly or effectively.

2008 NFMA PLANNING RULE
The Forest Service has just announced its final 2008 Planning Rule. The new rule will be effective on the date it is published in the Federal Register. Publication of the record of decision and the final 2008 Planning Rule is anticipated to be the week of April 14, 2008; subject to change. There will be no additional comment period on either the FEIS or the new planning rule.

Once the 2008 Rule is in place, the Forest Service has the ability to proceed with revising forest plans. In coming months, the National Forests in Arizona and the Cibola National Grasslands will be developing an updated schedule and timeline of their revision process. At this time, we have not determined when revision of forest plans for National Forests in New Mexico will begin.

The Arizona Forests and the Cibola National Grasslands will continue their commitment to working with the public in an open and transparent manner. Future opportunities for public collaboration and involvement will be identified as local revision efforts resume.

The Southwestern Region implemented an interim strategy to continue with the revision process and minimize loss of momentum during the period while the 2005 Rule was enjoined. Southwestern Region Revision efforts proceeded in a “rule neutral” fashion under the guidance of the National Forest Management Act (NFMA) of 1976. At the time of the 2005 Rule enjoinment all seven revision efforts were in early stages of the process, and had not yet begun formal revision. Formal revision begins with a formal notice of initiation.

A planning rule establishes a process by which social, economic values and environmental protections are recognized and documented. A planning rule directs what information is included in a forest plan and how the plan is prepared.

The final 2008 Planning Rule will be available at www.fs.fed.us/emc/nfma.

What Does Plan Revision Mean?

The current Kaibab Plan still provides a solid foundation for forest management. So, instead of starting over from scratch, planners will identify and retain parts of the existing plan that continue to work. New information will be incorporated. Existing policy that isn't working will be eliminated. We expect the initial plan revision to take approximately two years.

Public Participation Welcome!

Public participation helps promote better decisions and greater understanding of those decisions. We are currently formulating how to work actively with the public during the revision process. Please let us know your ideas of how you would like to interact with our planning team, both now and over the course of the process.

Statues of Court Ruling on 2005 Planning Rule... Talking Points / Questions and Answers

*Please give us feedback about the Forest Plan Revision process... Kaibab Evaluation Form

Public comments relating to plan-revision... Need for Change

Public comments not relating to plan-revision... Need for Change

USDA Forest Service - Kaibab National Forest
Last Modified: Friday, 25 April 2008 at 15:12:41 EDT