Intermountain Region

Reading Room

Appeals and Litigation

Forest Service managers make many resource management decisions, which may be subject to appeal (request to a higher authority for administrative review of a decision). Click here to view appeal responses for the Intermountain Region issued after October 1, 2006. You will view these on the National Appeals web site, which will open in a new browser window.

Find An Appeal that is Prior than October 1, 2006

Pre-Decisional Objections

Proposed Forest Service Decisions regarding hazardous fuel reduction projects ar subject to a "pre-decisional" review process. In these cases, the public may submit comments on the project for consideration prior to the final decision being signed. Click here to view objection responses for the Intermountain Region. You will view these on the National Objections web site, which will open in a new browser window.

BACKGROUND Forest Service planning and decision making are guided by (1) the Resources Planning Act Program (RPA), (2) the Regional Guide, and (3) the Land and Resource Management Plan (LRMP), and are carried out through the development and implementation of projects.

The decision documents related to the development and amendment of Regional Guides and LRMPs are subject to administrative appeal under 36 CFR 217. Such appeals of a Regional Forester's Record of Decision or Decision Notice are referred to the Chief's Office in Washington D.C. where the appeal and relevant records are reviewed. Similarly. appeals of Forest Supervisor's Record of Decision or Decision Notice are referred to the Regional Forester's Office where the appeal and relevant records are reviewed. in both instances, disposition may be by rendering an appeal decision, or by dismissal. A decision can affirm or reverse the decision, in whole or in part.

The decision documents related to projects require additional site-specific compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Most of these decision documents are appealable under 36 CFR 215 and are referred to the Regional Forester's Office for review and disposition similar to the approach used for appeals under 36 CFR 217.

Decision making at the project level can include provisions associated with special-use permits, municipal watersheds, mining locations, mineral rights, water rights, grazing and livestock permits, and others. Decisions relating to occupancy and use of National Forest System lands under permit are subject to appeals under 36 CFR 251.

US Forest Service - Intermountain Region
Last Modified: Friday, 16 May 2008 at 12:56:31 EDT