HOW THE PLANNING PROCESS WORKS
Forest
Planning -
Forest planning involves both programmatic land management planning
and Forest Plan (aslo referred to as site specific project planning)
implementation. In regards to programmatic land management planning,
the Monongahela National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest
Plan) and Environmental Impact Statement were approved in 1986. Continued
planning occurs so that the Forest Plan remains a dynamic and responsible
tool for managing the Forest's land and resources in a changing social
and economic climate. In regards to Forest Plan implementation, the
implementation of Forest projects occurs through a three-phase process
that includes watershed analysis, project decisions, and evaluation.
Watershed
Assessment - The watershed analysis phase of planning is used to determine
existing conditions and make recommendations for future projects
that move the landscape towards desired conditions. |
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Monitoring
and Evaluation - Monitoring and evaluation are separate,
sequential activities that are conducted at several scales and for many
purposes, each of which has different objectives and requirements. Monitoring
includes the collection of data and information either by observation
or measurement; it is not completed on every activity nor is it designed
to be similar to research in either purpose or degree of statistical
rigor. Evaluation is the analysis and interpretation of data collected
during the monitoring phase. Evaluation results are used to determine
whether changes in the Forest Plan, or in project implementation are
necessary.
Schedule
of Proposed Actions - The Monongahela's Schedule of Proposed Actions is a publication used
to inform the public of the programmatic land management planning and
site-specific project planning that the Forest is conducting. It is
often referred to as the Monongahela Quarterly or the SOPA. It describes
the actions being proposed, their location, the proposal's status, and
whom the public may contact to get more information. You can view our Schedule of Proposed Actions, by visiting the Forest Service SOPA page for the Monongahela National Forest or by requesting to be placed on the mailing
list for the quarterly.
Sustainability
Action Plan - 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.
Forest
Plan Revision
Watershed Assessments
Proposed Actions
NEPA Documents
Definition
of Terms
Please feel
free to email
us with any questions, comments or concerns that you may
have.
