Status of Forest Plan Revision work on the
Ashley National
Forest
The National Forest Management Act of 1976 (NFMA) required
all National Forests to prepare an integrated, comprehensive
land management plan. It further directed the Forest Service
to prepare regulations setting out the process for development
and revision of those plans. The first set of planning regulations
was completed in 1982. The Ashley National Forest completed
its first (and current) land management plan in 1986.
Our 1986 management plan reflected the values, issues, trends
and management techniques of that time. It was intended to
guide land management activities for 10-15 years, consistent
with timelines specified in the NFMA. Although the 1986 Forest
Plan served us well for many years, it now needs to be reviewed
and revised to reflect current knowledge about resource management
as well as today’s social and economic conditions.
Consequently, the Ashley began a revision of its management
plan in November 2005. At that time a new set of planning
regulations, known as the 2005 Planning Rule, were in place.
Revision work conducted from 2005 through the spring of 2007
was guided by the 2005 regulations.
However, a court ruling issued on March 30, 2007 found that
the Forest Service’s adoption of the 2005 Planning
Rule violated certain existing laws and enjoined the Forest
Service from using it. The Ashley immediately halted all
planning activities specific to the 2005 rule. The Forest
Service is working at the national level to remedy the deficiencies
identified by the Court, and intends to issue a new rule
for public comment in the near future.
In the meantime, the 2000 Planning Rule is in effect (including
transition language which allows plans to be revised under
the original 1982 planning regulations). Revision work that
has been done to date is being reviewed for consistency with
the 2000 Rule. At that same time, certain analyses that are
needed under the National Forest Management Act independent
of any specific planning rule are continuing. Examples of
activities that are independent of the planning rule in effect
include analysis of existing conditions and trends, identification
of issues, and evaluation of potential wilderness areas.
We also want to maintain the collaborative relationships
that were established in the early phases of our revision
process. As we develop new drafts of information products
related to existing conditions and potential wilderness areas,
we will provide opportunities for public review and discussion.
Please check back regularly, since updates and new information
related to plan revision will be posted to this website and
distributed through our revision mailing list as they become
available.
|