Resources Planning Act

The Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act (RPA) of 1974 requires the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct an assessment of the Nation's renewable resources every 10 years. The original Act had four requirements for the Assessment:

• an analysis of present and anticipated uses, demand for, and supply of the renewable resources, with consideration of the international resource situation, and an emphasis of pertinent supply and demand and price relationship trends
• an inventory,...of present and potential renewable resources, and an evaluation of opportunities for improving their yield of tangible and intangible services
• a description of Forest Service programs and responsibilities
• a discussion of important policy considerations, laws, regulations, and other factors expected to influence and affect significantly the use, ownership, and management of forest, range, and other associated lands.
• an analysis of the potential effects of global climate change on the condition of renewable resources on the forests and rangelands of the United States
• an analysis of the rural and urban forestry opportunities to mitigate the buildup of atmospheric carbon dioxide and reduce the risk of global climate change

The Forest Inventory and Analysis program is a key participant in RPA reporting. The FIA program provides both analytical reports on the state of the Nation’s forests and the underlying data that can be used by others in modeling and projections.