USDA - Forest Service

Citizens for Balanced Use
Forest Planning Rule

Dear Jim,

CBU is very concerned with the new Forest Planning Rule just released from the Forest Service. Environmental concerns in the new rule have been elevated above economic and social needs of the people. Recreation, active forest management and responsible resource development will suffer along with the economies of local community's dependant on these resources.

The first FAQ below from the new rule is clear that there is NO APPEAL to this new rule.


Does the preferred alternative include an appeal process or a pre-decisional objection process? Will the public be able to appeal a final forest plan decision?

The preferred alternative does not include an appeal process. Instead, the public will be able to use the objection process to work with a reviewing officer before a decision to approve a plan, revision, or amendment is made. This process has worked well in other areas such as Healthy Forest Restoration Act projects. The preferred alternative encourages people to participate early in the planning process when input can have the greatest impact and value. By considering public concerns before a final decision has been made, the likelihood of resolving concerns early in the process is increased. In response to comments on the proposed rule, the preferred alternative extends the time available to file an objection.

Does the preferred alternative weaken the role of multiple uses and their active management in plans? SEE: 219.10 below "Excerpts from final planning rule".

The preferred alternative does not weaken the role of multiple uses and active management in land management plans. Section 219.10 of the preferred alternative requires providing for integrated, sustainable multiple uses on the planning unit as mandated by the Multiple Use Sustained Yield Act and the National Forest Management Act. Under the preferred alternative, recreation, timber production, grazing, energy development, and mineral exploration, along with other uses and benefits, will continue to provide jobs, income, and ways of life for many Americans. Land management plans under the preferred alternative would emphasize the importance of the continued delivery of sustainable multiple uses of National Forest System lands.

What does "sustainable recreation" mean?
When we use the term sustainable recreation, we mean that planning should identify, evaluate, and provide a range of recreational settings, opportunities, and access that can be sustained over time. On National Forest System lands, recreational opportunities include non-motorized, motorized, developed, and dispersed recreation on land, water, and in the air.



§ 219.10 MULTIPLE USE.
While meeting the requirements of §§ 219.8 and 219.9, the plan must provide for ecosystem services and multiple uses, including outdoor recreation, range, timber, watershed, wildlife, and fish, within Forest Service authority and the inherent capability of the plan area as follows:...........................


§ 219.11 TIMBER REQUIREMENTS BASED ON THE NFMA.
While meeting the requirements of §§ 219.8 through 219.10, the plan must include plan components, including standards or guidelines, and other plan content regarding timber management within Forest Service authority and the inherent capability of the plan area, as follows:....................................


Multiple use recreation and timber production is allowed in the new rule but emphasis is placed on ecological sustainability. Any allowed timber production or recreation must comply with 219.8 and 219.9 (below) before they will be allowed. This is in direct violation of the Multiple Use Sustained Yield Act and is of great concern to CBU..

§ 219.8 SUSTAINABILITY.
The plan must provide for social, economic, and ecological sustainability within Forest Service authority and consistent with the inherent capability of the plan area, as follows:
(a) Ecological sustainability.

1. (1) Ecosystem Integrity.
2. (2) Air, soil, and water.
3. (3) Riparian areas.
4. (4) Best management practices for water quality.

219.9 DIVERSITY OF PLANT AND ANIMAL COMMUNITIES.
This section adopts a complementary ecosystem and species-specific approach to maintaining the diversity of plant and animal communities and the persistence of native species in the plan area. Compliance with the ecosystem requirements of paragraph (a) is intended to provide the ecological conditions to both maintain the diversity of plant and animal communities and support the persistence of most native species in the plan area. Compliance with the requirements of paragraph (b) is intended to provide for additional ecological conditions not otherwise provided by compliance with paragraph (a) for individual species as set forth in paragraph (b). The plan must provide for the diversity of plant and animal communities, within Forest Service authority and consistent with the inherent capability of the plan area, as follows:
(a) Ecosystem plan components.

1. (1) Ecosystem integrity.
2. (2) Ecosystem diversity.

(b) Additional, species-specific plan components.
(c) Species of conservation concern.

CBU will submit comments on the new rule and attempt to appeal many parts of this rule. There is no information provided for appeal of this rule. Read the final rule at the following link:

Forest Planning Rule



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