Proposed USDA Forest Service Planning Rule

Last week, the USDA Forest Service unveiled its proposed Planning Rule which would establish a new national framework to develop land management plans for our National Forests that protect water and wildlife and promote vibrant communities. The proposed rule is the result of an open, collaborative rulemaking process that began in December 2009. The rule was published in the Federal Register on Monday, kicking off a 90-day comment period ending May 16.

Forest Service land management plans guide management activities on the 155 National Forests and 20 Grasslands in the National Forest System which cover approximately eight percent of our nation’s landmass. National Forests are the source of one-fifth of the nation’s drinking water and together with non-federal forests capture and store enough carbon every year to offset 11 percent of the nation’s industrial greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, hundreds of millions of Americans visit National Forests and Grasslands annually, with 98 percent of these lands offering free access, and hundreds of communities depend on National Forests to support their local economy. The proposed rule aims to maintain public access to the outdoors and protect these important sources of clean air and water for future generations as well as provide a collaborative and science-based framework for creating land management plans that would support ecological sustainability and contribute to rural job opportunities.

The proposed rule includes new provisions to guide forest restoration and resilience, the protection of water resources, habitat protection, sustainable recreation, and management for multiple uses of the National Forest System, including outdoor recreation, grazing, timber, water, wildlife, wilderness, energy, mining, and ecosystem services.

http://www.spinics.net/lists/usda/msg01873.html

Reply Quote