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US Forest Service Regional Roundtable

Join photographer Bill Lea at the US Forest Service Regional Roundtable to learn about the planning rule revision, enhanced collaboration, and the importance of stakeholder input. Be part of the dialogue on improving forest management.

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US Forest Service Regional Roundtable

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  1. US Forest Service Regional Roundtable Photographer: Bill Lea Planning Rule Revision

  2. Opening Presentation • Why We are Here • Planning Rule 101 • How a Rule is Written • Enhanced Collaboration • Update on Other Meetings • Today’s Meeting

  3. Why We are Here • Secretary Vilsack has charged the Forest Service to develop a new planning rule that is more responsive to current forest management challenges • Better forest management will be achieved through collaboration with stakeholders • These meetings are a first step

  4. Time for a Change • There are new resource management challenges that the current planning rule does not address • Current planning process is taking too long • Previous rule-making efforts have faced legal challenges

  5. We Need Your Help • We know there were concerns with previous efforts to revise the rule • We want to do it differently this time • To build a robust rule we need your input

  6. Planning Rule 101 We are here: USFS is revising the Planning Rule

  7. Planning Rule v. Forest Plan Planning Rule – Provides guidance on how to plan Forest Plans – Provides guidance on how to manage a National Forest • Minimum content of Forest Plans • When & how plans are revised • When & how plans are amended • Who makes the plan decisions • How the public is involved • Analysis, assessment, or evaluation requirements • How the decisions are subject to appeals or objections • Relationship of plans to projects • Multiple use goals and objectives • Management requirements (standards and guidelines) • Management Areas • Designation of suitable timber land • Wilderness recommendations • Monitoring and evaluation requirements

  8. How a Planning Rule is Written

  9. How a Planning Rule is Written Traditional NEPA: Issue Notice of Intent (NOI) & 60 Days Public Comment NOI DRAFT New This Time: Enhanced collaboration with citizens, stakeholders, scientists, other agencies, and Tribal Consultation and collaboration Publish Proposed Planning Rule & Draft Environmental Impact Statement DRAT

  10. How a Planning Rule is Written Traditional NEPA: 60 Days of Public Comment on Proposed Planning Rule & Draft Environmental Impact Statement DRAFT New This Time: Enhanced collaboration with citizens, stakeholders, scientists, other agencies, and Tribal Consultation and collaboration • Publish Final Planning Rule • Final Draft Environmental Impact Statement & • Record of Decision FINAL

  11. How a Planning Rule is Written • Desired Outcome: A planning rule that is successful and practical and supported by stakeholders

  12. Enhanced Collaborative Process Notice of Intent Formal Comment Period Rule and EIS Team USFS Blog and online discussion National Roundtables Enhanced Collaboration in this Process TRADITIONAL NEPA Science Forum Regional Roundtables Internal collaboration and interagency collaboration Tribal Consultation and collaboration

  13. What Happens Next and When? Rule and EIS Team Proposed Rule and DEIS Alternatives Expected Dec. 2010 Additional Stakeholder Engagement DRAFT Enhanced Collaborative Process Meeting Summaries on Planning Rule Website One Week After Meetings Rule Finalization and Implementation Expected Nov. 2011 FINAL

  14. What will go into the final rule? Ideas will be considered if: • Legal • Within our jurisdiction • Feasible Enhanced Collaborative Process Rule Development USFS reviews and adjusts USDA reviews and adjusts OMB and other agencies review and adjust Final decision made by the Under Secretary of Natural Resources and Environment Rule Finalization and Implementation FINAL

  15. Science Forum • 21 Scientists presented over the course of two days • Drivers of Ecosystems • Planning, Managing and Measuring at the Landscape Level • Plant and Animal Diversity • Social, Cultural and Economic Dimensions • Science of Planning • Report available on web April 10

  16. First National Roundtable • 100 participants gathered for a two day discussion on how the planning rule should address: • Watershed Health • Restoration • Climate Change • Plant and Animal Diversity • Recreation • Contribution to vibrant local economies • Summary report available on web April 13

  17. What we are going to do today • Create a robust dialogue on what should be in a new planning rule • When we leave here today, we want to know: • Key themes of what you think should be in a planning rule • Where do opinions overlap? • Where do opinions differ?

  18. What we are expecting of you • Draw on your own experience and perspective to inform today’s discussion • Be respectful of the many different viewpoints and voices in the room • Think of these issues on a national scale • Always ask yourself, “How should the planning rule address this challenge?”

  19. Agenda for the meeting • Identify topic areas of highest interest to meeting participants – topic areas identified in Notice of Intent (NOI) or other topics • Facilitated discussion of key topic areas • Opportunity to fill out written/email comment forms during session

  20. Topics/Questions from NOI • Substantive Topic Areas: • Restoration & Conservation • Climate Change • Watershed Health / Water Resources • Plant and Animal Diversity • Contribution to Local, Vibrant Economies • Recreation

  21. Topics/Questions from NOI • Process Topic Areas: • Collaboration and Coordination with stakeholders (public, agency, organization) • “All-Lands” Approach • Planning Process & Revisions • Improving timeliness and efficiency • Process reflect regional differences? • Adaptive management – plan evaluation – plan revisions • Other Topics

  22. Restoration & Conservation • How can the next planning rule foster restoration of national forest system lands? • How should the planning rule address conservation efforts that may enhance ecosystem resiliency and prevent degradation?

  23. Climate Change • How can the planning rule be proactive and innovative in addressing climate change adaptation and mitigation? • What, if any, climate change assumptions should be used in the development of plan alternatives?

  24. Watersheds & Water • What should the planning rule say about watershed health and water resources? • Conduct planning on a watershed basis? • Include planning or management guidance to protect and enhance water resources? • Require forest plans to adhere to best management practices? • How might the USFS take into account water quality and availability factors outside of the agency’s control?

  25. Diversity of Plants & Animals • At what landscape scale should the USFS analyze and provide for diversity of plants and animals (individual unit, watershed, landscape scale)? • How should the planning rule guide monitoring and protection of at-risk species and their habitats? • How should plans address conditions outside of the agency’s control?

  26. Economic Contributions • What should the planning rule say about how plans should address provision of goods and services that contribute to local and regional economies? • How can the rule reflect the interdependency of social, economic and ecological systems in a way that supports sustainable management of NFS lands? • How can the planning rule address the sustainable delivery of ecosystem services?

  27. Recreation • What should the planning rule say about recreation uses of NFS lands? • What should the rule say about places of interest? • What should the rule say about access, visitor facilities and services?

  28. Collaboration & Cooperation • What is the best way to involve stakeholders in the planning process? • How should planning be coordinated with other agencies and governments? • What kind of administrative review process should be offered to the public in the planning rule (e.g., timing and method to object or appeal)?

  29. All-Lands Approach? • Should the USFS planning process move to an all-lands approach? For example, should the planning rule require forest plans to: • Evaluate how land management off of NFS lands affects forest resources? • Propose landscape goals for larger geographic areas that include NFS and other lands? • Include a description of the NFS unit’s distinctive roles and contributions to the local area, State, region, nation?

  30. Planning Process Improvements • Do you have ideas for making the planning process faster, more straight-forward? • Should the planning rule support creation of vision for each planning area that is shared by the public, with strategic goals, objectives and actions that would achieve that vision? • Should the planning rule allow different regions to choose among several types of planning processes?

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