National Forest Planning Opportunities for Integration

1. National Forest PlanningOpportunities for Integration Sierra Water Workgroup Summit 2013 Kings Beach, CA Don YasudaRegional Analyst USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region dyasuda@fs.fed.us

2. 18 National Forest units in the Pacific Southwest Region 21 million acres Headwaters of most major rivers About 50% of the runoff in the state Affected by climate change CALIFORNIA’S NATIONAL FORESTS

3. Replaces 1982 Planning Rule after many attempts to update (1995, 1999, 2000, 2005, 2008) • Streamlined, adaptive planning process • Strengthened public and agency involvement • Best-Available Scientific Information AND local, national, native knowledge • Landscape context to Forest Plans • Focus on restoration and resilience • Two-tier monitoring strategy 2012 National Forest Planning Rule

4. Land Management Plans provide for: Long-term health & productivity of land Multiple-use of renewable resources in perpetuity Sustainable, integrated resource management Watersheds with ecological integrity Capacity to provide ecosystem services These services include… clean water …. Compliance with Clean Water Act National Forest Plans

5. Assessment Plan Revision Monitoring Implementation Planning process Three Phase Planning Process that is Continuous….

6. Assessment Plan Amendments Plan Revision Monitoring Implementation Planning process Simplified process for Plan Amendments – essential for adaptive management

7. The 2012 Planning Rule directs that forest plans provide for social, economic, and ecological sustainabilitywithin Forest Service authority and consistent with the inherent capability of the plan area. Planning process

8. Sustainability is the capability to meet the needs of the present generation, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Planning process

9. Plan Revisions are programmatic in nature and do not make site specific decisions. • Forest Plans consist of one decision that includes five Plan Components: • Desired Conditions • Objectives • Suitability of Uses • Standards • Guidelines PLANNING PROCESS

10. And other plan content such as: • Management Area’s /Zones / Places / Geographic Areas • Recommended Area’s (Wilderness, Wild &Scenic, etc.) • Priority Watersheds • Distinctive Roles and Contributions • Monitoring Plans Planning process

11. Required for all phases of plan development Outreach required to tribes, Federal and State agencies, local governments, individuals, public and private organizations Consultation with tribes if requested Incorporation of native knowledge and land ethics Coordination with other planning efforts PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

12. “From this point forward, Ecological Restoration will be the central driver of wildland and forest stewardship in the Pacific Southwest Region, across all program areas and activities. Future Land and Resource Management Plans, other strategic plans and project plans will identify Ecological Restoration as a core objective. Our Ecological Restoration work will include coordination and support for all wildlands and forests in the Region to promote an “all lands” approach to restoration. It will lead to a new way of doing business with our partners and neighbors, to coordinate work and priorities across forests and wildlands regardless of ownership.” REGIONAL LEADERSHIP INTENT, ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION

13. CBC Resolution on Strengthening Agency Alignment for Natural Resource Collaboration. • Establishes Interagency committee to identify opportunities, and coordinate: • Alignment activities • Use of common terminology and metrics • Portability and usability of data/documents across agencies • Inventory and sharing of natural resource data • Streamlining public involvement processes CA Biodiversity CouncilResolution