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Because of your past interest in the work of the Forest Service to update its rules and guidance regarding land management planning for National Forests and Grasslands, we wanted to inform you of an important milestone.  The Forest Service, today, released proposed planning directives for public review and comment.  These directives are the key set of agency guidance documents that direct implementation of the 2012 Planning Rule. 

In developing the 2012 Planning Rule, the Agency received extensive input from the public, including more than 300,000 comments.  Now that the proposed directives have been drafted, feedback from the public is sought and encouraged to help the Agency develop final directives.  The Agency's intent is to ensure an adaptive land management planning process that is inclusive, efficient, collaborative and science-based to promote healthy, resilient, diverse and productive National Forests and Grasslands.

The proposed directives will support consistent approaches to achieving the broad goals of the 2012 Planning Rule.  A copy of the proposal can be obtained at http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/planningrule/directives, at any regional Forest Service office or by calling (202) 205-1449.  The comment period closes 60 days after publication of a notice of availability in the Federal Register, estimated to be on or about February 20.

Sincerely,

Tony Tooke

Director, Ecosystem Management Coordination