Today the Forest Service announced the final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) for the planning rule, bringing us one step closer to a new rule. It's been a long journey since we published the Notice of Intent in December 2009 and asked for your help to develop a new planning rule. We've held over 63 public meetings across the country and received over 325,000 comments between our discussions on the NOI and the proposed rule and DEIS. On behalf of Forest Service leadership and the Planning Rule Team, I want to thank each of you for your participation in this rule making effort to date.
After receiving and considering 300,000 comments on the draft environmental impact statement and proposed rule, the Forest Service developed Modified Alternative A as the preferred alternative. The preferred alternative includes the same concepts and underlying principles as the proposed rule, with a number of changes to rule text and organization in response to public comments. The preferred alternative reflects the diversity of input the Forest Service received throughout the rulemaking process from the public, Tribes, scientists, and all parts of the Agency. It meets the need for a collaborative and science-based planning process that will guide management of National Forest System lands so they are ecologically sustainable and contribute to social and economic sustainability.
The Under Secretary of Agriculture will review the alternatives in the PEIS and issue a final rule and record of decision in approximately 30 days. There will be several opportunities for you to continue to contribute to the planning process once a final rule is issued. We'll be developing directives to provide more specific direction on how to consistently implement the new rule, and the public will have an opportunity to comment on the directives before they're finalized. Most importantly, forests and grasslands will soon begin revising and amending their plans under the new rule and you'll have opportunities to be involved throughout those processes.
We are also forming a Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) committee to continue to engage a diverse and broad set of interests in the planning process. The FACA committee will work to incorporate lessons learned and best practices into the planning process and provide advice on the development of the directives. You'll find the application form for nomination at http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/planningrule/faca. The 45-day nomination period closes February 21, 2012.
I encourage you to visit the Planning Rule website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/planningrule to review the PEIS, a video message from the Chief, and some frequently asked questions.
Thank you again for your interest in the Forest Service and in the planning rule. Your continued participation in land management planning is critical to our success.
Sincerely,
Tony Tooke
Director, Ecosystem Management Coordination
Comments