US FOREST SERVICE REGIONAL ROUNDTABLE

Planning Rule Revision

Photographer: Bill Lea

Opening Presentation

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

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

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

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

Planning Rule 101

Project or Activity Decision

Land Management Plans (Forests/Grasslands)

USFS Planning Rule

National Forest Management Act

We are here: USFS is

revising the Planning Rule

Planning Rule v. Forest Plan

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

Planning Rule – Provides guidance on how to plan

Forest Plans – Provides guidance on how to manage a National Forest

How a Planning Rule is WrittenProposed

Rule Planning

Phase

Final Rule Planning

Phase

Rule Implementa

tion

Proposed Rule

Planning Phase

Final Rule Planning

Phase

Rule Implementa

tion

How a Planning Rule is Written

Traditional NEPA: Issue Notice of Intent (NOI) & 60 Days Public Comment

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

NOI

DRAFT

How a Planning Rule is Written

Publish Final Planning RuleFinal Draft Environmental Impact Statement &Record of Decision

FINAL

Proposed Rule

Planning Phase

Final Rule Planning

Phase

Rule Implementa

tion

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

How a Planning Rule is Written

Desired Outcome: A planning rule that is successful and practical and supported by stakeholders

Proposed Rule

Planning Phase

Final Rule Planning

Phase

Rule Implementa

tion

Enhanced Collaborative ProcessNotice of Intent

Tribal Consultation

and collaboration

National Roundtables

Rule and EIS

Team

Science Forum

Formal Comment Period

USFS Blog and online discussion

Enhanced Collaboration in this ProcessTRADITIONAL NEPA

Internal collaboration and

interagency collaboration

Regional Roundtables

What Happens Next and When?

Enhanced Collaborative ProcessMeeting Summaries on Planning

Rule Website One Week After Meetings

Rule and EIS

Team

Additional Stakeholder Engagemen

t

Proposed Rule and DEIS Alternatives

Expected Dec. 2010

Rule Finalization and

ImplementationExpected Nov. 2011

FINAL

DRAFT

What will go into the final rule?Ideas will be

considered if:o Legalo Within our jurisdictiono Feasible

Enhanced Collaborative

Process

Rule Finalization and

Implementation

Rule DevelopmentUSFS reviews and adjustsUSDA reviews and adjustsOMB and other agencies

review and adjustFinal decision made by the Under Secretary of Natural Resources and Environment

FINAL

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

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

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?

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?”

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

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

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

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?

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?

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?

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?

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?

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?

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)?

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?

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?