Post on 11-Jan-2016
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?