New Planning Rule Issued for National Forest System

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack released a Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) for the National Forest System Land Management Planning Rule.  The planning rule will create a new design for managing national forest lands in the future.  The new rule will be the fourth attempt since 2000 to update the forest planning guidelines in place since 1982.  USDA's preferred alternative would require the use of the best scientific information, while pushing for greater collaboration through public involvement and dialogue when developing new plans for land and resource development.  Some groups have expressed concerns that the new rule will weaken protections for wildlife and create an undue burden on states to meet the requirements.