Here’s a new report from Defenders of Wildlife providing a checklist for evaluating the impending 2011 forest planning rule: Defenders’ Planning Checklist in PDF.
This is sure to be the first of several upcoming evaluations and critiques, and we’ll post those here as well.
I don’t see any big surprises here. The group is obviously focused on a mandatory species viability standard, but it also calls for an “external factors” exception to the standard when necessary, such as when activities on private land threaten a species on an adjacent national forest. This is something that Sharon has written about on the blog. Also included in this section is a call for a “non-discretionary monitoring program to ensure that habitat is supporting viable populations.”
Lots more of course. Including a section, close to my heart, calling for a strong framework of national standards, guidelines, and objectives.
And here’s the report on the Defenders’ blog: http://experts.defendersblog.org/2011/02/obama%E2%80%99s-forest-rule-a-checklist-for-success-from-defenders-of-wildlife/