FYI… USFS PR today….
A correction has been issued to extend the comment period to February 2, 2024, for the USDA Forest Service published Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement on the proposal to amend the 17 land management plans of the Northwest Forest Plan (NWFP) that provides direction for the management of those national forests and grasslands. The Federal Register notice with the correction can be found here.
The Notice of Intent identifies changed conditions that are driving the need to amend the plan. The Forest Service is focusing on five key areas: wildfire resilience, climate change adaptation, tribal inclusion, sustainable communities, and conservation of old growth ecosystems and related biodiversity. Amending or otherwise strengthening the effectiveness of the Northwest Forest Plan can incorporate the latest science and help forests adapt to social, economic, cultural, and ecological changes. The Forest Service intends to preserve the elements of the plan that are working well.
Upcoming webinars have been planned to share more information about the Northwest Forest Plan and the Notice of Intent. Please join us this month for one of our Informational Winter Webinars scheduled for you to learn more about the Northwest Forest Plan, the current amendment effort and how to provide comments to the Forest Service. All webinars will provide the same presentation but offer a choice of different days and times to accommodate schedules. There will be limited time for questions and unofficial feedback. We anticipate principally being able to respond to basic questions about the commenting process. Feedback shared at these webinars will not be considered official comments for purposes of standing to file objections. Formal comments must be submitted electronically via our comment page by February 2, 2024. While we strongly prefer submission to our comment page, hard copy letters may be also be submitted to the following address: Regional Forester, Region 6, U.S. Forest Service, Attn: Northwest Forest Plan Comments, 1220 SW 3rd Ave., Portland, OR, 97204.
An additional official comment period will also follow the draft Environmental Impact Statement, currently estimated to be available by summer of 2024.
Note: Because the NWFP is a landscape-scale plan covering 24 million acres, the amendment and webinars will not be addressing things such recreation, hunting, grazing or permits or other forest-specific uses. Select the webinar that works best for you to register for the access link.
January Informational Winter Webinars:
- Wed, Jan 17, 5:30-7pm, Join Jan. 17 Webinar
- Sat, Jan 20, 1-2:30pm, Join Jan 20 Webinar
- Tues, Jan 23, 10-11:30am, Join Jan 23 Webinar
- Thurs, Jan 25, 12-1:30 pm, Join Jan 25 Webinar
February’s Virtual Open House will provide an additional opportunity to learn about the Northwest Forest Plan Amendment and offer more time for questions of a panel of agency staff working on the amendment.
February Virtual Open House: Thurs, Feb 8, 5-7pm, Join Feb 8 Open House
Continue to stay updated on the progress and additional information about the Northwest Forest Plan Amendment: https://www.fs.
The Northwest Forest Plan covers 24.5 million acres of federally managed lands in western Oregon and Washington, and northwestern California. It was established in 1994 to address threats to threatened and endangered species while also contributing to social and economic sustainability in the region. After nearly 30 years, the Northwest Forest Plan needs to be updated to accommodate changed ecological and social conditions.