Tongass National Forest

Planning Regulations

The 1997 Forest Plan was developed following the 1982 National Forest Management Act (NFMA) Planning Regulations; however the Forest Service issued new regulations in January 2005. The 2005 Planning Regulations include provisions for transition of Forest Plans that were revised, or were in the process of revision prior to the issuance of the new regulations. The Tongass is in the process of transitioning to the new regulations and is on schedule to complete this effort by January 2008. The Ninth Circuit Court decision was based on procedures under the 1982 regulations. Even though it is not absolutely clear which regulations the Tongass should ultimately use, the current planning strategy is to continue work under the 1982 Planning Regulations. The work being undertaken in the Forest Plan adjustment and update would be common to either planning regulation. Appropriate public notifications regarding use of planning regulations will be made throughout this adjustment and update project.

The Forest Service is currently proposing to amend the transition language of the 2005 Planning Regulations to allow the Tongass National Forest to use either the 1982 or the 2005 regulations for adjusting the Forest Plan in response to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. See the News Release, dated January 4, 2006.

Key References:

1982 NFMA Planning Regulations – description of the 1982 NFMA Planning Regulations.

2005 NFMA Planning Regulations – the final revised planning regulations, as published in the Federal Register on January 5, 2005.

2005 NFMA Planning Directives – interim directives issued by the Forest Service to establish procedures and responsibilities for implementing the new planning regulations.

Technical Information for Planning (TIPs) Web Site – a publicly accessible repository for all current National Forest System planning technical guidance