The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

The Nature Conservancy welcomes the release of the final national Forest Planning Rule (Rule) released by the U.S. Forest Service. The Final Rule is long overdue given the existing planning rule is 30 years old.

“The Forest Service should be complimented for producing a sorely needed Final Forest Planning Rule,” said Chris Topik, Restoring America’s Forests director for The Nature Conservancy. “Healthy forests support the well-being of our nation, yet half of the national forests are operating with out-of-date plans. We are glad the Forest Service has come out with a Final Rule that will allow new plans to be developed more efficiently. It is time for all Americans who love and use our wonderful National Forests to roll up our sleeves and get back to work restoring these lands and waters that provide so many life-giving services to America.”

Forests cover one-third of the United States; store and filter half the nation’s water supply; provide jobs to more than a million wood products workers; absorb nearly 20% of U.S. carbon emissions; offer 650 million acres of recreational lands that generate well over $15 billion in economic activity annually; and provide habitat for thousands of species across the country.

Yet our forests today face a “perfect storm” of threats, which took a century in the making:

1. Since the early 1900s we sought to suppress all natural wildfires; over decades this policy led to unhealthy forests choked with brush and small trees, resulting in the costly mega-fires we see today.
2. Current outbreaks of pests and pathogens further exacerbate this harm, along with a legacy of poorly planned logging roads, sprawling development, and a changing climate.
3. Many of our policies that are supposed to manage forests are causing gridlock. The result is forest restoration actions are lagging far behind the problems.

All told, The Nature Conservancy estimates 120 million acres of America’s forests –the size of California and West Virginia combined– are now in immediate need of restoration.

Science plays a clear role in the new plan. Decision makers will be required to inform their plan development with science, and be transparent about how science was used to inform their assessment, decision, and follow-up monitoring.

“The Forest Service should be complimented for producing a much needed Final Forest Planning Rule,” said Laura McCarthy, Senior Policy Advisor for The Nature Conservancy. “Healthy forests support the well-being of our nation, yet half of the national forests are operating with out-of-date plans. We are glad the Forest Service has come out with a Final Rule that will allow new plans to be developed more efficiently. It is time to roll up our sleeves and work with the agency to update these plans.”