Review Decision on the Cheif's Appeal Decision, Arapahoe & Roosevelt Natl. Forests

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standards and guides requiring supplemental EIS, and alternative to maximize water yield. I affirm, with clarifications and instructions, the Chief's decision to affirm the Regional Forester regarding these eight issues. I agree with the Chief's analysis of a maximum water yield management alternative. I incorporate all of the Chief's analysis and conclusions regarding this issue into this decision by reference, noting that, although the forest is not legally required to include water yield as a forest management objective, water yield should be considered when developing vegetation management strategies and decisions. Clarification and instructions are necessary with respect to the remaining three topics and related issues. Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland Revised Land and Resource Management Plan The ARNFPNG Revised Plan was prepared under the Multiple -Use Sustained -Yield Act (MUSYA), the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act (RPA) of 1974 as amended by the National Forest Management Act (NFMA) (16 U.S.C. 1600 et seq.), the implementing regulations of the NFMA (36 CFR 219), and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and its implementing regulations (40 CFR 1500- 1508). The original Forest Plan for the ARNFPNG was approved in 1985. The NFMA requires such plans to be revised at least every 15 years; revision of the 1985 ARNFPNG Plan satisfies this requirement. The Revised Plan is a programmatic framework for management of the ARNFPNG, an administrative unit of the National Forest System. The Record of Decision (ROD) (p. 56) and the Revised Plan (Introduction pp. i —vi) explain what the Revised Plan is and what it is not. The Regional Forester appropriately identifies and subsequently discusses six fundamental components of all LRMPs (ROD, p. 18). The Revised Plan (Chapter 1, pp. 1 -3) defines forest -wide goals and objectives. These are subsequently elaborated in greater detail throughout the remainder of the Revised Plan. Programmatic standards and guidelines, to follow in pursuit of the goals, also are articulated. Detailed Discussion of the Issue Water Resources Management and Special Use Authorizations There are four basic cornerstones to managing water resources on National Forest System lands. First, the Department recognizes and respects the authority of states to allocate water available for appropriation, and to manage water quality under the Clean Water Act. Second, the Department respects valid, existing water rights. Third, the Department, through the USDA Forest Service, is responsible for managing water uses on National Forest System lands consistent with both state and federal law as provided under the Organic Administration Act of 1897, 30 Stat.11. Fourth, water uses on National Forest System lands should be managed through cooperation with states, other 0