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<br />---., In sUJrunary, the _s for the San Juan forest Pla.nd the GMUG forest p~an d~ en <br />not adequately e~ain ~my the selected alternative provides the greatest net <br />"public benefits. Alternatives with lower levels of harvest are shown to meet <br />~IlVironm"ntill requirements and appear to have the same or similar present <br />. villue of benefits for range, developed recreiltion, other recreation I wilder- <br />ness, wildlife and water, but without the less filvorable costs and revenue <br />haracteristics of the selected illternative. <br />, , <br /> <br /> <br />, , / <br />DeCISIOn <br /> <br />'The Chief is.>Ji rprrco to. ,ensure t;11ilt the planning documents provide complete (j) <br />and adeyuate information concerning the economic implications of the various <br />alternatives and that the RODs explain clearly why the selected alternative <br />for each Forest is' felt to maximize net public benefits. The Regional Fores- <br />ter should consider all existing alternatives and develop new ones, if such is <br />necessary to explore the issues discussed in this decision, wi th appropriate@ <br />supplementation of the EIS, as needed. The Regional Forester is to orepare II <br />new RODs fully eXfllaining why the preferred alternatives maximize net publi.c <br />beneti ts, consistent with the principles described in this decision. <br /> <br />Tile 00 and other 1anninn docLUnents should also include a discussion of, or a<l~ <br />reference to, t e steps that wil e taken to reduce timber costs and/or en- <br />hance revenues while meeting appropriate multiple use objectives and dependen/:";'\ <br />cy needs of local corrullunities./6 The pffpr.t" t-hrlt" s\lrh ~t-pos, if successful, \.,@; <br />would have on improving the economic efficiency of tile timber program should <br />be evaluilted and explained. , <br /> <br />The Chief's decision for the San Juan directs the Regional Forester r.: SUFPl:- <br />ment the record wi th information on timber demand projections in the area. By t.U\ <br />this decision the Regional Forester is also directed to discuss in the plan- tt!/ <br />nin(j records the circumstances under which increased demands (and presumably <br />increases in timber prices associated with those increased demands) would lead <br />to increuses in timber sales offerings during the plan period. The effect of <br />;orojected pr ice increases on economic efficiency and decisions to increase t;\ <br />timber sale l,=vels should be discussed as well.. IE cit"c\\m<;t;mrp~ other than, ~ <br />or in addition to, increases in timber prices may lead to increases in nation- <br />al forest timber sales offerings during the plan period, these circumstances <br />should also be discussed. ' <br /> <br /> <br />The ChieE's (lecisions for both the San Juan and the GMUG appeals indicate that <br />the E:IS ilnd Dlan contain no indication that the suitability analysis required <br />by JG em 219.l2(b) (2) (l.982) (Stage II analysis) is available. The Chief <br />then di reets, the Regional forester to supplement the FEIS wi th the appropriate <br />reference to the existence of the Stage II analysis in the planning records. rIi:\ <br />This direction is appropriate but insufficient. 'I11e StaGe II analvsis shoul~ <br />provide both decisionmakers and the public with information about the specific <br />areas On the forest ,,,here mana(jement for timber would be the most cost effi- <br />_cient. It also provides important information about the economic efficiency <br />.~f various ~al:d mal:agement pre~criptions when applied to srecific lands. It /,~ <br />15 not suffICient Just to require a reference to the plannIng records. The lJ.jI, <br />Forests sllOU1(] c1 i ~r"~<: the results and impl ications of this economic analysis <br />in a WilY tlli1t. is meaningful to tile public and should describe in the planning <br />documents how this information was used in the formulation of alternatives in <br />, <br />the <lev,",lopnent and selection of prescriptions to be applied to specific lands <br /> <br />,'. <br /> <br />- 10 - <br /> <br />.'..-:......... <br /> <br />.- <br />