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002525 Forest Planning A land and resource management plan guides management activities on NFS lands. It contains directions on how and where different types of activities can occur. It also provides guidance on how to implement and monitor the effectiveness of the Plan. The DE IS contains an analysis of a number of different ways to implement the Forest Plan. These different ways to implement the Plan are called alternatives. The DEIS contains six alternatives. Each of these alternatives can be considered to be a separate and complete forest plan. Alternative D, the Preferred Alternative, represents the Forest's choice of the most appropriate way to manage the White River National Forest. We have been implementing the existing Forest Plan since it was approved in 1984. Monitoring of the existing Plan showed that there were several reasons to update or revise it. These reasons include new laws and policies, better data and information systems, changing uses, and new issues and public concerns. We began wor\< on revising the existing Forest Plan several years ago. Many laws and policies guide national forest management. Some of the more familiar ones include the National Forest Management Act (NFMA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). NFMA requires that NFS lands be managed for a variety of uses on a sustained basis to ensure a continued supply of goods and services to the American people. NEPA ensures that environmental information is made available to public officials and citizens before decisions are made and before actions are taken. The DEIS was prepared according to NEPA regulations. It displays the alternatives considered for implementing the Forest Plan and the environmental consequences each alternative will have. In addition to existing guidance, new policies and laws needed to be incorporated into the revised Forest Plan. In 1993, Congress passed the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA), which strives to increase the accountability of federal agencies by measuring progress toward achievement of agency goals and objectives. This legislation, applicable to all federal agencies, requires the preparation of periodic strategic and annual performance plans that are focused on outcomes and results. To implement GPRA, the Forest Service issued a strategic plan in 1997. It centers on three main goals that apply to the management of all NFS lands: . ensure sustainable ecosystems . provide multiple benefits for people within the capabilities of ecosystems . ensure organizational effectiveness. The revised Forest Plan will focus on these goals. In addition, the Forest Service has been directed to manage the Forest using an ecological approach. Together, these laws and policies helped shape the draft planning documents. -- 5 --