US Forest Service announces strategy to replace large airtankers for wildfire efforts

WASHINGTON, Feb. 10, 2012—The U.S. Forest Service announced today a strategy, developed with input from the Department of the Interior, to replace the fleet of aging air tankers used to battle wildfires with a next generation of newer, faster, more cost-effective large airtankers.

CEQ and Forest Service announce project to improve efficiency of federal environmental reviews

WASHINGTON, Feb. 9, 2012—The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) today announced a new National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Pilot project under an initiative launched in March 2011 to increase the quality and efficiency of Federal environmental reviews and reduce costs.  CEQ has selected a U.S. Forest Service proposal to develop NEPA best practices for forest restoration projects using lessons learned from two restoration projects currently being analyzed in Arizona and Oregon.

Restoration and Job Creation

Forest Service highlights funding for Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration projects

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2, 2012—Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced a new report, Increasing the Pace of Restoration and Job Creation on our National Forests, that outlines a strategy and series of actions for management on 193 million acres of national forests and grasslands managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

 

 

 

 

Planning Rule

New forest planning rule seeks restoration through science, collaboration

WASHINGTON, Jan. 26, 2012—Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today signaled the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s intent to issue a new planning rule for America’s 193-million acre National Forest System that seeks to deliver stronger protections for forests, water, and wildlife while supporting the economic vitality of our rural communities, by releasing online a Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) for the National Forest System Land Management Planning Rule. Today’s action honors the commitment made by Secretary Vilsack in his 2009 speech on forest management, and by the President in the America’s Great Outdoors Report.

Learn more about the Planning Rule

• Planning Rule teleconference recording (26 January 2012)
• Applications being accepted for members to serve on National Advisory Committee for Implementation of the new planning rule
• Planning Rule 101
• Proposed Rule (PDF) and Draft Environmental Impact Statement
• Frequently Asked Questions
• CEQ Planning Rule Blog

Alaska, California, Idaho, New Mexico and Puerto Rico national forests selected as first to implement a new planning rule

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1, 2012—The U.S. Forest Service today announced eight national forests that will be the first to revise their land management plans using a new National Forest System Planning Rule, after it is finalized in the months ahead.

Faces of the Forest: Alex Asai
Alex Asai is a civil engineer on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest in Vancouver, Wash. He is also an avid athlete and took six months off from work to hike the Pacific Crest Trail from Mexico to Canada. It took Asai five months to hike the 2,650 miles, which also included a trek through the Gifford Pinchot National Forest near the end of his excursion.

US Forest Service to host 7th annual “Virtual Summit”

For the seventh year in a row, thinkers and leaders from the U.S. Forest Service will team up with partners across the country to discuss sustainable operations affecting the agency.

US Forest Service publishes dual language booklet for Native Alaskans for first time

Partnering with a local Alaskan native community, the U.S. Forest Service has for the first time published a dual language booklet in English and a native Alaskan language, Yup’ik, to help educate the greater community in Southwestern Alaska on invasive species.

Keeping Wilderness Wild

When the first Europeans settled in what is now the United States, they found a continent of extensive wildlands. In less than 500 years, the undeveloped nature of these wildlands has been reduced significantly. 

Wounded warrior finds ‘perfect’ career fit through U.S. Forest Service internship

Jerry Broesch was drawn to the military time and again for the simple reason that he liked it. It made him feel useful, and like he was part of something.

Featured in Smithsonian Magazine: Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument

Managed by the U.S. Forest Service, the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument provides outstanding recreation, research, and education opportunities — and has a key mission to protect the public in downstream communities.

Volunteers make a difference on the historic Iron Goat Trail

The Iron Goat Trail occupies the upper and lower sections of an abandoned Great Northern Railway grade.  Hikers enjoy the trail today, thanks to the vision of Volunteers for Outdoor Washington and the Forest Service.

Praise for charting a new direction on national forests

Last week, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack and I announced our intent for finalizing a new planning rule to govern management of the National Forest System. The 193 million acres of national forests and grasslands are critical to President Obama’s vision of an economy built to last, providing clean air, clean water, habitat for wildlife, opportunities for healthy outdoor recreation, jobs and growth in rural communities, and a range of other benefits for all Americans.

Local ski communities to get boost in year-round resort use

The Ski Area Recreational Opportunity Enhancement Act of 2011, signed late this year by President Barack Obama, permits year-round recreation opportunities on U.S. Forest Service ski areas. The change is estimated to sustain up to 600 extra jobs and bring in a total of an additional $40 million to local communities in direct spending. Potential permitted activities may include zip lines, mountain bike terrain parks and trails, Frisbee golf courses, and ropes courses.

America’s national forests and grasslands have a large economic impact

Because of forest activities, thousands of jobs are supported in hundreds of rural communities. A recent survey shows visitors spend $13 billion directly in those communities within 50 miles of the national forests and grasslands.