Northwest Forest Plan Review

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why is the Forest Service reviewing the Northwest Forest Plan (NWFP)?

2. What area is covered by the review?

3. Who conducted the review?

4. How can I find out more about the review?

5. How can I find out more about the National Fire Plan?

6. How can I find out more about the Northwest Forest Plan?

Why is the Forest Service reviewing the Northwest Forest Plan (NWFP)?

There are two purposes for the 2003 review.

1. To identify areas in which the Forest Service can improve its management under the NWFP to more closely accomplish the ecological outcomes and social outputs envisioned when the NWFP was adopted in 1994.

2. To identify ways to improve accomplishment of the National Fire Plan goals to protect communities, watersheds and wildlife habitats.

What area is covered by the review?

The Pacific Southwest Region of the USDA Forest Service is reviewing the accomplishments of the California national forests that are managed under the Northwest Forest Plan. These are the Klamath, Shasta-Trinity, Six Rivers, and Mendocino National Forests and portions of the Modoc and Lassen National Forests that are within the range of the northern spotted owl.

The Northwest Forest Plan applies to management of federal lands within the range of the northwest spotted owl. In the United States, the range of the northern spotted owl includes lands in Washington, Oregon and northern California. These lands are managed by the USDA Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management. The Pacific Southwest Region review is looking only at the implementation of the Northwest Forest Plan in the northern California national forests.

Who conducted the review?

Pacific Southwest Regional Forester Jack Blackwell reviewed Northwest Forest Plan with the assistance of forest ecologist Jack Ward Thomas who led teams of scientists that laid the groundwork for the Northwest Forest Plan. Forest supervisors, district rangers and staff from the California national forests also assisted with the review.

How can I find out more about the review?

This web site is the best source of current information. On it you will find summaries of meetings and field trips held during the review, presentations on sustainability and on the role of line officers made by Jack Ward Thomas during the review, and links to Northwest Forest Plan related information.

After the review, Jack Ward Thomas will report his observations, the Forest Service will present findings from the review and develop an action plan to address concerns raised during the review. All of these will be posted on the web site.

See the "Contact Us" section of this web site for information on contacting specific forest offices by postal mail, phone, or email.

How can I find out more about the National Fire Plan?

The National Fire Plan web site is good source of information: http://www.fireplan.gov

How can I find out more about the Northwest Forest Plan?

The Regional Ecosystem Office (REO) web site, http://www.reo.gov/general/aboutNWFP.htm, has links to the NWFP Record of Decision, the standards and guidelines and to accomplishment reports for the entire NWFP area.

USDA Forest Service - Northwest Forest Plan Review
Last Modified: Thursday, 23 October 2003 at 09:36:37 EDT