SNFPA Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement

January 2004

Record of Decision

VIII. Implementation

I am providing the following transition direction to ensure the orderly implementation of the Forest Plan amendments that are made in this Record of Decision. My intention is to provide for ecological restoration of processes and enhance long-term ecological integrity, assure the most efficient and appropriate use of government resources, minimize costs to holders of existing government contracts and permits, avoid disruptions to local communities, and reduce the likelihood of confusion. I have considered and balanced each of these concerns in making my decision to issue this direction.

The amended Sierra Nevada National Forest Land and Resource Management Plans will be effective 30 days from the date on which notice of this decision is published in a newspaper of record. The new direction will apply to all project decisions made on or after the effective date of this amendment. The new direction does not apply to any projects that have decisions made prior to the effective date of this amendment. Projects currently under contract, permit, or other authorizing instrument, are not affected by the Forest Plan amendments. However, projects may be modified to adopt all or part of this direction where Forest officers deem it appropriate. Reissuance of existing authorizations will be treated as new decisions, which must be consistent with the new direction of the plan amendments adopted by this decision.