In November 2001, the Chief of the Forest Service completed his review of the 200+ appeals of the Sierra Nevada Forest Plan Amendment (SNFPA). The Chief affirmed the SNFPA, and directed the Pacific Southwest Region to review certain aspects of the plan, including several concerns raised in the appeals.

The SNFPA Review Team concluded its review in March 2003 with a final set of recommendations for improvements to the Regional Forester. The new information and analysis of any improvements being considered was documented in a Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (Draft SEIS). The Draft SEIS presented a range of alternatives being considered, including the Forest Service's preferred alternative which would continue the SNFPA's preservation of old, large trees and more effectively reduce the risk of wildfire that threatens old forests, wildlife habitat, watersheds and communities. A 90-day public review and comment period on the Draft SEIS closed on September 12, 2003.

The Regional Forester's decision will be documented in a new Record of Decision that will accompany the final supplement to the EIS in late January 2004.

The SNFPA is currently still in effect and national forests are continuing with implementation by aggressively treating fuels, and protecting old forests, wildlife habitat and watersheds.