February 2021 USDA Review of Pending Decisions

On February 1, 2021 Acting Under Secretary of Agriculture for Natural Resources and Environment Chris French issued a memorandum to the Forest Service requesting review of pending agency decisions for certain categories of management activities. The review is being conducted by USDA to assess applicable facts, law and policy in order to ensure that agency actions are aligned with Administration priorities as identified in recent Executive Orders, and to assist the Forest Service in fulfilling its multiple-use, sustained-yield mission in its stewardship of the National Forest System. The review is targeted at final agency decisions planned prior to March 31, 2021.

After the memorandum was issued, the Forest Service directed responsible officials to defer making final agency decisions on activities subject to the memo until such review can be completed. The Forest Service provided summary descriptions of projects meeting the criteria to USDA on the requested date of February 12. USDA is currently reviewing submitted projects.

We are aware there have been requests for reviews of other pending or completed Agency decisions that are outside the scope of the February 1, 2021 memorandum. In response USDA has requested the Forest Service provide information on a number of these additional project activities. As is common in any new administration, USDA will continue to engage with the Forest Service on a wide array of Agency management programs and activities and will consider providing additional direction to the Forest Service as deemed necessary and appropriate on a case-by-case basis.

USDA Memo to the Forest Service (.pdf, 134 KB)

Chief Memo to Regional Foresters (.pdf, 86 KB)

Table of Pending Decisions Under Review