Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests Plan Revision
The Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests are currently in the process of revising their Forest Plan using the 2012 Forest Planning Rule for the National Forest System. This section provides information on the forest planning process and how you can learn more and become involved. The existing Nez Perce and Clearwater National Forest plans were written in 1987, and the forests were administratively combined in 2013, resulting in the need for a revised Forest Plan for the combined forests. A draft Proposed Action for the new Forest Plan was released in July 2014, and we are currently collaborating with the public on Alternative Development.
Where Are We Now in the Process?
We released a Final Environmental Impact Statement and Draft ROD on November 27, 2023.
Public Participation is Welcome!
Please click here to learn how you can get involved with Forest Plan Revision!
Forest Plan Revision Schedule
The Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest began revising its Forest Plan in 2012 using a collaborative approach and the use of the best available science under the new planning guidelines. The following table outlines the planning phases, process and activities, and provides links to key documents or information for each phase of the planning process.
Process/Phase |
Description |
Date |
---|---|---|
The Forest initiated the Forest Plan Revision in early 2012.After 20 months of collaboration with the public, Nez Perce Tribe, partner agencies and the Clearwater Basin Collaborative, the Forests released an assessment in June 2014 and Notice of Intent with the draft proposed action in July 2014. A corrected Notice of Intent was released in September 2019 updating the timeline for the Forest Plan Revision process. For more information, click the link to the left. |
July 2014 |
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The Forests received and used 13,800 scoping comments to develop issue statements to the 2014 Proposed Action and to revise forest plan components. Click the link to the left to view the Framework for Alternative Development document. |
December 2017 |
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Forest planners are currently in the process of evaluating river segments for designation under the Wild and Scenic River Act. For more information about this process, click the link to the left. |
December 2019 |
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Forest planners are currently in the process of evaluating roadless areas for possible Wilderness recommendation. More information about this process, click the link to the left. |
December 2019 |
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The forest intends to develop alternatives using public input. Collaborative and public meetings on alternative development are planned for January and February. The interdisciplinary team will begin analyzing effects of the alternatives for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) in March. |
December 2017 – February 2018 |
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Development of a draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) that analyzes the described the affected environment and the environmental effects of each of the Plan alternatives. The DEIS was released December 20, 2019, which initiated a 90-day comment period to obtain public feedback. Comments are used to prepare a final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS). |
December 2019 |
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Comments on the DEIS are analyzed and reviewed in the development of a final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS). The FEIS identifies any needed changes between the draft and final EIS. The released of the FEIS, Draft Record of Decision and Plan is scheduled to be in Spring 2023 with a 30-day Notice of Availability. |
November 27, 2023 |
|
Objection Process |
Notice to start the Objection Process which will initiate a 90-day comment period and 90 day resolution period. |
November 28, 2023 |
Final Record of Decision (ROD) and Revised Land Management Plan |
Decision made by Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest Supervisor |
Proposed Spring 2024 |
Implementation and Monitoring |
Forest Service implements the plan and begins ongoing monitoring. |
Spring 2024 |
Contact Us
We welcome input into any part of the process at any time. Please contact any member of our team listed below. Comments and suggestions may also be submitted to the plan revision e-mail address: sm.fs.fpr_npclw@usda.gov.
Contact Name |
Position |
Phone |
|
Zach Peterson |
Public and Government Relations Staff Officer |
208-935-4239 |
|
Sara Daugherty |
Forest Planner |
|
|
Kevin Labrum |
Wildlife Biologist |
208-963-4207 |
|
Megan Lucas |
Ecologist (Soils and Hydrology) |
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Buddie Carroll |
Forest Vegetation Specialist |
208-963-4213 |
|
Justin Pappani |
Fire Ecologist |
208-963-4204 |
|
RJ Hemingway |
Fisheries Biologist |