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Healthy Forests Initiative

News Update

On May 20, 2003, Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman and Interior Secretary Gale A. Norton briefed President Bush on the Departments’ progress in implementing the Healthy Forests Initiative. The President then briefed the White House Press Corp on the progress on HFI. In particular, he discussed the fire outlook season, hazardous fuels treatments to date, and Healthy Forests Initiative.

• Executive Summary: Influence of Forest Structure on Wildfire Behavior and the Severity of its Effects (5/29/03)
  
  
• Press Release on HFI Announcement (5/19/03)
  
  
• Healthy Forests Initiative Fact Sheet (5/20/03)
  
  
• Healthy Forests Initiative Administrative Changes Fact Sheet (5/30/03)
  
  
• Fire and Insect Map (5/19/03)
  
  
• Fire, Bark Beetles, and Healthy Forests (6/3/03)
  
  
• 2003 Seasonal Fire Outlook (5/19/03)
  
  
• Fuels Accomplishments (5/19/03)
  
  
• Examples of Hazardous Fuel Reduction (5/19/03)
  
  
• More examples of Hazardous Fuel Reduction (5/19/03)
  
  
• Examples of post-fire damage and rehab efforts that mitigate that damage (5/19/03)
  
  
• More examples of post-fire damage and rehab efforts that mitigate that damage (5/19/03)
  
  

Fuels Treatment and Restoration Projects to Improve Forest Health

• National Environmental Policy Act Determination Needed for Fire Management Activities; Categorical Exclusions; Notice
  


• Categorical Exclusions for Hazardous Fuels Reduction Rehabilitation Activities
  

Improve Endangered Species Act Process to Expedite Decisions

• Joint Counterpart Endangered Species Act Section 7 Consultation Regulations; Proposed Rule
  
  
• ESA Net Benefit Guidance
  
  
• ESA Alternative Approach Guidance

Improved and Clearer Direction on Environmental Assessments

• Council on Environmental Quality Guidance on Improved and Focused EAs
  
  
• Description of Pilot EA Projects

Amend Rules for Project Appeals

• Notice, Comment, and Appeal Procedures for National Forest System Projects and Activities; Final Rule
  
  
• Forest Service Notice, Comment, and Appeal Procedures for Projects and Activities on National Forest System Lands
  
  
• Bureau of Land Management Proposal to Amend Its Existing Regulations Governing Hearings and Appeals

For More Information:

— General
— News Releases/Media Coverage
— Lessons Learned
— Related Subject Areas
— Related Links