Planning
Bridger-Teton Draft Assessment Release
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We will post the Bridger-Teton Draft Assessment on this page on July 11.
The Draft Assessment is the first step in the multi-year process to update the Bridger-Teton Forest Plan. The draft is a summary of the “State of the Forest” and presents information about current ecological, social and economic conditions, and trends affecting the Bridger-Teton. The Assessment is not a decision document, but it does inform what we need to focus on to update direction of the Bridger-Teton Forest Plan. The Forest invites the public to review and submit comments on the Draft Assessment and Potential Species of Conservation Concern beginning July 11 and continuing through Aug. 24, 2025. Read our recent news release for more information.
Join us at one of our upcoming Draft Assessment Release open houses in Afton, Jackson, or Pinedale. Check out our events calendar and download the poster to learn more.
Public Engagement Events
See what's on the horizon for public engagement events and join us if you can!
Bridger-Teton Forest Plan Revision
The Bridger-Teton National Forest began the process to revise its forest plan. Forest plans function similarly to county comprehensive plans and zoning documents, and provide comprehensive, strategic, and integrated resource direction that guide all decisions about future projects and uses on the Forest.
No place stays the same, they are always changing. Just as the land and communities change, so must forest plans. With the Bridger-Teton Forest Plan now over 30 years old, it is time for an update. Revising the forest plan is a big project that requires a focused, sustained effort of four to six years. It is a marathon, not a sprint.
Help shape the future of the Bridger-Teton National Forest so together we can care for the land and serve people for generations to come.
Plan Revision Library
Explore our library including the 1990 Forest Plan, Monitoring Report, and other plan revision documents. Watch webinars, videos, and presentations and make sure to dive into our Forest Futures newsletters.
Bridger-Teton 1990 Forest Plan
The Forest Plan is used to keep the management direction for the Bridger-Teton National Forest.
Revising the forest plan is a big project that requires a focused, sustained effort of four to six years. Bridger-Teton staff are striving to have the Draft Assessment available for public review in 2025. The Draft Assessment is the first step in the multi-year process to update direction to the 1990 Forest Plan. Given the length of the process, patience and perseverance are crucial.
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Forest Plan Revision Timeline
- Wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers Inventories, Proposed Species of Conversation Concern, Monitoring Program, and Sustainibility of Lands:
- 1. Gathering Data and Best Available Science
- 2. Public Engagement Plan
- 3. Forest Assessment
- 4. Need for Change
- 5. Proposed Action
- 6a. Draft Forest Plan
- 6b. Draft Environmental Impact Statement
- 7. Final Environmental Impact Statement
- 8. Record of Decision
- 9. Forest Plan
- County Governments and the USDA Forest Service: A Guidebook for Working Together
- Strengthening Tribal Consultations and Nation-to-Nation Relationships: A USDA Forest Service Action Plan
- Understanding your opportunities for participating in the Forest Service Planning Process: A Guide for State, Local, and Tribal Governments
- Bridger-Teton National Forest Plan Revision Public Engagement Strategy
- Bridger-Teton National Forest Public Participation Plan: September 2024
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A National Forest Land Management Plan provides comprehensive, strategic, and integrated resource direction that guides all decisions about future projects and uses. The Plan does not make site-specific decisions but does establish the long-term vision and sideboards to guide future on-the-ground activities. In many ways, it functions like a county comprehensive plan and zoning document.
The National Forest Management Act(NFMA) of 1976 requires development of a land management plan and requires the Forest Service to periodically revise the plan with public and Tribal participation to remain current with new regulations and policies; respond to changing ecological, social, and economic conditions; and incorporate the most recent scientific information relevant to the management of resources and uses on public lands. The plan identifies management and/or geographic areas where certain activities or goals can be considered, the suitability of lands in the plan area for multiple uses and resources, and plan components to guide where – and under what conditions – future site-specific activities and projects might take place.
Land management plans are revised by a team of Forest Service resource specialists under the direction of Forest Supervisor, with input from the public, government agencies, and tribes. The land management plan revision process occurs in three phases: Assessment, Plan Development, and Monitoring.
- Assess the current economic, social, cultural, and ecological conditions on a national forest, grassland, or prairie.
- Plan/Revise current management based on the assessment of conditions and identified need to change current management. Gather input from the public, other agencies and governmental entities, Tribal governments, and organizations to identify desired conditions and other plan components to achieve those conditions.
- Monitor the conditions of the national forest once a plan has been revised and during implementation to see if the plan is achieving intended outcomes or if changes are needed.
No place stays the same, they are always changing. Just as the land and communities change, so must forest plans. With the Bridger-Teton Forest Plan now over 30 years old, it is time for an update. It is important that the land management plan is up to date with new regulations and policies; current ecological, social, and economic conditions; and recent scientific information relevant to the management of resources and uses on public lands.
Robust public involvement is required throughout the planning process under the Planning Rule. Public input provides the Forest Service with valuable information about current conditions, desired future direction, and cultural, social, spiritual, and economic values that the national forest provides to communities or tribes. During the plan revision process, there are many engagement opportunities. Please reference the Public Engagement information found on this webpage for more information.
Planning regulations require the Forest Service to coordinate closely with other federal agencies, states, counties, and local governments as potential cooperating agencies. Nation-to-nation consultation with Tribes is also required. The Forest Service must consider relevant land management plans and policies of other agencies and to seek consistency where appropriate in the spirit of fostering an all-lands approach to land management.
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What is Forest Planning and Why is it Important?
Forest planning:
- Sets the overall management direction and guidance for the entire Forest
- Is used to identify the broad vision for land use and resource development at a forest-wide scale
- Identifies areas suitable for multiple uses and resources
- Does not direct site-specific projects like how to manage a particular recreation trail
Forest planning is important because:
- It is the foundation for every decision made on the Forest
- National forests belong to everyone and everyone can have a say in how they are managed
- There are more opportunities for public participation in forest planning now than ever
- It does not happen very often; this plan will direct activities on the Forest for the next 15 or more years!
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Basics on the 2012 Planning Rule
The 2012 Planning Rule is a federal regulation that defines what a Forest Plan is and how a Forest Plan is developed. This planning rule is the first update to the Forest Service planning process in 30 years. In particular, the planning rule intends to update planning in 3 major areas: public participation, adaptive management, and plan components.
Public Participation: the 2012 Planning Rule requires public participation at all phases of the planning process. Now, the public can participate in the development of the plan and not just the review of it.
Adaptive Management: Planning is meant to be a cycle that is adaptive and flexible to changing conditions or circumstances. The cycle includes three phases: Assessment, Plan Development, and Monitoring.
- Phase 1. Assessment: Determines existing ecological, social, and economic conditions of the Forest
- Phase 2. Plan Development: Uses assessment and input from public and other entities to draft and approve a Forest Plan
- Phase 3. Monitoring: Determines whether the plan is achieving its desired conditions and objectives. Determines if the plan needs amended or revised
Plan Components: Plan components are the actual content of the plan. Together they set the vision for the forest and how to achieve it. Components include: desired conditions, objectives, standards, guidelines, goals, and suitability of lands.
- 2012 Planning Rule (Add link)
- A Citizens' Guide to National Forest Planning
- Land Management Plan Revision - FAQ Summary
Plan Revision Team
The Plan Revision Core Team members all work on the Bridger-Teton National Forest. Chad Hudson, the Bridger-Teton National Forest Supervisor, is the deciding official and is assisted by Bekee Hotze, Deputy Forest Supervisor. The core team is supported by many specialists with expertise in a variety of disciplines including ecological integrity, wildlife, water resources, air quality, soils and geology, range, fire, and forest management, recreation, designated areas, lands, engineering, and cultural resources. The team is also supported by the Mountain Service Planning Group. The Planning Service Organization is a new model for supporting units in completing plan revisions. This organizational structure provides dedicated and consistent staffing and expertise for a revision team. It also facilitates cross-boundary collaboration across revision teams and regions to provide more efficient and consistent approaches to plan revision.
Mary Cernicek came to the Bridger-Teton National Forest in 2000 as a Public Affairs Specialist. Mary has served in various rolls including Planning and Lands Staff Officer, District Ranger, and Public Affairs Officer. Mary presently serves as the Strategic Communications and Planning Staff Officer for the Bridger-Teton overseeing Forest Planning, all National Environmental Policy Act processes (NEPA), Geographical Information System (GIS), Fire Information, Congressional and Legislative Affairs, Environmental Education, Partnerships and Volunteers, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the Public Affairs Organization.
Randall is the Ecosystem Staff Officer for the Bridger-Teton National Forest. He is responsible for planning, managing, coordinating, reviewing, and reporting for several natural resource programs, including wildlife, fish, botany, hydrology, soils, range, native and invasive species, timber, silviculture, and air resources. He has 22 years of experience with the Forest Service. Randall moved to the Bridger-Teton in 2016 as the Wildlife Program Manager and assumed the duties as the Ecosystem Staff Officer in 2019.
Linda serves as a Recreation Specialist on the Planning Team while also assisting with public engagement efforts. She is responsible for coordinating planning around topics such as socioeconomics, recreation settings, scenery, trails, travel management, and designated areas. She has 44 years of experience with the Forest Service including 34 years on the Bridger-Teton National Forest.
Justin is the Greys River District Ranger, serving as the Ranger Representative on the Forest Plan Revision Team. Responsibilities include collaborating with the Forest’s six District Rangers to ensure that each is represented during the revision process. Justin has been with the Forest Service for 18 years and has been a Ranger on the Bridger-Teton since 2017. He is responsible for the overall management of the land and resources for the Greys River unit.
Lauren serves as the Tribal Liaison for the Bridger-Teton National Forest, working to strengthen working relationships with Tribal Nations that are connected to the forest. She has lived, worked, and contributed to the communities of the Bridger-Teton National Forest for several decades. During that time she has worked in the local and federal government, and in the private sector, focusing on public land issues, facilitation and collaboration. She has also serves as a Fire Information Officer with wildfires locally and nationally.
Chris is the Forest GIS Coordinator for the Bridger-Teton National Forest. He brings vast expertise in map production, spatial data analysis and web application development. As an avid rafter, he has specifically enjoyed working on the Wild and Scenic River eligibility assessment. Chris was born and mostly raised in Jackson, Wyoming. He joined the Forest Service in 2003 as an Avalanche Forecaster and has spent his entire career on the Bridger-Teton National Forest.
C.J. is the Public Collaboration Specialist for the Bridger-Teton, assisting with Forest Plan Revision engagement. He has served in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem for the past ten years in various roles as an interpretive ranger, digital lead, and public affairs specialist, recently joining the Bridger-Teton team. C.J. is involved with helping communicate all things Bridger-Teton and building relationships and connections with the communities we serve.