Planning
Past Forest Plans Forest Plan Revision Existing Forest Plan
Tongass Land Management Plan (Forest Plan)
Each National Forest and Grassland in the United States is governed by a Land Management Plan (Forest Plan) in accordance with the National Forest Management Act of 1976. Forest Plans set desired conditions, standards, and guidelines for management, protection, and use of the Forest and includes monitoring of progress toward achieving those desired conditions. The Tongass National Forest Plan was originally developed over 25 years ago, in 1997. Since then, there have been many social and resource changes. Scientific information and methodology have evolved. A few of these changes were addressed in amendments to the original Forest Plan (see information on Tongass Forest Plan Amendments and Administrative Changes).
Forest Plan Monitoring and Evaluation Program
The Monitoring and Evaluation Program helps guide resource management on the Tongass National Forest. Monitoring questions and indicators are designed to test relevant assumptions, track relevant changes, and measure management effectiveness and progress toward achieving Forest Plan desired conditions and objectives. Biennial monitoring reports evaluate information gathered in the two previous years, enabling the Responsible Official to determine if changes are needed to the associated Forest Plan components or content.
Monitoring and evaluation is a quality control process for implementation and provides evaluation of the effectiveness of the Forest Plan. It provides the public, the Forest Service, and other concerned resource agencies with information on the progress and results of plan implementation. Monitoring and evaluation comprise an essential feedback mechanism within an adaptive management framework to keep the Plan dynamic and responsive to changing conditions.
Tongass National Forest Plan Revision
New planning rules require that a Forest Plan will be revised at least every 15 years. Forest Plans do not make site-specific decisions, such as where to put a recreation trail. Rather, they guide future uses of the forest by creating standards for projects and activities. Plans are created to protect resources, support sustainable economies and communities, and maintain healthy ecosystems. A plan revision, which adheres to these new planning rules is the next step for the Tongass National Forest and was kicked off in April of 2024 (see the Tongass National Forest Plan Revision Webpage for additional information). Carefully balancing multiple uses will be an important part of the Tongass Forest Plan revision. Meaningful dialogue with Tribes, partners, agencies and the public throughout the process will be essential to the success of revising the Tongass Forest Plan. We will strive to create a process where all voices and perspectives can be heard (see engagement opportunities at the Forest Plan Revision webpage).
2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule
In June 2025, the USDA announced the intent to rescind the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. A notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement to evaluate the effects of this proposed rulemaking was published in the Federal Register in August 2025.
More information can be found here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/planning/roadless