Kootenai Forest Plan Revision Update
Kootenai and Idaho Panhandle National Forests
February 22, 2006
The Kootenai and Idaho Panhandle National Forests are working on revising their Forest Land Management Plans.
Both forests released Draft Forest Plan maps last December. Those maps, and other plan-related information, can be found on the web on the Kootenai Idaho Panhandle Zone (KIPZ) website: www.fs.fed.us/kipz.
The Draft Plan documents for both Forests are expected to be released in April, 2006. Public meetings will be held starting in April to explain the draft plans and the new process.
Upon release of the Plans, there will be a 90-day public comment period. Both forests will be hosting informational meetings in local communities to explain how the Plans will help guide the Forests on project-level planning.
The Draft Forest Plans will include maps and information on desired conditions, objectives and guidelines for the proposed management of each Forest. There will also be a Comprehensive Evaluation Report (CER), Monitoring Guide and Public Involvement Documentation posted on the KIPZ website.
In order to save costs, the government is moving towards encouraging the public to download electronic copies of these documents from the official website. Paper and CD copies of the Draft Forest Plan are also available by special request or from local libraries. To request a hard copy of the Draft Forest Plan (CD or paper), fill out and return the special coupon which can be printed from the KIPZ website.
Forest Plan Revision Timeline:
April 2006:Release of Draft Forest Plans for Kootenai and Idaho Panhandle National Forests. Informational meetings about the Draft. Begin of 90-day public comment period and public meetings.
Fall/Winter 2006: Release of Final Forest Plans. Begin 30-day Objection Period.
Spring 2007: Issue Decisions and Final Forest Plans upon Resolution of Objections
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