Ashley National Forest has announced the release of the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Forest Plan and Record of Decision. This is the result of an over 6 year collaborative effort aimed at guiding the Forest’s management decisions for the next 15 years. “Our current land management plan was implemented in 1986. Since that time, significant changes on the national forest and in surrounding communities have made it clear that revisions need to be made,” shares Susan Eickhoff, Ashley National Forest Supervisor. “These changes include addressing the need for improved tribal collaboration, shifts in recreation trends, and challenges with forest conditions due to increased stressors, such as invasive species, warming temperatures due to climate change and uncharacteristic wildfires. The revised land management plan will guide our work to address these challenges into the future.” The plan was created using an inclusive and transparent process that involved tribes, the public and governmental partners. The revised land management plan allows for active landscape management and multiple uses, including forest products, grazing and recreation. Learn more at www.fs.usda.gov.
