The U.S. Forest Service issued new rules for managing the nation’s 191 million acres of national forests and grasslands. The revised management system provides regional forest managers with more discretion when deciding whether or not to approve logging, mining or other projects.
    “SEMA and the SAN support the Forest Service’s streamlined management plan,” said SAN director Jason Tolleson. “Forest Service officials must update management plans every 15 years for the 155 national forests and 20 grasslands. The current process averages five to seven years for each plan. The new rule should create a two- or three-year process.”
    In the future, environmental impact statements will be required only for specific projects, not for each overall forest plan. Officials will also focus on maintaining healthy ecosystems rather than managing particular plants or wildlife. Additionally, social and economic considerations will be given the same emphasis as ecological sustainability. 
    “The rule is consistent with the SAN’s recommendation that there be more local input in the decision-making process,” noted Tolleson. “The plan makes for more efficient and effective use of time by the local officials. For example, they will have more time to work with the local community on identifying and protecting off-highway vehicle routes.”