The Office of Federal Register Electronic Public Inspection Desk Version 02/11/2011
This section would require that in meeting the requirements of § 219.8 and §219.9, and within Forest Service authority, the capability of the plan area and the fiscal capability of the unit, the plan would provide for multiple uses, including ecosystem services, outdoor recreation, range, timber, watershed, wildlife, and fish. Paragraph (a) identifies nine factors the responsible official would be required to consider when developing plan components to provide for multiple uses, to the extent that each factor is relevant to the plan area. This requirement builds on a similar requirement in § 219.7(c)(2)(ii), as well as consideration of the resources on the unit during the assessment phase. First, the responsible official would be required to consider the existence and relative value of the resources on the unit. The list included in the proposed rule is intentionally long in order to reflect stakeholder and agency staff comments that all relevant resources and stressors need to be considered during the planning process. There may be some uses or benefits not included in the list that could be considered if they arise in connection with plan development or revision. The Agency invites public comment on the scope of this list in § 219.10(a)(1). In addition to the resources included on the list, and any others that are relevant, § 219.10(a)(2) and (3) would direct responsible officials to consider renewable and nonrenewable energy and mineral resources on the unit in the context of the unit’s contributions within the broader landscape, along with the sustainable management of infrastructure on the unit, such as recreational facilities and transportation and utility corridors. The proposed rule would require responsible officials to consider opportunities to coordinate with neighboring landowners to link open spaces and take into account joint management objectives where feasible and appropriate. The responsible official would also be required to consider the landscape-scale context for management as identified in the assessment
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