[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 36, Volume 2]
[Revised as of July 1, 2002]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 36CFR219.3]

[Page 38-39]
 
              TITLE 36--PARKS, FORESTS, AND PUBLIC PROPERTY
 
          CHAPTER II--FOREST SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 
PART 219--PLANNING--Table of Contents
 
 Subpart A--National Forest System Land and Resource Management Planning
 
Sec. 219.3  Overview.

    (a) The planning framework. Land and resource management planning is 
a flexible process for fitting solutions to the scope and scale of 
needed action. Planning, conducted according to the planning framework 
outlined in Secs. 219.3-219.11, involves engaging the public 
(Secs. 219.12-219.18) and applying the best available science 
(Secs. 219.22-219.25) to contribute to sustainability (Secs. 219.19-
219.21) in the use and enjoyment of National Forest System lands.
    (b) Levels of planning. Planning may be undertaken at the national, 
regional, national forest or grassland, and/or ranger district 
administrative levels depending on the scope and scale of issues.
    (1) The Chief of the Forest Service is responsible for national 
planning. National planning includes the Forest Service national 
strategic plan required under the Government Performance and Results Act 
of 1993 (5 U.S.C. 306, 31 U.S.C. 1115-1119 and 9703-9704) that 
establishes national long-term goals, outcome measures, and strategies 
to be considered in managing the National Forest System and the 
Resources Planning Act Program (16 U.S.C. 1600).
    (2) The Forest or Grassland Supervisor is the responsible official 
for a plan amendment or revision, except to the extent the Regional 
Forester or Chief decides to act as the responsible official.
    (3) When appropriate, two or more Forest or Grassland Supervisors, 
one or more Regional Foresters, or the Chief of the Forest Service may 
undertake planning which may amend or revise one or more plans.
    (4) The Chief of the Forest Service, Regional Foresters, National 
Forest and Grassland Supervisors, or District Rangers may authorize and 
implement site-specific actions.
    (c) An interdisciplinary, collaborative approach to planning. An 
interdisciplinary, collaborative approach to planning may be achieved by 
engaging the skills and interests of appropriate combinations of Forest 
Service staff, consultants, contractors, other federal agencies, states, 
American Indian

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tribes, Alaska Natives, or local government personnel, or other 
interested or affected people consistent with applicable laws.
    (d) Key elements. The planning cycle begins with the identification 
and consideration of issues and concludes with the monitoring and 
evaluation of results. Based upon the scope and scale of issues, 
planning includes one or more of the following key elements:
    (1) Identification and consideration of issues (Sec. 219.4);
    (2) Information development and interpretation (Sec. 219.5);
    (3) Proposed actions (Sec. 219.6);
    (4) Plan decisions (Sec. 219.7);
    (5) Amendment (Sec. 219.8);
    (6) Revision (Sec. 219.9);
    (7) Site-specific decisions (Sec. 219.10); and
    (8) Monitoring and evaluation for adaptive management (Sec. 219.11).