The U.S. Forest Service has begun developing a new management plan for the Wayne National Forest, as the agency is required to do every 10-15 years. A draft plan will be issued for public comment in the fall of 2004, with a final plan due to be completed in autumn, 2005.
WHAT YOU CAN DO: Visit the Wayne NF web site and ask to be notified when the draft plan is completed.
>> Wayne National Forest web site
New Proposals Would Weaken Public Participation, Environmental Protection
While public participation is an integral part of the forest management plan process, several recent proposals by the Bush Administration propose to restrict public input in management plan development and other forest management decisions. For instance:
Proposed changes to National Forest Management Act (NFMA) regulations would weaken public participation and the requirement to manage National Forests for a diversity of wildlife.
>> More
Proposed categorical exclusion (CEs) for National Forest fuel projects would allow logging without environmental analysis or impact documentation. Virtually any logging activity could be labeled a fuel reduction project, without any review possible.
>> More
Proposed changes in the Appeals Reform Act regulations would make it more difficult to appeal bad land management decisions.
>> More
>> More on National Forest proposals
National Lands in Ohio
National Park lands
National Wildlife Refuges
U.S. Forest Service