Planning Strategy

1. Planning Strategy Region 5 FY 2006

2. Emphasis for 2006 • National level decision to complete existing plan revisions underway before approving new starts. • Train and learn – new regs, interim directives, examples, etc. • Transition • EMS • CER • R5 schedule allows us to learn from other Regions going first.

3. Emphasis Items • Focus in FY 2007 – 2009 • Planning becomes ‘adaptive” vs. ‘episodic’ • Transition existing plan to new model • Complete EMS and use it • Plan updates • Monitoring and Evaluation

4. Planning Work

5. Planning Related Work

6. Focus for Results • Plan Revisions – must focus on key needs such as statutory requirements vs. a broad set of issues. • National direction or templates for framing revisions may be needed. • Issues traditionally dealt with in revision can be resolved through Plan updates decreasing the cost of revisions and placing more emphasis on Plan updates consistent with the 2005 rule’s focus on adaptive planning.

7. Focus for Results • Will need to standardize approaches, reduce duplication of work. • M&E – find common questions and protocols across units. • EMS – use existing procedures, M&E, operational controls, share work • Implement corporate data systems and data collection protocols.

8. R5 LMP Revision Schedule • Complete the FY2006 starts (LTBMU, Modoc, Sequoia). • Complete the Quincy Library group plan revisions. Meet the legislative requirements. • Complete the central Sierra Nevada block of forests next (Eldorado, Stanislaus and Sierra). • Complete the Northern California plans next (Shasta-Trinity, Klamath, Six Rivers, Mendocino). They are a logical geographic cluster and are all under the Northwest Forest Plan (FY 2010-2012). • The Inyo is next in priority. The Inyo is different from the central Sierra forests and make sense to split out from them to meet the BASS schedule. • The Southern California forests were revised in FY2005, so are last in priority for a new update.

9. Revision Schedule

10. Transition/EMS Schedule • An EMS must be completed to use the 2005 Planning Rule for amendments or revision. • Complete EMS and transition from FY2006 to FY2009. The forests are scheduled for this work in advance of their revision starts.

11. EMS Strategy • Develop the EMS for the Cleveland as the lead forest. The forest plan was just revised and there is a skilled cadre to work on the EMS. This will provide an example for others to follow. They will work through an EMS and have it operational by the end of September. • The Modoc and Sequoia will be a few months behind the Cleveland. Given that auditors have to get out on the ground, it will be spring of 2007 before audits can be completed. • LTBMU still developing their EMS work schedule. • Remaining forests scheduled over FY2007 to FY2009.

12. Transition Schedule (w/ EMS)

13. The Sequoia is expected to • Complete the transition of their existing plan to the plan model format developed for the 2005 planning regulations. • To develop their Environmental Management System (EMS) to the point where it is ready to begin testing (turn it on) in the first quarter of FY2007.

14. The Modoc and LTBMU are expected to: • Complete the transition of their respective existing plans to the new plan model format developed for the 2005 planning regulations. • Develop their respective EMS’s to the point of turning it on, conducting a management review, and scheduling an external audit for the spring of 2007. • To begin work on their comprehensive evaluation reports (CER). A basic outline will be produced and collaboration with the public started with completion of the CER scheduled by the mid-year of FY2007.

15. Southern California • The Southern California planning team is expected to complete the transmittal memos including issue identification and citations to the record. • The Cleveland National Forest is expected to develop the first EMS in Region 5. They will develop a functioning EMS in FY2006.

16. Transition • New Plan Model • Vision • Strategy • Design Criteria • Posting existing plans to the new Plan Model • Consolidation of existing documents • No decisions made – just reformatting

17. Plan Model • See FSH 1909.12, Chapter 10, page 5 • www.fs.fed.us/TIPS • See technical guide “Foundations of Forest Planning”

18. CER • Comprehensive Evaluation Reports • FSH 1909.12, Chapter 20, 24.2 (page 9-13) • Required for plan revision - 36 CFR 219.6(a) • Must be updated at least every 5 years

19. CER • The comprehensive evaluation shall disclose information on the plan area’s social, economic, and ecological conditions and trends that contribute to sustainability (36 CFR 219.6(a)(1)). • The area of analysis should be at least as large as the forest, grassland, prairie, or other comparable administrative unit, but may be larger as appropriate.

20. CER - Trends • The Responsible Official determines the type and extent of the trend analysis. • Trend analysis displays past, present, and projected future changes in social, economic, and ecological resources that contribute to sustainability in the area of analysis. • Trends should be displayed at the appropriate spatial and temporal scales for the desired conditions, objectives, and sustainability elements (ch. 40) being evaluated.

21. CER – Review Questions • See handout (from FSH 1909.12, Ch. 20, 24.24-Exhibit 01) • Possible Plan Review Questions

22. EMSEnvironmental Management System • Will be covered today by Tom White, Planner, Cleveland National Forest • Later in our agenda

23. QUESTIONS? Any questions concerning the R5 Revision Schedule?