The National Forest Management Act (NFMA) of 1976 requires every national forest or grassland managed by the U.S. Forest Service to develop and maintain a Land and Resource Management Plan (often referred to as a forest plan). The forest plan is the principle long-range guidance document for each forest or grassland, providing direction for project and activity decision making. Forest plans articulate goals and objectives, the kinds of uses that are suitable for areas of a national forest, management standards and guidelines that apply to different kinds of activities, and the designation of special areas like Research Natural Areas.
Forest plans are strategic in nature and do not compel any action or authorize any use. Each time a project or activity is proposed, the national forest or grassland must ensure that the activity is consistent with plan direction and that project must undergo a separate National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis before the activity can take place. If a proposed project is not consistent with the forest plan, the project cannot proceed as proposed unless the plan is amended so that the project is consistent with the plan.
The National Forest Management Act calls for forest plans to be revised from time to time, to incorporate new information, to account for changed national policy and direction, and to address new issues and opportunities. NFMA requires that plan be revised at least every 15 years.
