Black Hills National Forest Plan Revision

Land management plans guide how our national forests and grasslands are managed and are designed to protect our public lands, which belong to all of us. The land management plan identifies management and geographic areas where activities or goals can be considered, suitability of lands in the plan area for multiple uses and resources, and sets desired conditions, goals, objectives, standards, and guidelines for plan implementation. Direction in a land management plan is meant to carefully balance the management of different resources to maintain healthy ecosystems and support sustainable uses.

Land management plans are revised by a team of Forest Service resource professionals under the direction of a national forest or grassland supervisor, with input from the public, government agencies, and tribes. The land management planning process is a cyclic process that includes three primary phases:

1. assessment of current economic, social and ecological conditions on the forest or grassland;
2. developing the plan by using the assessment of current conditions and gathering input from the public, other agencies and entities, tribal governments, and organizations; and
3. then monitoring during plan implementation to see if it’s achieving its objectives or if changes are needed. This planning process allows the Forest Service to keep its land management plans current with changing social, economic, and environmental conditions, regulatory and policy changes, and the most recent scientific information.

The National Forest Management Act requires the Forest Service to revise its land management plans periodically to remain current with new regulations and policies; respond to changing ecological, social, and economic conditions; and to incorporate the most recent scientific information relevant to the management of resources and uses on public lands.

Visit the National Land Management Planning page to check out planning occurring on other National Forests and Grasslands.

Public input provides the Forest Service with valuable information on the current conditions, desired use, and cultural, social, spiritual, and economic value provided by the national forest or grassland to the communities or tribes in the plan area. During the plan revision process, there are many engagement opportunities for the public and tribes. These include the assessment of existing conditions on the forest or grassland, during plan development, during the environmental analysis and objection process, and as a part of monitoring.

See what opportunities there are to participate in the plan revision engagement process!