Forest Service announces next steps and updated timeline for Northwest Forest Plan Amendment
(PORTLAND, OR)- The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service announces that it will prepare additional analysis and alternatives for the Northwest Forest Plan amendment. This updated analysis will help advance national goals for restoration, fuels reduction, active management, and clarify timber opportunities that support forest health and local economies, according to a news release from the Forest Service.
“The extensive public input we received was invaluable and underscored the need to explore more options and analysis to ensure the Northwest Forest Plan amendment is as robust as possible,” Regional Forester for the Pacific Northwest Region, Jacque Buchanan said.
The decision was in response to over 3,400 public comments on the draft environmental impact statement. Feedback received from tribes, cooperating agencies, partners, and the public highlighted the need for a more comprehensive approach to increase wildfire resilience, address restoration needs, and advance active management, while continuing to protect species. The agency continues to make updates within the draft plan and associated analysis, such as updates to forest type definitions, clarity on commercial timber opportunities, and refinements to Survey and Manage requirements.
This expanded effort will be conducted under the recently updated USDA National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) rules, strengthening the plan’s goals for wildfire resilience, restoration, active management, and species protection. Applying the updated regulations reflects the Forest Service’s commitment to a more efficient, transparent, and effective environmental review process and will help streamline the analytical process, to ensure a robust and timely evaluation, as well as opportunities for meaningful public engagement.
“By pursuing this planning effort under the new NEPA regulations, we are committing to a clearer, stronger approach that supports both ecological and economic goals,” Buchanan said. “This will ultimately improve forest health, increase sustainable timber outputs, and help us advance proactive management strategies across Western landscapes.”
The agency anticipates sharing the proposed updates for public comment in Summer 2026, with a final environmental impact statement and record of decision now expected in early 2028. This revised schedule allows for the necessary depth of analysis while setting clear expectations for the public.
The Forest Service will continue to engage closely with tribes and cooperating agencies, gather input and provide updates.