The USDA Forest Service is requesting public input on the proposed directive related to Silviculture on National Forest System (NFS) lands. The proposed directive would update the manual to focus on managing forests for climate change, old growth, use of Indigenous Knowledge, and additional information specific to REPLANT Act and the streamlined silviculture certification process.
The manual was reorganized to focus first on silvicultural examination, diagnosis, prescription, and evaluation process, followed by reforestation, and ending with harvest activities. Updates include climate change, old growth, use of Indigenous Knowledge, streamlined silviculture certification process, and REPLANT Act. The final version was reviewed by Regional Silviculturists, Regional Geneticists, Nursery Managers and Office of Tribal Relations and their comments incorporated.
- Specifically, the proposed directive would update sections of the of the directive to include, Climate Change, working with the Office of Climate and Sustainability, climate change considerations were added throughout the manual.
- The harvest component was moved to the end and reforestation moved to the front to highlight managing for healthy and resilient forests.
- It includes direction on assisted population migration, assisted range expansion and assisted species migration. Assisted migration will be well justified and documented in silvicultural prescriptions and tracked to monitor for performance of non-local seed.
- It includes direction on genetically modified trees. Genetically modified trees to be considered after the required regulatory review, and evaluation of risks vs benefits to provide solutions to novel threats such as invasive insects and diseases. Several genetically modified forest tree species are being reviewed for deregulation (e.g., American chestnut) and could be available for planting in the future highlighting the importance of this direction.
- Mature and old Growth (MOG).
- Working with the Mature and Old Growth (MOG) team, additional information on managing for old growth during thinning, improvement cutting and during interdisciplinary input were added. This direction is consistent with the direction being worked on by the MOG and leaves room for more detailed policy to be drafted by the MOG team.
- Additionally, the proposed change adds REPLANT Act and bolsters the reforestation, and seed/nursery policies to be current with the new law.
- Support for Indigenous Knowledge is now integrated within the revised manual consistent with the Forest Service “Strengthening Tribal Consultations and Nation-to-Nation Relationship.”
- Added language to support greater integration, collaboration, and communication between the Silviculturists and Fuels Specialists.
- Provided direction on the streamlined silviculture certification process, which increased the efficiency of the certification process.
This directive is not expected to have tribal implications. After the comment period closes, the Forest Service will consider timely comments that are within the scope of the proposed directive in the development of the final directive. A notice of the final directive.
Please see the attached documents for the full language of the proposed directive. https://usfs-public.box.com/s/zwkitt7txo6w4zsemafgx43xtvkbasf4
