Planning Process

What is involved in preparing the Supplemental EIS and amending the Forest Plan ?

2002 Supplemental EIS

The 1997 Tongass Forest Plan Revision included extensive analysis of roadless areas, which is reflected in the mix of land use designations identified in the Plan. However, in March 2001, a federal court found that the 1997 Final EIS should have considered alternatives with new wilderness recommendations (see Background Information for more details). The Final SEIS that we have prepared was developed to address this concern; it considers alternatives with new wilderness recommendations. This Final SEIS has been prepared in accordance with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and National Forest Management Act (NFMA) procedures.

Analysis of the Management Situation

During the forest planning process, the Forest developed an Analysis of the Management Situation. This analysis is a determination of the ability of the planning area covered by the forest plan to supply goods and services in response to society's demands. As part of this analysis, each of the roadless areas on the Tongass was analyzed and the results of this analysis were recorded for each roadless area in Appendix C of the Analysis of the Management Situation. As part of the Supplemental EIS process, we updated Appendix C of the Analysis of the Management Situation along with the Forest Plan Roadless Inventory Maps to reflect current conditions. The results of this updated analysis are presented for each roadless area in Appendix C of the Final SEIS. This appendix also serves as an update to the Analysis of the Management Situation.

Details of the Planning Process

The work conducted in preparing the Supplemental EIS and in updating Appendix C of the Analysis of the Management Situation was described in detail in the Study Plan. In summary, the work has been divided into six overlapping phases. The work included in each phase is divided into tasks and subtasks and each of these was tied to an overall timeline. Note that the study plan and timeline for this type of project is somewhat dynamic and is adjusted as necessary to assure a thorough and accurate end product. The individual phases identified in the study plan are as follows:

• Phase 1 - Initiation and Study Plan Development
• Phase 2 - Update Roadless Area Map and Appendix C
• Phase 3 -Initial Public Involvement
• Phase 4 - Draft SEIS
• Phase 5 - Public Involvement and Comment Analysis
• Phase 6 -Final SEIS

Public Comment and Final SEIS Process

Public meetings held in Anchorage and throughout Southeast Alaska were designed to further inform the public on the Final SEIS. Wilderness Hearings were held in the same locations so that people could offer testimony on Wilderness. People were also able to provide testimony on Subsistence in accordance with ANILCA. Because of the national interest in the roadless areas of the Tongass, an internet public meeting and hearing was held on July 8, 2002.

Public comment has been analyzed and used in the development of the Final SEIS. Appendix F of the Final SEIS summarizes the public comment process, related results, and Forest Service responses to substantiate public comments.

Decision and Forest Plan Amendment

The Record of Decision documents the Regional Forester's decision. The Regional Forester will select one of the alternatives for implementation. As a result of the decision, the Forest Plan would either remain the same (if the No Action alternative is selected) or would be amended to reflect areas that would be managed under a Recommended Wilderness LUD (if one of the action alternatives is selected). Only Congress can designate areas as wilderness. Therefore, these areas would be managed to maintain their eligibility to be designate as wilderness, until Congress is able to act, or changed by a subsequent Final Plan Revision.