By Mary Alice Murphy

"Why Should I Care?" was the title of the first slide, Matt Schultz, Gila National Forest planner, presented in his talk about the just begun revision of the Forest Management Plan.

"You should care because we will address clean water and fresh air, food, economic opportunities, wood products, cultural and religious practices and recreation," Schultz said.

He explained a forest plan is a comprehensive document guiding management for all resources on the forest for the next 15 years or more.

Schultz said the revision is an opportunity for the public to give opinions on shaping future management of the forest and to get acquainted with other users and GNF staff on a shared vision.

The current plan was approved in 1986, and should be updated periodically. The plan has been amended over the years, but significant changes have required a total revision.

Changes include conditions, including fires and drought; uses and demands; social and cultural influences; science and technology; and threats, such as climate change, invasive species and catastrophic fire.

Schultz said the revision of the management plan would include components such as desired conditions, objectives, standards, guidelines and suitability. He emphasized that forest plans across the country are consistent with and do not override existing law, policy or regulation.

"We will confirm what is working with the current 1986 plan and will identify where we need to make changes," Schultz said. "Site-specific decisions are not made in the plan but it affects them, because they must be consistent with the approved plan."

The process to revise the plan includes increased emphasis on collaboration and public engagement, sustainability and ecosystem services and cross-jurisdictional coordination. Emphasis will continue on multiple-use management and the use of the best available science.

"We just started the assessment phase, which we expect will last about a year," Schultz said. "Then multiple years will be required for the plan revision and NEPA analysis. The implementation and monitoring will go on for the next 15+ years."

The assessment phase will involve 15 ecological, social and economic resource topics, including what is out there? What is the trend? What is the potential for the future? and What is at risk?

Ecological resources include ecosystems; air, soil and water resources; natural processes; carbon stocks; and at-risk species.

Social and economic influences address social, cultural and economic conditions; benefits people obtain from ecosystem services; multiple uses and their economic contributions; recreation; energy and minerals; infrastructure; areas of tribal importance; cultural and historical resources; land ownership and use; and existing and potential designated areas.

To a question from the audience about what an ecosystem included, Schultz explained it includes the "age, size and type of trees, and the fuel loading that can impact fire. It also includes air, soil and water, which we have data on."

Another question addressed the meaning of carbon stock. "It is the amount of carbon stored in vegetation and in organic matter in the soil," Schultz said. "We measure it on a small scale and extrapolate it to the entire forest."

Mary Hodvedt, resident, asked if the forest has any authority over the Gila River, its species or the quality of the water.

Schultz said the Clean Water Act addresses the river and the Forest Service oversees it within its boundaries. "Some endangered species are aquatic, but we have no official opinion on the Arizona Water Settlements Act. There are already some diversion points on Forest Service land. We would ask to be part of the NEPA analysis on a diversion project."

"We can do a few things to prepare for drought," he continued. "We hope to be planning for climate change and long-term droughts. The best we can hope for is episodic events. Aquatic systems can recover, and there are benefits from ecosystem services."

On the potential for designated sites, Schultz said the forest would use its data, and would put out a call for data and plans within the area. "We will build a foundation for the plan, but people have a lot of on-the-ground knowledge we would like to access."

After developing a vision for the forest based on the need for change, evaluating areas that might be suitable for special designation and then a draft plan, with alternatives recommended by the NEPA process, to finalize the plan will require more steps.

Finalizing the plan will require a review of the draft plan and analysis, responding to comments and revising the draft, consulting with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, holding an objection period and finally, creating the record of decision and final forest plan.

On the special designation process, Schultz emphasized the forest would identify areas that "may" be suitable. "The forest can only recommend. It's up to Congress to create the special designation."

As for the approved plan, monitoring will determine if changes are needed.

"How can you help?" Schultz asked. "By being an active participant in developing a future vision for the forest; telling us what you value about the forest; sharing your knowledge and data; offering your ideas on forest management; building on existing partnerships; and exploring new ways to accomplish land management goals."

He announced an upcoming opportunity to give input with a meeting at the Grant County Business and Conference Center from 5-7 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 5.

For more information on the Forest Plan revision, visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/gila/home/?cid=STELPRD3828671 or email gilaplan@fs.fed.us
Several audience members asked questions.
"What is the time frame?" one asked. Schultz said at least four years total. "There are a lot of variables, but the Cibola Forest is two years ahead of us, and Santa Fe and Carson forests are one year ahead, and we have started at the same time as the Lincoln National Forest."

Another question addressed the NEPA process. "In the NEPA process, we will look at alternatives for public review," Schultz said.

He also said the Travel Management Plan, which has been approved, will soon come out with motor vehicle-use maps, "then a soft rollout of the rule, with education on the use of the maps."

Hotvedt asked about drought, fire danger and the bark beetle, and whether there was concern about the health of the Gila National Forest.

Schultz said the upper elevations were in good shape, and some types of the forest are healthy. "There is a large amount of fuel loading."

He said the watershed would be part of the assessment.

Hotvedt asked how the forest service works with the BLM.

"We will work with them and then plan for compatibility," Schultz said. "We have similar outreaches to New Mexico Forestry, NM Game and Fish and the NM Environment Department."

He chuckled at the question about a glossary and said it would be part of the assessment draft, as he knew a lot of jargon was used in the talk and would be used in the draft.

Schultz assured the audience that grazing rights would be part of the assessment, but the evaluation of species was not likely to include the Mexican gray wolf directly. "We will do an insect and disease report."

Liz Blancett asked if public input would be really considered.

"Yes, because we have not yet put pen to paper," Schultz said. "We will have these meetings throughout the process as things develop. We will summarize what we hear from the public. If there is a disconnect, there may be more discussions. The whole public participation strategy is on the website, with each phase and the different opportunities for participation. The website is our main repository of information, but we also have information on Facebook and Twitter. We are holding this round of participation meetings in August and there will be another round for the public in 2016."