FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Zach Behrens
USDA Forest Service, Carson National Forest releases final land management plan
for healthier and more productive forests
Taos, NM –July 8, 2022 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service has released the revised Carson National Forest Land Management Plan, final environmental impact statement, and record of decision.
“We are thankful for the opportunity to work alongside community leaders and the public to develop a plan that provides for the needs of so many New Mexicans,” said Carson National Forest Supervisor James Duran. “Our landscapes and cultural connections are vital in northern New Mexico, and by working together, we can meet our shared vision while supporting communities and providing quality experiences for all who value the Carson National Forest.”
The revised land management plan provides direction for the long-term management of the Carson National Forest by laying out the desired conditions, goals, objectives, standards, and guidelines that will guide management activities across the forest for the next 10 to 15 years. It addresses the long-term need for shared stewardship projects that support traditional communities and uses, sustainable recreation practices, and promote rural prosperity for the benefit of generations to come. The final plan focuses on fostering a healthier forest that is more resilient to wildfires and focuses on public safety by emphasizing forest and watershed restoration treatments in fire-prone areas.
The Carson worked closely with the Cibola and Santa Fe national forests to develop consistent plan components for traditional uses, including grazing, fuelwood, and acequias, to better serve the needs of tribes, community land grants, and subsistence-based rural communities.
Based on the best available science, the plan supports partnerships and an “all-lands, all-hands” approach to working across administrative boundaries. This approach prioritizes shared stewardship and recognizes the critical need to accelerate the landscape-scale restoration of our forests and watersheds and mitigate the risk of high-severity wildfire to our communities. The plan also improves public access to the forest and preserves the special characteristics of designated areas like the wilderness, inventoried roadless areas, and wild and scenic rivers.
The revised Land Management Plan will take effect 30 days after Forest Supervisor Duran signs the Record of Decision and a Notice of Plan Approval is published in the Federal Register.
The Final Environmental Impact Statement, Record of Decision, and other project documents are located on the Carson National Forest website.
For more information, please contact carsonplan@fs.fed.us.
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