SILVER CITY, NM; October 26, 2016 – For Immediate Release –The Gila National Forest has released for public review and feedback a draft need-for-change document as part of the Forest Plan Revision process. The need-for-change document was produced using the information gathered during the assessment phase of Forest Plan Revision. A need-for-change paints a picture of the strategic changes in current management direction necessary to address conditions, trends and risks to sustainability identified by the assessment. These preliminary need-for-change statements serve as a place to begin the conversation about needs-for-change to the current forest plan among the Forest, the public and other stakeholders, and to create a shared vision for future management of the Gila National Forest. The need-for-change statements will provide focus for the second phase of planning – the development of the revised plan – where plan components are created to help ensure management meets desired conditions for each resource.
The Gila National Forest highly encourages feedback on the draft need-for-change document and participation moving forward. The draft need-for-change document is available at http://go.usa.gov/xkAgF. Please send any feedback or suggestions preferably in digital form to gilaplan@fs.fed.us, or mail to Gila National Forest, Attn.: Matt Schultz, 3005 E. Camino del Bosque, Silver City, NM 88061, or drop it off at one of the District Offices. This feedback is most useful if submitted before November 30, 2016. Your input will help the Gila NF to develop forest plan direction that will provide for a healthy, diverse, and productive Forest.
For further information, visit the Forest Plan Revision website at http://go.usa.gov/h88k, or contact Matt Schultz, Forest Planner, 575-388-8280 or matthewschultz@fs.fed.us.
