The Draft Assessment Report is now available at http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd518769.pdf 

This document identifies ecological, social and economic conditions, trends, and any risks to sustainability of the Gila National Forest resources.  Thanks to everyone that shared input, suggestions, data, plans, references, and other information sources for the Gila National Forest assessment.  It is a large document (22MB) so it may take some time to download from the website. We recommend using the hyperlinks in the table of contents and/or the bookmarks to navigate around the report to find the chapters that you are most interested in.  There is a summary at the end of each chapter.  You can also download individual sections of the report from our website (http://go.usa.gov/h88k).  If you have trouble downloading the draft assessment report, let us know and we would be happy to send you a CD containing the report.

We highly encourage your feedback on the Draft Assessment Report and participation moving forward.  For example, did we overlook anything?  Please send any feedback or suggestions on the draft assessment report 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 beforeNovember 15, 2016.

Next steps

  • A draft needs-for-change document will be released for feedback in October 2016.  A need-for-change paints a picture of the strategic changes in current management direction necessary to address issues identified by the assessment and present a vision for future management of the Gila National Forest.
  • More community meetings will be held in late October to early November 2016 to discuss assessment key findings and collaborate to determine needs-for-change to the current plan.  A schedule of these events will be posted soon.  Your input will help the Gila NF to develop forest plan direction that will provide for a healthy, diverse, and productive Forest in addition to the many benefits and uses desired by local communities and visitors of today and future generations.

The Forest will continue to update information on the plan revision process on the Forest’s web site at http://go.usa.gov/h88k.