from FSPlanningRule_External@fs.fed.us to date Wed, Jun 23, 2010 at 3:39 PM subject 2011 Planning Rule

Thank you for your participation and interest in the development of the 2011 planning rule. This email contains a new opportunity to stay informed and provides information on upcoming rule development activities.  

Introducing the Planning Rule Listserv!
Sign up today to receive periodic updates on the status of rule development and opportunities to provide input. Click here to subscribe: http://www.fs.fed.us/news/pr-listserv-subscribe.html - For additional Forest Service information, we encourage you to follow us on http://www.twitter.com/forestservice - Tell Us What You Think
From late-June through July we will post proposed approaches for addressing some of the key aspects of the planning rule to the http://blogs.usda.gov/usdablogs/planningrule/ - and http://fs.usda.gov/planningrule - . We hope you will share your reaction on the http://blogs.usda.gov/usdablogs/planningrule/ - .  The rule writing team will be monitoring the blog postings as we refine the rule language, and we’ll use your feedback to design focused discussions at the next national roundtable.  

4^th National Roundtable July 29-30, 2010
There will be an in-person meeting in Washington, DC, simultaneous with an online discussion.  At the meeting, we will share the rationale for why we are proposing various rule concepts and will seek to identify any major gaps in our approach.   http://fourthroundtable.eventbrite.com/ - .  Instructions on how to participate through the online discussion will be posted to the http://fs.usda.gov/planningrule - soon.

On the Horizon
Using what we hear, we will finalize the proposed rule and draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) in August and September of 2010.  The proposed rule and DEIS will be reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and other cooperating Federal agencies before publication.  When the proposed rule and DEIS are published this December there will be a formal comment period, as well as additional opportunities to provide your feedback through our continued collaboration activities.

Thanks from the Planning Rule Team
Thank you for your interest and involvement in the development of a new planning rule.  We look forward to your continued participation as we work to develop a rule that addresses the current and future needs of our national forests and grasslands.

Sincerely,

The Planning Rule Team