Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack is calling for nominations to serve on a newly-formed advisory committee that will guide better management of our national forests and grasslands. The National Advisory Committee for Implementation of the National Forest System Land Management Planning Rule will advise and give recommendations to the Secretary of Agriculture and the Chief of the U.S. Forest Service. The panel could consist of up to 21 members.

The committee will provide advice and recommendations on issues such as planning rule directives for implementation, best practices, effective monitoring practices and ongoing collaboration efforts. The announcement of this committee builds on the Agency’s efforts to develop a new Land Management Planning Rule for the National Forest System.

Secretary Vilsack points out that – input from the public is critical to successful land management planning. U.S Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell pledges – we will keep the collaborative momentum going as we transition to implementing a new rule.