The U.S. Forest Service published its  Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed national old-growth forest plan amendment in the Federal Register on June 21st, opening a 90-day public comment period. This amendment seeks to standardize guidelines for the stewardship, conservation, and regeneration of old-growth forests across U.S. national forests, emphasizing proactive management to address threats like wildfires and climate change through adaptive strategies informed by local data, sound science, and Indigenous knowledge.

The old-growth forest amendment is a landmark proposal, marking the first national policy focused on the conservation of these vital ecosystems, which offer clean air and water, provide critical habitat for wildlife, and hold traditional values for all people.

“We appreciate the Forest Service’s dedication to preserving our old-growth forests through proactive, science-based management,” says Michael Cravens, Advocacy and Conservation Director of the Arizona Wildlife Federation. “The draft EIS is a crucial step toward enhancing the resilience of our forests against wildfires and drought, which have significant repercussions in Arizona.”

The Arizona Wildlife Federation is eager to learn about the specific guidelines for each state. Any guidelines must reflect the unique characteristics of forests in different regions, especially here in Arizona where our old-growth is quite different from states like Washington or Oregon. The definition of old-growth varies by geography and climate, and the amendment should be flexible to account for these differences.

During the comment period, the Forest Service will hold public engagements and field tours, including virtual sessions. They will also consult with Tribes and collaborate with state and local governments, conservation districts, and other agencies.