BEDFORD – Monitoring of the management practices is an ongoing process on the Hoosier National Forest. The 2020-2021 Monitoring and Evaluation Report for the Hoosier National Forest has just been published and is available to the public online at:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1123507.pdf.
The report summarizes the results of management actions conducted under the Forest’s 2006 Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan) and meets the intent of both the Forest Plan and the 2012 Planning Rule regulations contained in 36 CFR 219 and the National Forest Management Act.
Management of a National Forest, with a broad, multiple-use mission and mandate, requires careful consideration of trade-offs and expected effectiveness of projects to be implemented. Many land and resource management projects in service of the public require short term disturbance to achieve mid and long-term benefits. To the extent possible, these impacts are avoided or mitigated prior to, during or after project implementation. The monitoring report summarizes findings of Forest-wide monitoring efforts and informs managers of the progress being made towards implementation of the Forest Plan and assists in making future decisions based on anticipated effectiveness of those actions and mitigation measures meant to minimize undesirable impacts. Effective Forest Plan monitoring and evaluation fosters improved management and more informed planning decisions.
The report is of value to Forest Service leadership, managers, and employees, as well as to the public, as it helps identify the need to adjust management direction, such as desired conditions, goals, objectives, standards, and guidelines, as conditions change. The Biennial Report provides a readily available reference document for Forest Service managers as they plan, evaluate the effects of actions on resources, and implement future projects. This information can illuminate changes needed in project planning and implementation, or changes needed in Forest Plan direction. This report also describes to the public how their public lands are being managed and how effectively the commitments made to them within the 2006 Forest Plan are being met.
