Forest Service seeks comments on Tofte Landscape Project

The U.S. Forest Service is considering a new approach to vegetation management in the Tofte Ranger District. It is hoped that a new process dubbed the “Tofte Landscape Project” will allow the Forest Service to more rapidly respond to changing conditions, while still complying with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The Forest Service is gathering public comment now in a scoping period.

In an introduction to the Tofte Landscape Project, it is explained that Forest Service staff have recognized the need for a process that could allow managers to conduct “the right treatment on the right acre at the right time.”  

According to the Forest Service, sometimes conditions have changed significantly from the time an action (prescribed burn, mechanical treatment, tree planting, etc.) is planned to when it is time to implement that plan. Because there are sometimes delays in implementation, conditions change. However, the Forest Service is locked in to specific planning and implementation for individual stands in the forest.
The Tofte Landscape Project is described as a “landscape scale vegetation management project” using a condition based management approach, which would be implemented over the next 15 years.

The Forest Service would like to hear from the public during its scoping period for the Tofte Landscape Project. Questions for commenters include:

• What forest conditions need improving in the project area?
• What types of treatments should we include in the treatment ‘toolbox’ and under what conditions should they be used?
• Are there any project design criteria (landscape filters and operational standards and guidelines) that we should add, change or remove from the project to better achieve the purpose and need, or to avoid and minimize adverse environmental effects to any specific resources or locations?
• How can the implementation plan be designed to best engage other governments, interested organizations and the public in selecting stands and treatments?

To learn more or to submit comments, visit the Tofte Landscape Project storymap website.

WTIP’s Rhonda Silence spoke with Marshell Moy, the East Zone NEPA Coordinator, about the project. Here’s their conversation.

Further information about the Tofte Landscape Project, is also available from Tofte District Ranger, Ellen Bogardus-Szymaniak, at [email protected]  or project leader Marshell Moy at [email protected]
Marshell Moy can also be reached by phone at 218-387-3247.