The ReVision Review

Your Connection to 

Forest Plan Revision on the 

Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests

United States

Department of

Agriculture

Forest Service

Southwestern

Region

MB-R3-01-1
A Message from the Forest Supervisor

I

want to wish all of you a happy holiday season and 

encourage you to continue to participate in the forest 

plan revision process. This progress report, “The 

ReVision Review,” is just one more way for us to stay 

connected with you as we work together to build a vision 

for the future of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests.

The forests are important to all of us. It is where we 

recreate, where some of you grew up and where some of 

you work. For some of you it is your own backyard and 

a vacation destination for others. The forests have and 

continue to shape our communities and our way of life. 

The forest plan will guide our management and describe 

what we want the forests to look like and what it will 

provide. As the responsible official for plan revision, 

one of my jobs is to define the scope of what needs to be 

revised in our current forest plan. You can help me by 

providing your recommendations that will help shape the 

future of our forests. 

The focus of this first edition of “The ReVision Review” 

is what you have told us so far. 

A summary of your comments is included in this 

document, and we will use your comments as the starting 

point for our January 2007 public meetings. During these 

meetings we will discuss the issues you have brought 

forward so far, and ask you to help us learn more about 

your issues and concerns. So please review the summary 

of comments and come to the meetings prepared to work 

with other participants to further discuss these issues and 

concerns. The meeting schedule is also included and 

posted on our Web site. Thank you for your comments so 

far, and I look forward to your participation in round two 

of our public meetings in January. 

I’ll see you there! 

Elaine J. Z ieroth

Forest Supervisor

“Caring for the Land and Serving People”

1

Elaine J. Zieroth, Supervisor, 

Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests

Fisherman at Luna Lake, Apache-Sitgreaves National 

Forests
A Forest Plan . . .

What Exactly is a Forest Plan?

The revised forest plan will provide a broad 

long-term strategy for guiding natural 

resources and land use activities on the forests. It will 

set the vision for what we want the forests to look like 

and what we want the forests to provide by describing 

desired conditions for vegetation types and our multipleuse mission. It will describe how we expect to get to the 

desired conditions through stated objectives, suitability of 

areas for certain uses, and identification of special areas. 

It will also provide information and guidance for project 

and activity decisionmaking through guidelines. The 

revised forest plan will be more adaptable to changes in 

forest health, social desires and local economies, and will 

utilize the best available science. 

The revised forest plan will have five main components:

1. Desired Conditions – what we want the forests to 

look like and what we want the forests to provide. 

These conditions must contribute to ecological, social 

and economic sustainability.

2. Objectives – the projected outcomes that measure 

progress toward achieving the desired conditions 

within specific timeframes. An example of a plan 

objective would be to “reduce hazardous fuels on 

5,000 acres per year for 5 years in the wildland-urban 

interface.”

3. Guidelines – provides information and guidance for 

project and activity decisionmaking that protects 

resources and helps achieve desired conditions.

4. Suitability of Areas – uses and activities that are 

generally suitable in certain areas of the forests and 

contribute to the desired conditions. 

5. Special Areas – areas that are unique or have 

special characteristics that contribute to the desired 

conditions. Examples include congressionally 

designated wilderness, wild and scenic rivers, and 

research natural areas.

What a Forest Plan is NOT

The revised forest plan, by itself, does not 

make decisions about particular projects. It 

provides the vision and direction for the future. When 

specific actions or projects are proposed to address 

site-specific concerns, the Forest Service will conduct 

detailed and site-specific planning and analysis with 

public involvement, in accordance with National 

Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations. Examples 

of these types of projects are wildland-urban interface 

treatments, livestock grazing allotment analysis, decisions 

on individual roads and trails, prescribed fire projects, 

recreation site development and fish barrier construction.

2

Map of Arizona showing the location of the ApacheSitgreaves National Forests
What You Have Told Us So Far . . .

Forest Plan Revision Public 

Comments Summer/Fall 2006

A complete listing of the comments is available on our 

Web site at http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/asnf/plan-revision

Background

As of November 1, 2006, the Apache-Sitgreaves 

National Forests received over 1,000 comments related 

to forest plan revision and implementation of the Travel 

Management Rule. Comments were gathered during 

meetings with the public, agencies, organizations, and 

forest user groups, as well as via e-mails, letters, phone 

calls, and comment forms.

These comments were placed into subject categories 

and summarized by members of the Apache-Sitgreaves 

planning and travel management teams. This document 

contains a general summary of the comments.

Summary of Comments

American Indian Rights and Interests

• Forest threats may spread to tribal lands – mistletoe, 

fire, etc.

• Forest users may trespass onto tribal lands – horn 

hunters, poachers, etc.

• Maintenance of forest improvements bordering tribal 

lands – fence, roads, etc.

• Forest products are important to tribal gathering 

– acorns, roots, nuts, etc.

Economics

• Recognize the forests’ contribution to the local 

economy (via logging, grazing, recreation, tourism, 

property value, transportation system, etc.).

• Consider economic effects in plan analyses and 

monitoring.

Fire Management

• Buildup of fuels increases the potential fire threat.

• Need to utilize prescribed and natural fire. 

(Coordinate with permitted users. Allow to burn in 

steep, inaccessible areas.)

• Need for fire protection and fuels treatment around 

communities.

• Protect vs. do not protect structures during wildfire 

suppression.

• Close forest sooner during high fire danger.

Forest Access 

• Roads being closed and ineffectiveness of closure 

devices.

• Need to re-examine wildlife habitat closure areas.

• Diminished vehicle access to the forest.

• Access for persons with disabilities may be affected.

• Retain access for emergency/fire vehicles, general 

motorized vehicles, dispersed camping/hunting/

hiking, permitted use, forest management, forest 

products, and private land.

Forest Health and Threats

• Consider effects of climate and drought.

• Loss of grasslands because of conifer and piñon/

juniper encroachment.

• Landscapes being fragmented and effects on wildlife 

and ranching lifestyle.

• Need insect and disease management, specifically 

mistletoe infestation.

• Need detection, mapping, and management of 

noxious and invasive weeds.

• General species mortality, specifically loss of aspen.

• Forest is too thick and overgrown.

Forest Products

• Firewood gathering policy needs review (diameter 

limit, areas open, types permitted). Use of motor 

vehicles for firewood gathering being limited.

• Need to salvage dead and dying trees (spruce, etc.).

• Need sustainable woody biomass.

• Need more stewardship projects and need to 

implement faster.

• Need small sales program and more logging/timber 

sales.

3
Where are We 

in the Forest Plan Revision Process?

We are in the midst of completing our initial public 

outreach focused on learning what people think “needs 

to change” in our current forest plan. We completed 

the first round of 16 public meetings in the summer and 

fall of 2006. We also made initial contact with counties 

and local, State, and Federal agencies. We will be 

meeting with tribal governments very soon. We will also 

participate in a combined public meeting with the Tonto 

National Forest in the Phoenix area early in 2007. The 

meeting details will be posted on our Web site when 

arrangements are final. 

What Can You Do Right Now?

Our next step is to clarify what we’ve heard so far. We 

need to learn more about the issues and concerns you 

have brought forward and what forest issues are most 

important to you. Please plan to attend one or more of the 

second round of public meetings in January 2007. During 

these meetings we will verify and discuss the issues 

and concerns that are important to you. We need your 

Public Meeting Schedule for Second Round, January 2007

Date Arizona City/

Town Location Time

January 9, 2007 Clifton Greenlee County Courthouse Conference Room 6:30-8:30 p.m.

January 11, 2007 Alpine Alpine Community Center 6:30-8:30 p.m.

January 16, 2007 Eagar Eagar Town Hall 6:30-8:30 p.m.

January 17, 2007 Heber/Overgaard Mogollon High School Library 6:30-8:30 p.m

January 18, 2007 Show Low Show Low Library Conference Room 6:30-8:30 p.m.

help. Please review the summary of comments prior to 

the January 2007 meetings, and confirm that your issues 

and concerns are included. Then come to the meetings 

prepared to discuss your issues and concerns in greater 

detail and with other participants. 

Future Public 

Meetings in Spring 2007

Forest Service resource specialists are currently working 

on the initial draft of a comprehensive evaluation report, 

or CER. This report will describe the current social, 

economic and ecological conditions and trends on the 

forests. Once a draft is completed, the report will be 

available at ranger district offices and posted on our Web 

site. We will have our third round of public meetings in 

late Spring of 2007. During this round of meetings we 

will ask for your comments on the initial draft CER. We 

will let you know when meeting dates and locations are 

determined. The final CER will help the responsible 

official (our forest supervisor) determine what needs to be 

revised in our forest plan and how the forests are managed 

in the future.

The ReVision Process . . .

If you have special needs to attend any of these meetings, please contact Julia Faith Rivera at (928) 333-6336.

4
Which Forest Service Employees are 

Working on Forest Plan Revision?

A 4-person core team has been dedicated to the 

completion of the forest plan revision process. You may 

contact them with any questions and comments.

 Michelle Davalos - Plan Revision Team Leader 

– (928) 333-6334

 Mitchel White – Ecologist (wildlife, range, 

vegetation, soil, water, air) – (928) 333-6348

 Evelyn Treiman - Recreation Planner (recreation, 

social and economic systems) – (928) 333-6322

Julia Faith Rivera - Writer Editor – (928) 333-6336

Key Steps in the Forest Plan Revision Process

Step What You Can Do When

Initial Public Meetings

Learn about the planning process and let us 

know what we need to focus on during plan 

revision.

Summer/Fall 

2006

 Comprehensive Evaluation 

Report (CER)

Provide input to the CER—including current 

conditions and trends on the forests. Help 

review the draft CER.

Spring/Summer 

2007

Develop the Proposed Plan

Let’s work together to develop desired 

conditions, objectives, special areas, 

suitability of areas, guidelines, and a 

monitoring plan.

Summer 2007- 

Spring 2008

90-day Comment Period

This is your chance to provide formal 

written comments regarding the proposed 

plan you’ve helped to build.

Spring 2008

30-day Objection Period A chance to file a formal objection regarding 

the proposed plan. Summer 2008

Approve Plan Forest supervisor approves the plan. Help 

us implement the revised plan. Spring 2009 

First Round of 

Public Meetings, 

Summer-Fall 

2006

Third Round of 

Public Meetings, 

Spring-Summer 

2007

Second Round 

of Public 

Meetings, 

January 2007

Many other Forest Service resource specialists are 

lending their expertise and skills in the revision effort. 

These extended team members contribute a wide range 

of specialties including archeology, recreation, wildlife, 

fisheries, engineering, transportation system, lands, fire/

fuels, geographic information systems (GIS), 

timber, watershed, and 

public affairs. 

5

The ReVision Process . . . continued
FS Communication and Management

• Need more outreach and education with general 

public and school-age children on Forest Service 

history and mission, natural processes, “Leave No 

Trace,” wildlife.

• Laws, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), 

Endangered Species Act (ESA), other mandates, 

lawsuits, and appeals are affecting the Forest 

Service’s ability to manage. Need more Forest 

Service personnel on the forest (presence).

• Need to consult and coordinate with local, State, 

and Federal agencies and organizations, like USDI 

Bureau of Land Management (BLM), State Lands, 

Arizona Game & Fish Department (AZGFD), United 

States Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS), counties, 

sheriff’s office and tribes. Role of other agencies in 

planning and management of the Apache-Sitgreaves 

National Forests.

• Agree vs. do not agree with Forest Service 

management approaches (decisions, management 

styles, priorities, Forest Service personnel actions, 

etc.).

• Public involvement not effective. Use of public input 

in the planning process. Need to utilize local input.

• Need to identify opportunities and encourage more 

volunteers and partnerships.

Heritage Resources

• Consider cultural, historic, and prehistoric resources 

in the plan.

Law Enforcement

• Increase law enforcement vs. decrease.

• Increased garbage and littering on the forest.

• Need to focus law enforcement on violators.

• Suggest methods to supplement law enforcement 

(AZGFD officers, citizen enforcement, charge fees 

to user groups) and increase conformance (increase 

education, review citations and fines, hotline for 

reporting violations).

Law and Regulation

• Laws NEPA, ESA, regulations, other mandates 

affecting forest management.

• Implement specific laws and regulations – Economic 

Flexibility Act, Federal Financial Management Act 

(FFMA), Federal Financial Management Improvement 

Act (FFMIA), Organic Act.

Multiple Use

• Continue multiple-use management vs. limit or restrict 

certain uses.

• Conflicts occur when multiple use is practiced 

(recreation, grazing, and wildlife).

National Forest System Lands

• Need more land exchanges vs. no more land exchanges.

• Consistency in the process, policy, administration for 

special uses.

• Special use needs include outfitter guide permits, utility 

easements, transportation rights-of-way, brush pits.

Outdoor Recreation 

Developed

• Recreation sites managed by concessionaire – site 

maintenance, personnel concerns.

• Increase developed recreation facilities (campsites, 

boating sites) vs. no new development.

• Maintain and improve recreation facilities.

• Effects of recreation on other resources (riparian, noise, 

safety, grazing, water).

• Need no-fee campgrounds.

• Need maps and information regarding camping areas 

(post to Web site).

Dispersed

• Need to maintain current dispersed camping 

opportunities vs. increase those opportunities.

• Effects of other management actions on dispersed 

camping.

• Effects of other management actions on game retrieval.

6

What You Have Told Us So Far . . . continued
• Other dispersed recreation – undisturbed/

undeveloped areas, shooting areas, watchable 

wildlife, scenic byway, adopt-a-trail.

• Effects of other management actions and prescribed 

burning on hunting and fishing.

• Need maintained nonmotorized trails.

Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Management

• Need to increase vs. balance vs. eliminate OHV use/

opportunities.

• Effects of OHV use (new roads, noise, erosion, user 

conflicts, litter, wildlife, pollution, safety, heritage 

resources, homeowners).

• Need more OHV opportunities (jeep trails, loop trails, 

longer trails, areas).

Planning Process

• Assessments and research used in forest plan revision 

process should be impartial.

• Need to have effective monitoring.

• Questions related to process of forest plan revision.

Riparian

• Emphasize riparian management.

Rangeland Management

• Questions regarding criteria used for determining 

grazing suitability and livestock capacity.

• Effects of livestock (cow, sheep, feral horses) on 

other resources.

• Allotment management issues – stocking rate, 

maintenance improvement, allotment closures, 

vehicle access.

• Recognize benefits of grazing and the ranching 

lifestyle.

Special Areas

• Make Blue Range Primitive Area wilderness vs. do 

away with it.

• Need roadless areas vs. no need for them.

• Need more wilderness vs. no more wilderness.

• Do away with “wild and scenic” study rivers.

Social

• Recognize that population and demand for forest 

resources continues to increase.

• Recognize traditional use and culture (local forest 

users, communities, grazing, logging).

• People coming to the area cause “problems.”

Transportation System

• Existing roads may be closed.

• Need more roads vs. current amount of roads vs. 

fewer roads.

• Need motorized opportunities (jeeps, areas, connector 

routes, utilization of “logging” roads).

• Implementation and maintenance of transportation 

system (signing, classification, budget, etc.).

• Suggestions and questions regarding inventory and 

map of transportation system.

• Effects related to transportation system (erosion, air, 

water, noise, wildlife).

Vegetation/Silvicultural Treatments

• Need more thinning of forest vegetation.

• Need to manage a variety of vegetative compositions/

structures.

Water

• Consider effects on water rights.

Wildlife and Fisheries

• Manage and protect threatened and endangered 

species (T&E) vs. management of specific species 

(Mexican gray wolf, Mexican spotted owl, northern 

goshawk, Apache trout).

• Continue to improve fisheries, review priority 

streams. Fish populations declining. 

• Need to re-examine wildlife habitat closure areas.

• Manage wildlife (antelope, elk, bear) and effects to 

wildlife and habitat from other management activities 

and forest uses (grazing, fire, noise, disturbance, 

timber harvest).

7

What You Have Told Us So Far . . . continued
Why Revise the Forest Plan?

In 1976 Congress passed the National Forest 

Management Act, which requires that each 

national forest periodically update its forest 

plan. The Apache-Sitgreaves National 

Forests current forest plan was approved on 

October 20, 1987. Changes in economic, 

social and ecological conditions, as well 

as new policies and priorities, mean some 

portions of the plan are no longer current. A 

new planning rule was established in 2005 

that provides the Forest Service guidance on 

how to revise those portions of the current 

plan that are no longer current, and replaces 

the 1982 planning regulations. The 2005 rule 

focuses on developing a plan that is more 

strategic in nature, more flexible in adapting 

to changing conditions, better incorporates 

the best available science, monitors 

and evaluates progress and results, and 

involves the public in a more collaborative 

way throughout the process. It does not change the 

Forest Service’s stewardship mission, focus on sustainability, 

multiple-use responsibilities, or requirements to comply 

with existing environmental statutes and regulations.

Are Other Arizona Forests 

Revising Their Plans?

All six national forests in Arizona are 

currently in the process of forest plan 

revision. Arizona national forests include 

approximately 10.1 million acres of some 

of the most spectacularly beautiful and 

diverse public lands in the United States. 

The USDA Forest Service Southwestern 

Region has developed policy papers on 

strategies, processes and tools to use that 

will help guide us through certain tasks in 

the revision process. These policy papers 

include advice on collaboration, science 

consistency, ecological, social and economic 

sustainability, and the development of plan 

components. These policy papers can be 

found on the Southwestern Region Web 

site at: http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/planrevision/index.shtml. The regional 

strategy for forest plan revision will 

ensure consistency across all forests and 

result in maximum efficiency and cost effectiveness for 

the revision efforts. 

The ReVision 

Review

Your Connection to 

Forest Plan Revision on the 

Apache-Sitgreaves National 

Forests

United States

Department of

Agriculture

Forest 

Service

Southwestern

Region

MB-R3-01-1

How Can I Participate in Forest Plan Revision?

Your participation and comments are welcome at any 

time. There are several ways to participate in the 

forest plan revision process:

 Public Meetings: a chance to interact and work 

with Forest Service representatives and other 

members of the public.

 Web site: http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/asnf/planrevision/ - a place to find more information about 

the revision process and opportunity to provide 

comments.

 E-Mail: asnf.planning@fs.fed.us - contact us 

with your questions or comments.

 Phone: (928) 333-4301 - ask for a planning 

team member.

 Fax: (928) 333-5966

 TTY: (928) 333-6292

 Regular Mail: USDA Forest Service

Attn: Plan Revision Team

 P.O. Box 640

Springerville, AZ 85938

Let us know if you have other ideas that will better 

help us work together.

Why Revise . . .

8
Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests

Supervisor’s Office

Forest Plan Revision Team

30 South Chiricahua Drive

P.O. Box 640

Springerville, AZ 85938

We’re on the Web!

http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/asnf/plan-revision/

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and 

activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, 

marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, 

political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any 

public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with 

disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, 

large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice 

and TTY). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil 

Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 

(voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TTY). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Printed on recycled paper • December 2006

Hope to see you at the public 

meetings in January 2007!