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Revised Land Management Plan

El Yunque National Forest

Responsible Agency: USDA Forest Service

Responsible Official: Sharon Wallace, Forest Supervisor

El Yunque National Forest

HC-01, Box 13490

Rio Grande, PR

00745-9625

For Information Contact: Pedro Rios, Project Leader

El Yunque National Forest

HC-01, Box 13490

Rio Grande, PR

00745-9625

http://www.fs.usda.gov/elyunque
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El Yunque National Forest

i 

Table of Contents 

1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................... 1

1.1 Plan Purpose .................................................................................................................................. 1

1.2 Plan Components .......................................................................................................................... 2

1.3 Forest Plan Structure ..................................................................................................................... 3

1.4 Location of the Plan Area ............................................................................................................. 4

1.5 Plan Relationship to Other Documents ......................................................................................... 6

1.6 Distinctive Roles and Contributions of El Yunque ....................................................................... 6

1.7 Vision and Management Themes .................................................................................................. 8

What is Shared Stewardship? ................................................................................................................ 9

2 Geographic Management Area Direction ........................................................................................... 11

2.1 Geographic Areas ........................................................................................................................ 11

2.1.1 El Yunque Region: Current Conditions and Trends ......................................................... 11

2.1.2 Benefits of Identifying Geographic Areas for El Yunque Region .................................... 15

2.1.3 El Yunque National Forest Geographic Areas .................................................................. 16

2.1.4 El Yunque National Forest Management Areas ............................................................... 21

2.2 Suitability of Lands ..................................................................................................................... 43

2.3 Suitability for Timber Harvesting ............................................................................................... 44

3 Desired Conditions for El Yunque National Forest ............................................................................ 47

3.1 Ecological Sustainability and Diversity of Plant and Animal Communities .............................. 48

3.1.1 Climate Change Response ................................................................................................ 48

3.1.2 Terrestrial Ecosystem: Vegetation .................................................................................... 48

3.1.3 Functional Wetland ........................................................................................................... 51

3.1.4 Aquatic Ecosystems .......................................................................................................... 54

3.1.5 Riparian Management Zones ............................................................................................ 54

3.1.6 Air/Resource Quality ........................................................................................................ 55

3.1.7 Soils .................................................................................................................................. 56

3.1.8 Water Resources ............................................................................................................... 57

3.1.9 Wildlife and Fisheries ....................................................................................................... 58

3.1.10 At-Risk Species: Fauna ..................................................................................................... 59

3.1.11 At-Risk Species: Flora ...................................................................................................... 61

3.2 Social and Economic Sustainability and Multiple Use ............................................................... 62

3.2.1 Socio-economics ............................................................................................................... 62

3.2.2 Broader Landscape and Lands .......................................................................................... 64

3.2.3 Environmental Education.................................................................................................. 65

3.3 Multiple Uses .............................................................................................................................. 67

3.3.1 Ecosystem Services ........................................................................................................... 67

3.3.2 Recreation ......................................................................................................................... 68

3.3.3 Forest Products ................................................................................................................. 75

3.3.4 Watershed ......................................................................................................................... 77

3.3.5 Special Uses ...................................................................................................................... 78

3.3.6 Scenic Character ............................................................................................................... 79

3.3.7 Cultural and Historic Resources ....................................................................................... 83

3.3.8 Facilities and Transportation............................................................................................. 86

3.3.9 Minerals ............................................................................................................................ 88

3.3.10 Large-scale Disturbances .................................................................................................. 88

4 Monitoring and Evaluation ................................................................................................................. 91

4.1 Focal Species for Monitoring ...................................................................................................... 92
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4.2 Monitoring Questions, Indicators and Adaptive Management Strategies ................................... 95

5 References Cited ............................................................................................................................... 113

Appendix A: Management Situations for the Elfin-woods Warbler in the New Land Management Plan for 

El Yunque National Forest ........................................................................................................................ 117

Introduction .......................................................................................................................................... 117

Appendix B: Forest Products within the Community Interface Resource Management Area ................. 121

Silvicultural Products ........................................................................................................................... 121

Methodology ......................................................................................................................................... 121

Forest Yield .......................................................................................................................................... 122

Timber Suitability and Sustained Yield ............................................................................................ 122

Planned Wood Product Sale Program ............................................................................................... 123

Sustained Yield Limit ....................................................................................................................... 124

Estimated Vegetation Management Practices ................................................................................... 125

Special Forest Products (Non-Timber) ................................................................................................. 125

Special Forest Product Strategic Goals ............................................................................................. 126

Appendix C: Priority Watersheds ............................................................................................................. 127

Appendix D: Forest Designation Area Map ............................................................................................. 130

Appendix E: List of At-Risk Species ........................................................................................................ 131

List of Tables

Table 2-1. Total area and national forest area in El Yunque Region .......................................................... 12

Table 2-2. Forest Plan geographic areas ..................................................................................................... 16

Table 2-3. Geographic area collaborative groups and their relationship to the Forest ............................... 17

Table 2-4. Forest Plan management areas .................................................................................................. 24

Table 2-5. Management area acreage ......................................................................................................... 25

Table 2-6. Wild, scenic, and recreation rivers (designated December 2002) ............................................. 37

Table 2-7. Timber production suitability classification .............................................................................. 45

Table 3-1. Description of management situations, sensitivity levels and guidelines .................................. 61

Table 4-1. Focal species for El Yunque ...................................................................................................... 94

Table 4-2. Monitoring questions and indicators by selected plan components .......................................... 95

Table 4-3. Monitoring the desired conditions for wildlife and fisheries resources ................................... 100

Table 4-4. Monitoring desired conditions ................................................................................................. 101

Table A- 1. Description of management situations, sensitivity levels, and guidelines ............................. 118

Table A- 2. Summary of the Elfin-woods warbler management situation concept .................................. 119

Table B- 1. Diameter at breast height (1.4 meters) periodic annual increments by Holdridge life zone with 

number of trees measured, standard error of the mean (SE), standard deviation of the mean (SD), and 

maximum observed periodic annual increment increase from Puerto Rico forest inventory data in 

centimeters per year* ........................................................................................................................ 122

Table B- 2. Timber production suitability classification .......................................................................... 123

Table B- 3. Planned timber sale program; decadal volume outputs for the first and second decade ........ 124

Table B- 4. Estimated vegetation management practices, annual average per decade (acres) ................. 125

Table C- 1. Watershed condition classes and management strategies ...................................................... 128

Table E- 1. Species of conservation concern ............................................................................................ 131

Table E- 2. Threatened and endangered species ....................................................................................... 132
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List of Maps 

Map 1-1. El Yunque National Forest and vicinity ........................................................................................ 5

Map 2-1. Geographic area map ................................................................................................................... 13

Map 2-2. Forest Plan management areas .................................................................................................... 23

Map 3-1. Existing forest types of El Yunque National Forest .................................................................... 52

Map 3-2. Functional wetland at the 1,969-foot elevation (600 meters) ...................................................... 53

Map 3-3. Recreation opportunity spectrum (ROS) classes found in El Yunque ........................................ 70

Map 3-4. Scenic classes within El Yunque National Forest ....................................................................... 82

Map C- 1. Watershed condition classification .......................................................................................... 129

Map D- 1. All designated areas ................................................................................................................. 130
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El Yunque National Forest

1 

1 Introduction

The Forest Service has developed this land management plan (also referred to as the “Forest Plan” or “the 

Plan”) to guide the general management direction of El Yunque National Forest during the next 15 years. 

This document, developed under the 2012 Planning Regulations outlined in the 36 CFR 291 2012 

planning rule, is a revision of the existing Forest Plan that was prepared in 1997 under the National Forest 

Management Act (NFMA). 

In 1997 the Forest Service developed a management plan that considered several issues and management 

needs. The 1997 management concept focused on conservation, particularly to protect the unique 

ecological resources. The planning strategy was to develop solutions to nine issues using a “plan 

components” approach. The idea was to obtain a formal designation for research natural areas, wild and 

scenic rivers, and wilderness. In addition, mature forest was protected through a series of plan 

components. The plan addressed the utilization of water, wildlife, and research. Social needs were 

addressed through recreation and access initiatives. 

This Plan revision incorporates new information, addresses evolving issues and trends, accounts for 

changes in national policy and direction, and includes updated views from the public. The revised Forest 

Plan is the result of a multi-year planning process and collaboration with the public and other Federal 

agencies and State and local government. This Plan differs from the previous plan by focusing on an 

integrated vision of ecological, social, and economic sustainability and connecting to local communities. 

The Plan describes how we want the National Forest to look and function in the future rather than how 

individual projects would be implemented. 

This Plan adopts an adaptive approach to land and resource management that emphasizes the importance 

of monitoring and learning from management effects and outcomes. Adaptive management is enhanced 

by partnerships with scientists, practitioners, decision-makers, and other stakeholders who learn and work 

together to support a management system resilient to changes in social, economic, and ecological 

conditions. 

1.1 Plan Purpose

The purpose of this Plan is to guide future projects, practices, uses, and protection measures to ensure 

sustainable multiple-use management of El Yunque. This Plan describes activities that would likely be 

implemented, as well as the resulting public benefits and long-term improved condition of El Yunque. Per 

direction in CFR 219.2: 

A plan does not authorize projects or activities or commit the Forest Service to take action. A plan 

may constrain the Agency from authorizing or carrying out projects and activities, or the manner 

in which they may occur. Projects and activities must be consistent with the plan (CFR 219.15). A 

plan does not regulate uses by the public, but a project or activity decision that regulates a use by 

the public under 36 CFR Part 261, Subpart B, may be made contemporaneously with the approval 

of a plan, plan amendment, or plan revision... The supervisor or district ranger is the responsible 

official for project and activity decisions, unless a higher-level official acts as the responsible 

official.

As required by NFMA, all projects and activities that would be authorized by the Forest Service, after the 

record of decision for the revised Plan, must be consistent with the Forest Plan (16 U.S.C. 1604 (i)) and 

its applicable plan components, as described at 36 CFR 219.15. 
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2 

When a proposed project or activity is not consistent with the applicable plan components, the responsible 

official shall take one of the following steps, subject to valid existing rights:

Modify the proposed project or activity to make it consistent with the applicable plan 

components. 

Reject the proposal or terminate the project or activity.

Amend the plan so that the project or activity will be consistent with the plan as amended.

Amend the plan contemporaneously with the approval of the project or activity so that the project 

or activity will be consistent with the plan as amended (36 CFR 219.15(c)). 

1.2 Plan Components 

A land management plan must include components, which provide a strategic and practical framework for 

managing the plan area. Plan components are applicable to the resources and issues of the plan area, and 

should reflect the unit’s distinctive roles and contributions. 

The required components of a forest plan (hereafter referred to as “plan components”) are the following: 

Desired conditions 

Objectives

Standards 

Guidelines 

Management areas

Geographic areas

Suitability of National Forest lands for timber production and for various other uses 

These components are defined as follows:

Desired Conditions: A desired condition is a description of specific social, economic, and/or 

ecological characteristics of the plan area, or a portion of the plan area, toward which management of 

the land and resources should be directed. Desired conditions must be specific enough to measure

progress toward their achievement, but do not include completion dates. As noted above, desired

conditions do not commit the Forest Service to take action. 

Objectives: An objective is a concise, measurable, and time-specific statement of a desired rate of 

progress toward a desired condition or conditions. Objectives should be based on reasonably

foreseeable financial considerations. Specific objectives and management strategies outlined in this

Plan describe our approach for moving El Yunque’s resources toward the desired conditions—they 

are stepping stones of achievement. Objectives do not commit the Forest Service to take action. Sitespecific decisions to implement the Forest Plan are required. 

Standards: A standard is a mandatory constraint on project and activity decision-making established

to help achieve or maintain desired conditions to avoid or mitigate undesirable effects or to meet

applicable legal requirements.

Guidelines: A guideline is a constraint on project and activity decision-making that allows for

departure from its terms, as long as the purpose of the guideline is met. 

Suitability of Lands: Specific lands within a plan area are identified as suitable for various multiple

uses or activities based on the desired conditions applicable to those lands. The plan identifies lands 

as not suitable for uses that are not compatible with desired conditions for those lands. Suitability
El Yunque National Forest

3 

determinations are not made for all uses, but by law, there must be a determination of the lands that

are suitable and not suitable for timber production. Lands are considered suitable for a use or uses is

not a commitment to authorize such use.

Management Areas or Geographic Area: The plan identifies whether the plan components apply to

the entire plan area, to specific management areas or geographic areas, or other areas identified in the

plan. 

In addition to requiring plan components, the 2012 planning rule requires that a plan have “other required 

content” (36 CFR 219.7(f)(1)) addressing priority watersheds, the distinctive roles and contributions of 

the plan area, a plan monitoring program, and proposed and possible actions. 

Optional content in this Plan includes: 

Elfin-woods Warbler Management Approach

Forest Products, Shared Stewardship Activities for the Community Interface Resource 

Management Area (CIRMA)

Priority Watersheds

Forest Designation Area Maps

List of At-Risk Species

This Plan includes additional information about management strategies and partnership opportunities that 

can be used to coordinate the achievement of desired conditions and objectives. Management strategies 

describe how the Forest Service intends to move the Forest’s resources toward desired conditions, 

including objectives and management approaches to implementation. 

1.3 Forest Plan Structure 

The Plan is organized as follows: 

1. Introduction. The section provides an overview of El Yunque and describes the purpose and structure 

of this revised land management plan. This section also describes distinctive roles and contributions of the 

Plan area, as well as themes generated from public involvement. Finally, it presents the Plan’s vision and 

general management strategies. 

2. Geographic Management Area Direction. This section outlines the desired conditions and objectives 

for the geographic areas, management areas, and associated standard and guidelines. The suitability of 

various uses are also described. 

3. Desired Conditions for El Yunque National Forest. This section provides the Forest-wide desired 

conditions and objectives, along with the Forest-wide standards and guidelines that establish sideboards 

for management activities and ensuring resource protection as the agency implements projects that move 

the Forest toward desired conditions. This section points to existing management direction (for example, 

public laws, regulations, Forest Service manuals and handbooks, and Federal policies) that is generally 

not restated in this Plan. 

4. Monitoring and Evaluation. This section describes the Plan’s adaptive management strategy and 

monitoring program that will provide information to determine whether programs and projects are 

meeting Forest Plan direction, whether the Plan should be amended or revised, or if monitoring program 

is providing the information needed.
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5. References. This section includes a list of external and internal documents relevant to understanding 

the plan. 

Appendices. Appended materials include: 

Management Situations for the Elfin-woods Warbler in the New Land Management Plan for El 

Yunque National Forest 

Timber Suitability, Sustained Yield, and Forest Products within the Community Interface 

Resource Management Area

Priority Watersheds

Forest Designation Area Maps

List of At-Risk Species

1.4 Location of the Plan Area 

El Yunque National Forest (referred to as El Yunque or the Forest) is located in the rugged Sierra de 

Luquillo Mountains, 25 miles southeast of San Juan, Puerto Rico. The Luquillo Mountains rise abruptly 

from sea level at Las Cabezas de San Juan on the northeastern tip of Puerto Rico to 3,524 feet in elevation 

at El Toro Peak. The Forest contains 29,000 acres. Elevation ranges from about 330 to 3,533 feet above 

sea level. Topography is rugged, with 24 percent of the Forest exhibiting 60 percent slope or steeper. 
El Yunque National Forest

5 

Map 1-1. El Yunque National Forest and vicinity
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The three geographic scales considered are municipal, regional, and Island wide. In Puerto Rico, a 

municipality is the smallest division of administrative and electoral government, similar to a county in the 

U.S. El Yunque is surrounded by nine municipalities in Eastern Puerto Rico: Canóvanas, Ceiba, Fajardo, 

Juncos, Luquillo, Naguabo, Rio Grande, Las Piedras, and Humacao. These comprise more than 220,000 

acres (about 347 square miles), which is about 10 percent of the Island’s total area. Stretching over 29,000 

acres, the National Forest covers about 15 percent of the total area of the Region. 

El Yunque is the only tropical forest in the National Forest System. It is administered by a Forest 

Supervisor and staff. Offices are located at Headquarters and El Portal Visitor Center on PR Route 191, 

kilometer 4.4, south of Palmer, Río Grande. El Yunque has dual designation as El Yunque National Forest 

and the Luquillo Experimental Forest. Research within the Luquillo Experimental Forest is overseen and 

conducted by the International Institute of Tropical Forestry (IITF or the Institute). The Institute is 

administered by a director and staffed with research scientists, professionals, and technicians. The 

Institute’s offices are located on the grounds of the University of Puerto Rico’s Botanical Garden in Rio 

Piedras, Puerto Rico, and the Sabana Field Research Station in Luquillo, Puerto Rico. 

1.5 Plan Relationship to Other Documents 

This Plan relates to a series of documents that provide strategic, local government, or regulatory 

guidance: 

USDA Forest Service Strategic Plan

Puerto Rican Parrot Recovery Plan 

Flora and Fauna Recovery Plans 

El Yunque National Forest Comprehensive River Management Plan

Municipal Zoning Plans 

Puerto Rico Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Management Strategic Plan

Puerto Rico Water Management Plan

Protected Areas Management Plans

IITF Research Work Unit Description

Designation of “Corredor Ecológico del Noreste” Natural Reserve 

1.6 Distinctive Roles and Contributions of El Yunque 

The Forest provides environmental, social, and economic benefits to local and regional communities, as 

well as to people across the Nation, making El Yunque an important and unique part of Puerto Rico. 

The unique roles and contribution include: 

1. The Luquillo Mountains are a major source of water for the Island. There are 34 water intakes 

withdrawing over 46 million gallons per day from the Forest. The mountains supply more than 20 

percent of the Island’s municipal water each year, with El Yunque providing an average of 9.7x109

cubic feet of water per year for municipal uses (Scatena and Johnson 2001). 

2. The Forest represents innumerable and invaluable economic, social, and cultural contributions to 

local communities and beyond. The Forest contributes an estimated $25 million in water production 

per year and more than $3 million per year in wildlife viewing activities. El Yunque directly 

contributes over $3.5 million to local economies through employment, expenditures, and payments 
El Yunque National Forest

7 

from revenue sharing and in-lieu of taxes. The Forest is located in a major touristic region, while 

being surrounded by resorts and natural protected areas. 

3. The Forest provides opportunities for local residents and visitors to connect with the land, with each 

other, and with Puerto Rican history and culture. El Yunque contributes to human health and wellbeing, offering unique opportunities for recreation, relaxation, exercise, solitude, stewardship, 

spirituality, community, and many other socioeconomic and cultural benefits and beneficial 

experiences.

4. The major ecosystem services provided by El Yunque National Forest identified by all stakeholder 

groups include: clean water, habitat for flora and fauna, air purification, recreation, and scenic value.

5. People experience the unique natural setting of El Yunque through recreation and tourism. Lush and 

dense tropical vegetation, steep slopes, cascading streams and rivers, wildlife, varying bird diversity 

and hundreds of tree species make El Yunque an outstanding recreation setting for people seeking 

outdoor pleasure and adventure. These features make the Forest a special destination. 

6. El Yunque is the only tropical rain forest in the National Forest System and is renowned for its natural 

scenic beauty. There are cascades, pools, and waterfalls throughout the landscape. Immensely diverse 

vegetation and steep landforms of El Yunque combine to make a distinctive landscape. The water, 

landform, and vegetation attributes provide for unique and outstanding scenic quality with a variety 

and vividness provided by lush and diverse vegetation. 

7. Popular recreation activities include viewing scenery, nature photography, driving for pleasure, hiking, 

picnicking, and water play. About 80 percent of visitors participated in viewing natural features or 

scenery. 

8. The Forest has a dual designation as the Luquillo Experimental Forest and El Yunque National Forest. 

The Luquillo Mountains provide an excellent natural research laboratory because they represent five 

subtropical life zones: Wet Forest, Rain Forest, Lower Montane Wet Forest, Lower Montane Rain 

Forest, and Moist Forest Life Zone (Ewel and Whitmore 1973). The Forest has a region with a rich 

tradition of forestry research unique among tropical forests; scientists have been active there since the 

end of the 19th century.

9. The Forest also contains the largest block of tropical forest essentially unchanged by human 

intervention in Puerto Rico. 

10. El Yunque provides habitat for over 180 fauna species, of which five are federally listed species: the 

Puerto Rican parrot, Puerto Rican broad-winged and sharp-shinned hawks, Puerto Rican boa, and 

Elfin-woods warbler. 

11. The Forest provides habitat for species of conservation concern, which includes 10 species of tree 

frogs (coquies), 2 species of anole lizards, 1 bat species, 2 bird species, 1 snail species, 5 species of 

fishes, and 2 species of freshwater shrimp.

12. El Yunque provides habitat for 830 native plant species. The Forest provides habitat for 8 federally 

listed plants species: Callicarpa ampla, Eugenia haematocarpa, Ilex sintenisii, Lepanthes eltoroensis, 

Pleodendron macranthum, Styrax portoricensis, Ternstroemia luquillensis, and Ternstroemia 

subsessilis. Within the plants species, 39 are considered species of conservation concern. 
Revised Land Management Plan

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1.7 Vision and Management Themes 

A vision for the Forest Plan was developed through a collaborative process with the public, stakeholders, 

and Forest employees. The vision on which internal and external stakeholders can rally around and reflect 

the uniqueness of the Forest is: 

Maintain a healthy, accessible, and sustainable forest that integrates multiple uses; provides 

economic, ecological, and social opportunities; promotes education, environmental justice, 

cultural and environmental identity and awareness for the conservation of its natural resources; 

and adaptive forest management that is inclusive and collaborative.

What do we do? 

♦ Help to improve and maintain the quality of life of the Forest and surrounding communities. 

♦ Provide and promote access to the Forest and the sustainably of its resources in collaboration 

with the multiple socioeconomic sectors of the public that benefit from it.

♦ Ensure access to scientific and interpretive information available about the Forest, including its 

cultural resources and Forest services and products.

How will we do this?

♦ Collaborating in sustainable socioeconomic development and community activities that help in 

conserving and improving the Forest and its resources. 
El Yunque National Forest

9 

♦ Developing sustainable and collaborative projects with the public and private sectors and 

society at large.

♦ Conserving, preserving, and restoring Forest habitats and ecosystems through strategic adaptive 

planning, research, monitoring, and education. 

♦ Promoting and strengthening the shared stewardship and the social and ecological identity and 

connectivity of the region through improved public participation and involvement in decisionmaking.

♦ Using the best science and local knowledge.

For whom will we do this?

♦ For the welfare of nature and society based on a local focus and global perspectives. 

What is Shared Stewardship? 

The concept of shared stewardship is a key factor for collaboration within El Yunque National Forest. 

This concept arose through conversations with the public and stakeholders. The idea of shared 

stewardship is culturally developed as a process of collaboration between the Forest Service (as an 

agency) and the public (as stakeholders and key partners). Shared stewardship takes partnerships a step 

further into a collaborating process, where the public contributes to land management. Shared stewardship 

is the strategic and site-specific engagement of Forest Service and active partners working together in 

general forest operations, conservation and restoration activities with a practical sense of shared 

responsibilities to achieve the Mission. It is important that the public and stakeholders are clear that this 

concept does not mean that the Forest Service has delegated its authority to make decisions on land 

management, but welcomes the public to contribute to identifying how the land management plan is 

implemented. For example, a community-based shared stewardship approach is a form of collaboration 

between the Forest and the community when developing a specific project. This means that when the 

Forest and the community develop the project together, they do so in compliance with the Forest Plan and 

under Forest Service authority. 

In order to implement the vision, the following five core management themes were developed. 

1. Promote a stronger regional identity in and around the Forest using an “all-lands approach 

policy.” 

Consider the ecological, social, and economic needs of the broader landscape. An area of 

community interface for management of resources at the lower elevations of the Forest is 

sustainably managed in accessible locations suitable for multiple-use management and provides 

for forest products.

2. Provide for healthy ecosystems.

Conserve and restore ecosystems. Protect and conserve the functional wetlands and primary 

forest and maintain or improve watershed conditions on the Forest while monitoring, adapting, 

and mitigating the effects of climate change.

3. Incorporate collaborative adaptive management at the Plan and site-specific levels. 

Sustain and develop partnerships. Continue current regional collaboration efforts engaged in 

conservation, management, land use and research in a sustainable manner while continuing to 
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10

explore opportunities for further partnership efforts. Shift priorities from primarily a Forest 

Service-driven-management to a more collaborative management. Partnership opportunities and 

collaboration arrangements support the achievement of desired conditions and objectives of the 

Plan.

Integrate Commonwealth, Municipal and Federal agencies and stakeholders in conservation 

efforts. Facilitate and coordinate a collaboration framework by integrating agencies and 

concerned citizens of the region in processes to request support or funds for programs and 

promote outreach for incentive programs available for private landowners in the areas adjacent to 

the Forest. 

Provide opportunities for research. Develop initiatives with agencies and stakeholders such as 

Government agencies, non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, and citizen science 

groups. 

4. Define a recreation, access, and tourism system.

Provide for sustainable recreation. The Forest provides sustainable recreation opportunities that 

are in harmony with the natural setting and where people enjoy and value its unique tropical 

ecosystem. It also includes the protection and maintenance of historical and cultural resources. 

Future demands and limited agency resources will require public support and new partnerships to 

improve recreation facilities and services on the Forest, as well as the capacity to support 

recreation usage without causing damage to the environment. 

5. Increase regional environmental literacy and educating local communities. 

Connect the surrounding communities to the Forest’s natural landscapes. Assist in developing 

community capacity for participation in various management activities in areas such as 

interpretation, education, recreation, economic development, conservation, restoration, research, 

and monitoring. Identify and overcome barriers that inhibit these populations from connecting 

socially, culturally, and economically to the natural landscapes within and surrounding the Forest. 
El Yunque National Forest

11

2 Geographic Management Area Direction

The Planning Rule requires the development of plan components that provide a strategic, practical, and 

integrated framework for managing the plan area and its array of ecological, economic, and social 

resources and issues. These plan components guide decisions and activities in and around the Forest and 

may apply to the entire plan area; to specific parcel(s) of land; and/or to specific land covers, uses, or 

characteristics. Land management plans must indicate where each plan component applies through the 

identification of management areas or geographic areas, or both. A management area is “a land area 

identified within the planning area that has the same set of applicable plan components [but] does not 

have to be spatially contiguous” (36 CFR 219). A geographic area is “a spatially contiguous land area 

identified within the planning area [and] may overlap with a management area” (36 CFR 219). Both types 

of planning tools are proposed for El Yunque. 

2.1 Geographic Areas

Geographic areas typically represent large portions of the planning area that encompass desired 

conditions that can span a range of resource management emphases. They allow for the place-based 

development of a long-range vision for that portion of the planning area, which can be adapted to internal 

and external changes over time. 

Given the distinct characteristics of the planning area and the surrounding landscape, geographic areas are 

identified to permit the development of integrated management strategies that recognize the distinct 

ecological, economic, and social conditions that exist at the sub-regional level around the Forest. For El 

Yunque, these geographic areas will facilitate an “all-lands approach” to planning and management that 

supports cross-boundary work with neighboring and nearby landowners and communities, as well as with 

State, Federal, and other land management and governmental agencies. Moreover, the management 

direction for these geographic areas can be tiered to the differentiated roles that the Forest serves in its 

interactions with local communities and their economies, cultures, and ecological services, particularly in 

terms of tourism, recreation, and environmental education. 

The geographic areas proposed for the Forest were identified through an interdisciplinary process that 

considered the range in ecological, economic, and social conditions and trends at the sub-regional level. 

Input on the development of geographic areas was collected through participatory planning meetings with 

local communities, protected area managers, recreation outfitters, municipal governments, business 

representatives, and professional groups. This input was analyzed, alongside information from the 

planning area assessment and other sources, by the interdisciplinary team in the determination and 

mapping of three geographic areas of El Yunque. 

2.1.1 El Yunque Region: Current Conditions and Trends

The region surrounding El Yunque is delineated by nine municipalities: Canóvanas, Ceiba, Fajardo, 

Humacao, Juncos, Las Piedras, Luquillo, Naguabo and Río Grande (map 2-1). Within this region, there is 

a broad range in community characteristics, environmental conditions, and land ownerships that are well 

suited for an “all-lands approach” to resource management and collaboration (map 2-1). Together, these 

nine municipalities extend over 347 square miles (about 220,000 acres), which is about 10 percent of 

Puerto Rico’s total area (table 2-1). Eight of the nine municipalities have some of their land base within 

the boundaries of the Forest, ranging from less than 1 percent in Juncos to more than 33 percent in Río 
Revised Land Management Plan

12

Grande. Humacao is the only municipality in the region without land within the Forest boundary, but is 

included in the region for landscape connectivity.

Table 2-1. Total area and National Forest area in El Yunque Region

Total Area 

(square miles)

Total Area 

(acres)

National Forest 

Area 

(square miles)

National Forest 

Area 

(acres)

National Forest 

Acreage 

(percent)

Canóvanas 33.00 21,121 3.19 2,042 9.7

Ceiba 29.26 18,729 3.34 2,135 11.5

Fajardo 30.23 19,348 0.95 608 3.2

Humacao 55.46 35,494 0 0 0 

Juncos 26.59 17,017 0.03 21 0.1

Las Piedras 33.89 21,692 1.98 1,268 5.8

Luquillo 25.79 16,503 5.62 3,599 21.6

Naguabo 51.78 33,141 8.38 5,360 16.1

Rio Grande 60.85 38,943 20.26 12,969 33.2

Region 346.86 221,988 43.75 28,002 12.6

Puerto Rico* 3,515.00 2,249,600 43.75 28,002 1.2

*includes off-shore islands

Of the municipalities surrounding El Yunque, Humacao is the largest in terms of area (55.5 square miles). 

Río Grande encompasses the largest area of National Forest System land within its borders (20.26 square 

miles; 33.2 percent of its total land base). Juncos is the smallest of the region’s municipalities and 

encompasses the smallest area of National Forest System land (0.03 square miles, 0.1 percent of 

municipality).
El Yunque National Forest

13

Map 2-1. Geographic area map
Revised Land Management Plan

14

El Yunque Region comprises coastline, plains, hills, and mountains within a complex matrix of land 

covers and uses (Gould et al. 2012). In 2010, the forest was the most abundant land cover type in the 

region (43 percent), followed by pasture, including agricultural lands (36 percent), and urban/built-up 

areas (10 percent) (López-Marrero and Hermansen-Báez 2011a).1 At the sub-regional level, forested land 

cover ranged from 55 percent in Luquillo to 26 percent in Juncos (López-Marrero and Hermansen-Báez 

2011a). Pasture and agricultural land cover were most dominant in Las Piedras (54 percent) and 

urban/built-up land cover was most dominant in Fajardo (16 percent) (López-Marrero and HermansenBáez 2011a). From 1998 to 2010, urban/built-up land cover increased by more than 3,000 acres (21 

percent) in the eight municipalities adjacent to El Yunque (López-Marrero and Hermansen-Báez 2011b). 

Juncos and Canóvanas experienced the greatest increase in the percent of urban/built-up area, while Ceiba 

experienced the smallest increase in this land cover type (López-Marrero and Hermansen-Báez 2011b). 

In 2014, nearly 330,000 people lived in the nine municipalities comprising El Yunque Region (U.S. 

Census Bureau 2015). The density of the regional population was about 978 persons per square mile, 

ranging from 470 persons per square mile in Ceiba to 1,521 persons per square mile in Juncos (U.S. 

Census Bureau 2015). The region accommodated a growing population and an increasing percent of 

Puerto Rico’s total population through the early 2000s. This led to some of the highest population density 

rates in the world; extensive expansion in housing, infrastructure, and other built-up areas; and ultimately, 

more than 95 percent of the regional population being classified as ‘urban’ by the U.S. Census Bureau 

(2015). Nevertheless, following the Island wide trend that began in the mid-2000s, it is estimated that El 

Yunque Region also is experiencing a decline in population. Between 2010 and 2014, the regional 

population is estimated to have decreased by 2.65 percent (0.67 percent decrease per year) (U.S. Census 

Bureau 2015). Fajardo and Ceiba experienced the highest rates of population loss in this time period 

(1.99, 1.88 percent drop per year, respectively) (U.S. Census Bureau 2015). The shift from population 

growth to decline is attributed mainly to emigration from the region spurred by ongoing economic issues, 

in combination with longer-term declining birth rates. 

The age structure of the regional population also demonstrates recent measurable changes. The regional 

median age has been increasing slowly over the past several decades, ranging from 34.3 to 37.7 years in 

2014 (Naguabo, Ceiba, respectively) (U.S. Census Bureau 2015). Through the end of the 20th century, the 

municipalities surrounding the Forest demonstrated a pyramidal age structure, which is associated with 

moderate population growth (that is, proportionally more of the population is found in the younger age 

brackets). However, by 2014 the age structure of the regional population had shifted to a more conical 

shape, indicating very limited to no growth as the proportion of individuals in each age group is within a 

small range of variation. 

The regional economy is fairly diverse, with the majority of jobs in the education, health, and social 

services sector (21 percent), followed by retail trade (13 percent), manufacturing (12 percent), and arts, 

entertainment, recreation, and accommodations (10 percent). The agricultural sector provides slightly less 

than 1 percent of the jobs in the region, ranging from 0.45 percent in Canóvanas to 2.04 percent in Las 

Piedras. While the economy is fairly diverse, it has been significantly impacted as the economic crisis 

affecting Puerto Rico since the mid-2000s continues under increasing government debt and the high costs 

of doing business on the island (Cohn et al. 2014; Federal Reserve Bank of New York 2012). 

Per capita and family incomes in the region have risen over the past several decades, but only modestly 

outpacing inflation. The unemployment rate in the region was 16.8 percent in 2010, ranging from 11.7 

percent in Ceiba to 21.0 percent in Luquillo. Poverty rates in the region were high as well, with about 

 

1 These statistics refer to all of the municipalities in El Yunque Region, with the exception of Humacao, which was 

not part of the study cited.
El Yunque National Forest

15

44.2 percent of the regional population living below the poverty level as defined by the U.S. Census 

Bureau in 2013. Children represent a disproportionate share of the poor, with 56 percent of children living 

below the poverty level in 2013, ranging intra-regionally from 49.7 percent in Rio Grande to 67.5 percent 

in Naguabo (U.S. Census Bureau 2015). 

The region surrounding El Yunque is culturally diverse and dynamic. This is reflected in the human 

values associated with the Forest and its resources and services, which include water conservation, soil 

protection, recreation, research opportunities, and scenic quality (López-Marrero et al. 2011b). The Forest 

itself has long-standing, deep, and significant social and cultural meaning for local inhabitants, San Juan 

residents, and visitors from around the world (Weaver 2012). With the Forest at its center, El Yunque 

Region offers unique and wide-ranging opportunities for recreation, relaxation, exercise, solitude, 

stewardship, spirituality, community, and many other benefits and beneficial experiences that are critical 

considerations for land management planning and practice. 

2.1.2 Benefits of Identifying Geographic Areas for El Yunque Region

As described above, El Yunque Region represents a broad range in ecological, economic, and social 

conditions and trends suitable for the identification of geographic areas within the Forest. These 

geographic areas permit the development of specific desired conditions, objectives, goals, and other plan 

components conducive to effective planning and management that fit the sub-regional context. The 

management direction for these geographic areas is designed to promote human health and well-being and 

community-based economic interests at a sub-regional level. 

Planning Themes of the Geographic Areas

Connecting with Communities through Recreation

The communities surrounding the Forest represent a broad range in recreation needs and demands. Not all 

recreation opportunities are readily accessible to all communities. For example, recreation facilities are 

concentrated along the PR Route 191 North corridor, deep within the Forest boundary, and at a distance 

from most local communities. Identifying geographic areas in line with the recreational settings available 

outside the Forest boundary permits increased integration of access, recreation, and tourism aspects at the 

sub-regional level. This also provides opportunities to better connect urban areas and rural communities 

to the scenic attractions, historic places, and recreation opportunities located in the lower elevations of the 

Forest and nearby areas. Moreover, this enables recreation planning and management that consider 

changes in sub-regional populations and visitation patterns at the local level. Geographic areas also allow 

for targeted community interaction and assistance, as well as opportunities for collaborative management.

Increasing Environmental Literacy and Education

While the regional population has a fairly high level of education, there is a measured gap in knowledge 

regarding Forest planning and management among neighboring and nearby communities, and among the 

youth, in particular. Identification of geographic areas at the sub-regional level provides opportunities to 

increase environmental literacy and education and ultimately, to improve the public’s capacity to 

participate locally in forest conservation and sustainable management. This also allows for the expansion 

of traditional Forest Service programs by integrating schools and municipal governments in planning and 

projects, and adapting educational and interpretation materials to the local context. Additionally, 

identifying geographic areas permits the identification of and support for targeted volunteer and 

partnership opportunities related to environmental literacy and education. 
Revised Land Management Plan

16

Enhancing Landscape-Scale Conservation Efforts

Forested areas represent the largest portion of land cover in El Yunque Region and forested cover has 

increased over the past several decades. Although hurricanes continuously alter forest cover, there is 

constant natural regeneration and forested areas continue to be the dominant land cover type at El Yunque. 

Nonetheless, urbanization is increasing at a much more rapid pace, resulting in landscape fragmentation 

and negative effects on the Forest and other natural areas in the region. Moreover, many of the negative 

effects of urbanization are likely to be compounded in the context of global climate change. Identifying 

geographic areas permits the promotion of landscape scale conservation. In particular, existing 

collaborative arrangements and partnerships can be maintained and new opportunities for land acquisition 

and conservation across Forest boundaries can be pursued at the sub-regional level by working with 

adjacent and interested public and private land managers, landowners, and other stakeholders. The 

identification of geographic areas also provides opportunities for targeted conservation initiatives, such as 

for stream corridors, riparian areas, wild and scenic river corridors, connections to the Corredor Ecológico 

del Noreste Natural Reserve; and integration with conservation easements, donations, and private lands.

Strengthening Relationships and Adaptive, Collaborative Management Approaches

Although El Yunque has engaged with stakeholders and partners on many successful projects and 

partnerships for quite some time, large-scale and long-term public participation efforts have been limited. 

Identification of geographic areas allows the Forest to increase its engagement with local community 

stakeholders and Forest users as prescribed in the new planning rule. Moreover, it allows the Forest to 

maintain and build on the rich and extensive collaborative arrangements that have evolved with key 

stakeholders, local communities, and other actors as part of the land management planning process to 

date. Identifying geographic areas allows the Forest and its partners to maintain and extend open and safe 

spaces that promote problem-solving, creative solutions, constructive dialogue and deliberation. They can 

be designed to support a collaborative and adaptive approach to management, which is essential to 

enhanced interpretation, recreation, economic development, conservation, restoration, research, and 

monitoring within and beyond the Forest. 

2.1.3 El Yunque National Forest Geographic Areas

The Plan contains three geographic areas for El Yunque. Table 2-2 identifies the Forest geographic areas, 

and highlights the key management principles for each one, while table 2-3 lists the collaborative groups 

by geographic area with their interests and relationships to the Forest.

Table 2-2. Forest Plan geographic areas

Name Acreage Description Management Principles for the Area

El Norte 16,563 Sub-regional landscape covering the 

municipalities of Rio Grande and 

Luquillo

▪ Provide access to highly developed

recreation settings and connect to a 

regional trail system.

El Oeste y 

El Sur

8,691 Sub-regional landscape covering the 

western and southern municipalities 

of Canóvanas, Juncos, Las Piedras, 

Naguabo, and Humacao

▪ Community-based land use with

emphasis on environmental education

and community-based enterprises.

El Este 2,745 Sub-regional landscape covering the 

eastern municipalities of Fajardo and 

Ceiba

▪ Watershed management focused on

quantity, restoration, and improvement.

▪ Promote “Open Space” Conservation.

▪ Collaborate with youth groups.
El Yunque National Forest

17

Table 2-3. Geographic area collaborative groups and their relationship to the Forest

Geographic Area Collaborative Groups Relationships

North: Rio Grande and 

Luquillo

Coalición Pro Corredor Ecológico 

del Noreste (CEN) 

Protection of the Northeast Ecological 

Corridor of Puerto Rico

IDS: Iniciativa de Desarrollo 

Sustentable 

Protection of the Northeast Ecological 

Corridor of Puerto Rico

Bahia Beach Rio Espíritu Santo Watershed Council

Río Espíritu Santo Natural Reserve

Las Picuas Reserve 

Rio Espíritu Biological Corridor 

Rio Grande Municipal Planner Recreation, gateway community, scenic 

byway 

Luquillo Municipal Planner Regional trail, all lands recreation 

Geoambiente Scenery, all lands conservation, and 

environmental literacy 

South and West: Canóvanas, 

Juncos, Las Piedras, 

Naguabo, and Humacao

La Mina Community Emergency 

Response Team (CERT)

Shared Stewardship Río Sabana

Humacao Natural Reserve Regional trail

Extension Agricola Las Piedras Environmental literacy and resource 

protection

‘Producir’ Recreation

Canóvanas Municipal Planner Scenic byway, all lands recreation

East: Fajardo and Ceiba Las Cabezas de San Juan: 

Fidecomiso de Conservación 

Regional trail 

La Monserrate Public Park 

Seven Seas Natural Reserve: 

Fajardo

Protected area management 

Bosque Estatal de Ceiba Watershed management

Fajardo Municipal Planner Watershed management

Ceiba Municipal Planner All lands and forest management 

Centro para la Conservación del 

Paisaje (CCP)

Interamerican University of Puerto 

Rico, Fajardo

Proyecto de Liderazgo Ambiental 

Comunitario (PLAC) 

Geographic Area: El Norte/North

What is El Norte? 

The El Norte (North) Geographic Area is delineated by the portion of the Forest within the boundaries of 

Rio Grande and Luquillo. Together, these two municipalities encompass 86.64 square miles, including 

25.88 square miles of El Yunque, which is about 30 percent of their combined total area and 59 percent of 

the total Forest area. Fifty-four percent of their combined area is classified as forest cover, followed by 

pasture (including agricultural lands) at 28 percent and urban/built-up at 9 percent (López-Marrero and 

Hermansen-Báez 2011). This sub-region has the highest proportion of forest cover of the three subregions and encompasses the largest area and proportion of National Forest System area. 
Revised Land Management Plan

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El Yunque has a long historical relationship with its northern municipalities. Rio Grande and Luquillo are 

the municipalities with the main accesses to the Forest and its recreation sites. The direct linkage to the 

municipality of Rio Grande, and this municipality being called “City of El Yunque”, shows its close 

connection with the Forest both for tourism and for land use management, since it is the municipality with 

the largest amount of forestlands within its borders. 

Luquillo also serves as a main access to the Forest. Its historic scientific relationship with the Forest is 

vast. The Forest is also known as the Luquillo Experimental Forest, with a research site within the Forest 

inside Luquillo’s municipal borders. Luquillo is also a municipality known for the many environmental 

organizations and stakeholders that uphold a strong connection with the forest management. 

These historical bonds create the need to continue working with these municipalities and their 

communities as major stakeholders in land use in and surrounding the Forest. 

Desired Conditions

DC1 The prevailing road access systems and a regional trail system facilitate and provide access to El 

Yunque through the Rio Grande and Luquillo municipalities. 

Goals 

GO1 Provide sustainable access to the highly developed recreation settings of the Forest through the 

existing roads in the geographic area. 

GO2 Integrate trail systems that facilitate alternative access from the municipalities of Río Grande and 

Luquillo to the recreational settings of the Forest.

GO3 Incorporate appealing features of the cultural and natural resources of the municipalities of Rio 

Grande and Luquillo to the experience of accessing the Forest through this geographic region. 

GO4 Develop projects that will benefit the economic and social wellness of Palmer, Río Grande, and 

Barrio Sabana, Luquillo. 

GO5 Maintain the scenic forest landscape of the El Norte area.

Objectives 

O1 Identify a trail system that will connect to a regional trail system during the first 5 years of the 

Plan for the areas of Rio Grande, Luquillo, and the Northeast Ecological Corridor. 

Management Strategies 

MS1 Develop collaborative conservation and interpretation initiatives with the municipalities, 

residents, and organized regional groups through the plan duration.

MS2 Work with partners and/or other agencies to establish environmental flow ranges2 based on an 

empirical water budget of El Yunque for the watersheds that drain toward the Northeast 

Ecological Corridor. 

 

2 Environmental flows describe the quantity, timing, and quality of water flows required to sustain freshwater and 

estuarine ecosystems and the human livelihoods and well-being that depend on these ecosystems.
El Yunque National Forest

19

MS3 Work with partners and/or other agencies to apply land conservation programs in forested areas of 

the El Norte Region that include conservation agreements, State and private forestlands as 

“auxiliary forests,” and land acquisition or conservation easement strategies. 

MS4 Expand use of Project Learning Tree: a Forest planning module for middle and high schools. 

Project Learning Tree is an environmental education program for teachers and other educators, 

including community leaders, to work with youth from preschool through grade 12. 

MS5 Work with the communities in developing recreational alternatives outside the Forest and 

bordering the Community Interface Resource Management Area (MA 4). 

MS6 Establish collaborative watershed management strategies with the communities and 

municipalities of the geographic area. 

MS7 Develop collaborative initiatives with the municipalities, residents, and organized regional groups 

for conservation and interpretation in the geographic region, with emphasis in educational 

activities of the region through the plan duration. 

Geographic Area: El Oeste y Sur/Southwest

What is El Oeste y Sur? 

El Oeste y Sur (West and South) Geographic Area is delineated by the portion of the Forest within the 

boundaries of Canóvanas, Juncos, Las Piedras, Naguabo, and Humacao. Together, these five 

municipalities encompass 200.72 square miles, including 13.58 square miles of El Yunque, which is about 

6.8 percent of their combined total area and 31 percent of the total Forest area. Forty-four percent of 

Canóvanas, Juncos, Las Piedras, y Naguabo is classified as pasture (including agricultural lands)—the 

highest of the three sub-regions, followed by forest at 38 percent and urban/built-up at 10 percent (LópezMarrero and Hermansen-Báez 2011b). 

While these municipalities have fewer roads to access the Forest, the recently developing relationships 

with different stakeholders from the area have the great potential of creating an impact on the concept of 

broader landscape perspective and fostering more connections with the communities within these 

municipalities. Canóvanas has access to the Forest through the PR Route 186, which connects to the Rio 

Grande municipality and hence the Forest. This road connection is being further developed by local 

municipalities and State agencies, which see a potential touristic access to the Forest. Municipalities in 

the southwest, like Naguabo, Humacao, Juncos and Las Piedras, have identified the Forest as an 

important and valued scenic element of their daily life. The connections with environmental land-use 

initiatives in municipalities and their connection to the Forests’ broader landscape perspective are 

relevant. 

Desired Conditions

DC1 Community-based use of the Forest focuses on environmental education and community-based 

enterprises in the western and southern municipalities of Canóvanas, Juncos, Las Piedras, 

Naguabo and Humacao. 

Goals 

GO1 Provide the opportunity to develop community-based enterprises associated (see appendix B) 

with the goods and services available from National Forest System lands in this geographic area.
Revised Land Management Plan

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GO2 Integrate trail systems that facilitate alternative access and community-based enterprises in the 

western and southern municipalities. 

GO3 Incorporate the appealing features of the cultural and natural resources with environmental 

education and community-based enterprises in this region.

GO4 Support economic and social wellness of municipalities of the area through collaboratively 

identified projects.

GO5 Maintain the scenic forest landscape of the El Oeste y Sur area.

Objectives 

O1 Develop collaborative initiatives with the municipalities, residents, and organized regional groups 

for conservation and interpretation in the geographic region, with emphasis on educational 

activities of the region through the plan duration. 

O2 Identify a Forest trail system that will connect to other areas of interest and other trails within the 

geographic region in the first 3 years of the plan. 

Management Strategies

MS1 Assist community-based enterprises associated with recreational opportunities. 

MS2 Assist community-based enterprises associated with forestry opportunities in the geographic area. 

MS3 Work with partners and agencies to develop environmental flow ranges based on a water budget, 

to protect aquatic life. 

MS4 Work with partners and other agencies to establish land conservation programs in forested areas 

that include conservation contracts, special State conservation initiatives in private forest lands as 

“auxiliary forests,” and potential land acquisition or conservation easement strategies. 

MS5 Expand use of the Project Learning Tree planning module among middle and high schools. 

MS6 Work with the communities in developing recreational alternatives outside the Forest and 

bordering the Community Interface Resource Management Area. Share educational tools in order 

to identify potential recreational opportunities on adjacent lands.

MS7 Establish collaborative watershed management strategies with the communities and 

municipalities of the geographic region. 

Geographic Area: El Este

What is El Este? 

The El Este (East) Geographic Area is delineated by the portion of the Forest within the boundaries of 

Fajardo and Ceiba. Together, these two municipalities encompass 59.49 square miles, including 4.29 

square miles of El Yunque, which is about 7.2 percent of their combined total area and 10 percent of the 

total Forest area. Forty-two percent of Fajardo and Ceiba is classified as forest cover, followed by pasture 

(including agricultural lands) at 28 percent and urban/built-up at 13 percent (López-Marrero and 

Hermansen-Báez 2011b). 
El Yunque National Forest

21

The municipal government planners for the municipalities of Ceiba and Fajardo on the eastern area of the 

Forest have started a dialog with the Forest to better understand the land use practices that are being 

implemented in the region. The Forest is also working on projects, such as the Rio Fajardo Watershed 

Restoration programs, which have created more alliances between the Forest and other major stakeholders 

in this geographic region. 

Desired Conditions

DC1 The geographic area is a model for integrated watershed management in the eastern 

municipalities of Fajardo and Ceiba. 

Goals 

GO1 Maintain the scenic forest landscape of the El Este area. 

GO2 Maintain the watershed connections from the higher elevations of the Forest to the coastal areas 

of the geographic region to produce environmental sustainability throughout the region. 

GO3 Conserve the appealing features of the cultural and natural resources within this geographic 

region. 

Objectives 

O1 Engage community-based enterprises, groups, and other organizations (e.g., see table 2-3) for 

river, floodplain, and riparian restoration and conservation efforts. 

Management Strategies 

MS1 Coordinate with other land conservation efforts that include conservation contracts, special State

conservation initiatives in private forest lands as “auxiliary forests,” and potential land acquisition 

or conservation easement strategies.

MS2 Work with the communities in developing recreational alternatives outside the Forest and 

bordering the Community Interface Resource Management Area. Share public outreach and 

education tools to help identify potential recreational opportunities on adjacent lands.

MS3 Establish collaborative watershed management strategies with the communities and 

municipalities of the geographic region. 

MS4 Expand use of the Project Learning Tree planning module among middle and high schools. 

MS5 Explore the possibilities of parking areas on private lands and the potential mobilization of trail 

users as part of municipality and community initiatives (example: El Toro Trail with community 

group “Producir Inc.” from Canóvanas). 

MS6 Develop management strategies that include environmental flow ranges based on a water budget 

through the plan duration. 

2.1.4 El Yunque National Forest Management Areas

El Yunque has delineated nine management areas that extend throughout its land cover. The management 

areas consist of:

Management Area 1 as an Administrative Management Area; 
Revised Land Management Plan

22

Management Area 2 as El Yunque Recreation Zone; 

Management Area 3 as Communication and Recreation; 

Management Area 4 as Community Interface Resource Management Area; 

Management Area 5 as El Toro Wilderness;

Management Area 6 as Research; 

Management Area 7 as Baño de Oro Research Natural Area; 

Management Area 8 as Wild and Scenic Rivers; and 

Management Area 9 as Scenic Byway Management Area (PR Route 186). 

These management areas were developed to seek social, economic, and ecological sustainability within 

the Forest lands, while considering human uses. The management areas are organized in accordance to 

proposed uses as well as the sustainability needs of the Forest. Each management area has different uses 

and plan components such as desired conditions, objectives, goals, standards and guidelines and 

management strategies.
El Yunque National Forest

23 

Map 2-2. Forest Plan management areas
Revised Land Management Plan

24

Table 2-4. Forest Plan management areas

Management 

Area Number

Name Acreage Description Management emphasis for the Management 

Area 

MA 1 Administrative 

Management Area

141 Areas occupied by El Portal Forest Center, 

Catalina Work Station, and other Forest 

Service administrative facilities.

▪ Emphasis is placed on transitioning to green

buildings, recycling, use of alternative energy and

reducing carbon footprint. Facilities are shared

with partners.

MA 2 El Yunque 

Recreation Zone

844 El Yunque Zone covers El Yunque Trail, 

Mount Britton Trail, Forest Service Road 10, 

and Big Tree Trail.

▪ Area where emphasis is on use of existing

developed recreation sites managed by capacity

with strong emphasis on sustainability.

MA 3 Communication 

and Recreation 

Sites 

241 Areas on El Yunque Peak and Pico del Este

used for communication facilities, access 

roads to the communications sites, electrical 

powerlines and recreation sites. 

▪ Communication facility footprint is reduced and

facilities are energy efficient.

▪ Access to recreational settings that provide

unique scenic and natural experience is

maintained. 

MA 4 Community 

Interface Resource 

Management Area

7,187 This consolidation of lands under one 

management area provides sections of the 

Forest where an assortment of resource 

management practices could be applied to 

encourage tropical forest management 

initiatives in the broader landscape of El 

Yunque. 

▪ Management focuses on community-based

collaborative management, and improves access

to lower lands through improved existing roads

and trails.

MA 5 El Toro Wilderness 10,352 Designated area on the southwestern portion 

of the Forest. ▪ Manage the area to maintain wilderness

characteristics.

MA 6 Research 789 Research, including long-term watershed 

studies and treatment/ control studies, is 

emphasized. 

▪ Facilitate tropical ecosystem studies at the

landscape scale.

MA 7 Baño de Oro 

Expanded 

Research Natural 

Area 

6,441 Existing and proposed expansion of research 

natural area. The existing Baño de Oro 

Research Natural Area is expanded to 

encompass all of the primary forest area in 

east half of the Forest.

▪ Use for research and development, study,

observation, monitoring, and educational activities

that do not modify the conditions for which the

research natural area was established.

▪ Manage the area for natural conditions and

maintain the unique features that the RNA was

established to protect.

MA 8 Wild Scenic

Recreation River 

Corridors 

1,531 Corridor along the Icacos, Mameyes, La 

Mina, and Upper Mameyes designated as 

wild and scenic rivers 

▪ Protection of these rivers’ outstanding

characteristic is emphasized.

MA 9 El Verde-Scenic 

Byway 

Management Area 

697 A 0.37 mile band of the PR Route 186 rightof-way from the Community Interface 

Resource Management Area.

▪ Protect scenery and develop PR Route 186 as a 

scenic byway.
El Yunque National Forest

25

Table 2-5. Management area acreage

Management Area

Puerto Rico 

Conservation 

Trust1

Not 

Recorded2 Recorded3 Undetermined4 Grand Total

Administrative Management Area 0 0 140.8 0 141

Baño de Oro expanded Research Natural Area 0 0 6,440.8 0 6,441

Communications and Recreation Management Area 0 0 241.0 0 241

Community Interface Resource Management Area 0 0 7,187.1 0 7,187

El Toro Wilderness 0 0 10,351.8 0 10,352

El Verde Scenic Byway 20 13.9 697.3 0 731

El Yunque Recreation Zone 0 0 844.2 0 844

Research Area 0 0 789.1 0 789

Wild/Scenic/ Recreation River Corridors 0 0 1,530.8 0 1,531

Additional Tracts 35.4 305.8 0 435.5 777

Grand Total 55.4 319.7 28,223.0 435.5 29,034

1 - Lands owned by Puerto Rico Conservation Trust to be transferred to El Yunque National Forest

2 - Lands acquired by USDA Forest Service but still not registered

3 - Lands part of the Land Status Atlas

4 - Recent acquisitions
Revised Land Management Plan

26

Management Area 1: Administrative

Desired Conditions

DC1 Facilities are attractive, clean, safe, well maintained, and provide universal access. 

DC2 Administrative facilities support high quality resource protection and public service. 

DC3 Interpretive and information services provide visitors accurate information, resources, and 

products that enable enjoyment and develop conservation ethics for Puerto Rico and tropical 

forests worldwide. Highly trained, equipped, and visible Forest personnel ensure that visitors 

have a safe, enjoyable, and enriching experience. 

DC4 The needs of people who come to visit and use the Forest are met with services and facilities, 

which recognize and respect Puerto Rico’s unique character and tradition of hospitality. Visitors 

feel a connection to their public resources and welcomed by the services they receive. 

DC5 Facilities are resilient and adapted for extreme climate events. 

Objectives 

O1 Within 4 years of the Plan’s approval facilities use alternative sources of energy. 

O2 Within 2 years of the Plan’s approval facilities are assessed to recommend adjustments and 

improvements toward their resiliency and adaptation for extreme climate events. 

Standards and Guidelines

G1 Maintain or enhance habitats for cavity-associated wildlife, when habitat trees, buildings or 

artificial structures do not compromise the safety of Forest users. 

Management Area 2: El Yunque Recreation Zone

Most of the recreation facilities on El Yunque National Forest are concentrated in this management area 

locally referred to as the PR Route 191 Recreation Corridor. PR Route 191 is a State road that runs north 

to south though the center of the Forest. The road and most of the recreation sites and trails were 

constructed during the 1940s by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). There are numerous trailheads, 

parking areas, and primitive campsites located along the Corridor. There are privately owned businesses 

which sell food, beverages, and souvenirs to Forest visitors. 

The recreation facilities located along the corridor starting at the entrance to the Forest are:

El Portal Visitor Center

Las Cabezas Vista Point

La Coca Falls

Yokahú Observation Tower

Palma de Sierra Picnic Area

Caimitillo Picnic Area

Palo Colorado Recreation Area 

Baño Grande 

Baño de Oro 
El Yunque National Forest

27

Mt. Britton Observation Tower 

Rio Sabana Picnic Area

This management area provides the public a variety of recreation opportunities in visually appealing and 

environmentally healthy settings. Concentrated use and areas of high-density recreation activity are found 

in this management area. Facilities are provided to enhance the quality of the recreational experience 

and/or mitigate damage to the affected ecosystems.

Desired Conditions

DC1 Area will be managed to meet the recreational opportunity spectrum setting of “rural and roaded 

natural.” 

DC2 Constructed facilities are in harmony with the Forest scenery and landscape and when appropriate 

reflect the historical Civilian Conservation Corps construction of the area. Facilities are 

appropriate to the recreational opportunity spectrum class. 

DC3 The Forest provides exhibits and general information to help visitors enjoy the Forest and develop 

a conservation ethic for Puerto Rico and tropical forests worldwide. 

DC4 Historic recreational assets are managed and interpreted.

DC5 Illegal road parking is eliminated or reduced.

Goals

GO1 Promote recycling and leaving the Forest clean. 

GO2 El Portal Visitor Center is managed as an enjoyable world-class interpretive and conservation 

education facility as well as a resource for communities and partners. 

GO3 Provide safe and well-maintained facilities throughout the year. 

GO4 Manage high use during weekends, holidays, and high visitation seasons for public safety and 

maintaining user expectations.

GO5 Promote sustainable use.

GO6 Increase the operational maintenance in the upper zone of this management area. 

Objectives

O1 Facilities for recreation activities such as hiking, camping, and trail systems are restored - 

especially those affected by hurricane María - during the first 2 years upon plan approval and 

continuously maintained during plan period. 

O2 Establish and implement “trash-free zones” in appropriate recreation sites within the plan period.

O3 Interpretive exhibits at the visitor center are revised and updated within the plan period.

O4 Implement solutions and methods to reduce congestion and hazardous parking along the 191 

corridor plan period. 

Standards and Guidelines

Note: Refer to section 3.3.2 Recreation, Management Strategies (page 74). 
Revised Land Management Plan

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Management Area 3: Communication and Recreation

El Yunque communication and recreation sites are located at the top of El Yunque Peak and Pico del Este

mountains. Its key values are radio-electronic communication and scenic recreation, and it possesses 

cultural resources. Less than 6 acres are subject to development for communication sites use. Both Forest 

Service roads 10 and 27 function as an access to the communication sites, as well as their use as trail to 

hike to Pico del Este, and Pico de El Yunque, respectively. 

Desired Conditions 

DC1 Communication facilities on El Yunque Peak and Pico del Este serve the needs of the people of 

Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, national interest and surrounding waters. 

DC2 Opportunities for recreation and research are provided to the extent such uses do not directly 

conflict with the primary communication facility objective of the management area.

DC3 The Forest protects and interprets heritage resources in this management area. 

DC4 Facilities are energy efficient.

DC5 The Forest accommodates communication uses that cannot be met off-Forest; however, 

communication sites will occupy the same or reduced areas on the peaks.

Goals

GO1 Administer special-use permits for communication facilities, following direction in 

communication site plans for El Yunque Peak and Pico del Este. 

GO2 Visual impact of the sites is reduced by consolidating facilities, emphasis on blending facilities’ 

profiles into the natural landscape, camouflaging with neutral colors, and reducing the use of the 

exterior lighting.

Objectives 

O1 Eliminate unnecessary facilities and re-establish native vegetation where possible within 5 years

of Plan approval. 

O2 Complete special-use compliance inspections annually.

O3 Remove communication facilities to the extent feasible from the east end of El Yunque site and 

provide for dispersed recreation/vista point uses within 6 years after the Plan’s approval.

Standards 

S1 No further building permits for this area will be authorized. 

S2 Permit no additional land clearing beyond areas currently under special-use permit.

S3 Permit no new road construction in this management area. Reconstruction or relocation of 

existing roads is permissible when the relocation reduces ecological impacts of the road.

S4 Do not permit studies which involve manipulation of natural vegetation or soils to extend into 

Primary Cloud Forest. 
El Yunque National Forest

29

Guidelines 

G1 Cooperate with Federal and local law enforcement authorities and private security services to 

provide for public safety and protection of communication facilities. 

G2 The Forest should reduce the visual impacts of facilities to improve the existing visual quality 

level.

G3 Coordinate permission for scientific studies with the International Institute of Tropical Forestry. 

G4 Reduce the visual impact of the communication facilities to improve the visual quality level of 

the area.

G5 Implement specific technical and administrative direction provided by El Yunque Peak electronic 

sites plan. Concentrate similar uses (for example, transmission antennas versus reception 

antennas) within zones as provided in the site plan. 

G6 Consider the effects on scenic quality when conducting any facility modification.

Management Strategies

MS1 Use signing and public information efforts to encourage trail access to El Yunque Peak to 

minimize hazardous foot traffic on Forest Road 10. 

MS2 Develop a plan of technical and administrative direction for the Pico del Este site.

Management Area 4: Community Interface Resource Management 

Area

The Community Interface Resource Management Area (CIRMA) merges segments of the Forest that were 

considered for Timber Demonstration, Developed Recreation and Integrated Management in the 1997 

plan. This consolidation of lands under one management area serves as a transition to the broader 

landscape. The CIRMA embodies the most accessible lands for community groups and municipalities.

The CIRMA is composed of the lower elevation areas of the Forest and of areas where plantations for 

potential timber projects were established in previous management plans. The lack of timber stand 

improvements in the planted areas and the impact of natural disturbances have created a mosaic of 

vegetation in these areas where introduced species share the forest composition with native species. The 

stand dynamics of these forests is different from other mature forest within El Yunque and their 

succession will create a combination of species identified as an “emerging forest” (Lugo and Helmer 

2004; Lugo 2009; Mascaro et al. 2013). 

The CIRMA provides opportunities for forest product utilization that can be coordinated with community 

groups and local residents. 

The CIRMA is the best example of the shift from Forest Service-driven management priorities to a more 

collaborative management, and is the area where sustainable forest practices could be considered with a 

community-based shared stewardship approach. This means that this management area opens the door to 

a day-to-day shared stewardship process with local communities, connecting the Forest to the 

communities in a way that develops educational, recreational, and other opportunities. 
Revised Land Management Plan

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Desired Conditions 

DC1 To have a healthy and sustainable forest landscape that contributes to economic and social 

sustainability.

DC2 Provide spaces and opportunity to offer new dispersed camping prospects. 

DC3 The public understands and recognizes the links of the region through an all-lands approach and 

the management strategies applied in the CIRMA.

DC4 New recreational opportunities provide access to community groups and municipalities. 

DC5 The communities and regional organizations are integrated in the recreation and tourism 

opportunities. 

DC6 The Forest’s regional identity developed through the CIRMA management strategies facilitates 

the adaptive management initiatives with the participation of community groups that strengthen 

the monitoring plans at the regional level.

DC7 Communities are educated on Forest management, making them aware of the goods and services 

received from the conservation strategies in which they participate. 

DC8 The regrowth of any invasive species is discouraged and efforts are made to promote the 

regrowth and dominance of native species.

DC9 Timber removal promotes Forest management treatments that move the forest toward a mature 

resilient condition dominated by native species. 

Goals 

GO1 Work with local communities and community groups to have their participation in the 

consideration of initiatives and projects. 

GO2 Provide wood products and other forest products to promote local businesses, including local 

wood products that could be sold by artisans and local artists. 

GO3 Develop regional product labels for projects and products in association with the participants of 

the initiatives. 

GO4 Establish and maintain social and natural indicators that monitor the environmental and social 

wellness.

Objectives

O1 Identify areas in the CIRMA that can be considered for collaborative recreation projects in at least 

three municipalities in the first 5 years of the Plan.

O2 Increase recreational opportunities by at least 25 percent with the collaboration or participation of 

community groups in the region through the Plan period. 

O3 Establish at least two municipal and Forest collaborative initiatives related to recreational 

activities for the residents.

O4 Integrate at least one collaborative monitoring strategy by geographic region.
El Yunque National Forest

31

O5 Use the flora and fauna of the Forest to integrate collaborative management and monitoring with 

civic groups. 

O6 Develop and integrate environmental literacy initiatives in the region directed to create a network 

of schools that can share data from monitoring, management, and conservation projects in the 

region. 

O7 Remove at least 1 abandoned or unused, human created structural barrier within rivers or creeks 

every 3 years.

Standards

S1 Apply soil and water conservation best management practices for the proposed projects. 

S2 Do not remove native trees and native vegetation in the riparian zone except at designated 

crossings, for public or facility safety, or for ecological or stream restoration. 

S3 Vegetation management practices would emphasize removal of invasive species to facilitate 

better development of native species that already occur corresponding to the available tree 

spacing. The efforts would be made to promote the regrowth of native species with a healthy 

stand that support ecosystem functions.

Guidelines

G1 Conduct enrichment planting strategies in the riparian zone with native species. These are 

strategies based on planting native species under the existing riparian forest canopy with the 

possibility of obtaining some economic benefit from the planted trees while at the same time 

maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem services. 

G2 Retain stumps, standing snags, den trees, and coarse woody debris. Exceptions may be made 

where necessary to control insects or disease outbreaks or to ensure public and employee safety. 

In the event of a natural disturbance event, stand evaluations should take place to identify

salvageable timber, which could include downed logs, coarse woody debris, snags and stumps. 

G3 Retain dead and downed logs or other woody debris in riparian zones unless removal is 

considered necessary for the protection of human life and property. 

G4 Forest product projects should maintain forest canopy coverage of the area. If a natural 

disturbance occurs, forest products projects to salvage timber can occur while promoting natural 

regeneration and prevent enlarging canopy openings anywhere in the CIRMA. 

G5 If invasive plant species occur in a forest product project area, it will be evaluated to determine 

the appropriate management strategy to control and/or eradicate, including partial removal of 

existing canopy coverage. 

G6 Tree cutting will be allowed to: (1) salvage damaged or dead trees of any size, (2) control insect

and disease outbreaks, (3) protect human health and safety, (4) protect resources, or (5) move 

toward the desired conditions. The harvests will focus on improving the stand structure for the 

enhancement of native species. The selection and use of small-diameter timber (less than 8 inches 

dbh) should be mainly for poles, posts and carvings; and other forest products from the 

Community Interface Resource Management Area. However, if a natural disturbance occurs, trees 

of any size that are down or damaged could be salvaged. 
Revised Land Management Plan

32

G7 Consider community and participatory initiatives for the application of management activities in 

the CIRMA. 

G8 The application of best management practices would emphasize removal of invasive species to 

facilitate better development of native species that already occur corresponding to the available 

tree spacing. Efforts would be made to promote the regrowth of native species with a healthy 

stand that supports ecosystem functions.

Management Strategies

MS1 Promote a closer working relationship with local communities and encourage Forest Service 

personnel to ensure the participation of community leaders and stakeholders.

MS2 Involve community groups to review and prioritize potential projects in the CIRMA. Include 

regional representatives from commercial stakeholders in discussions regarding the consideration 

of sustainable initiatives. 

MS3 During trail planning, include discussions and input from other land management agencies, nonprofit organizations, special-use permit holders, municipalities, as well as other interested 

members of the public. 

MS4 Link community and municipal programs with projects in the CIRMA through a collaborative 

process in which the Forest provides the technical assistance and resources to empower local 

sustainable projects that could be reproduced throughout the region.

MS5 Develop projects that encourage Forest management initiatives with special focus on native plant 

restoration that are applicable to tropical forests.

MS6 Work with local communities and community groups to identify activities that improve land 

conditions (stewardship contracting and agreements).

MS7 Consider increasing the density of native bees and other pollinators in the Forest in areas where 

this type of practice could benefit forest succession. Develop agreements with communities that 

could benefit economically from marketing honey. 

MS8 Consider municipal collaboration projects to develop low impact recreational sites and cultural 

resource interpretation programs.

MS9 Consider expanding community outreach education using accessible areas of the CIRMA. 

MS10 Develop education initiatives with open classrooms as a part of the “Children’s Forests” 

initiatives in El Yunque.

MS11 Coordinate Forest product projects with the interpretation and environmental education programs. 

MS12 Non-timber forest products would be offered through special forest products permits.

Management Area 5: El Toro Wilderness 

The Caribbean National Forest Act of 2005 (P.L. 109-118) designated the 10,352 acre El Toro Wilderness 

Area. It is managed in accordance with P.L. 109-118 and the Wilderness Act. 
El Yunque National Forest

33

Desired Conditions

DC1 El Toro Wilderness exhibits primitive and natural qualities. Opportunities for research, 

exploration, solitude, risk, challenge, and primitive recreation are widespread. On the trail system, 

opportunities for solitude are moderate to high, with few human encounters expected. 

DC2 Opportunities for solitude are high when traveling cross-country with almost no human 

encounters expected. Campsites are limited and are located adjacent to the existing trails. These 

sites accommodate moderate use and limited group size. Directional and regulatory signs are 

found at trailheads outside of the wilderness area, with some directional signs at trail junctions. 

There are several rain shelters located along the trails. 

DC3 Ecosystems are influenced by natural processes with little or no human intervention. Geological 

and ecological processes operate relatively free from the influence of humans. Any influences 

upon these processes by humans are intended to protect human life and threatened and 

endangered plant or animal species or other species of conservation concern. Predominately 

diverse, native vegetation results from natural succession and disturbance processes; while 

invasive vegetation is rare and controlled. 

DC4 The majority of the wilderness area will be managed to provide for a “primitive” recreation 

opportunity setting, except for along the trails, where the management will be to provide for a 

“semi-primitive non-motorized” setting. 

DC5 Interpret natural, cultural, and historic features of this area outside of the management area (for 

example locate interpretive signing of wilderness features outside the wilderness).

DC6 Maintain a scenery management landscape character of “naturally evolving”.

DC7 Maintain and restore, as needed, the Tradewinds, El Toro, and Rio Sabana Trails. 

DC8 Allow visitors to experience a wilderness environment by not reducing or eliminating personal 

risk associated with adverse weather conditions, isolation, natural physical hazards, and primitive 

travel and communications.

The El Toro Wilderness Area
Revised Land Management Plan

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Objectives

O1 Complete the wilderness plan within 2 years after plan approval.

Standards

S1 Use only hand tools, natural materials and native species in watershed projects. This is specific to 

watershed projects because non-natural materials may be used in non-watershed projects – 

including the parrot artificial nest program, research projects, long-term climate monitoring sites, 

etc.

S2 Do not permit salvage of timber. 

S3 Implement and maintain habitat improvements, such as Puerto Rican parrot nest cavities in a 

manner compatible with the goals and objectives of wilderness as listed in FSM 2320.

S4 Conduct wildlife and plant habitat and population surveys and monitoring in a manner compatible 

with the goals and objectives of wilderness.

S5 Allow the installation and maintenance of hydrologic, meteorologic, climatologic, or atmospheric 

data collection and remote transmission facilities where it is determined (by the Secretary of 

Agriculture) that the facilities are essential to the scientific research purposes of the Luquillo 

Experimental Forest (P.L. 109-118). 

S6 Do not issue forest product permits for collection of plants or plant material in wilderness unless 

for scientific and educational purposes and approved by the forest biologist, or ecologist. 

S7 Authorize no new special-use permits for facilities (for example, electrical transmission lines) or 

occupancy, and to the extent practical phase out existing permits. Authorize special-use permits 

for non-occupancy use (for example, outfitter guides) only to the extent compatible with 

wilderness character and in the public interest. 

S8 Pending the implementation of a “limits of acceptable change” analysis in the wilderness 

management plan, manage recreation use within the following limits: 

♦ Maximum encounters with other groups along established trails is six per day. 

♦ Maximum encounters with other groups in trail less areas is one per day.

♦ Limit group size to six people or less, unless otherwise authorized by permit. 

S9 See Forest-wide direction regarding camping. 

S10 Implement appropriate management action responses to achieve the desired results when user 

impacts are approaching the established limits of acceptable change for the biological resources 

and social conditions. 

S11 Design, construct, and maintain trails to the appropriate trail standard to meet setting, wilderness 

standards, and historical features, to minimize or prevent resource damage and protect the safety 

of the wilderness user. Trails will appear to be part of the wilderness environment. 

S12 Permit only hiking use of trails. 

S13 Do not construct new trails. 
El Yunque National Forest

35

S14 With the exception of necessary regulatory and informational signs within wilderness, locate 

signs only at trail intersections. Limit the information on such signs to direction and destination. 

S15 Maintain structures, including trails, to appropriate wilderness or historical character. 

S16 Coordinate with researchers to ensure that only observation studies occur in the management 

area. The “control” facets of treatment studies could occur within the management area, but not 

the “treatment” facets. 

S17 Use only visually unobtrusive non-permanent plot markers in research surveys. 

S18 The Forest inventories and protects heritage resources in management area 5. 

S19 The Forest provides interpretive materials for these heritage sites, but only outside this 

management area. 

Guidelines

G1 Use regulatory or informational signs where control of resource damage is needed and other 

corrective measures have proven unsuccessful.

G2 Install and maintain interpretive signs or bulletin boards at trailheads to wilderness, which 

provide information on the significance of wilderness, management practices, rules and 

regulations, and emergency information. 

Management Strategies

MS1 Establish collaborative working groups to maintain trails and structures. 

MS2 Foster creation of community-based enterprises that provide outfitter services.

MS3 Collaborate with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on parrot recovery programs. 

Management Area 6: Research 

Desired Conditions

DC1 Provide opportunities for long-term intensive scientific investigations, including treatment versus 

control research.

DC2 Contribute to improving understanding, protection, and management of tropical forests 

worldwide. 

DC3 Recreation use is associated primarily with developed recreation sites adjacent to the area, 

existing trails through or near the area, and scenery viewing from roads. 

Standards 

S1 Scientific studies do not leave behind residual equipment or persistent chemical or biological 

changes that detract from future scientific studies or management options.

S2 Construct only those roads or facilities needed to accomplish research objectives.

S3 There are no interpretive displays for heritage resources inside this management area. 
Revised Land Management Plan

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Guidelines

G1 Salvage timber is cut for experimental use or from stands damaged by natural disasters only if 

such salvage does not detract from ongoing or future scientific studies. Priority use of such 

material is for research. 

G2 Locate studies in the management area to maximize the remaining management area available for 

future research. 

Management Strategies

MS1 Coordinate with the International Institute of Tropical Forestry and other cooperators to make the 

best use of the research opportunities provided by the Forest. 

MS2 Coordinate management of recreation use with the International Institute of Tropical Forestry. 

Management Area 7: Baño de Oro Research Natural Area

Baño de Oro Research Natural Area was originally established in 1949 as 1,840 acres. This management 

area includes the proposed expansion of the Baño de Oro Research Natural Area to 6,441 total acres. 

Desired Conditions

DC1 The research natural area is a biological reservoir protecting rare and endemic ecosystems and 

species, specifically Lower Montane Rain Forest, Montane Thicket, Palm Brake, Elfin Woodland, 

Puerto Rican parrot, and rapidly flowing rivers and streams. 

DC2 The area provides opportunities for scientific study of Puerto Rico’s native forest through nonmanipulative research and observation studies.

DC3 The area is essentially undisturbed by humans and provides a reference area against which 

human-altered environments in Puerto Rico and elsewhere in the tropics can be compared. 

DC4 The mature forest and functional wetlands within this area are maintained or enhanced to protect 

the features for which a research natural area is established.

DC5 Facilities unrelated to research will be removed from the area when feasible to do so. 

Objective

O1 Following approval of the land management plan, complete the required documents for 

establishing the expansion of the Baño de Oro Research Natural Area to 6,441 total acres. This 

documentation, along with concurrence from the International Institute of Tropical Forestry 

Director, will be forwarded to the Regional Forester for approval to formally expand the 

boundaries of the research natural area to 6,441 total acres. 

Standards 

S1 Sign boundaries at entry points. 

S2 Authorize no new special-use permits for facilities (such as, electrical transmission lines) or 

occupancy. 

S3 Authorize special-use permits for non-occupancy use only for appropriate research purposes in 

coordination with the International Institute of Tropical Forestry. 
El Yunque National Forest

37

S4 Allow installation of temporary structures, such as a tower for collecting weather data, necessary 

to accomplish research objective. 

S5 Construct and maintain only those administrative trails needed to accomplish ecological research 

management objectives.

S6 Construct no new permanent facilities. 

S7 Interpretive signs for heritage resources will only occur outside the management area.

S8 Scientific studies are for research and development, study, observation, monitoring, and 

educational activities and do not modify the conditions for which the research natural area was 

established. 

S9 Implement only those soil and water improvements necessary to meet the objectives of the 

research natural area, which should be in exceptional circumstances.

S10 Coordinate with the International Institute of Tropical Forestry to ensure that only nonmanipulative research and observation studies occur in the management area. The “control” facet 

of treatment versus controlled research studies could occur within the management area, but not 

the “treatment” facets.

Guidelines

G1 Discourage recreation use by limiting access. 

G2 Implement and maintain habitat improvements, such as Puerto Rican parrot nest cavities, in a 

manner compatible with the desired conditions of the research natural areas.

G3 Some environmental manipulation may be needed in order to maintain the unique features that 

the research natural area was established to protect, such as eradicating invasive species. 

G4 Phase out existing permits that interfere with protecting features for which research natural area is 

established. 

Management Area 8: Wild and Scenic Rivers 

The wild and scenic river segments on El Yunque National Forest were designated by Congress in the 

Caribbean National Forest Wild and Scenic River Act, December 2002. Management direction for the 

three rivers comes from the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, the designating legislation, the 

Caribbean National Forest Comprehensive River Management Plan, and all other applicable Federal laws, 

regulations, and plans. 

Table 2-6. Wild, scenic, and recreation rivers (designated December 2002)

River Classifications Length (miles)

Río Mameyes

Wild

Scenic

Recreation

1.6

1.4

1.0

Río de la Mina Scenic

Recreation

1.2

0.9

Río Icacos Scenic 2.3
Revised Land Management Plan

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Desired Conditions 

DC1 These river segments will be managed to preserve their outstanding remarkable values and freeflowing conditions. 

DC2 River segments designated “wild,” “scenic,” or “recreation” rivers for the Rio Mameyes, Rio de 

la Mina, and Rio Icacos Rivers are protected. 

DC3 All rivers will remain free of impoundments within the existing Forest boundary. 

DC4 Opportunities for treatment-versus-control research will be provided, as long as such use does not 

detract from “wild,” “scenic,” or “recreation” river qualities. 

DC5 Access points, such as trailheads and parking lots, are strategically located in the corridor and 

watershed to help disperse recreation use. 

DC6 Interpretation of the outstandingly remarkable values of the rivers will be available in various 

forms to the public, from low-key, off-site interpretive materials and technologies, to interpretive 

signs at appropriate locations. 

DC7 Forest management practices maintain the unique characteristics and scenic values of the river 

corridors. Generally, allow natural processes to determine the composition and distribution of 

plant species. High-priority invasive plants and species and wildlife will be controlled. Streams 

will be managed for mountain mullet, river shrimp, and goby where conditions are favorable. 

Desired Conditions: Wild River Segment

The Rio Mameyes has the only “wild” segment. Management of the “wild” segment of the river corridor 

will be focused on protecting and preserving natural processes with minimal human influence, and will 

have limited access. Some research trails will be found in this natural area. Management of the “wild” 

segment will limit access to persons doing research, and all research will need to be properly permitted. 

The area will be managed to retain its general undeveloped nature. Access is limited via Forest Service 

Road 27 (Pico del Este Road) which is outside of the river corridor. The limited access and activity in this 

area will basically allow nature to run its course without human intervention or interaction. 

Standards: Wild River Segment

S1 All water supply dams and diversions are prohibited. 

S2 Development of Hydroelectric power facilities are prohibited. 

S3 Flood control dams, levees, or erosion control work are prohibited. 

S4 No roads or other provisions for overland motorized travel are permitted within 0.25 mile of the 

riverbank.

S5 Major public-use areas, such as large picnic areas, interpretive centers, or administrative 

headquarters, are located outside the “wild” rivers area. Recreation developments are limited to 

trails and unobtrusive bridges and signs, and improvements necessary for resource protection. 

S6 A few existing structures could be allowed if they are compatible with the essentially primitive 

and natural values of the river and its corridor. New structures are not allowed except in rare 

instances to achieve management objectives (such as structures and activities associated with 

fisheries enhancement programs).
El Yunque National Forest

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S7 Hunting or fishing is prohibited. 

S8 Mining and rock extraction are prohibited. 

S9 Manage historic sites consistent with Forest-wide standards. Stabilize and protect existing sites.

Guidelines: Wild River Segments

G1 Management activities should meet the meet the Scenic Integrity Objective of High. 

G2 Use native plant species where possible when restoring impacted sites. 

G3 Allow woody debris to accumulate along river and shorelines to maintain the natural character of 

river.

G4 Cutting trees is not permitted except when compatible with primitive recreation management

(such as clearing trails and protecting users) or to protect the environment (such as control of 

fire). 

G5 Manage habitat of mountain mullet streams as a first priority.

Desired Conditions for the “Scenic” Segment

The management of the “scenic” segment of the river corridor will be focused on maintaining and 

enhancing the near-natural environment. Invasive wildlife and plant species will be managed and 

controlled. Riverbanks will be undeveloped and primitive, but may be accessible in places by trails. 

Recreation opportunities will be designed to provide a natural-appearing setting. Research activity on or 

near these segments will be consistent with protecting the rivers free-flowing and scenic values. The Rio 

Icacos is more diverse than Rio de la Mina and Rio Mameyes because of its length and location. No 

developed facilities are found near these river corridors. The “scenic” segments are located in isolated 

areas and are not easily accessible. Their natural setting and isolation make them very attractive to those 

who are willing to hike through challenging terrain. River-oriented recreation opportunities will 

emphasize hiking, and viewing wildlife and nature. Use will be managed to provide a level of contact 

among visitors, and impacts to the outstandingly remarkable values, that are consistent with the river 

classification. The “limits of acceptable change” concept will be used to monitor levels of use within the 

river corridor.

Standards: Scenic River Segments 

S1 Water supply dams and major diversions are prohibited anywhere they would have a direct and 

adverse effect on the values of these designated scenic river segments. Modest diversions are 

allowed only if there would be no direct and adverse effect on river values.

S2 Hydroelectric power facilities are prohibited. 

S3 Flood control dams and levees are prohibited. Erosion control treatments can be implemented if 

they do not detract from river values. 

S4 Roads should generally not be visible from the “scenic” river segments. No new road 

construction is permitted within 0.25 mile of these rivers.

S5 Larger-scale, public-use facilities, such as large picnic areas, public information centers, and 

administrative headquarters, are well screened from view from the designated rivers. Modest and 

unobtrusive recreation facilities are permitted.
Revised Land Management Plan

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S6 New structures that would have a direct and adverse effect on river values are not allowed.

S7 Vegetation management is generally not permitted within 0.25 mile of the designated rivers. 

Vegetation treatments for wildlife habitat improvement or to control invasive plant species are 

allowed, provided that such practices do not substantially adversely affect the river and its 

immediate environment. The river should be maintained in its near-natural environment. 

S8 Mining activity and rock extraction are prohibited.

S9 No hunting or fishing is allowed. 

S10 Limit land-based permits to groups of no more than 15 (including guides). 

S11 Allow access to La Mina site and Rio de la Mina Trail only to guided tours with a special-use 

permit.

S12 Primitive camping at designated areas by permit only. 

S13 No camping within 100 feet of rivers. Evidence of use to be noticeable, but not dominant. No 

fires or fire rings allowed. Use only commercial cooking apparatus. 

S14 Only hikers permitted on trails. Horses, bikes, or off-highway vehicles are prohibited on trails. 

S15 Tubes and rafts are prohibited in rivers.

Guidelines: Scenic River Segments

G1 Management activities should meet the meet the Scenic Integrity Objective of High.

G2 Use native plant species where possible when restoring impacted sites following FSM 2070. 

G3 Allow woody debris to accumulate along river and shorelines to maintain the natural character of 

river.

G4 Manage historic sites consistent with Forest-wide direction. Stabilize and protect existing sites.

G5 Implement “pack-it-in and pack-it-out” and “leave no trace” concepts.

Desired Conditions for the “Recreational” Segment

Management of the “recreational” segment of the river corridor will focus on providing recreation in 

natural-appearing or culturally-influenced settings. Puente Roto and La Mina Falls are heavily visited 

during holidays and summer weekends. Parking areas should be delineated at Puente Roto and Angelito 

trailheads to establish and manage capacity at these areas. Invasive species will be controlled and 

eradicated. River-oriented recreation opportunities will emphasize hiking, and viewing wildlife and 

nature. Use will be managed to provide a level of contact among visitors and impacts to the outstanding 

remarkable values that are consistent with the river classification. The “limits of acceptable change” 

concept will be used to monitor levels of use within the river corridor. Parking layout and access to the 

river at Puente Roto should be improved. Access for use and enjoyment of the rivers will be provided, 

consistent with the river classification at Big Tree Trail, Angelito Trail, La Mina Trail, and La Coca Trail.

Standards: Recreation River Segments 

S1 Vegetation management is generally not permitted within 0.25 mile of the designated rivers. 

Vegetation treatments for wildlife habitat improvement or to control invasive plant species are 
El Yunque National Forest

41

allowed provided that such practices do not substantially adversely affect the river and its 

immediate environment. Woody debris is allowed to remain along the river bed and its banks. 

S2 Low dams, diversion works, rip rap, and other minor structures are allowed provided the 

waterway remains generally natural in appearance.

S3 Hydroelectric power facilities are prohibited. 

S4 Flood control dams and levees are prohibited. Erosion control treatments can be implemented if 

they do not detract from river values. 

S5 Limit land-based permits to groups of no more than 15 persons (including guides). 

S6 Mining activity and rock extraction are prohibited.

S7 Allow primitive camping at designated areas by permit only. No camping within 100 feet of 

rivers. Evidence of use to be noticeable, but not dominant. No fires or fire rings allowed. Use 

only commercial cooking apparatus. 

S8 Only hikers permitted on trails. Horses, bikes, or off-highway vehicles are prohibited on trails. 

S9 Conduct site condition inventory to determine use patterns and site conditions. Use the site 

condition inventory results to determine use limits and develop monitoring criteria. Rehabilitate 

degraded sites and if necessary, relocate or restrict use at those sites.

S10 Prohibit barbeque grills below the high water line on all river segments. 

S11 Prohibit glass containers below the high water line on all river segments.

Guidelines: Recreation River Segments

G1 Minimize trash impacts at La Coca and Juan Diego sites.

G2 Implement “pack-it-in and pack-it-out” and “leave no trace” concept.

G3 New development, bridge replacements, and landslide reconstruction will be designed to 

minimize disturbance of riparian areas.

G4 Focus wildlife interpretation on highly visible species. 

G5 Stabilize dispersed recreation sites that have exposed, compacted, or highly erodible mineral soil. 

G6 Manage trails in corridors only for pedestrian uses compatible with the outstanding remarkable 

values of the designated rivers.

G7 Horses, mountain bikes, and off-highway vehicles are prohibited in all river segments. 

G8 Paralleling roads could occur on one side of the river. There can be several bridge crossings and 

numerous river access points. New road construction is limited to access and parking for 

developed recreation sites.

G9 Picnic areas and trails may be in close proximity to the river.

G10 New structures are allowed for recreation use. 
Revised Land Management Plan

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Goals for Río Icacos 

GO1 Improve water quality by reducing sedimentation from landslides and PR Route 191. 

GO2 Maintain ditches and culverts on the section of PR Route 191 closed to public traffic to reduce the 

concentration of water flow onto slopes prone to landslides. 

GO3 Stabilize areas of exposed soil caused by landslides.

Goals for Río Mameyes

GO1 Improve recreation opportunities and water quality by providing facilities at Puente Roto. 

GO2 Improve the parking layout at Puente Roto. Implement a segment-wide, trash-free zone.

Goals for Río de la Mina

GO1 No trash is left by users. 

Management Strategies

MS1 A capacity study to establish maximum capacity during high use periods, particularly at La Mina 

Falls and Puente Roto.

MS2 The feasibility of adding other improvements at the Puente Roto recreation area. Improvements 

could include sanitary facilities, picnic grills, tables, and picnic shelters. 

MS3 Improving public awareness and understanding of the outstanding remarkable values of the three 

wild and scenic rivers and the National Wild and Scenic River System. 

Management Area 9: Scenic Byway Management Area: PR Route 186

PR Route 186 is a designated scenic route within the Forest and State-designated scenic byway outside 

the Forest. 

Desired Conditions

DC1 This management area will help disperse recreation users in the Forest and reduce traffic along 

PR Route 191; which in turn will help to improve the adjacent sensitive ecosystems affected by 

over-use. 

DC2 The Forest maintains a visual experience through the vistas and natural elements, as well as the 

man-made or historic features within this management area. 

DC3 The Forest manages the environment along the route in as natural a state as possible, including 

elements such as geological formations, fossils, bodies of water, flora and fauna. 

DC4 The public enjoys the western side of the Forest by accessing it through this Civilian 

Conservation Corp-era historic route. 

DC5 The historically relevant features and spots are interpreted for the public to educate and provide 

historic context along the route. 

DC6 The Forest’s historic features associated with its cultural heritage are well maintained and 

properly managed. 
El Yunque National Forest

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DC7 The route allows the public to access recreation opportunities on the western side of the Forest; 

this will include activities such as camping, hiking historic trails (Tradewinds), water-play in the 

rivers and creeks along the route; and other nature-based activities. It will also give the public a 

scenic drive opportunity to supplement the PR Route 191 scenic drive experience. 

DC8 The route is maintained in a safe and fit condition to allow the use of the public and tour 

operators. 

Goals 

GO1 Partner with the municipal planners and other agencies to promote the official State designation 

of the PR Route 186 Scenic Byway. 

GO2 Promote the historic significance of the cultural resources within this area. 

GO3 Improve signage along the route. 

GO4 Develop interpretive signage for relevant historic and natural features along the route. 

GO5 Improve and maintain security along the scenic byway. 

GO6 Work collaboratively to promote the development of recreation opportunities along the route of 

PR Route 186. 

GO7 Improve scenic viewpoints on the PR Route 186 within the Forest such as Quebrada Soñadora, 

Río Espíritu Santo, Quebrada Grande, Pico El Toro, Rio Grande, Vereda El Toro throughout the 

planning period. 

Objectives 

O1 Improve and maintain the corridor’s physical condition within the first 3 years of the Forest 

Plan’s approval. 

O2 Create a working committee that integrates the municipal planners and agencies related to the 

state designation and road condition in the first year of the Plan to develop and apply the desired 

future conditions defined in the Plan. 

Standards 

S1 All road maintenance and alterations that fall outside the defined categorical exclusions as 

outlined in the programmatic agreement between the Forest Service and State Historic 

Preservation Office should follow the stipulations of the State Historic Preservation Office Act 

and Section 106 Process (36 CFR 800). 

2.2 Suitability of Lands 

Specific lands within a plan area are identified as suitable for various multiple uses or activities based on 

the desired conditions applicable to those lands. The plan will also identify lands within the plan area as 

unsuitable for uses that are incompatible with desired conditions for those lands. 

The suitability of lands need not be identified for every use or activity. Identifying suitable uses may be 

done after considering historic uses and issues that have arisen in the planning process. Every plan must 

identify those lands that are unsuitable for timber production (§ 219.11) (36 CFR 219.7(e)(1)(v)). 
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Lands Identified as Suitable for Certain Uses or Activities. Identifying certain lands as suitable for a 

type of use in a forest plan is not a commitment to allow such use, but only an indication that the use 

might be appropriate. A specific use or activity may be approved or may be disapproved in an area 

identified as suitable for such types of use. Management areas and plan components take into account 

suitability criteria for recreation, research, water use, communication sites, and general management.

Lands Specified as Not Suitable for Uses or Activities. If a plan identifies certain lands as not suitable 

for a use, then that use or activity may not be authorized. Public uses for which a special-use authorization 

is not required, such as biking, camping, and hiking, will not be affected by such a designation in the plan. 

Such uses can only be restricted by an action such as a closure order (Section 21.8 of the Planning 

Handbook). 

The following uses are not suitable Forest-wide:

Off-road vehicle use

Hang-gliding

Horseback riding

Cable tram system above canopy

Hunting 

Military training is addressed in Section 3.3.5, “Special Uses.”

2.3 Suitability for Timber Harvesting 

Certain areas within El Yunque are designated as suitable for timber harvest, but limitations or special 

designations, such as wilderness (which should be left undisturbed by these activities) create limited 

opportunities for a timber program. In the recent past, the Forest has not maintained a timber harvest 

program and there has been little demand for timber as a commodity. Some use of dead and down trees 

and non-wood forest products did provide limited opportunity for timber harvest within the Forest. 

However, the recent hurricanes in September 2017 caused an increase in dead and down trees, resulting in 

the development of a timber salvage program to make use of the downed wood. This increase in 

availability has sparked an interest and a demand for small forest products. As a result, El Yunque 

National Forest will be issuing personal use and small commercial sales permits so the public can use the 

downed timber. 

There are no congressional restraints on some lands; however, the vegetation types, wildlife, and physical 

conditions may make some of these lands unsuitable. As shown in table 2-7, lands outside of the 

wilderness area, but on slopes greater than 30 percent are identified as “not suited for timber production” 

because these lands are prone to landslides during heavy rains. The lands in category D (where timber 

production is not compatible with the Plan’s desired conditions) are the lands found within the existing 

and expanded research natural area. The acres that are identified as “suited for timber production” are 

those within the Community Interface Resource Management Area (MA 4).
El Yunque National Forest

45

Table 2-7. Timber production suitability classification

Land Classification Category Acres

A. Total National Forest System lands 28,223

B. Lands not suited for timber production due to legal availability or technical 

considerations

17,752

Wilderness 10,352

Slopes over 30 percent (outside of wilderness) 7,400

C. Lands that may be suited for timber production (A B) 10,471

D. Lands not suited for timber production because timber production is not compatible 

with the desired conditions and objectives established by the Plan

3,284

E. Lands suited for timber production (C D) 7,187

F. Lands not suited for timber production (B + D) 21,036

It needs to be clarified here that lands classified as “suited for timber production” does not mean that they 

will be managed as “timber plantations”. An area is classified as “suited for timber production” when it is 

identified as an area that may be harvested to provide some level of wood products on a regular basis (as 

opposed to only harvesting trees for salvage following a storm event). The purpose of timber production 

activities considered in this plan will be to restore native forests by silvicultural prescriptions that remove 

invasive species and provide wood products for local artisans. Conversely, lands “not suited for timber 

production” can still have some timber harvesting activities for reasons such as salvage opportunities, or 

to meet non-timber resource management needs.
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3 Desired Conditions for El Yunque National Forest

It is El Yunque National Forest’s vision to continue improving social, economic, and ecological 

sustainability and use of El Yunque lands. The new Forest Plan is divided into sections that guide this 

management vision. The Forest-wide desired conditions, objectives, standards and guidelines provide the 

framework for management across El Yunque National Forest.

The planning process identified the following needs for the management of the Forest:

1. Maintain the Forest in an ecologically, socially, and economically sustainable manner. 

2. Maintain the Forest’s ecology throughout the challenges arising from climate change. 

3. Sustain ecological processes.

4. Conserve flora and fauna. 

5. Provide opportunities to develop a community-based economy. 

6. Have a regionally integrated approach to recreation use and access. 

7. Protect, conserve, and recover species of flora and fauna that are federally threatened, endangered, 

proposed, and species of conservation concern. 

8. Maintain the functional wetland and associated vegetation types. 

9. Maintain healthy watersheds.

10. Restore riparian areas.

11. Provide recreational opportunities, taking into consideration changes in demographics and visitation 

patterns during the planning process.

12. Alleviate high visitor use of PR Route 191 by increasing recreational opportunities in the lower 

elevations of the Forest. Lower parts of the Forest may provide more recreational opportunities and 

settings.

13. Provide for a scenic route along PR Route 186. 

14. Provide clean water resources.

15. Provide sustainable forest products.

16. Maintain functional infrastructure.

17. Reduce the Forest’s ecological footprint by acquiring or protecting more stream corridors. 

18. Maintain scenic integrity, which contributes to the economy. 

19. Include plan components for invasive species management that allow activities beyond road right-ofways, recreation areas, and threatened or endangered species habitats, in order to promote 

management of invasive species and to restore landscape-level conditions. 

20. Air is clean and contributes to a healthy and functional environment. 
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48

3.1 Ecological Sustainability and Diversity of Plant and Animal 

Communities 

3.1.1 Climate Change Response

Desired Conditions

DC1 The Forest resources and operational management are resilient to the influences of a changing 

climate. 

DC2 Management activities reduce the susceptibility of resources to multiple threats, including 

drought, invasive species, disease, and wildfire.

DC3 The immediate and long-term resilience of the Forest will be improved by: 

♦ Responding to changes in visitor behavior and mitigating any seasonal increases in use; 

♦ Enhancing landscape connectivity by maintaining natural migration corridors between lowland 

and upland forests to allow species to move up-slope into cooler environments as climate 

warms; 

♦ Maintaining piles of natural woody debris and promoting wetlands and ponds in areas of high 

amphibian diversity to supplement habitats that retain cool, moist conditions.

Management Strategy 

MS1 Collaborate with the International Institute of Tropical Forestry, State and Private Forestry, 

external partners and surrounding land managers to coordinate management and monitoring 

efforts related to visitor use, ecological connectivity and flows, and invasive species.

3.1.2 Terrestrial Ecosystem: Vegetation

Desired Conditions

DC1 The Forest landscape shall continue to be dominated by a closed canopy of native species. 

DC2 Structure, composition and function of mature forests is maintained within the range of natural 

variation. 

DC3 Plant biodiversity, ecosystem processes and function will be conserved, maintained, and if 

needed, restored. 

DC4 Disturbed and altered areas are restored through natural succession and managed revegetation 

practices. 

DC5 Conserve the native species present in all plantation/secondary montane and submontane forest 

types while controlling, and if possible, eradicating invasive species. 

DC6 Manage to achieve and maintain the characteristics of the mature tabonuco montane wet and rain 

forests, including: canopy height of approximately 30 meters; the dominance of ferns in the 

understory; and the dominance of characteristic species such as Dacryodes excelsa (tabonuco), 
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49

Sloanea berteriana (motillo), Tabebuia heterophylla, Manilkara bidentata (ausubo), Guarea 

guidonia (guaraguao), Buchenavia capitata (granadillo), and Ocotea leucoxylon (laurel geo).

DC7 Manage to achieve and maintain the characteristics of the mature palo colorado montane rain and 

wet cloud forest types including the dominance of Cyrilla racemiflora and high stem density of 

Prestoea montana, Micropholis garciniifolia, and Calycogonium squamulosum.

DC8 Mature sierra palm montane wet and Mature sierra palm montane wet and rain cloud forest types 

will continue to be dominated by Prestoea montana, with high stem density of Croton 

poecilanthus, Micropholis crysophylloides, and Eugenia eggersii and high aboveground biomass 

of Magnolia splendens and Sloanea berteriana. 

DC9 In mature Tabebuia/Eugenia woodland montane wet and rain cloud forests, the high abundance of 

bryophytes and epiphytes will continue, especially the bromeliad Werahuia sintenisii. The tree 

fern Cyathea bryophylla, and tree species such as Ocotea spathulata, Eugenia borinquensis and 

Tabebuia rigida. 

DC10 The Forest maintains a high diversity of native plants in areas visited by the public, by 

landscaping developed recreation areas and visitor centers with native, endemic and at-risk 

species. 

DC11 Tabonuco montane rain and wet forests will be conserved in lowland forest communities between 

200 and 600 meters in elevation. 

DC12 The historical distribution and composition of mature sierra palm montane, wet forest, and rain 

cloud forests will be conserved in both palm brakes and palm floodplain ecosystems. 

DC13 Conserve the unique structure and composition of mature Tabebuia/Eugenia woodland montane 

rain and wet cloud forests, including the abundance of epiphytes, liverworts and mosses. 

DC14 Conserve the historical distribution of mature palo colorado montane rain and wet cloud forest

types characterized by late successional plant species. 

DC15 Control high-priority invasive plant species using mechanical, manual, or other nonmechanical 

techniques and replace them with native plant species.

DC16 Secondary forests have a similar composition and structure of mid-successional forests. 

Secondary forests have regenerated naturally after complete forest clearing caused by natural or 

anthropogenic disturbance and are different in composition and structure from nearby mature 

forests. Mid-successional forests have similar structure and composition of mature forests but 

retain certain species characteristics of early successional forests. 

Goals

GO1 Evaluate vegetation composition, structure and ecological functions of all secondary forests types 

by inventorying and mapping, and applying the appropriate management strategy. 

GO2 Provide for small forest products within the Community Interface Resource Area (CIRMA).

GO3 If a significant natural disturbance occurs, then Dacryodes excelsa abundance increases in 

montane rain and wet forest communities. 
Revised Land Management Plan

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Objective

O1 At least one collaborative conservation education effort should be conducted that highlights the 

ecological importance of one forest type every 2 years.

Standards

S1 Limit alteration of the vegetation, such as from recreation facility construction and sustainable 

forest product uses, in areas where native, endemic and at-risk species may be adversely affected.

S2 Require permits for the collection of any plants or plant material except for Forest Service 

personnel collecting plants or plant material for research purposes. 

S3 Require a permit for small-scale timber salvage and small forest products for experimental or 

sustainable uses, or where there is damage by natural causes, only where such use does not 

conflict with specific management goals and objectives of any particular area. 

S4 Use only native vegetation in wetland restoration and soils conservation projects.

S5 Control invasive plant species using mechanical, manual, or other nonmechanical techniques and 

replace them with native plant species. 

Guidelines

G1 The use of genetically appropriate native plant species will receive primary consideration for 

revegetation, restoration, and rehabilitation. Use of non-native plants is allowed only when in 

compliance with Forest Service native plant policy (FSM 2070). 

G2 Passive forest restoration, or natural forest regeneration, should be preferred over active 

restoration (tree planting, soil erosion control, enrichment planting, etc.) to restore any forest type 

if it can achieve similar species composition and vegetation structure of mid-successional or 

mature forests. Active restoration should be performed to rehabilitate the habitat of targeted atrisk species.

Management Strategies 

MS1 Perform an inventory of the riparian vegetation. 

MS2 Fill the information gap of the historical vegetation for all plantation/secondary forest types and 

the natural range of variation and ecological processes of these altered systems. 

MS3 Develop collaborations with universities, non-government conservation organizations, the Puerto 

Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to 

establish monitoring plots in each forest type for surveying species composition and vegetation 

structure. 

MS4 Conduct collaborative efforts with non-government conservation organizations to control, and if 

possible, eradicate plant invasive species and replace them with native species. 

MS5 Maintain a map of the forest coverage at different scales to assure the Forest continues to offer an 

impression of tropical forest vastness. Recommended scales are: 

♦ Designated areas 
El Yunque National Forest

51

♦ Proclamation region 

♦ Regional management area

♦ Forest type 

MS6 Work with partners to recover natural migration corridors outside the Plan area, starting with 

riparian management zones (see section 3.1.5) and working outward to cover other vegetation 

types for a broader spectrum of wildlife. 

3.1.3 Functional Wetland

Desired Conditions

DC1 The functional wetland within El Yunque National Forest is protected and preserved. 

DC2 Functional wetlands remain forested, predominantly with native species. The biodiversity and 

ecosystem processes are maintained. Viable populations of native plants are maintained or 

achieved. 

DC3 The Forest continues to supply the benefits and ecological services delivered by the wetlands to 

surrounding lands, particularly lowland wetlands connected through the management region. 

DC4 Maintain or conserve 13,335 acres of functional wetlands during the Plan period. 

Goals 

GO1 Wetlands are identified and administered in accordance with appropriate management 

requirements related to Federal legislation and regulations that apply to Puerto Rico. 

Objectives

O1 Propose including the Palustrine Montane Wetland of El Yunque in the National Wetlands 

Inventory in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 4 years after Plan signature.

Guidelines

G1 The Forest should delineate wetlands during site-specific projects.

Management Strategies 

MS1 Survey lands to identify the wetland vegetation. 

MS2 Develop collaborative agreements with surrounding, protected areas or agencies to establish 

permanent plots in order to monitor environmental change and its effect on El Yunque wetlands 

and the broader landscape. 

MS3 Include El Yunque wetland values in the interpretation and education programs.

MS4 Maintain communication with International Institute of Tropical Forestry regarding monitoring 

and research of the cloud formation level within the Forest, apply the information provided on 

updates and changes of these conditions, and adjust management practices as needed.
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Map 3-1. Existing forest types of El Yunque National Forest
El Yunque National Forest

53

Map 3-2. Functional wetland at the 1,969-foot elevation (600 meters)
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54

3.1.4 Aquatic Ecosystems 

Desired Conditions

DC1 High quality ecosystem services and biodiversity of aquatic ecosystems of El Yunque National 

Forest are maintained or restored. 

DC2 Provide healthy habitats to aquatic fauna, especially those whose life cycles are interconnected 

with the surrounding ocean. 

DC3 Ensure ecologically sustainable human use of water does not adversely affect the ecosystem’s 

long-term functional capacity. 

Standards and Guidelines

Note: For aquatic ecosystems, please refer to the standard and guidelines section titled “Fish and Other 

Aquatic Species Standards” on page 59. 

Management Strategies 

MS1 Work with partners and other agencies to develop a water flow average and range for each 

watershed along with a water budget that describes how much water each watershed needs for 

adequate aquatic ecosystem function throughout the year. 

MS2 Provide collaborative approaches for conservation education regarding aquatic ecosystems or a 

related ecosystem component for at least one priority watershed every 2 years to improve public 

awareness and create opportunities to better understand scientific land management. 

MS3 Through collaboration, better understand the resiliency of aquatic ecosystems and their carrying 

capacity for aquatic-dependent fauna species in relation to climate change.

3.1.5 Riparian Management Zones

Riparian management zones are defined as a 100-foot zone inland from each edge of a river or stream 

(defined as bank full), unless a site-specific analysis is conducted to identify and delineate the riparian 

management zone. 

Desired Conditions 

DC1 Riparian management zones are maintained or restored. 

DC2 The riparian management zones deliver ecological services to the aquatic ecosystems and 

watersheds of El Yunque and the surrounding regional lands. 

DC3 Viable populations of native flora and fauna species are maintained or restored. 

DC4 Riparian management zones located inside the primary forest and inside designated areas (El Toro 

Wilderness, Baño de Oro Expanded Research Natural Area and Wild Scenic Recreation River 

Corridors) are preserved. 

DC5 Riparian management zones are managed to maintain or restore ecological diversity and function 

and to keep serving as abiotic and biotic connectors between the Forest and the sea.
El Yunque National Forest

55

DC6 The bloodroot tree (Pterocarpus officinalis) is restored in riparian areas.

DC7 Riparian management zones are free of invasive species.

DC8 The riparian management zones maintain their natural range of variation and their ecological 

processes keep functioning. 

Goals 

GO1 Riparian management zones improve their ecological diversity and maintain functional ecological 

connections throughout the management region.

Objectives

O1 Survey riparian management zones in areas of high impacts to determine if conservation or 

restoration is needed.

O2 Restore riparian areas impacted by recreational activities.

Standards 

S1 No management practice that may; cause detrimental changes in water quality and chemical 

composition, block the watercourse, or deposit sediment that adversely affects the water 

conditions and fish habitat; shall be permitted within the riparian management zone.

Guidelines 

G1 Ensure Forest Service soil and water best management practices are implemented when 

management or maintenance activities are conducted near riparian areas.

Management Strategies

MS1 Consider lands and associated riparian corridors on major streams for land acquisition initiatives.

MS2 Evaluate enrichment planting strategies with native species to improve riparian zone vegetation. 

This initiative could be developed with community groups. 

MS3 Aquatic organisms are monitored for methylmercury loading, and the public is informed where 

aquatic organisms may be harvested and safely eaten. 

3.1.6 Air/Resource Quality

Desired Conditions 

DC1 Visitors experience clean air and clear vistas and recognize that the Forest is affected by manmade pollutants originating from sources outside Forest boundaries. 

DC2 Activities on the Forest meet all National Ambient Air Quality Standards designed to protect 

human health and public welfare. 

DC3 Air is clean and contributes to a healthy and functional environment. 

DC4 The Forest continues to contribute to good air quality through its biological processes. 
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Standards 

S1 Apply Federal and Commonwealth air quality regulations in the management of facilities.

S2 Incorporate performance requirements for the protection of air quality in permitted activities and 

developments. 

Guidelines

G1 El Yunque National Forest will avoid management activities that would adversely impact air 

quality. 

G2 Consult with the Environmental Protection Agency on any proposed major emitting facility that 

can adversely impact air quality.

Management Strategies

MS1 The Forest provides the local community and visiting public information on air quality when it 

has been impaired by any natural event. 

MS2 Public education and awareness will include air quality. 

MS3 Determine locations of high air pollutant concentrations using existing emissions and air quality 

monitoring data, personal observations, dispersion modeling, and professional consultation. 

3.1.7 Soils 

Desired Conditions 

DC1 Protect and maintain the current soil conditions within El Yunque National Forest. 

DC2 Maintain a healthy watershed by maintaining water quality and quantity, and preserving 

productive soils. 

DC3 Soil, subsoil and water resources are protected from physical, biological, and chemical 

contaminants.

DC4 All hydric soils above the 1,969 (600 meters) feet elevational line in El Yunque National Forest 

are protected.

Goals

GO1 Soils maintain their functions to sustain the ecological conditions and services of El Yunque. 

Standards

S1 Use native vegetation to revegetate landslides.

S2 Landslides will be revegetated using mulch and native species soon after occurrence to achieve at 

least 85 percent groundcover within the first 2 years of the landslide. 

S3 Soil-disturbing activities and soil removal from projects in El Yunque National Forest are not 

conducted in such a fashion that they cause sedimentation, loss of soil productivity, or cover 

productive active soils. 
El Yunque National Forest

57

Guidelines 

G1 Soil compaction and detrimental impacts to soil productivity are minimized.

G2 Control the unauthorized use of off-road vehicles that may severely impair soils and may 

accelerate erosion.

G3 Evaluate impacts of landslides to wetland condition and develop appropriate restoration activities 

following those evaluations. 

G4 Use soil and water best management practices to reduce impacts on soils.

Management Strategies 

MS1 Submit information on hydric soils to the National Wetland Inventory. 

MS2 Improve the Forest soil resources data by evaluating the characteristics and conditions of hydric 

soils in the Forest for inclusion in the National Wetland Inventory. 

MS3 Measure the stage and conditions of the soils in the different vegetation types of the Forest to 

identify soil formation stages and if they contribute to appropriate ecosystem services.

3.1.8 Water Resources

Desired Conditions

DC1 Clean water flows from the Forest. 

DC2 Use of water for human consumption is balanced with in-stream flow needs for administrative 

use, recreation, research, and aquatic and terrestrial ecosystem maintenance.

DC3 Sustain the hydrologic connectivity of the rivers flowing from the Forest to maintain a healthy 

aquatic fauna.

Objectives 

O1 Determine instream-flow needs for water intakes during the planning period. 

O2 Conserve the aquatic fauna through a healthy and continuous hydrologic network flowing from 

the Forest during the planning period. 

Standards 

S1 New water intakes for consumptive uses are not allowed. 

S2 All proposed projects that contact or interact with the quality or supply of the water resource shall 

comply with permitting requirements of the responsible Federal and the Puerto Rican 

Commonwealth agencies.

S3 Protect surface and subsurface water resources from physical, chemical, and biological pollutants.

S4 The flow regimes shall not be modified to levels that negatively affect the abiotic and biotic needs 

of aquatic ecosystems.
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S5 Protect the free-flowing conditions and the outstandingly remarkable values that make the Rio 

Espiritu Santo, Rio Fajardo, and Rio Sabana rivers eligible for possible designation as Wild and 

Scenic Rivers.

Guidelines

G1 Incorporate soil and water best management practices into the design of all projects that have 

potential to affect water resources.

Management Strategies 

MS1 Improve stream water network information to evaluate the quality and supply parameters of water 

resources.

MS2 Promote the value and influence of the water resource in relation to the socioeconomic system or 

aspects of the region.

MS3 Develop an initiative for an adoption program for streams that flow from the Forest. The purpose 

is to connect restoration and conservation projects in the Community Interface Resource 

Management Area to areas outside the Forest as part of agreements with community and 

environmental organizations in the region. This initiative should include a participatory 

monitoring component where community groups assist in implementing the monitoring protocol. 

3.1.9 Wildlife and Fisheries

Desired Conditions

DC1 High quality habitats for endemic wildlife and fisheries populations in their existing or historic 

distributions are enjoyed by the public and scientifically studied in their natural habitats. 

DC2 The Forest’s rich biodiversity, including the ecological processes that may improve resilience to 

climate change, is maintained or restored.

DC3 Tropical forests and ecosystems services management are improved.

Wildlife Operations Standards

S1 Special-use permits shall be required for scientific or educational collections of any animal 

species for any non-Forest Service project.

S2 Require capping of all open piping. 

S3 When controlling erosion, use wildlife friendly materials and techniques to reduce risk to 

wildlife.

Wildlife Operations Guidelines

G1 Maintain the quality and effectiveness of limited, unique, or otherwise important habitat attributes 

such as cliffs, caves, dead standing trees (snags), wildlife roost sites and reproductive areas 

during any management, special use, or research activities.

G2 El Yunque National Forest shall coordinate with the International Institute of Tropical Forestry, 

the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife 

Service in the management of wildlife and fish habitat resources on the Forest. 
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59

Fish and Other Aquatic Species Standards

S1 Water withdrawals for human uses shall not reduce flows below naturally occurring low flows.

Fish and Other Aquatic Species Guidelines

G1 Maintain or enhance fish (especially for the freshwater eel) and freshwater shrimp passages and 

habitat connectivity in all El Yunque rivers and perennial streams. 

G2 During project-level planning, develop mitigation measures for any ground or surface waterdisturbing activities when soil and water best management practices are not specifically 

developed for those activities. These mitigation measures should be designed to limit impacts to 

water quality, riparian management zones, and soils. 

Management Strategies 

MS1 Collaborate with the Puerto Rico Department of Natural Resources (PRDNER) or a legitimate 

non-governmental organization3 with appropriate PRDNER permits to establish sustainable use 

and best management practices for collecting or harvesting endemic game fish species.

MS2 Geospatially map special or biologically sensitive habitats, such as high-elevation wetlands above 

1,969 feet and mature (Tabebuia/Eugenia) woodlands to document changes in habitat sizes for 

associated species.

MS3 Develop environmental flow ranges for all watersheds in El Yunque at an appropriate time scale 

to better manage aquatic ecosystems. 

MS4 Develop a collaborative conservation education program focused on El Yunque’s unique 

biological resources, and their relationships with the surrounding ecosystems. 

MS5 Develop opportunities through partnerships for conservation education or public viewing of 

wildlife in areas where low adverse impacts can be assured.

MS6 Continue to support projects focused on native pollinators. 

MS7 Focus on improving habitat connectivity for viable freshwater eel populations with other Federal

and State partners. 

3.1.10 At-Risk Species: Fauna

Desired Conditions

DC1 Robust populations (and metapopulations) of identified at-risk species (federally threatened, 

endangered, proposed, and species of conservation concern) are maintained through managing the 

population-limiting factors and habitats on the Forest that are identified in the U.S. Fish and 

Wildlife Service 5-year review of the endangered species within the Forest, Species Recovery 

Plans, and the Ecological Sustainability Evaluation Tool. 

DC2 Habitat (foraging, shelter, and breeding) of at-risk species is rehabilitated to support healthy 

faunal populations. 

 

3 A legitimate NGO is an NGO that is registered and recognized by the Federal or local government as a nongovernmental agency.
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DC3 Public awareness of at-risk species and associated conservation education programs improves 

long-term interagency recovery efforts and produces positive results.

DC4 Invasive species are controlled. 

Standards

S1 Protect nest and roost sites for the endangered Puerto Rican parrot, Puerto Rican sharp-shinned 

and broad-winged hawks: 

♦ No adverse management activities shall be conducted within 492 feet (150 meters) of an active 

Puerto Rican parrot, Puerto Rican sharp-shinned hawk or broad-winged hawk nest. 

♦ Activities with the potential to disturb raptors during nest selection and breeding season 

(November to August) shall be avoided. 

S2 Post and enforce area closure notices in any identified at-risk area (such as, Baño de Oro Natural 

Area and Puerto Rican parrot area closure) as needed, to ensure protection and population 

viability. 

S3 The use of electronic birdcalls for at-risk bird species is prohibited except for official purposes. 

S4 Within 0.62 mile (1 kilometer) of Puerto Rican Parrot release sites, no standing tress shall be cut 

down except for hazard trees. 

S5 Within 0.62 mile (1 kilometer) of Puerto Rican Parrot release sites, avoid loud noises of 80 

decibels or louder during the critical nesting season of February 1 to June 30. 

Guidelines

G1 Forest management activities and research studies in existing or potential Elfin-woods warbler 

habitats, follow the guidelines in table 3-1 (see also appendix A for a description of the Elfinwoods warbler management situations). 

Management Strategies 

MS1 At least one collaborative conservation education program effort should be conducted that 

includes at-risk species or their habitat needs every 2 years.

MS2 By the year 2020 or the second edition of the monitoring report, observed patterns of all federally 

listed species and any species of conservation concern with strongly declining monitoring trends 

should be identified and geospatially mapped to share with other Federal and State partners. 

MS3 At least once every fiscal year, El Yunque should meet with other Federal and State partners 

focusing on population viability of all federally listed at-risk species (threatened, endangered, and 

proposed). These strategic meetings should identify on-going and future collaborative recovery 

efforts. Federally listed species such as Puerto Rican parrot, Puerto Rican sharp-shinned and 

broad-winged hawks, Puerto Rican boa, and the Elfin-woods warbler shall be a priority for 

management.

MS4 Collaborate with Federal and Puerto Rican government agencies and legitimate nongovernmental organizations to improve habitat connectivity of “at-risk species” beyond the 

boundaries of El Yunque National Forest. 
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Table 3-1. Description of management situations, sensitivity levels and guidelines

Situation Description

Management Situation 1: Prime Habitat

Guidelines 1. Site disturbances: As a rule, adverse site disturbances will not occur within management 

situation 1. Project proposals that might result in any form of habitat modification shall also be 

reported to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and then analyzed through the process required 

by the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) and the Endangered Species Act of 

1973 as amended for consultation.

2. Human disturbances: All projects with potential to disturb Elfin-woods warbler within prime 

habitats shall also be reported to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This includes projects that 

may have acute and high sound amplitude (such as, chainsaws, blastings, aircraft use or other 

mechanical sources).

3. Human disturbances: Should be timed outside of nest selection and the breeding season, to 

assure the highest level of habitat effectiveness in these ranges.

Management Situation 2: Potential Habitat

Guidelines 1. Site disturbance: Activities that would result in any adverse physical modification of potential 

habitats shall be reported to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and then analyzed through the 

process required by the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) and the Endangered 

Species Act of 1973 as amended for consultation.

2. Human disturbances: All projects with potential to disturb Elfin-woods warbler within prime 

habitats shall also be reported to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This includes projects that 

may have acute and high sound amplitude (such as, chainsaws, blastings, or other mechanical 

sources).

3. Human disturbances: Should be timed outside of nest selection and the breeding season, to 

assure the highest level of habitat effectiveness in these ranges.

Management Situation 3: Limited Value Habitat

Guidelines 1. Site disturbances: Projects within management area 3 should be coordinated through the 

Forest biologist and evaluated through NEPA.

2. Human disturbances: Projects with potential to disturb any possible Elfin-woods warbler 

should be coordinated through the Forest biologist and evaluated through NEPA. 

3. No seasonal timing constraint would be indicated unless the amplitude of disturbances could 

influence the usability of nearby sensitive habitats.

Note: For more information on the management situation description of the Elfin-woods warbler see appendix A.

3.1.11 At-Risk Species: Flora

Desired Conditions 

DC1 Continue to provide the ecological conditions in composition and structure that characterize each 

vegetation type contributing towards maintaining and restoring the habitat in which at-risk 

species occur in the Forest. 

DC2 Maintain healthy populations of identified at-risk species (federally threatened, endangered, 

proposed, and species of conservation concern) by managing population-limiting factors 

identified in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 5 year review of the endangered species within the Forest 

to better adapt to any possible change (can be found in Recovery Plans and Ecological 

Sustainability Tool [Ecosystem Team, Supervisor’s Office El Yunque National Forest]). 

DC3 Control high-priority invasive plant species using appropriate methods. 
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Goals 

GO1 Partnerships with cooperators or pertinent agencies are successfully engaged to identify and 

implement strategies for increasing at-risk species population. 

GO2 The Forest collaborates with the University of Puerto Rico and the Puerto Rico Department of 

Natural and Environmental Resources to keep botanical vouchers of federally listed species for 

future references in their herbariums. 

Objectives 

O1 Implement surveys to acquire additional information on the population status of at-risk species, 

with priority given to those federally listed; in compliance with their recovery plan within 2 years 

of plan’s approval. 

Standards 

S1 Do not allow collection of orchids, including threatened, endangered, and species of conservation 

concern, unless approved for scientific and educational purposes. 

S2 Incorporate equipment-cleaning practices into contracts, special-use permits, and Forest activities 

to prevent the introduction and spread of invasive plant species.

S3 Control invasive species using appropriate methods. 

Guidelines

G1 Follow recommendations for federally listed plant species recovery developed in the individual 

recovery plans. 

G2 Forest management activities are consistent with recovery plans.

Management Strategies

MS1 Collect and share inventory and monitoring information with Puerto Rico Department of Natural 

and Environmental Resources and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; which documents locations, 

trends, habitat conditions, threats and management responses. 

MS2 Maintain up-to-date digital databases of species occurrences and trends to share with Puerto Rico 

Department of Natural and Environmental Resources and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 

MS3 Cooperate with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the 5-year review of federally listed plant 

species present in El Yunque.

3.2 Social and Economic Sustainability and Multiple Use 

3.2.1 Socio-economics

Desired Conditions

DC1 In balance with its ecological conditions and resilience, the Forest provides a broad range of 

social, cultural, and economic benefits to individuals and communities from local to global levels. 

It serves as a model of an adaptive, sustainable, and resilient social-ecological system to 
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63

surrounding communities and beyond, and cultivates sustainable resource- and land-use 

throughout the region. 

DC2 The Forest is shaped by, and inextricably linked to, humankind. Humans act as Forest stewards, 

producers, distributors, and users. Their demands on the Forest do not compromise its integrity or 

resilience, nor do they exceed the Forest administration’s capacity or resources for Forest 

sustainability. 

DC3 Through its ecological, social, and economic characteristics and conditions and opportunities for 

recreation, education, spirituality, historical and cultural preservation, wood and non-wood forest 

products, and other goods and services, the Forest contributes to a healthy sense of place and way 

of life for nearby residents, neighboring communities, and visitors from near and far. 

DC4 Forest goods and services, including clean air and water, native flora and fauna, recreation, scenic 

beauty, solitude, and escape from the everyday are utilized by individuals and communities to 

generate employment and stimulate the economy in and around the Forest. 

DC5 Individuals, communities, and businesses that rely on the goods and services provided by the 

Forest are resilient and adaptive to changes in climate, land use, the economy, and other 

conditions. They have the capacity to collectively create and pursue ecological and 

socioeconomic opportunities in and around the Forest that foster sustainability across the 

landscape. 

Goals

GO1 Local residents benefit from jobs and income associated with Forest management activities, and 

local economies benefit from visitors attracted to the wide variety of goods and services that the 

Forest offers. 

GO2 Businesses at the local level and beyond increasingly offer recreation and other opportunities that 

benefit the sustainability of the Forest and the landscape in which it is situated. 

GO3 Partnerships and other collaborative arrangements with neighboring communities, special interest 

groups, State agencies, local governments, and others that support and enhance forest 

conservation, recreation, restoration, education, and other programs and activities continue to 

grow and thrive. 

Management Strategies

MS1 Develop multiple-use resource management opportunities, particularly in accessible locations in 

the lower elevations of the Forest, that consider the ecological, social, and economic conditions of 

the broader landscape and that provide opportunities for economic development and 

diversification. 

MS2 Promote increased participation of local landowners, land management agencies, and other key 

stakeholders in conservation efforts at the landscape scale through an all-lands approach to 

conservation that identifies key areas for connectivity, multiple uses, and ecosystem services and 

related opportunities for conservation. 

MS3 Maintain and increase partnerships and other collaborative relationships that support and provide 

for sustainable recreation in and around the Forest.
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MS4 Maintain and increase partnerships and other collaborative arrangements with local communities, 

schools, government agencies, and other key stakeholders that enhance environmental education, 

literacy, and interpretation, and that strengthen the regional identity and capacity for shared 

stewardship.

Looking down from the upper-elevation forest

3.2.2 Broader Landscape and Lands

Desired Conditions

DC1 All lands destined for conservation efforts should include conservation easements and other land 

conservation and restoration programs. 

DC2 Lands dedicated to farming and providing natural environments in the region surrounding El 

Yunque will increase. Agricultural lands represent an opportunity for conservation, for growing 

food, providing for wildlife, and providing employment through recreation. 

DC3 Acquire abandoned agricultural lands if there is a willing seller. 

Objectives

O1 Work with existing landowners and organizations to provide incentives or acquire lands that 

promote conservation initiatives for protecting surrounding hills, stream corridors, riparian areas, 

wild and scenic river corridors, and connections to the Reserva Natural Corredor Ecólogico del 

Noreste (Northeast Ecological Corridor, Natural Reserve), Rio Espiritu Santo Natural Reserve, 

Las Picuas Reserve, La Monserrate Public Park, Las Cabezas de San Juan Natural Reserve, Seven 
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Seas Natural Reserve, Natural Areas in Roosevelt Roads, Ceiba State Park (Bosque Estatal de 

Ceiba) and Humacao Natural Reserve (Refugio Natural de Vida Silvestre de Humacao) over the 

planning period. 

Goals

GO1 Develop a land acquisition plan to identify priority tracts where there is a willing seller.

GO2 Explore opportunities for continued land ownership adjustments giving priority to lands that: 

♦ Help consolidate large blocks of existing National Forest System lands (as opposed to adding 

onto small or isolated blocks) and inholdings; 

♦ Protect resource values on adjacent, existing National Forest System land; 

♦ Contribute to the recovery of threatened or endangered species or aid in the protection of 

species of conservation concern; 

♦ Enhance recreation, public access, and protection of aesthetic values, especially those that 

provide public access to waterways; and provide for the protection of important cultural 

resources; and 

♦ Complement a designated special area such as a wilderness area or wild and scenic river. 

GO3 Collaborate with municipalities' territorial plan and Puerto Rico land use plans by fostering an alllands regional perspective.

GO4 Promote reducing urban expansion around El Yunque. 

Standards

S1 Do not authorize land acquisition of contaminated sites. 

Management Strategies

MS1 Using a landscape approach, promote the maintenance of existing arrangements and the pursuit of 

new opportunities for land acquisition and conservation across Forest boundaries by working with 

adjacent and interested public and private land managers, landowners, and other stakeholders 

during the planning period. 

MS2 Acquire additional lands where there is a willing seller.

3.2.3 Environmental Education 

Desired Conditions for Interpretation, Environmental Education, and 

Literacy

DC1 The Forest has comprehensive and complementary interpretive and educational programs that are 

relevant to local populations and support the conservation of the Forest, promote ecological and 

socioeconomic sustainability, increase interest in collaborative resource management, and address 

the learning needs of a diverse audience. 
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DC2 Partnerships are created with local communities, schools, special interest groups, and government 

agencies to develop and support interpretive and educational efforts and to strengthen regional 

identity and capacity for shared stewardship. 

DC3 Interpretive and educational efforts and materials contribute to increasing environmental literacy, 

especially among youth and underserved populations, through the development of environmental 

thinking, decision-making, and ethical commitment. Programs are interdisciplinary, collaborative, 

problem-based, and promote research and action in favor of the environment. 

DC4 Environmental education topics include human-environment interactions and sustainability, 

climate change, ecosystem services and diversity, collaborative and adaptive planning and 

management, and conservation principles and techniques.

Goals

GO1 El Yunque National Forest develops and supports interpretation and educational activities in 

partnership with interested groups and individuals. 

GO2 Recreational sites and facilities, and designated areas, beyond El Portal, are suitable for the 

integration of community-based interpretive and educational efforts, training, and demonstration 

in accordance with management area direction.

GO3 El Portal Tropical Forest Center and El Yunque National Forest’s website serve as the main 

outlets to inform and orient visitors and other customers to the interpretive, environmental 

education, and recreational opportunities available in the Forest, the surrounding region, and 

Puerto Rico. 

GO4 El Yunque fosters professional development and skills-based training to staff, volunteers, 

outfitters, and collaborators who are responsible for providing interpretive and environmental 

education programs within the Forest. 

GO5 Research on education and interpretation efforts in and around the Forest is promoted and 

incorporated into the development and implementation of educational and interpretive programs. 

Objectives

O1 Develop an interpretation and environmental education strategy within 2 years of Plan approval 

to be implemented within a 3- to 5-year timeframe that builds upon current standards and 

guidelines, and measures the effectiveness of programs and initiatives in partnership with 

surrounding communities, government agencies, special interest groups and organizations. 

O2 Develop an interpretation and environmental education training plan within 3 years of Forest Plan 

approval that fosters professional development and enhances employee and volunteer learning 

opportunities in the areas of interpretation and environmental education. This includes (1) listing 

existing successful examples and best practices for employees and partners to incorporate into 

their practices; (2) opportunities such as national training workshops, web-based learning, live 

broadcasts, and programs offered by partners and universities; and (3) materials to introduce staff 

to the special opportunities and challenges of interpreting natural, historical, and heritage 

resources of El Yunque National Forest and its broad landscape. 

O3 Develop a communication strategy to deliver key environmental and interpretive messages to 

different stakeholders including continued outreach activities and events.
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O4 Develop collaboratively, at least one educational project in each of the municipalities surrounding 

the Forest each year of the planning period. 

Guidelines

G1 Interpretive and educational materials incorporate local knowledge and perspectives, as well as a 

variety of current educational and interpretive technologies, theories, and methodologies that 

consider the broad range of visitors and audiences interested in the Forest.

G2 Interpretive and educational activities should be designed and implemented in collaboration with 

a network of partners—such as local schools, planners, scientists, community members, tourism 

providers, and the general public—and provide for development for Forest personnel and 

collaborators. 

G3 Interpretive and educational programs and materials are universally accessible through the Forest 

website.

G4 Activities and materials provide students and visitors with information on the wise use of the 

Forest’s natural and cultural resources as well as tropical forests in general, and encourage action 

towards their conservation.

G5 Interpretive and educational activities are assessed to gather feedback, monitor the effectiveness 

of programs, and to identify future needs and directions. 

G6 Materials developed for interpretive and educational programs should integrate messages and 

designs in compliance with Forest Service standards.

3.3 Multiple Uses 

3.3.1 Ecosystem Services

Desired Conditions

DC1 El Yunque National Forest provides a collection of goods and services that are critical to human 

health and livelihood for the region and Puerto Rico. 

DC2 The Forest continues to generate and deliver continuous ecosystem services.

DC3 The Forest creates a greater understanding and recognition of the goods and services provided by 

the Forest in the region. 

DC4 The Forest sustains ecosystem services across public lands and coordinates with the private lands 

in the region. 

Goals

GO1 Maintain and improve, according to the available resources, the level of yield from the ecosystem 

services of the Forest.

GO2 Promote research on the economic value of ecosystem services provided by El Yunque National 

Forest at a regional scale.
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GO3 Develop a monitoring protocol for ecosystem services provided by the Forest, with the potential 

for implementation by interest groups and stakeholders in the region. 

GO4 Promote and increase knowledge in the community, and with visitors, of the ecosystem services 

provided by the Forest. 

GO5 Promote research and development of the ecosystem services from the Forest that will create

economic benefits now and in the future. 

Guidelines 

G1 Minimize impacts of all considered projects and activities within the Forest to maintain 

ecosystem services.

Management Strategies 

MS1 Through ecosystem services, the Forest would encourage natural resource managers to include a 

broader array of services or values, such as managing for water, wildlife, forest products and 

recreation, to address the need to sustain “provisioning” services, while also being stewards of 

regulating, cultural, and supporting services. The benefit to people (that is, the goods and services 

provided) is what differentiates ecosystem services from the ecosystem itself. The assessment of 

El Yunque National Forest identifies the following key ecosystem services provided by the 

Forest:

♦ Water quality and quantity and flood control 

♦ Clean air

♦ Outdoor recreation 

♦ Scenery

♦ Fish and wildlife (specifically, habitat for these species)

♦ Cultural/heritage values, inspiration, spiritual values and solitude 

♦ Wildlife viewing

♦ Research and education

♦ Carbon sequestration and climate regulation

♦ Forest products such as wood products 

3.3.2 Recreation

Recreation Opportunities 

The recreation opportunity spectrum (ROS) is a means of identifying and determining the diversity of 

recreation opportunities for a natural area or a group of natural areas, and of subsequently guiding 

management actions. The recreation opportunity spectrum classifies the natural setting and the 

management activity that occurs in that management area. 
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The recreation opportunity spectrum classes that are found in El Yunque are “rural,” “roaded natural,” and 

“semi-primitive nonmotorized.” Most recreation areas are found in the recreation opportunity spectrum 

class “rural”. A high percentage of Forest land is classified as “semi-primitive non-motorized” (El Toro 

Wilderness Area and Baño de Oro Research Natural Area) (see appendix D in the EIS).
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Map 3-3. Recreation opportunity spectrum (ROS) classes found in El Yunque
El Yunque National Forest

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Desired Conditions 

DC1 Recreation opportunities connect visitors to their natural and cultural heritage, which are in 

harmony with preserving and conserving the Forest ecosystems. 

DC2 The Forest provides a range of locations for opportunities both on the main PR-191 corridor and 

at lower elevations.

DC3 Recreation opportunities are managed to promote long-term ecological, cultural and historic, 

social, and economic sustainability. 

DC4 The Forest provides a variety of recreational opportunities ranging from nonmotorized recreation 

to water play. 

DC5 The Forest manages recreation opportunities considering the carrying capacity at major Forest 

recreation destinations in a “roaded natural” setting.

DC6 The Forest maintains recreational settings ranging from “rural” to “roaded natural” with 

opportunities for its visitors to enjoy outdoor recreation activities in a tropical forest.

DC7 The Forest provides recreational settings at remote sites at lower forest elevations along existing 

roads and trails.

DC8 Visitor centers and interpretive sites are attractive, clean, safe, well maintained and provide 

universal access in a rural setting. Adequate signage helps users enjoy and learn about the Forest.

DC9 Recreation demands are balanced with the ability of the land to sustain use, the capacity of the 

Forest staff to manage its use, and the resources available to manage recreation opportunities. 

DC10 The Forest protects the scenic integrity and sense of place that make each recreation setting 

special, especially in “primitive” areas. 

DC11 The Forest maintains recreation settings by considering use and possible impacts to ecology, 

scenic character values, social encounters and economic sustainability.

DC12 The Forest maintains the desired recreation settings and opportunities by mitigating the impacts 

from climate change and unsustainable use.

DC13 The Forest manages and interprets historic recreational assets.

DC14 Management of trash throughout the Forest promotes recycling and leaves the Forest clean.

Goals

GO1 Develop a Forest access strategy and a transportation plan integrated with regional tourism and 

recreation.

GO2 Diversify access and alleviate high use on PR 191, without negatively impacting sensitive 

resources and existing protected areas.

GO3 Address waste management issues at developed recreation sites as well as along trails and other 

popular Forest recreation destinations. 
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GO4 Improve barrier-free access opportunities. 

GO5 Restore the condition and function of the recreation facilities and settings, expanding and 

adapting them to reflect the diversity of the culture, the abilities, family structure, and activities of 

our ever-changing society. 

GO6 Maintain and develop a trail system that is based on demand, safety, administrative operation 

capacity, maintenance, ecological constraints, and shared stewardship opportunities.

GO7 Identify existing, abandoned, or segmented trails that can connect into other recreational areas 

located along the lower elevations of the Forest for future use and management by adjacent 

community groups. 

GO8 Identify new recreation opportunities at lower Forest elevations and near local communities. 

GO9 The Forest provides updated interpretive exhibits and general information to help visitors enjoy 

the Forest and develop a conservation ethic for Puerto Rico and tropical forests worldwide.

GO10 Connect urban areas and rural communities to the scenic attractions, historic places, and 

recreation opportunities. 

GO11 Evaluate community and State parks, and other Federal and local open-space lands for 

connections with Forest lands to help meet the outdoor recreation and tourism demands for the 

region. 

GO12 The Forest implements place-based recreation opportunities using collaborative work with 

adjacent communities and other outdoor recreation and tourism providers within regional 

destination areas. 

GO13 Partnerships are created with surrounding Forest communities, special interest groups, and 

municipal governments to support and enhance recreation programs, considering the broader 

landscape. 

GO14 Cultivate coalitions of recreation interest groups that will help provide recreational experiences, 

service activities, and environmental education for youth and adults that promote fitness, 

appreciation of nature and history, and citizen stewardship.

GO15 The Forest uses citizen stewardship and partnerships as well as field presence to provide quality 

recreation experiences while reducing the effects of visitor use on the landscape setting. 

GO16 Evaluate infrastructure investments and program costs. Those costs will be considered alongside 

available resources such as appropriations, fee revenue, partnerships, volunteers, and other 

service provider options to seek a sustainable and integrated base for the program.

Objectives 

O1 Establish and implement trash-free zones at high use and isolated undeveloped recreation sites 

within 1 year following plan approval. 

O2 Establish and implement trash-free zones at dispersed recreation sites along recreation segments 

of wild and scenic rivers within 1 year following plan approval. 
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O3 Complete a new camping area plan to address current demands and practices while protecting 

Forest resources within 1 year following plan approval. 

O4 Interpretive exhibits at the visitor center are revised and updated within 5 years of the Plan’s 

approval. 

O5 Revitalize recreation areas located along the lower elevations of the Forest that are either not 

being used or are underutilized, but have a potential for reuse or expanded use within 3 years 

following Plan approval.

O6 Reduce the maintenance backlog of historic and iconic structures by 25 percent in the first 3 years 

following plan approval. 

O7 Complete and implement the Forest carrying capacity study 3 years following plan approval. 

Standards

S1 During high visitation periods the Forest coordinates traffic control with law enforcement, 

special-use tour guide permittees and private landowners. 

S2 Establish and enforce maximum vehicle capacity within the Forest during high visitation periods. 

S3 Ensure minimal impacts from vehicle capacity during high visitation periods. 

S4 Limit use of trails to hiking, and where appropriate, wheel chairs. Other potential trail uses, such 

as motorcycles and horseback riding, are not permitted because of the Forest’s steep slopes, 

wetland conditions, and incompatibility with other uses and values. 

S5 Where camping is causing resource damage or conflicts with other uses, implement closure 

orders to prohibit or limit use. 

S6 Require a permit for camping in the Forest in order to provide users better information, minimize 

impact to the resources, and promote visitor safety. Include the following information in the 

camping permit: 

♦ Length of stay is limited to 5 days 

♦ Group sizes are limited to six persons or fewer per campsite. Groups larger than six persons, 

but no larger than 18 persons, will only be regularly permitted at the Old Nursery site. 

Permitted camping may be allowed in other locations upon authorization from the Forest. 

♦ Tents must be located at least 30 feet from trails and streams, and at least 50 feet from roads 

and developed campsites.

♦ Open campfires are not permitted. Build fires only in fire rings or self-contained grills, or use 

camp stoves.

♦ Cutting of trees, shrubs, branches or other vegetation is not permitted. 

♦ Do not wash cooking and eating utensils in streams. Use a bucket or wash pan away from 

streams.
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♦ Do not dispose of human waste in streams. Bury waste (“cathole method” 6- to 8-inches deep 

and 4- to 6-inches wide) and at least 100 feet from streams.

♦ Use of audio devices and instruments is highly discouraged. If used it should be kept at a low 

volume so as not to disturb other Forest visitors in designated primitive campsites. 

Guidelines

G1 The Forest encourages the practice of “pack-it-in and pack-it-out” throughout the Forest and 

implements Forest trash-free zones on recreation segments of the Forest wild and scenic rivers.

G2 Incorporate barrier-free access into recreation facility design and construction, where practical.

G3 Incorporate administrative capacity elements such as bathrooms, parking facilities, carrying 

capacity, and monitoring in providing for recreational opportunities. 

G4 Reduce environmental footprints and serve as a model for our visitors and other providers by 

incorporating sustainable travel industry best practices in our operations and using “green 

technology” for facility and trail construction. 

G5 Reduce noise at communication sites located near observation sites.

G6 Develop new program improvement criteria and evaluate where the capacity levels are to sustain 

existing facilities.

Management Strategies 

MS1 Promote outdoor physical activities, especially among youth, due to the trends in demographics, 

which expect a decrease in the 10 and under age group for total population. 

MS2 Manage and interpret recreational settings in relation to historical sites, archeological assets, and 

cultural resources. 

MS3 Review the underutilized and abandoned facilities on the Forest to see if any could be suitable as 

camping areas or other shared stewardship alternatives. 

MS4 Develop two historic/cultural recreation opportunity guides that focus on a specific location or 

Forest destination with detailed information about their value and importance to the Forest.

MS5 Develop and implement place-based recreation opportunities using collaborative processes to 

work with communities and other outdoor recreation and tourism providers within our regional 

destination areas. 

MS6 Provide local organizations support in creating a regional recreation destination agenda where the 

Forest is not the only nature attraction.

MS7 Create shared-stewardship recreation-access opportunities throughout the Forest region. 

MS8 Work with communities and State parks as well as other Federal and local land managers to help 

meet outdoor recreation and tourism demands for the region.

MS9 The Forest continues to work with adjacent communities and tourism providers by providing 

information relevant to their commercial offerings. Meanwhile the adjacent communities and 
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tourism providers supply the Forest with information on their commercial offerings as well as 

general information on the Forest they might possess. 

MS10 The Forest encourages regional connection through communities to promote scenic attractions, 

historic places, and recreation opportunities. 

MS11 Develop citizen stewardship, and create partnerships with existing community groups. 

MS12 The Forest should improve the existing trail system through collaboration and shared stewardship 

by:

♦ Linking existing trails to local communities located at lower elevations adjacent to the Forest 

boundary. 

♦ Improving trail routes, which currently require or encourage users to walk along roads open to 

vehicle use; through trail construction, relocation, or closures, etc. 

♦ Signing trailheads and trail intersections with interpretive environmental and cultural resources 

information. 

3.3.3 Forest Products

Forest products include non-timber forest products such as: (1) foods, like wild edible mushrooms, fruits, 

and nuts; (2) medicinal plants and fungi; (3) floral greenery and horticultural stock; (4) fiber and dye 

plants, lichens, and fungi; (5) oils, resins, and other chemical extracts from plants; (6) potential food 

sources like sustainable harvesting of fisheries; and (7) small-diameter wood used for poles, posts, 

carvings and other biological material that are harvested from within and on the edges of natural, 

manipulated or disturbed forests. It may also include larger-diameter wood removed as salvage from 

hurricanes. 

Desired Conditions

DC1 Provide and conserve a continuous supply of forest products in a sustainable manner. 

DC2 Products contribute to social conditions and quality of life of people and communities. 

DC3 Forest products contribute to economic conditions through individual employment, small 

businesses, and potential demonstration uses.

DC4 Contribute to economic conditions such as individual employment, small businesses, and 

personal income, by providing potential financial benefits from the sustainable use of forest 

products. 

DC5 Protect the structure, native species composition and function of all 15 forest types in El Yunque, 

in order to protect the many endemic species and mature forest vegetation they contain.

Goals

GO1 Forest products will be offered sustainably. 

GO2 Promote partnerships of sustainable forest products utilization. 

GO3 Communicate forest product availability, especially to surrounding communities. 
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Objectives 

O1 Issue forest products permits during the planning period. 

O2 Management and restoration of the forests at lower elevation (below 600 meters) will be a 

priority during the planning period. If a natural disturbance occurs, then all forest types will be 

evaluated to assign management and restoration priorities. 

O3 Update the vegetation map to delineate and inventory suitable forest product areas within 2 years 

of plan signature. 

Standards

S1 Do not authorize vegetation treatments without silvicultural examinations and prescriptions 

adapted for tropical forests.

S2 Forest product projects should maintain forest canopy cover. If a natural disturbance occurs, 

prevent expanding canopy openings in the treatment area and identify downed timber for salvage.

S3 Remove no more than one-third of total basal area in any one treatment or forest product 

initiative. In the event of natural disturbance, prevent expanding canopy openings and identify 

downed timber for salvage. 

S4 Salvage and dead tree extraction will be allowed and considered case by case, and will require a 

special permit.

S5 Special forest product permits can only be used for products that can be managed on a sustainable 

basis, and the amounts offered are limited to the amount that can be harvested annually in 

perpetuity.

S6 Forest products free use permits cannot authorize the extraction of forest products in an amount 

exceeding known sustainable harvest levels.

S7 No harvest for the purposes of timber production will occur on lands identified as not suited for 

timber production. 

S8 Any timber removal operations will only occur where soil, slope, or watershed conditions would 

not be irreversibly damaged.

S9 Timber harvesting systems will not be selected based on dollar return or output of timber.

S10 The volume of timber sold will be limited to the quantity equal to or less than the quantity that 

can be removed annually in perpetuity on a sustained-yield basis (see appendix B).

S11 Timber will be removed only where there is assurance that such lands can be adequately 

restocked within 5 years after harvest.

S12 Enhance traditional native forest products through collaboration with nearby communities. 

S13 Other than responding to salvage operations following natural disasters, uneven-aged forest 

silvicultural practices will be used in treating acres and in providing wood products. 
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Guidelines

G1 Mark boundaries of timber production areas.

G2 Tree cutting will be allowed to: (1) salvage trees killed or damaged, (2) control insect and disease 

outbreaks, (3) protect human health and safety, (4) protect resources, or (5) move toward the 

desired conditions. Any harvestings will be focus in the improvement of the stand structure for 

the enhancement of native species. The selection and use of small-diameter timber (less than 8 

inches dbh) should be mainly for poles, posts, carvings and other small log uses.

Management Strategies

MS1 Consider as a priority the local needs for the products, but within the limits of what can be offered 

in a sustainable manner. 

MS2 Identify economic, social, and ecological barriers for special forest products use. 

MS3 The Forest product use programs should be based on a sustainable utilization or harvesting plan.

MS4 The Forest considers the benefits that the forest products provide to the public and visitors as part 

of the utilization or harvesting plan. 

MS5 Consider projects that help restore productivity of degraded land and provide food and income to 

local people. 

3.3.4 Watershed

Desired Conditions 

DC1 Maintain healthy watershed conditions within the Forest considering water quality, water 

quantity, soil productivity, and vegetation. Healthy watersheds support important ecological and 

social services such as productive soils, biological diversity, wildlife habitats, water supplies, and 

flood control benefits. 

DC2 Waterways are important attractions for tourism, connecting the health of these systems with an 

important economic influence in the region.

DC3 Conserve a functional linkage for the aquatic wildlife from inside the Forest to the ocean.

DC4 Watersheds within the Forest are restored and conserved where needed; with particular attention 

to the connection between El Yunque and the Rio Fajardo (river). 

Goals

GO1 Protect the watershed systems of the Forest by implementing practices designed to maintain or 

improve watershed conditions. 

GO2 Apply the Watershed Condition Framework by developing restoration action plans for priority 

watersheds within the Forest.

GO3 Use watershed delineations when considering planning and land use. 

GO4 Participate in cooperative and community watershed management activities. 
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GO5 Foster the development of an ecological corridor between the mountains and the ocean within the 

municipality of Rio Grande. 

Objectives 

O1 Develop a restoration action plan for Rio Blanco Watershed to improve its condition within 5 

years of the Plan’s signature. 

O2 Apply best management practices (under Forest Service regulations and the Natural Resource 

Conservation Service) each year of the planning period.

O3 Stabilize landslides to minimize soil erosion and stream sedimentation by establishing at least 85 

percent ground cover within 2 years of slides.

Standards

S1 Incorporate best management practices (under Forest Service regulations and the Natural 

Resource Conservation Service) in the design of all projects that affect watershed resources.

S2 Ensure that there is no net loss of riparian areas or wetlands on the Forest. 

Management Strategies

MS1 Rio Blanco is the watershed under Forest management with highest priority for improvement 

according to the Watershed Condition Framework. This watershed will be managed to supply 

appropriate ecological services.

MS2 Assess the conditions of watersheds by using the Watershed Condition Framework.

3.3.5 Special Uses

Desired Conditions

DC1 Public lands are easily accessible. The Forest administers special uses that contribute to the 

public’s benefits from the Forest. 

DC2 Permitted outfitter services within the capacity of the resources available on the Forest are 

maintained.

DC3 El Yunque National Forest is respected as a tourist and recreation destination for local residents 

and visitors to Puerto Rico. 

DC4 Local community-based jobs and services are supported.

DC5 Non-recreation special-use authorizations are administered properly and in accordance with 

Federal regulations and Agency protocols for the benefit of the people.

Objectives

O1 Ensure outfitter/guide permit standards continue to address critical issues such as number of 

permits, quality of information conveyed to guided tourists, safety requirements, and conflicts 

with other recreational uses of the Forest.
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Standards

S1 Require special-use permits for all commercial use of the Forest. 

S2 Require a special-use permit for any military exercise that is approved. Include the following 

limitations:

♦ Limit group size to 15 persons. 

♦ Use only existing roads and trails. 

♦ No uniforms, weapons, military vehicles, or chanting. 

♦ Avoid interacting with other visitors.

♦ Location will be designated within the permit. 

S3 Authorize only special-use applications that propose a use consistent with: the laws, regulations, 

orders and policies establishing or governing the Forest; the land management plan; other 

applicable Federal laws; and with applicable State and local health and sanitation laws. 

S4 Applicable special-use applications will only be approved if they obtain the required State, 

county, municipality, or other federally required licenses, permits, certificates or other approved 

documents as outlined on 36 CFR 251.56(a)(2). 

Guidelines

G1 Locate new transportation or utility proposals inside existing corridors and right-of-ways. 

G2 Coordinate with the International Institute of Tropical Forestry on all special-use applications for 

research activities on the Forest.

G3 Minimize use of the Forest for military purposes. 

G4 Cooperate with the appropriate Federal and Commonwealth agencies to ensure that oil and gas 

leasing, exploration, and extraction remain inactive. 

G5 Evaluate special-use permit applications against the following priorities: public safety, health and 

welfare, and general public benefit associated with National Forest resources.

3.3.6 Scenic Character

The Forest’s natural scenic beauty is comprised of immensely diverse vegetation, steep landforms, clear 

streams, and waterfalls. Most Forest roads, trails, and recreation areas provide opportunities for viewing 

scenery. Mountain slopes and ridges, rugged canyons and ravines, floodplains, stream terraces, and 

mountain peaks and summits provide a range of topography. Landscapes have lush, continuous canopy, 

forested mountains with every shade of green imaginable, remarkable rock formations, and picturesque 

waterfalls. The vegetation mosaic varies across the Forest with towering ancient tabonuco and palo 

colorado trees, giant tree ferns, diverse palms, and trees stunted by constant rain and cloud cover at the 

highest elevations. There are many streams and rivers that originate in the upper elevations. The steep 

gradient of many streams, rocky streambeds with boulders, and high rainfall amounts result in numerous 

scenic rapids, pools, cascades and waterfalls throughout the Forest. 
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Currently about 60 percent of the Forest has natural scenic character, and 40 percent has a naturally 

appearing scenic character. Forest visitors and adjacent landowners are sensitive to noticeable changes in 

the landscape whether they are human-caused, extreme weather events or the result of natural process.

Scenery is an integral component of all forest settings, and contributes to the quality of the user 

experience. Providing a natural appearing landscape for these visitors is important since Forest visitors 

rank scenery and attractiveness of the forest landscape as very important (USDA Forest Service 2012).

Scenic integrity indicates the degree of intactness and wholeness of the landscape character. Human 

alteration can sometimes raise or maintain integrity. More often, it is lowered depending on the degree of 

deviation from the character valued for its aesthetic appeal (Handbook for Scenery Management, 

Agriculture handbook; no. 701).

Desired Conditions

DC1 The Forest provides high scenic integrity considering the varied elements valued by visitors and 

nearby communities; and promotes the natural forest. 

DC2 Human-induced alterations to the vegetation or construction of facilities are designed to blend 

with the characteristic of the landscape.

DC3 Visitors are drawn to El Yunque for its natural scenic beauty comprised of immensely diverse 

vegetation, steep landforms, clear streams, and waterfalls. 

DC4 Roads off-forest as well as most Forest roads, trails, and recreation sites, provide a high level of 

scenic viewing.

DC5 The natural scenic beauty of the Forest stands out, making it a major local and international 

recreation destination. 

DC6 Large areas of the Forest consist of naturally evolving landscapes where processes occur with 

very little human intervention. 

DC7 Communication sites, major utility corridors, and administrative facilities are areas that have a 

moderately altered scenic character. Activities in these areas dominate the valued scenic 

character, but borrow from valued attributes such as color, shape, edge effect, pattern of natural 

openings, vegetative type changes and architectural styles outside the landscape being viewed.

DC8 Most of the remaining Forest area has a naturally appearing scenic character. Deviations in the 

scenic character borrow from elements in the landscape. Roads and trails are a part of the 

naturally appearing landscape, offering opportunities to view scenery. Historic structures, such as 

Mount Britton or Yokahu Tower, are noticeable, but borrow from landscape elements and are 

positive cultural elements in the landscape adding to the valued scenic character. Changes to 

scenic condition across the landscape mostly occur through natural processes such as hurricanes, 

tropical storms, tree falls, and landslides with naturally evolving landscapes within the Plan 

period. 

DC9 Evidence of human activities and management is noticeable along roads and trails where 

administrative facilities and recreation developments such as visitor centers, parking areas, 

trailheads, and picnic areas are visible, but remain subordinate to the scenic character being 

viewed. The landscape has a slightly altered scenic character from these activities.
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81

DC10 The landscapes of the Forest have a wide variety of features providing for some of the most 

spectacular scenery in the world. People are drawn to El Yunque for its diverse vegetation, 

tranquility, inspiring scenery, and cool, clear water that provides an escape from the tropical heat. 

The Forest area has a variety of scenic settings; from dense enclosed rain forest picnic areas and 

trails, to cloud covered peaks and observation towers; which on clear days have vistas of both the 

Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. The Forest also has many prehistoric and historic sites 

adding richness of character and culture.

Standards

S1 Management activities are designed to meet or exceed the following scenic integrity objectives:

Inventoried Scenic Class 1 2 3 

Scenic Integrity Objectives H H M 

Note: El Yunque has scenic class 1, 2, and 3 (El Yunque National Forest Scenery Management System Inventory Report, 

December 2012). “H” is for High Public Value, “M” is for Moderate Public Value.
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Map 3-4. Scenic classes within El Yunque National Forest
El Yunque National Forest

83

3.3.7 Cultural and Historic Resources

Desired Conditions

DC1 Cultural resources are one of the valuable assets managed by the agency, and are fully integrated 

in the management of the Forest. Proper monitoring, stewardship, and preservation of the cultural 

resources is carried out in accordance with the best Federal practices and regulations. For the 

purpose of proper management, a full and effective heritage program is implemented. The 

program assures effective and efficient care and management of the resources. It fosters the 

linking of past and present peoples by expanding the knowledge and understanding of history; 

and also permits scientific and academic engagement with the available resources. 

DC2 Existing predefined protocols and agreements facilitate the process of consultation and 

implementation of projects in the National Forest. 

DC3 The program supports the proper stewardship and protection of existing historic infrastructure by 

means of effective management and partnerships. Where feasible, the preservation and reuse of 

existing historic structures is encouraged and practiced; which reduces the need for the 

construction of new infrastructure, decreases deferred maintenance costs, and fosters shared 

stewardship and economic opportunities for the community and economic enterprises. 

DC4 The program provides the public with learning and engagement opportunities with the past. The 

resulting increase in knowledge and awareness helps highlight the importance of the resources in 

the public’s mind, aiding in the appreciation and enjoyment of the resources. It also helps foster 

the ideals of protection, preservation, and sustainable use.

Photo of petroglyph on the Forest
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Goals

GO1 Develop broader engagement and understanding of the cultural resources in the Forest via 

education, interpretation activities, and new offerings. 

GO2 Develop and implement alternatives that reuse historic properties within El Yunque. 

Objectives

O1 Reduce the backlog of “legacy sites” needing formal evaluation by 20 percent within 10 years.

O2 Evaluate for National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) eligibility at least 35 percent of 

properties included in the “Puerto Rico Forest Reserves New Deal Multiple Property Study,” and 

nominate at least half of those deemed eligible within the lifespan of the Plan. 

O3 Evaluate known prehistoric petroglyph sites reported and nominate at least 50 percent of those 

determined eligible for inclusion to the NRHP within 6 years of Plan implementation. 

O4 Keep monitoring of all “priority heritage assets” up to date for the life of the Plan. 

O5 Within a 3-year period, review and update the Forest cultural resources overview.

O6 Develop and implement a systematic survey strategy for National Forest System Lands 

considered likely to contain historic properties per year within 5 years after Plan implementation. 

O7 Revise the existing programmatic agreement with the State Historic Preservation Office by 2020.

O8 Develop broader educational and interpretive offerings presented to the public that highlight 

historical and heritage information within 6 years of Plan implementation. 

O9 Reduce the backlog of deferred maintenance needs on “priority heritage assets” by 75 percent 

within 10 years of Plan implementation. 

O10 Restore and reuse at least two neglected existing historic structures under Forest Service 

jurisdiction within 10 years of Plan implementation. 

Standards

S1 Any heritage management work carried out in the Forest or under the jurisdiction of the Forest 

must comply with all Federal laws, regulations, Executive Orders, and Forest Service policy 

related to the protection of archaeological sites, cultural resources, and historic properties. 

S2 All undertakings in the Forest must comply with NEPA analysis and/or Section 106 consultation 

(following CFR 36 800), as well as with Finding of Effect letter recommendations or related 

Memorandum of Agreement and binding documents prior to implementation of the undertaking; 

except in the cases in which the undertaking falls under one of the previously defined “categorical 

exclusions” as defined in an active Programmatic Agreement between the Forest Service and 

State Historic Preservation Office. 

S3 Decision documents (record of decision, decision notice or decision memo) will evidence 

compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act, 36 CFR 800, and other heritage-related 

regulations, as appropriate. A project (or undertaking) not in compliance will be suspended by the 

Forest Supervisor until compliance is documented.
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85

S4 The development of a survey and inventory plan for the Forest must comply with the stipulations 

of the National Historic Preservation Act, Forest Service Manual 2300, and Chapter 2360–

Heritage Program Management and Forest Service Handbook 2309.12-Heritage Program 

Management.

S5 The location, character, and ownership of all historic resources will be kept administratively 

confidential by the Forest Service. No historic resource location information will be publicly 

available, in accordance to the stipulations of Section 304 of the National Historic Preservation 

Act and 36 CFR 296.18. 

S6 Antiquities Act and Archaeological Resources Protection Act permits should only be granted to 

qualified academic institutions, other organizations, or individuals for the study and research of 

sites.

Guidelines

G1 Site protection law enforcement protocols should be in place to prevent damage or loss of cultural 

resources.

G2 Cultural resources should be managed according to their Forest Service management use 

allocation category; including preservation, enhancement-public use, or scientific investigation.

G3 All priority heritage assets should have condition assessments completed every 5 years or less.

G4 The Forest should avoid disturbing known cultural resources until they can be evaluated and their 

significance determined. 

G5 The maintenance of historic properties must be coordinated with the Forest archaeologist to 

ensure that any management activities are in compliance with cultural resource management 

regulations and that the activities will not have unmitigated adverse effects on the properties.

G6 If additional evidence or information regarding a “not significant” property becomes available, it 

should be re-evaluated.

G7 Priority heritage resources assets are protected, preserved, and maintained.

G8 Cultural resources are protected from loss. Significant sites are stabilized, treated, managed, and 

preserved for their historical research value.

G9 Heritage sites are managed to preserve the integrity of scientific data that they contain, for the 

benefit of the public and scientific communities.

G10 All land use permits, contracts, and other Forest use authorizations should contain adequate 

stipulations and provisions for protection of significant heritage resources.

G11 The Heritage Program, public education and outreach should be fostered in agreement with FSM 

2360–Heritage Program Management; 2365–Public Education & Outreach and 36 CFR 296.20–

Public Awareness Programs stipulations.

Management Strategies

MS1 Promote a broader engagement of the public with existing cultural resources (outfitters, 

excursions, religious use, replicas at accessible locations, etc.).
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3.3.8 Facilities and Transportation 

Desired Conditions

DC1 Public facilities are attractive, harmonizing with the natural and cultural environment, and are 

clean, safe, well maintained, and provide universal access. 

DC2 The Forest facilities program consists of a variety of structures and associated utilities across the 

Forest that are used for recreation, administration, research, maintenance, storage, and other 

general management purposes. They are well maintained for the services offered by the Forest 

and for the safety of visitors. 

DC3 Administrative facilities reduce their carbon footprint. 

DC4 Traffic and parking are orderly.

DC5 Roads blend into the landscape and contribute minimal amounts of sediment to streams. 

DC6 Physical access is integrated into the regional context of tourism and recreation.

DC7 Existing roads and facilities are maintained to a high standard to enhance public service, protect 

natural resources, and protect capital investments.

DC8 Recognizing that the Forest has a greater capacity for people (picnicking, hiking, sightseeing, 

etc.) than it has for private vehicles, the Forest’s transportation system facilitates the public’s 

access to the Forest and balances the Forest’s heavy visitation with the restricted access due to

narrow mountain roads and a sensitive environment. 

Goals

GO1 Reduce the operating and maintenance costs of facilities. 

GO2 Cooperate with the Puerto Rico Department of Transportation and Public Works (PRDOT) to 

develop a regional transportation plan. 

GO3 Construct only those road segments necessary to service the limited production of forest products 

and recreation facilities. 

GO4 Maintain the Forest road system in cooperation with the PRDOT. 

GO5 Provide water and sewage systems to meet Federal and Commonwealth clean water and pollution 

abatement standards. 

GO6 Support the recovery effort for the Puerto Rican parrot by providing facilities to support the 

Luquillo Aviary.

GO7 Find alternative uses for vacant facilities which would meet current and future needs and allow 

the reuse of existing infrastructure. 

GO8 Conduct annual maintenance and safety inspections on major structures on the Forest. 

GO9 Design, construct, and maintain roads to the minimum service level consistent with public safety, 

resource protection, and intended traffic levels. 
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Objectives 

O1 Reduce the backlog of facility deferred maintenance, particularly those items associated with 

health and safety, within the first 5 years of the plan. 

O2 Match the facility inventory with current management needs, including decommissioning and 

disposing of those facilities that are no longer required, within 2 years. 

Standards 

S1 Unauthorized travel ways are decommissioned or left to naturally revegetate.

S2 Close Soñadora road to public access during parrot breeding season and habitat management 

periods. 

S3 The following roads are designated for administrative vehicular use only, and closed to general 

public vehicular use. They are open to foot travel, but if there are safety concerns, pedestrians

may be discouraged through signage, and provided alternate trail access.

♦ Soñadora 

♦ Bisley

♦ Pico del Este

♦ El Yunque Peak

♦ Forest Road 10

♦ PR 191 between gates at kilometer 13.3 and kilometer 21.0 

Guidelines

G1 Consider the needs of people with disabilities in the design of facilities.

G2 Design new and renovated facilities following Forest Service image guidelines and cultural and 

tropical themes. 

G3 Minimize electric power needs and water consumption in new and renovated facilities by using 

daylighting, natural ventilation, and low-volume plumbing fixtures. 

G4 Select materials with low energy production requirements, and emphasize use of recycled 

products. 

G5 Use signed gates or other closure devices to implement seasonal or year-round closures as 

necessary to protect the public, resources, and facilities. 

G6 Tested potable water supplies meet or exceed Federal and Commonwealth standards. 

G7 Coordinate the maintenance of historic facilities with the forest archaeologist. 

G8 Maintain Forest roads open to public motorized use unless there is a specific safety, resource- or 

facility-protection reason to limit use. 
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Management Strategies

MS1 Maintenance priorities include bridge safety, adequate signage, suitable stream crossings and any 

resurfacing or reconstruction needed to provide an overall road system that is useable and safe. 

MS2 Provide opportunities for private investment and utilization of abandoned facilities.

MS3 Consider all means of access, including mass transportation systems to best meet customer 

service needs, limit traffic problems, and minimize environmental effects. 

3.3.9 Minerals

Desired Conditions

DC1 Mineral extraction remains a topic of historical interest rather than a current use.

Goals

GO1 Cooperate with the appropriate Federal and Commonwealth agencies to ensure that mineral 

exploration leasing and extraction remain inactive. 

Standards

S1 Use small amounts of salable minerals (soil, sand rock) for administrative purposes only, when 

such material needs disposal as a result of landslides or facility construction or maintenance. 

Other than this incidental on-Forest use, dispose of such material off-Forest, in compliance with 

applicable Federal and Commonwealth regulations. Do not permit removal of salable minerals by 

the public. 

3.3.10 Large-scale Disturbances

Large-scale disturbances, such as hurricanes and landslides shape and define the composition, structure 

and functions of our Forest landscape. Therefore, this section provides guidance on how the Forest will be 

managed after a large-scale disturbance in order to reestablish a healthy, functioning Forest landscape, 

while at the same time reestablishing services to the surrounding communities and visitors in a timely 

manner. 

Desired Conditions

DC1 Administrative sites are safe, water availability for surrounding communities is ensured, hazards 

and debris along main roads are removed and trails and recreation facilities are opened to the 

public in a timely and safe manner. 

DC2 Downed timber and forest products are collected, available and accessible for public use.

Objectives

O1 After a large-scale natural event, the wildlife program within 12 months will rehabilitate known 

affected terrestrial areas, improving habitat that may shelter endemic wildlife species and 

contributing toward desired conditions. 

O2 After a large-scale natural event, rehabilitate at least 25 percent of the known affected terrestrial 

area in the first 12 months to improve habitat that may provide shelter and forage for at-risk 

wildlife species and contribute toward desired conditions. 
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89

O3 Implement all federally listed plant monitoring plans to immediately acquire information on the 

plants’ population status (abundance, reproduction, recruitment, etc.), and comply with the 

species recovery plan within 2 years.

O4 Within 6 months after storm events, implement conservation efforts to avoid introduced species. 

Standards

S1 No planned timber harvest sales will occur within a riparian management zone. The removal of 

dead or dying trees following a natural disturbance, however, could occur within a riparian 

management zone if such activity would not irreversibly damage the riparian resources.

S2 Measures to restore soil stability for forest health following natural disturbances will only be 

those needed to protect the features for which the research natural area is established.

S3 Ensuring water services to the surrounding communities will be a priority. 

S4 The Forest will analyze the social and economic conditions of the surrounding region postdisturbance and will focus development of projects towards improving conditions in the most 

affected areas.

Guidelines

G1 Design and execute wildlife habitat improvement (such as artificial structures or agroforestry) or 

watershed restoration plans for endemic wildlife or fisheries species to rehabilitate areas affected 

by any significant natural event (such as, hurricanes, tropical storms, massive rain events, and 

landslides). 

G2 Rehabilitate areas affected by any significant natural occurrence (such as, hurricane, tropical 

storm, massive rain event, landslides).

G3 Design and execute a timber salvage plan after a natural disturbance.

G4 Following natural disturbance events, dead or damaged trees could also be removed on lands 

identified as “not suited for timber production because timber production is not compatible with 

the desired conditions”.

Management Strategies

MS1 Cooperate with State agencies and private stakeholders to re-establish access after tropical 

storms.

MS2 Utilize the Incident Management System among Forest staff for response and recovery 

operations. 

MS3 Rapidly detect and eradicate new invasive species and new occurrences of established invasive 

species following disturbances from hurricane events in high-elevation communities.

MS4 Facilitate research actions following a natural disturbance to continue long-term ecological 

research on the Forest.
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MS5 During the first 3 to 6 months following a natural disturbance, improve water quality, protect soils 

from erosion, assess and provide for species’ immediate habitat needs, improve facilities 

conditions, ensure access, stabilize landslides and road damage. 

MS6 Secure water favorable flows.

MS7 Reconnect with surrounding communities, assess their needs and determine if projects need to be 

redesigned or created in order to fulfill any new needs. 
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4 Monitoring and Evaluation

Monitoring is continuous and provides feedback for the planning cycle by testing relevant questions, 

tracking relevant conditions over time, and measuring management effectiveness. The purpose of 

monitoring in an adaptive management framework is to facilitate learning to support determinations on 

whether changes are needed. The monitoring program consists of a set of questions and associated 

indicators to evaluate whether plan components are effective and appropriate and whether management is 

effective in maintaining or achieving progress toward the ecological, social, and economic desired 

conditions and objectives for the Plan area. 

The monitoring program includes plan-level and broader-scale monitoring. The plan-level monitoring 

program is informed by the assessment phase; created during plan development, plan amendment, or plan 

revision; and implemented after plan decision. 

This monitoring program must contain questions associated with the following: 

1. The status of select watershed conditions.

2. The status of select ecological conditions including key characteristics of terrestrial and aquatic 

ecosystems.

3. The status of focal species to assess the ecological conditions required under 36 CFR 219.9. 

4. The status of a select set of the ecological conditions required under 36 CFR 219.9 to contribute to the 

recovery of federally listed threatened and endangered species, conserve proposed and candidate 

species, and maintain a viable population of each species of conservation concern.

5. The status of visitor use, visitor satisfaction, and progress toward meeting recreation objectives.

6. Measurable changes in the Plan area related to climate change and other stressors that may be 

affecting the Plan area.

7. Progress toward meeting the desired conditions and objectives in the Plan, including for providing 

multiple use opportunities.

8. The effects of each management system to determine that they do not substantially and permanently 

impair the productivity of the land (16 U.S.C. 1604(g)(3)(C)); 36 CFR 219.12(a)). 

Monitoring questions focus on whether Plan components are effective in maintaining or achieving 

progress toward the desired conditions and objectives for the Plan area. 

Indicators are quantitative or qualitative variables that can be measured or described and, when observed

periodically, show trends in conditions that are relevant to the associated monitoring questions. 

Frequency describes the timing or intervals of evaluating and reporting monitoring results. Reporting and 

evaluation intervals are determined based on the length of the time needed to discern a measurable 

change. 

Adaptive management strategies are composed of alerts and responses, not all disciplines have this 

column. When an alert condition is reached, the agency will develop a response based on the causes and 

the practical implications for moving forward. 

Sources are data repositories or information bases for calculating or checking indicators, along with 

partners who would be involved in providing potential data or information for the monitoring process. 
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Scale describes the geographic or management area extent at which the monitoring question will be 

evaluated.

Outside of El Yunque National Forest, consideration and coordination with broad-scale monitoring 

strategies, multi-party monitoring collaboration, and cooperation with State agencies (where practicable), 

should increase efficiencies and help track changing conditions beyond the Forest boundaries to improve 

the effectiveness of the Plan monitoring program. In addition, project and activity monitoring may be 

used to gather information for the Plan monitoring program if it will provide relevant information to 

inform adaptive management. 

The following monitoring programs are not intended to depict all monitoring and data gathering for 

activities undertaken on the Forest; nor are they intended to limit monitoring to just the questions and 

indicators listed in the following tables. 

4.1 Focal Species for Monitoring 

Under chapter 30 part 32.11 of FSH 1909. 12 of the new 2012 planning directives, the Forest Service has 

been given the opportunity to address uncertainty. An important criterion is thus stated: “if research has 

shown that the effects of current practices are known, there is no need to select questions and indicators to 

verify such impacts”. El Yunque National Forest sees this as an opportunity to build a foundation for 

species occurrence modelling. Through past and present data collection, many species may benefit from 

the use of these models for answering the why, what, and how survey questions of El Yunque’s adaptive 

management contributions towards desired conditions. 

Key ecosystem characteristics can also be combined in different ways to assess habitat for specific focal 

species, using species occurrences models and detections based upon Gallardo (2015). Species-specific or 

group-species habitat models could be used at the project scale to assess potential effects of Forest Plan 

implementation. For example, project-level monitoring can assess availability of multistoried habitat for 

future Elfin-woods warbler analysis or assess spatial distribution of known habitat patch size and 

connectivity within a subwatershed. 

The monitoring program includes the monitoring of focal species. As stated in chapter 30 part 32.13c of 

FSH 1909.12 of the new 2012 planning directives: 

The purpose for tracking the status of these focal species over time is that they are indicators of ecological 

functions and they provide insight into the following: 

1. Risk to ecological systems on which focal species depend or influence, as in the case of keystone 

species of ecological engineers.

2. Effects of management on those ecological systems, their conditions, and risk factors. 

3. Effectiveness of the plan components to provide for ecological functions and maintain or restore 

ecological conditions.

4. Progress towards achieving desired conditions, including population levels and objectives for the plan 

area.

Focal species are not selected to make inferences about other species. Focal species are selected because 

they are believed to be responsive to ecological conditions in a way that can inform future plan decisions. 

Categories of species that could be included under the term “focal species” and could serve this ecological 
El Yunque National Forest

93

purpose include indicator species, keystone species, ecological engineers, umbrella species, link species, 

species of conservation concern, and others (32.13c of FSH 1909.12). 

Focal species represent a part of the monitoring requirements for ecological sustainability and diversity of 

plant and animal communities. “It is not expected that a focal species be selected for every element of 

ecological conditions” (77 FR 21233; April 9, 2012). Monitoring focal species is intended to address 

situations where they provide more useful information or are more efficiently monitored than monitoring 

other potential indicators. Focal species are not selected to make inferences about other species. Focal 

species are selected because they are believed to be indicative of key characteristics of ecological function 

and are responsive to ecological conditions in a way that can inform plan decisions.

Table 4-1 provides the justification for these species to be considered under the focal species category. 

The ecological niches that the focal species comprise in the neo-tropical rainforest exhibit direct 

relationships that can be interpreted to provide information towards reaching the desired conditions.

The Elfin-woods warbler is both an umbrella and “at risk” species that specifically indicates overall 

ecological functioning or changes of its preferred Elfin woodland and Palo Colorado habitats. Monitoring 

should be conducted annually. 

Both Puerto Rican broad-winged hawk and Puerto Rican sharp-shinned hawk are “at-risk” raptors (apex 

predators) known to be affected by new ecological components such as disease. Monitoring should be 

conducted annually.

All of the coquies species—ground coqui, tree-hole coqui, burrow coqui, and warty coqui—are insular 

“at-risk” amphibians whose occurrences in the ecosystem directly show changes to biodiversity in their 

respective preferred habitat and trophic level. Monitoring should be conducted annually. 

The spinning basket shrimp is an aquatic keystone species where its presence or absence has conspicuous 

effects on physical elements of stream conditions. This filter feeder is very common and has been known 

to directly correlate to water quality conditions. Monitoring should be conducted annually. 

The Puerto Rican parrot is another insular “at risk” species that requires special habitats to continue its 

existence. While new scientific information shows that El Yunque is suboptimal habitat, it still plays an 

important ecological function within the Palo Colorado habitat type. Monitoring should be conducted 

annually. 

Other species are not included, such as insects, freshwater eels, other birds, bats, and reptiles; because 

monitoring would require considerable resources from the wildlife and fisheries program. However, it

would be beneficial to survey these species in future partnerships with other Federal, State or nongovernmental organizations. 

Key ecosystem characteristics related to climate change and wildlife is measured at very large scales (not 

the forest scale), but are important to some wildlife species on El Yunque. Links between particular 

wildlife species and phenology may also be important (for example, coqui species physical condition in 

relation with the chytrid fungus and their environment, which is currently being researched). 
Revised Land Management Plan

94

Table 4-1. Focal species for El Yunque

Scientific Name Common Name Group1 

Southern 

Region’s 

Ecological 

Sustainability 

Evaluation 

Crosswalk2

“At Risk” 

Category

Birds

Setophaga angelae Elfin-woods warbler B, C 2, 3, 4 Yes

Buteo platypterus brunnescens Puerto Rican broad-winged

hawk

B, C 3, 4, 7 Yes

Accipter striatus venator Puerto Rican sharp-shinned

hawk

B, C 3, 4, 7 Yes

Amphibians-Coquies

Eleutherodactylus richmondi Ground coqui C 2, 4 Yes

Eleutherodactylus hedricki Tree-hole coqui C 4, 6 Yes

Eleutherodactylus unicolor Burrow coqui C 2, 4 Yes

Eleutherodactylus locustus Warty coqui C 4, 7 Yes

Aquatic Species

Atya lanipes Spinning basket shrimp D 1 No

Special Endangered Species

Amazona vittata Puerto Rican parrot A, C Special

endangered

species

recovery, 4

Yes

Invasive species (for management responses)

Herpestes auropunctatus Mongoose N/A N/A No

Rattus rattus Black roof rat N/A N/A No

Canis familiarus Feral dog N/A N/A No

Felis catus Feral cat N/A N/A No

Iguana iguana Iguana N/A N/A No

Mus musculus House mouse N/A N/A No

1 The following lists those categories that are relevant to El Yunque.

Group:

A) Specific forest type dynamics

B) Endemic interior forest birds

C) Terrestrial ecosystem trophic dynamics

D) Aquatic ecosystem trophic dynamics

2 Focal species groups that have been identified through El Yunque interdisciplinary team and Southern Region’s Ecological 

Sustainability Evaluation Tool: 

1) Freshwater crustacean

2) Mature Tabebuia/Eugenia Woodland associate

3) Secondary (forest) associates

4) Palo Colorado associates

5) Rio Mameyes associates

6) Sierra Palm associates

7) Tabonuco associates
El Yunque National Forest

95

4.2 Monitoring Questions, Indicators and Adaptive Management Strategies 

Table 4-2. Monitoring questions and indicators by selected plan components

Selected Plan Components Monitoring Questions Indicators Source, Scale and Adaptive 

Management Strategies

Climate Change

Desired Conditions

The Forest resources and operational 

management are resilient to the influences of a 

changing climate. Management activities reduce 

the susceptibility of resources to multiple threats, 

including drought, invasive species, disease, and 

wildfire. Promote the immediate and long-term 

resilience of the Forest to change by: 

▪ Responding to changes in visitor behavior and

mitigate any seasonal increases in use; 

▪ Enhance landscape connectivity by maintaining

natural migration corridors between lowland and

upland forests to allow species to move up-slope

into cooler environments as climate changes; 

▪ Collaborate with partners and surrounding land

managers to coordinate management and

monitoring efforts related to visitor use,

ecological connectivity and flows, and invasive

species.

Goals 

▪ Create collaboration initiatives for monitoring

climate change at a broader landscape level,

considering partnerships that will be appropriate

for such projects. 

Is climate change, including changes 

in variability, influencing 

maintenance and restoration of 

ecosystems?

Is climate change influencing the 

ability to respond to increases in 

visitor use and associated impacts 

on ecosystems?

▪ Trends in climate, including extremes,

disturbance patterns, cloud-base

elevation, and long-term ecological

processes

Frequency: 6 years

▪ Trends in Forest health status and risk

Frequency: 6 years

▪ Focal species conditions

Frequency: 6 years

Source: NOAA – Severe Weather Data 

Inventory, NOAA – U.S. Climate 

Extremes Index, NOAA – State of the 

Climate Reports, Remote Sensing and 

Climate Change Detection Products, 

USDA Caribbean Climate Hub, PR 

Climate Change Council, IITF reports and 

publications.

Scale: Forest Wide, Island wide

Adaptive Management Strategies: 

Forest uses climate change trends 

reported by partners to develop 

management practices to protect forest 

resources affected by climate change.

Alert: Cloud base altitude is changing.

Response: Evaluate land use 

alternatives that could reduce local 

heating in the region and delay or mitigate 

lift in cloud base. Set to establish 

partnerships and agreements to work and 

promote said land use alternatives.

Alert: Changes in vegetation structure, 

composition and density due to changes 

in hurricane frequency and intensity.

Response: Facilitate forest rehabilitation 

with revegetation activities where 

necessary.

Alert: Changes in temperature and 

precipitation patterns such as increases in 

heavy rainfall events along with longer dry 

periods.

Response: Increase awareness among 

staff and visitors of possible heavy rainfall 

events that could lead to evacuation of 

visitors and the Forest closing. Evaluate 
Revised Land Management Plan

96

Selected Plan Components Monitoring Questions Indicators Source, Scale and Adaptive 

Management Strategies

and adjust water use permits considering 

increase in drier periods.

Status of Select Watershed Conditions

Desired Condition

▪ Maintain healthy watershed conditions within the

Forest considering water quality, water quantity,

soil productivity, and vegetation. 

▪ Improve Río Blanco Watershed. Ensure 

ecologically sustainable human consumption of

water is conducted to not adversely affect the

ecosystem’s long-term function. 

Standard 

▪ Monitor climate change factors to determine

supply of water.

Guidelines

▪ The monitoring protocols provide opportunity to 

evaluate the connection from headwaters to 

coastal regions.

What is the status of the watersheds 

in relation to ecological and social 

services?

Are the priority watershed conditions 

functioning properly? 

Is the Rio Blanco watershed 

supplying appropriate ecological 

services?

Are riparian buffers providing the 

expected protection to maintain the 

appropriate ecological services in the 

watersheds? 

Is the functional wetland maintaining 

its appropriate ecological services?

Is the 1,969 feet altitude boundary of 

the functional wetland sustaining or 

changing based on climate 

conditions?

▪ Indicators considered in the Watershed

Condition Framework

Frequency: 2 years

▪ All Targeted focal species presence or

absence through scientific surveys.

Frequency: Annual

▪ In-stream flows and water quality

parameters 

Frequency: Annual

▪ Environmental changes produced by

climate change or any other

environmental stressor. 

Frequency: Annual

▪ Percentage of or amount of forest cover 

Frequency: 2 years

▪ Riparian area tree and shrub

distribution

Frequency: 2 years

Sources:

Watershed Condition Framework Review, 

Watershed Restoration Action Plan 

(WRAP), monitoring report, natural 

resources modules, inventory reports, 

data and monitoring from IITF, Watershed 

Classification Tracking Tool (WCATT), 

Watershed Improvement (WIT), INFRA

Scale: Watersheds

Adaptive Management Strategies: 

Evaluate existing water use permits and 

amounts of water withdrawal.

Alert: Focal aquatic species population 

decline

Response: Monitoring results should 

disclose species decline. The evaluation of 

the Watershed Restoration Action Plan 

(WRAP) must be done to review the 

management practices applied. 

Collaborative restorative projects should 

then be developed. If no management 

activities can be correlated, then recruit 

assistance from partners.

Alert: Desire condition are not being met for 

water quality, quantity, soil productivity and 

vegetation.

Response: Monitoring results should 

disclose water parameters that are not met. 

Review the management activities and 

practices applied in the watershed that did 

not met the desire condition. Review or 

adjust the management practices and 

intensify the monitoring report frequency. 

Alert: The priority watershed is not 

improving its conditions.

Response: Review the Watershed 

Restoration Action Plan to identify 

adjustments and amendments in the 

management activities to improve the 
El Yunque National Forest

97

Selected Plan Components Monitoring Questions Indicators Source, Scale and Adaptive 

Management Strategies

watershed conditions. If no management 

activities can be correlated, then recruit 

assistance from partners.

Alert: Stream flows are below average

Response: Review existing permits

Status of Select Ecological Conditions 

Including Key Characteristics of Terrestrial 

Ecosystems

Desired Condition

▪ Structure, composition and function of mature

forests are maintained within their present

characteristics.

▪ Disturbed and altered areas are restored

through natural succession and managed revegetation practices.

▪ Conserve the native species present in all

plantation/secondary montane and submontane

forest types while controlling and if possible,

eradicating invasive species. 

▪ Plant biodiversity, ecosystem processes and

function will be conserved, maintained, and if

needed, restored. 

▪ Desired conditions for all forest types

Objectives

▪ Within 6 months after storm events, implement

conservation efforts to avoid introduced species. 

Management Strategies

▪ Implement a monitoring protocol for native plants

for all forest types to record its conservation and

management needs. 

▪ Implement a monitoring protocol for invasive

species to record its presence and entrance, and

to record any changes in invasive species

existing in the Forest that shows any population

changes toward an invasive conduct.

Are mature forests changing in 

structure, composition and function?

Are projects or management actions 

utilizing native species in their 

reforestation, restoration and/or 

mitigation activities?

Has the structure and composition of 

the plantation/secondary montane 

and submontane forest types been 

characterized and plots established 

to monitor its long-term dynamics?

Are biodiversity, ecosystem 

processes and function being 

affected by natural or anthropogenic 

disturbances?

Are the distribution, structure and 

composition of the different forest 

types being altered? 

How much canopy coverage was 

lost during the storm? How has the 

native tree population recovered 

after two years? 

Has the composition and structure 

changed in any of the forest types?

Are invasive species present in any 

of the forest types? 

▪ Native species abundance, basal area,

species density, and % closed canopy 

Frequency: 2 years

▪ Number/abundance of native species in

reforestation/restoration mitigations 

Frequency: Annually

▪ Species abundance, stem density,

basal area and species density of

plantation/secondary forest types

Frequency: 2 years

▪ Components of distribution, structure

and composition of forest types using

the National Vegetation Classification

System

Frequency: 2 years

▪ Percent canopy cover, native species

abundance after storm

Frequency: 6 months after storm

▪ Changes in spatial extent, deviation

from natural range of variability, percent

of native species, and percent of

change of the structure and composition

of the forest

Frequency: Yearly

▪ Changes in spatial extent, deviation

from natural range of variability, percent

of invasive, and percent of change of

the structure and composition of the

forest

Source: TESP/IS, GIS, Reports from 

restoration actions, monitoring after 

natural disturbances, inventory and 

monitoring reports from forest surveys.

Scale: Forest wide, Regional

Adaptive Management Strategy: Have 

partnerships and collaborations with the 

University of Puerto Rico, other academic 

institutions and by Citizen Science 

Programs so that students and 

community members can participate in 

the inventory and monitoring.

Implement a monitoring protocol for native 

plants for all forest types to record its 

conservation and management needs. 

Implement a monitoring protocol for 

invasive species to record its presence 

and entrance, and to record any changes 

in invasive species existing in the Forest 

that shows any population changes 

toward an invasive conduct

Alert: Invasive species are increasing in 

cover or spatial extent.

Response: Implement invasive species 

control, restore native species.

Alert: Structure, composition and function 

of mature forests is being altered or not 

maintaining present characteristics.

Response: Inventory and monitoring 

results should reveal if any management 

action is contributing to alteration of 

mature forest characteristics. If any 
Revised Land Management Plan

98

Selected Plan Components Monitoring Questions Indicators Source, Scale and Adaptive 

Management Strategies

Frequency: Yearly alteration occurs, then a collaborative 

restoration project should be developed. 

Alert: No information is being gathered 

for plantation/secondary forest conditions.

Response: Develop a working group that 

includes staff, partners and volunteers 

from citizen science program to 

specifically work towards data gathering 

on plantation/secondary forest types 

Source (storms): post-survey monitoring. 

Scale: affected area. 

Adaptive Management Strategy:

suitable restoration techniques adequate 

to area. Response: native tree population 

increase.

Alert: develop replicable and comparable 

survey methods for all forest types.

Response: Composition and structure 

parameters established for forest types. 

Alert: develop control and eradication 

strategies for each species.

Response: Inventory and monitoring 

results should reveal if control actions are 

being effective. 

Ecological Conditions that Contribute to the 

Recovery of Federally Listed Plants Species 

and Flora Species of Conservation Concern

Desired Condition

▪ Provide the ecological conditions that contribute

towards maintaining and restoring the structure,

composition, function and connectivity of the

different forest ecosystems in which at-risk

species occur on the Forest.

What is the location and status of 

populations of plant at-risk species?

What is the status of the key 

ecological conditions that contribute 

to the recovery of threatened and 

endangered species?

What is the status of the key 

ecological conditions that help to 

conserve proposed and candidate 

species?

What is the status of the key 

ecological conditions that help to that 

▪ Presence or absence and species

abundance of at-risk species through

surveys.

Frequency: Annually

▪ Status and trends of habitat ecological

conditions associated to at-risk species

Frequency: Annually

Source: TESP/IS, Partnerships data and 

information sharing (IITF, USFWS, etc.), 

GIS, monitoring reports, natural 

Resources Modules, inventory Reports

Scale: Forest wide

Adaptive Management Strategies:

Survey and inventory at-risk species. Reestablish declining populations. 

Alert: Population decline of any at-risk 

species caused by any type of 

disturbance 
El Yunque National Forest

99

Selected Plan Components Monitoring Questions Indicators Source, Scale and Adaptive 

Management Strategies

contribute to the recovery of the

species of conservation concern?

Response: Assess the survey results to 

determine the causes of the decline and 

coordinate with Fish and Wildlife Service. 

Status of Select Set of the Ecological 

Conditions Required to Contribute to the 

Recovery of Federally Listed Species and 

Species of Conservation Concern

Refer to At-risk fauna species section below Is El Yunque implementing 

watershed restoration action plans in 

order to get all watersheds into the 

class 1 Watershed Condition 

Framework category?

Are ecosystem services being 

supplied in a sustainable manner?

Is El Yunque being conserved, 

maintained, and restored primarily 

with native species?

Has the Secondary Forest been 

characterized based on vegetation, 

structure, and ecological functions?

▪ Developed and implemented

Watershed Condition Framework action

plan.

Frequency: Annual

▪ Assessments of ecological services

conditions.

Frequency: Annual

▪ Refer to At-risk fauna species section
Revised Land Management Plan

100

Table 4-3. Monitoring the desired conditions for wildlife and fisheries resources

Selected Plan Component Monitoring Questions Indicators1

Source, Scale and Adaptive 

Management Strategies

At-risk fauna species

Desired Conditions

▪ Provide high quality habitats for endemic wildlife

and fisheries populations in their existing or historic

distributions to enjoy and scientifically study in their

natural habitats. 

▪ Maintain or restore El Yunque National Forest’s rich

biodiversity, including ecological processes that

may improve resilience to change.

▪ Maintain and if possible rehabilitate identified

habitats that exhibit special biological characteristics

to sustain their current conditions.

▪ Maintain robust populations (and metapopulations) 

of identified at-risk species (federally threatened,

endangered, proposed and species of conservation

concern) through managing identified population

limiting factors and habitats on El Yunque National

Forest to better adapt to any possible change.

▪ Rehabilitate known habitat (foraging, shelter, and

breeding) of at-risk species to improve habitat

capacities to support healthy populations’ needs, to

the extent of that habitat’s resiliency to change.

Desired Conditions (from aquatic ecosystems)

▪ Maintain or restore high quality ecosystem services

and biodiversity of aquatic ecosystems of El Yunque

National Forest. Using best available science to

provide benefits of healthy habitats to aquafauna

whose life cycles are interconnected with the

surrounding ocean.

Are aquatic habitat conditions highly 

suitable for aquatic species’ biological 

requirements and their movements?

What is the status of the species 

occupancy within their known habitats 

and key ecological conditions that 

contribute to the recovery of threatened 

and endangered species (Elfin woods 

warbler, Puerto Rican parrot, Puerto 

Rican broad-winged & sharp-shinned 

hawks, Puerto Rican boa)?

What is the status of the species 

occupancy within their known habitats 

and key ecological conditions that help 

to maintain or enhance populations of 

species of conservation concern (4 

coqui species)?

All Targeted focal species presence 

or absence through scientific surveys.

Frequency: Annually

▪ Status and trends of habitat

components associated to all focal

species

Frequency: Annually

▪ Trends of observed locations

displayed through simple visual

species occurrences models (on

those species focused by the

Forest Biologist).

Frequency: Annually

Source: TESP/IS, Partnerships data 

and information sharing (IITF, USFWS, 

etc.), GIS, monitoring reports, natural 

Resources Modules, inventory Reports

Scale: Forest wide

Adaptive Management Strategies: 

Restore declining populations.

Alert: Declining aquatic species 

populations are not improving

Response: Monitoring results should 

disclose if any management activities 

are contributing to species decline. 

Collaborative restorative projects 

should then be developed. If no 

management activities can be 

correlated, then recruit assistance from 

USFS International Inst. of Tropical 

Forestry.

Alert: Declining terrestrial species 

populations are not improving

Response: Conduct a review with 

either an interagency partner, USFS 

scientist, or academic researcher to 

assess the reasons why the 

phenomenon is occurring.

Alert: Any significant increase or 

decrease of vertebrate invasive 

species.

Response: Monitoring results should 

display the trends and will be notified 

to Forest leadership team for further 

plans.

Focal species to select from: All species from Table 4-1. Scale: Plan area wide; except for the Puerto Rican parrot
El Yunque National Forest

101

Table 4-4. Monitoring desired conditions

Selected Plan Component Monitoring Questions Indicators*

Source, Scale and Adaptive 

Management Strategies

Community Interface Resource 

Management Area 

Desired Conditions 

▪ To have a healthy and sustainable forest

landscape in El Yunque region, with a mosaic

of vegetation that contributes to the economic

and social wellness without affecting mature

forests, through resource management

alternatives applicable to the tropical forests

in areas below 1,969 feet of elevation.

▪ To have a management area that contributes

to the economic and social wellness of the

regional geographic scale.

▪ To provide an opportunity to offer new

disperse camping opportunities

▪ Communities are educated on Forest

management, making them aware of the

goods and services received from the

conservation strategies in which they

participate.

Objectives

▪ Apply restoration practices promoting

collaborative, science-based ecosystem

restoration in prospective corridors that could

connect the Community Interface Resources

Management Areas with natural protected

areas identified in the regional geographical

scale considered for the Plan.

▪ Maintain a bidirectional working relationship

with local communities and community

groups considering activities that improve

land conditions during the planning period.

Are the forests in the Community 

Interface Resource Management 

Area maintaining the goods and 

services expected from a healthy 

and sustainable landscape?

Are the projects and activities 

conducted in the Community 

Interface Resource Management 

Area contributing to the 

economic and regional

geographic scale?

Is the Forest or the interested 

stakeholders developing projects 

that improve desired conditions 

to develop corridors that promote 

the ecological connection 

between the Community 

Interface Resources 

Management Area and broad 

landscape?

What activities, projects or 

initiative are developing or 

promoting a bidirectional working 

relationship with local 

communities to apprise the 

goods and services received 

from the conservation strategies 

in which they participate?

Is the Community Interface

Resource Management Area 

providing new recreational 

opportunities?

▪ Changes in percent of forest canopy

coverages.

Frequency: 5 years

▪ Instream flow.

Frequency: 2 years

▪ Number of projects and activities completed

or under an agreement.

Frequency: Annually

▪ Number of projects, permits and activities

done.

Frequency: 2 years

▪ Review data for economic indicators in

census.

Frequency: 5 years

▪ Area of habitat under management

strategies related to the connection of the

forest to other natural protected area.

Frequency: 5 years

▪ Area under, science-based ecosystem

restoration projects with the participation or

collaboration of local community groups.

Frequency: 5 years

▪ Special Use Permits in the CIRMA:

Frequency: Annual

Sources: Inventory and monitoring 

surveys, review of permits, agreements and 

collaborative activities, Forest Observation 

and documentation of onsite Projects and 

agreements, SUDS, CENSUS data, INFRA

Scale: CIRMA, Regional

Adaptive Management Strategies: 

Continuously engage partners in 

conservation and restoration projects and 

agree mutually in restoration priorities.

Alert: Desired conditions are not being met 

for the Management Area.

Response: Inventory and monitoring 

surveys should reveal if the forest activities 

are affecting its health and coverage. If the 

forest conditions show a forest coverage 

reduction, then a review of the activities 

should be done with a science based 

restoration to improve forest coverage.

Alert: Desire conditions are not being met 

for the Management Area

Response: The review of the permits, 

agreements and collaborative activities 

should reveal the activities and recreational 

events. If the recreational events and 

collaborative activities are not documented, 

then a working group should be developed 

to improve public participation and 

involvement in decision-making.
Revised Land Management Plan

102

Selected Plan Component Monitoring Questions Indicators*

Source, Scale and Adaptive 

Management Strategies

Social Economic 

Desired conditions

▪ In balance with its ecological conditions,

state, and resilience, the Forest provides a 

broad range of social, cultural, and economic

benefits to individuals and communities at

local to global levels. 

▪ Forest goods and services are utilized by

individuals and communities to generate

employment and stimulate the economy in

and around the Forest. Local residents

benefit from jobs and income associated with

Forest management activities; local

economies benefit from visitors attracted to

the wide variety of goods and services that

the Forest offers; and local and other

businesses increasingly offer recreation and

other opportunities that benefit the

sustainability of the Forest and the landscape

in which it is situated. 

▪ Partnerships and other collaborative

arrangements with neighboring communities,

special interest groups, State agencies, local

governments, and others that support and

enhance Forest conservation, recreation,

restoration, education, and other programs

and activities continue to grow and thrive. 

▪ Education, interpretive, and information

programs and activities connect people to the

Forest environment and foster a sense of

place and stewardship.

To what extent is Forest 

management providing 

sustainable and predictable 

levels of goods and services for 

communities? 

To what degree does the Forest 

provide opportunities to connect 

people, including youth, with 

nature?

To what extent is Forest 

management contributing 

towards desired conditions for a 

stable and functioning local 

economy? 

To what degree do communities 

benefit from the Forest 

socioeconomically and from a 

cultural diversity standpoint?

To what degree are Forestrelated partnerships and other 

collaborative arrangements 

increasing with and around the 

Forest?

▪ Levels of production of multiple uses

including Forest products; water outputs;

camping, special-use and other permits;

recreation opportunities; etc.

Frequency: Annual

▪ Number and type of education and youth

programs.

Frequency: Annual

▪ Number of individuals, and youth in

particular, participating in Forest education

and youth programs.

Frequency: Annual

▪ Number, type, and total dollars for direct

employment with El Yunque. 

Frequency: Annual

▪ Number, type (conservation, recreation,

restoration, education, etc.), and funding

(total, Forest Service, matching) of

partnerships around Forest resources, within

and across forest boundaries.

Frequency: Annual

▪ Number and type of Forest-based specialuse permits.

Frequency: Annual

▪ Number and type of licensed Forest

operators/concessions

Frequency: Annual

▪ Number, type (conservation, recreation,

restoration, education, etc.) and funding

(total, Forest Service, matching) of

partnerships and other collaborative

relations around Forest resources, within

and across Forest boundaries.

Frequency: Annual

▪ Number of partnerships specializing in

interpretive and education programs for

visitors and communities.

Source: SUDS, CENSUS data, forest 

documentation, Grants and Agreements

Scale: Forest wide, Regional, Island wide

Adaptive Management Strategies: 

Partnerships and collaboration with 

surrounding communities and key 

stakeholders are increased to encourage 

economic growth in the region as well as 

cultural richness.

Alert: There is no increase in collaborative 

agreements, youth participation, community 

engagements.

Response: Social sustainability becomes a 

Forest priority.
El Yunque National Forest

103

Selected Plan Component Monitoring Questions Indicators*

Source, Scale and Adaptive 

Management Strategies

Frequency: Annual

▪ Number of staff and volunteers participating

in trainings and learning opportunities.

Frequency: Annual

▪ Number of training opportunities offered or

attended in the area of interpretation and

environmental education.

Frequency: Annual

▪ Results of the Environmental Literacy

Survey for Middle School.

Frequency: Annual

Cultural Resources 

Desired Condition

▪ Proper monitoring, stewardship, and

preservation of the cultural resources is

carried out in accordance with the best

Federal practices and regulations.

Standard 

▪ Heritage management work must comply

with all Federal laws, regulations, and Forest

Service policy related to the protection of

archaeological sites, cultural resources, and

historic properties. 

Desired Condition

▪ The program provides the public with

learning and engagement opportunities with

the past. 

Objective

▪ Develop educational and interpretative

offerings that highlight historical information.

Are historic properties assessed 

and managed according to 

Federal law and agency 

regulations?

Have potentially reusable historic 

structures been assessed and 

refurbished for active use?

Are the interpretation and 

recreation offerings that promote 

engagement with the history of 

the Forest and its cultural 

resources in place? 

Are the desired conditions being 

met through the integration of 

cultural/historic interpretation?

▪ Number of sites evaluated and nominated.

Frequency: 2 years 

▪ Annual heritage program target score.

Frequency: Annually

▪ Number and status of new or updated

interpretative and education offerings related

to cultural resources and historic sites.

Frequency: 3 years

Source: NRM/Heritage Database, SUDS

Scale: Forest-wide 

Adaptive Management Strategy: Have a 

variety of partnerships and agreements 

aimed at addressing the protection, use, 

stewardship and dissemination/study of 

cultural resources in the Forest. 

Alert: Monitoring, stewardship and 

preservation of cultural resources is not 

being carried out. Heritage management 

work is not following established regulations 

and policies.

Response: In order to bring the failing 

standards to normalcy, new projects can be 

developed, staffed and funded through a 

variety of sources, including but not limited 

to agreements, partnerships, training, 

budget allocation and temporary personnel 

allocation.

Alert: Information about cultural resources 

is not disseminated or made available to 

the public.

Response: The Heritage Program 

Management Standard Indicator 6 will 

identify the amount of public dissemination 

initiatives taking place. If the metric 

identifies that projects are not being 

developed, the standard should be brought 

to level through the development of new 
Revised Land Management Plan

104

Selected Plan Component Monitoring Questions Indicators*

Source, Scale and Adaptive 

Management Strategies

initiatives staffed and funded through a 

variety of sources, including but not limited 

to agreements, volunteers, partnerships, 

training, budget allocation and temporary 

personnel allocation.

Desired Condition

▪ The program supports the proper

stewardship and protection of existing historic

infrastructure. 

What progress has been made to 

maintain and reuse existing 

historic infrastructure? 

▪ Number of historic structures reused.

Frequency: 5 years

Source: INFRA, SUDS

Scale: Forest-wide

Adaptive Management Strategies: Have 

a variety of partnerships and agreements 

aimed at addressing the protection, use, 

stewardship and dissemination/study of 

cultural resources in the Forest.

Alert: No historic properties have been 

reused within the monitoring period.

Response: Analyze the reasons why the 

reuse of historic properties has not been 

implemented, in order to address the 

possible faults of the approach or review 

the time frame for the implementation of the 

desired condition. New shared stewardship, 

concessions, special use permits, 

partnerships, or property transfers should 

be developed to facilitate the reuse of the 

structures. 

Objectives

▪ Reduce the backlog of deferred maintenance

needs on Priority Heritage Assets and reuse

at least two neglected existing historic

structures. 

▪ Number of sites with deferred maintenance

needs met.

Frequency: 2 years

Source: INFRA, SUDS

Scale: Forest-wide

Adaptive Management Strategies: Have 

a variety of partnerships and agreements 

aimed at addressing the protection, use, 

stewardship and dissemination/study of 

cultural resources in the Forest. 

Alert: Maintenance needs are not been met 

for historic properties.

Response: Analyze the reasons why the 

maintenance needs are not being met and 

allocate funding or personnel to address the 

needs through partnerships, volunteerism, 

budget allocation or contracting.
El Yunque National Forest

105

Selected Plan Component Monitoring Questions Indicators*

Source, Scale and Adaptive 

Management Strategies

Ecosystem Services

Desired Condition

▪ El Yunque National Forest provides a 

collection of goods and services that are

critical to human health and livelihood for the

region and Puerto Rico.

Goal

▪ Maintain and improve, according to the

available resources, the level of yield form 

the ecosystem services of the Forest.

What are the primary goods 

obtained from the Forest?

What are the primary services 

provided by the Forest?

What quantities of good and 

services are produced?

How is the Plan facilitating 

ecosystem services production?

▪ Acreages of soil and water improvements

Frequency: 2 years

▪ Water produced

Frequency: 2 years

▪ Number of special-use permits

Frequency: 2 years

▪ Number of research publications

Frequency: 2 years

▪ Number of conservation educational

activities 

Frequency: 2 years

▪ Number of visitors and scenery inventories

Frequency: 2 years 

▪ Number of maintenance, restoration, or

improvement activities.

Frequency: 2 years

Source: GIS, INFRA, SUDS, Watershed 

Improvements (WIT), WCATT

Scale: Watersheds, Geographic Areas

Adaptive Management Strategies: 

Compare ecosystem services output 

against yearly work plan and redefine 

priorities.

Alert: Reduction in the level of ecosystem 

services.

Response: Review funding, resources 

needs, demands and constraints.

Infrastructure

Desired Conditions

▪ The transportation system is well planned,

built, and maintained. 

▪ Traffic and parking are orderly even on busy

summer weekends. 

What is the status of the travel 

management system?

What is the road maintenance 

and deferred maintenance for the 

Forest?

How are the people accessing 

the Forest? Is access connected 

to adjacent natural areas? 

How are infrastructure objectives 

contributing to desired 

conditions?

▪ Approved transportation analysis and road

safety plan stages of implementation

Frequency: 2 years

▪ Percent of maintenance accomplished and

reduction backlog.

Frequency: Annually

▪ Road connectivity index, number of touristic

routes, regional trails.

Frequency: 3 years

▪ Objectives met from the facilities master

plan

Frequency: 2 years

▪ Number of historic structures restored

Frequency: 5 years

Source: GIS, NRM/INFRA, SUDS, TAPS

Scale: Forest wide, watersheds, 

geographic areas.

Adaptive Management Strategies: The 

Forest uses new technology and alternative 

transportation systems. 

Alert: Vehicle use deteriorates forest 

resources and infrastructure.

Response: Develop travel management 

and use guidelines.
Revised Land Management Plan

106

Selected Plan Component Monitoring Questions Indicators*

Source, Scale and Adaptive 

Management Strategies

Lands

Goals

▪ Collaborate with Municipalities' Territorial 

Plan and Puerto Rico Land Use Plans by

fostering an “all lands regional” perspective.

How many acres of land within 

the proclamation boundary are 

dedicated to agriculture or 

forestry? 

How do we collaborate with 

municipal planning?

What/ how much land is being 

acquired to be added on to the 

Forest?

▪ Land use and land cover.

Frequency: 5 years

▪ Number inputs sent to Puerto Rico Planning

Board.

Frequency: 5 years

▪ Acres under conservation agreement. 

Frequency: 5 years

▪ Acres of land ownerships

Frequency: 5 years

▪ Public involvement in land acquisition

Frequency: 5 years

▪ Acres of border surveyed

Frequency: 3 years

Source: GIS, NRM/INFRA, SUDS

Scale: Forest wide, watersheds, 

geographic areas 

Adaptive Management Strategies: 

Coordinate land acquisitions using 

partnerships.

Alert: No land is acquired in 3 years.

Response: Host partners meetings.

Recreation

Desired Conditions

▪ Use the recreation sustainability framework

as a guide to manage recreation sites.

▪ Provide visitor information services that

address the ecological, social, economic and

cultural background of the Forest.

▪ Identify recreation opportunities at the lower

elevations of the Forest.

▪ Forest works with local communities and

municipalities as well as Federal and State

agencies in addressing regional recreation

and tourism demands.

▪ Recreation demands are balanced with the

ability of the land to sustain use and the

capacity of the Forest to manage its use.

Objectives

▪ Establish a process to accurately determine

visitor impact to recreation areas.

▪ Alleviate the high concentration of visitor

activity along the main Forest recreation

corridor. 

Are Forest recreation sites being 

impacted by high visitation and 

use?

Are visitors being provided 

adequate and current interpretive 

and heritage information related 

to the Forest?

Is there a potential to create 

recreation opportunities in the 

lower elevations (Community 

Interface Resource Management 

Area) of the Forest?

Are current regional recreation 

and tourism needs being 

addressed?

How does the Forest manage 

current recreation use and 

demands? 

▪ Annual site visit to recreation areas and

trails.

Frequency: 4 years

▪ Conditions in the most used sites (La Mina

and its associated trails, trailheads, facilities

and picnic areas)

Frequency: 2 years

▪ Conditions and locations of SUP issued for

recreation purposes on the Forest. 

Frequency: 2 years

▪ Dispersal of recreation opportunities.

Frequency: 5 years

▪ Number of recreation opportunity guides that

are produced.

Frequency: 2 years

▪ Website hits looking into Forest information

and time span.

Frequency: 2 years

▪ Visitors hosted at El Portal Visitor Center

and Reception area. 

Source: GIS, INFRA, SUDS, NVUM, PAO, 

Grants and agreements,

Scale: Forest wide

Adaptive Management Strategies: The 

Forest will frequently evaluate use and 

demands in comparison to carrying 

capacities particularly for Management 

Areas: 2, 3, and 4

Provide visitors with current and accurate 

information about the Forest’s heritage 

resources.

Alert: Recreational sustainability indicators 

reflect excessive or low use and demand.

Response: Conduct a Forest wide review 

to assess the reasons why sustainable 

recreation indicators are not being met, and 

develop an action plan to address issues 

and identify solutions.

Alert: Recreation sites along a specific 

management area are being impacted by 

high visitor use.

Response: Focus efforts in promoting use 

and recreation in other management areas 
El Yunque National Forest

107

Selected Plan Component Monitoring Questions Indicators*

Source, Scale and Adaptive 

Management Strategies

▪ Create partnerships with surrounding Forest

communities, special interest groups, and

municipal governments to enhance

recreation opportunities.

▪ Monitor recreation sites to evaluate visitor

use and impacts to the resource.

Frequency: Annually

▪ Number of materials produced.

Frequency: 5 years 

▪ Number of trails and existing sites identified

which have recreational value.

Frequency: 4 years

▪ Partners offering sustainable recreation

opportunities on the Forest. 

Frequency: 5 years

▪ Economic and geographical shifts in Special

Use Permits related to recreation.

Frequency: 10 years

▪ Number of outreach meetings held with

neighboring communities and municipalities.

Frequency: 5 years

▪ Coordination with PR Tourism Company

regarding Forest offerings

Frequency: 5 years

▪ Coordination with Regional Natural

Protected Areas offerings

Frequency: 5 years

▪ Visitor use numbers. 

Frequency: 5 years

▪ Partners offering more dispersed recreation

off PR 191 road, in other areas on the

Forest, SUP or agreements

Frequency: 5 years

(particularly at lower elevations) to disperse 

visitor use, coupled with restoration of those 

affected areas. This also includes improving 

other recreational areas to make them apt 

for use as well as improving the roads that 

provide access to these areas.

Alert: There is a lack or no communication 

with surrounding communities, 

municipalities and other agencies to 

address recreation and tourism demands.

Response: Conduct a Forest wide review 

to assess the reasons why this 

communication is not occurring and 

develop an action plan to address issues to 

increase dispersal of recreation 

opportunities along the Forest.
Revised Land Management Plan

108

Selected Plan Component Monitoring Questions Indicators*

Source, Scale and Adaptive 

Management Strategies

Wilderness

Desired Conditions

▪ Current or improved wilderness character.

▪ Provide for primitive recreation opportunities

and solitude.

Objective

▪ Manage and protect wilderness character.

▪ Provide for the wilderness recreation

opportunities that provide solitude.

Is the wilderness area being 

properly managed to program 

standards?

Are recreation activities meeting 

wilderness recreation guidelines?

▪ Area and number of sites impacted by use. 

Frequency: 5 years 

▪ Wilderness plan stages of implementation

and development.

Frequency: 2 years 

▪ Visitor use rates and number of encounters. 

Frequency: 5 years 

▪ Special use permit affecting wilderness and

impacts

Frequency: 5 years

Source: GIS, INFRA, SUDS, NVUM

Scale: El Toro Wilderness Area

Adaptive Management Strategies: 

Develop a Wilderness Management Plan 

including a Wilderness character 

monitoring plan.

Alert: There is decrease in Wilderness 

monitoring score.

Response: Analyze what specific 

resources are contributing to the decrease 

in condition and take action and 

management direction to address the 

declining resource.

Wild and Scenic Rivers

Desired Conditions

▪ Manage the rivers’ free-flowing condition,

water quality, and outstanding remarkable

values which made them wild and scenic

rivers. 

▪ Implement Forest trash-free zones in

“recreation” segments of wild and scenic

rivers. 

Objectives

▪ Wild and scenic river standards are protected

and perpetuated.

▪ Reduce the amount of time currently 

dedicated to trash removal at wild and scenic

river “recreation” areas.

Are the Comprehensive River 

Management Plan guidelines 

being implemented?

Is the trash-free zones initiative 

being implemented? 

▪ Conditions and results of the seasonal

monitoring of water quality of wild and

scenic rivers and connecting streams data. 

Frequency: 2 years

▪ Trash collection visits by Forest Service

teams to wild and scenic river “recreation” 

segments.

Frequency: Annually

▪ Pounds of trash collected.

Frequency: Annually 

Source: Condition surveys

Scale: Designated river segments 

Adaptive Management Strategies: 

Conserve and restore river fragments’ 

outstanding remarkable value (ORV).

Alert: Criteria or values of river segments 

are being degraded.

Response: Identify all sources that are 

degrading a segment’s ORV’s, and either 

develop a plan to reduce those occurring 

within or caused by the Forest and 

establish communication and generate 

solutions for sources from outside the 

Forest.
El Yunque National Forest

109

Selected Plan Component Monitoring Questions Indicators*

Source, Scale and Adaptive 

Management Strategies

Environmental Literacy and Education

Desired Condition

▪ Partnerships are created with local

communities, schools, special interest

groups, and government agencies to develop

and support interpretive and educational

efforts and to strengthen regional identity and

capacity for shared steward. 

Objectives

▪ Develop an interpretation and environmental

education strategy within 2 years of Plan 

approval to be implemented within a 3- to 5-

year timeframe that builds upon current

standards and guidelines, and measures the

effectiveness of programs and initiatives in

partnership with surrounding communities,

government agencies, special interest groups

and organizations.

Is the Forest developing 

partnerships toward the 

strengthening of interpretative 

and educational initiatives to 

improve the regional identity and 

the capacity for shared 

stewardship? 

Does the Forest have an 

interpretation and environmental 

education strategy within 2 years 

of Plan approval? 

Is the environmental literacy in 

the region improving?

▪ Number and types partnerships with related

themes or objectives directed to

interpretative and educational initiatives.

Frequency: 2 years

▪ Accomplishments of the interpretation and

environmental education strategy developed

for the Forest. 

Frequency: 2 years after the development of 

the education strategy 

▪ Surveys in schools to measure knowledge

and awareness of the Forest management

strategies and connection of the Forest

goods and services.

Frequency: 5 years

Source: Review of permits, agreements 

and collaborative activities.

Scale: Forest wide and regional 

management. 

Adaptive Management Strategies: 

Engage external resources and implement 

shared stewardship.

Alert: Although partnerships and 

collaborative initiatives are documented; 

they did not include an interpretative and 

educational initiative

Response: Review the work plans and 

projects considered with partners to 

integrate the environmental literacy and 

education component.

Alert: The partnerships and collaborative 

groups associated with environmental 

literacy and education did not develop with 

the Forest interpretation and environmental 

education strategy within 2 years of Plan 

approval. 

Response: Create a special group or task 

force toward the development of the 

interpretative and educational initiative. 

Collaboration 

Desired Condition

▪ The Vision and Management Strategy asks

for a collaborative process to achieve the

vision on which internal and external

stakeholders can rally around and reflect the

uniqueness of the Forest.

How effective are the 

collaboration activities in helping 

to implement the Forest Plan? 

Is the Plan’s implementation 

facilitating shared understanding 

and collaboration?

How is the collaboration process 

required as part of the vision and 

management strategy of the 

Forest progressing through the 

Plan period?

▪ Number of collaborative projects.

Frequency: 5 years

▪ Number of new partnerships originated by

communities or local and State government

organizations in coordination with the Forest

that caters to outdoor recreation

opportunities.

Frequency: 5 years

▪ Number of regional environmental literacy

initiatives and education projects with local

communities to promote and strengthen a 

collaborative and participatory management

approach required in the Vision and

Management Strategy. 

Frequency: 5 years

Source: Partners information sharing with 

the Forest Service on environmental 

literacy in the region, Forest Service 

documentation of participation and 

outcomes.

Scale: Region wide

Adaptive Management Strategies: 

Partners and collaborators are accessed 

through community outreach and 

relationship development. 

Alert: Partnership agreements do not 

increase.

Response: Host partner meetings.
Revised Land Management Plan

110

Selected Plan Component Monitoring Questions Indicators*

Source, Scale and Adaptive 

Management Strategies

Geographic Area: El Oeste y Sur

Desired Future Condition

▪ To have a community-based use of the

forests of the region with emphasis on

environmental education and communitybased enterprises in the western and

southern municipalities of Canóvanas,

Juncos, Las Piedras, Naguabo, and

Humacao.

Objective

▪ Maintain alternatives of community-based

enterprises in the region of the geographic

area through the plan duration. 

How many environmental 

education and community-based 

enterprises have been developed 

in the municipalities of the 

geographic region?

How many projects related to 

forest products have been 

established in the region?

▪ The number projects for environmental

education.

Frequency: 5 years

▪ The number projects associated with

community-based enterprises.

Frequency: 5 years

▪ The number of forest products projects. 

Frequency: 5 years

Source: Partners information sharing with 

the FS on environmental literacy in the 

region, FS Documentation of participation 

and outcomes.

Scale: Region wide

Adaptive Management Strategies:

Partners and collaborators are accessed 

through community outreach and 

relationship development. 

Alert: Community-based enterprises are 

not being developed in the area.

Response: Identify elements that are 

limiting development of such enterprises, 

assess the communities’ needs, and help 

make as many resources available to these 

communities for the necessary training and 

preparations to start such projects. 

Geographic Area: El Norte

Desired Condition

▪ The prevailing road access systems and a 

regional trail system facilitate and provide

access to El Yunque through the Rio Grande

and Luquillo municipalities.

Goals

▪ Integrate trail systems that facilitate

alternative access from the municipalities of

Río Grande and Luquillo to the recreational

settings of the Forest.

▪ Develop projects that will impact the 

economic and social wellness of Palmer, Río 

Grande and Barrio Sabana, Luquillo.

Are there partnerships being 

developed to develop this 

regional trail system?

Are the roads that provide main 

access being maintained?

Are the communities of Sabana 

and Palmer integrated in this new 

regional trail system and are they 

informed of the economic 

opportunities stemming from this 

project?

▪ Amount and distance of new trails providing

connectivity with the region being

developed.

Frequency: Annually during first 5 years 

upon plan approval

▪ Number of agreements with partners

established around the development of a 

new regional trail system.

Frequency: Annually during first 5 years 

upon plan approval.

▪ Amount of maintenance activities done in

the main access roads into El Yunque.

Frequency: Annually or depending on 

heavily damaging events

▪ Number of interpretation initiatives with the

municipalities, residents, and organized

regional groups.

Frequency: Annually

Source: Partner information sharing with 

the FS, FS Documentation of participation 

and outcomes.

Scale: Region wide

Adaptive Management Strategies: 

Outreach to partners is increased.

Alert: Regional trails system project does 

not progress

Response: Analyze the reasons why the 

project needs are not being met and reassess or create a special group or task 

force toward the development of the 

project.

Alert: Both communities, Palmer and 

Sabana are not up to date or involved with 

the opportunities regarding the 

development of a new regional trail system 

or other projects in the region. 

Response: Partners and collaborators are 

accessed through community outreach and 

relationship development. 
El Yunque National Forest

111

Selected Plan Component Monitoring Questions Indicators*

Source, Scale and Adaptive 

Management Strategies

Geographic Area: El Este

Desired Condition

▪ The geographic area is a model for

integrated watershed management in the

eastern municipalities of Fajardo and Ceiba.

Objective

▪ Engage in community-based enterprises,

groups, and other organizations for rivers,

floodplains, and riparian area restoration and

conservation efforts.

Is there more land, through 

different contracts and initiatives, 

being allocated to maintain the 

connectivity of these 

watersheds?

Are there new 

conservation/restoration efforts 

being created with municipalities, 

organizations, enterprises?

Are there sustainable recreation 

projects in these watersheds 

being developed?

▪ Amount of land acquired, through different

agreements, for the conservation of these

watersheds.

Frequency: 5 years

▪ Amount of land treated with specific

restoration projects.

Frequency: 2 years

▪ Number of restoration projects performed in

this region.

Frequency: 2 years

▪ Number of community-based enterprises

working in sustainable recreation activities

around these watersheds.

Frequency: Annually

Source: GIS, FS Documentation of 

participation and outcomes. Review of 

agreements and collaborative activities.

Scale: Region wide

Adaptive Management Strategies: 

Outreach to partners is increased.

Alert: Land use around watersheds is not 

acquiring a sustainable direction.

Response: Establish conversations and 

contact between municipal planners, local 

stakeholders, private landowners and the 

PR Planning Board about identifying 

incentives for transitioning into more 

sustainable land use practices. 

Alert: No restoration projects are being 

performed that promote watershed 

connectivity

Response: Analyze why desired conditions 

needs are not being met and re-assess or 

create a special group or task force toward 

the development of projects concerning 

watershed connectivity in the region.
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El Yunque National Forest

113

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El Yunque National Forest

117

Appendix A: Management Situations for the Elfinwoods Warbler in the New Land Management Plan for 

El Yunque National Forest

Introduction 

The guidelines developed for the Elfin-woods warbler (Setophaga angelae) management situation 

concept is a part of the candidate conservation agreement between the U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Fish 

and Wildlife Service and are intended to promote recovery of this candidate species and improve its status 

(thus leading away from the species being listed as endangered). These guidelines (which are found in the 

Plan in Section 3.1.10) will better coordinate El Yunque National Forest activities and better evaluate 

risks to the species to aid in the appropriate timing and placement of any developments.

The concept applies to all federally managed lands within El Yunque’s boundary, and describes three 

distinct management situations. Each of these management situations varies in terms of its existing and 

potential value as Elfin-woods warbler habitat, its sensitivity to management activities, and the direction 

that guides such activities. In general, as the management situation number increases from 1 to 3, Elfinwoods warbler habitat values (these are present day and not necessary potential values) decrease, as do 

the sensitivity to management activities, the number of management constraints, and the intensity of 

coordination required. The three management situations are: 

Management situation 1: Prime habitat

Management situation 2: Potential habitat

Management situation 3: Limited value habitat

Table A- 1 and Table A- 2 provide definitions and relative values for the three management situations. 

The values in Table A- 1 for sensitivity to physical and human disturbance are based on the following: 

High = Where actions and/or direct, indirect, or cumulative effects negatively contribute to the viability 

of the species; thus leading to endangered species designation by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 

Viability is as defined under viable population in the zero code for the proposed Forest Service 

Handbook. 

Moderate = Where actions and/or direct, indirect, or cumulative effects increases biological stressors or 

limiting factors for the viability of the species.

Low = Where there is little or no direct, indirect, or cumulative impacts to the species.
Revised Land Management Plan

118

Table A- 1. Description of management situations, sensitivity levels, and guidelines

Situation Description

Management Situation 1: Prime Habitat

Description These areas contain scientifically known Elfin-woods warbler breeding and foraging 

occurrences that are essential to successful reproduction and species recovery.

Sensitivity Levels Site Disturbance: Present understanding of Elfin-woods warbler sensitivity to human 

induced physical or site disturbances within prime habitats is limited. However, due to the 

intrinsic value of these areas, the potential for damage from uncontrolled habitat 

modification is extremely high, and little risk of adverse effects will be acceptable.

Human Disturbance: Sensitivity to disturbances from human presence and humangenerated noise during the nest selection and breeding seasons is extremely high.

Potential sources of human disturbance include recreational and administrative uses, 

research, aircraft use, and use of chainsaws or explosives.

Management Situation 2: Potential Habitat

Description These are specific areas that contain habitat criteria such as slope, forest type, tree species 

basal area, and foraging resources that may in any future state may provide preferred Elfinwoods warbler habitat. These areas may or may not be occupied by Elfin-woods warbler. 

These spaces may be accessible for Elfin-woods warbler and studied through continued 

scientific analysis, which their results can be applied for improved habitats and prospective 

prime habitat.

Sensitivity Levels Site Disturbance: Elfin-woods warbler sensitivity to physical disturbances within these 

habitats are not completely understood. It can be expected, however, that activities which 

would diminish the habitat’s quality, abundance, or effectiveness for Elfin-woods warbler 

use would not promote recovery goals and avoidance for further Federal protection 

designation.

Human Disturbance: Human disturbance in these areas may be less disruptive. However, 

human disturbances could be significant prior to the breeding season when birds are known 

to explore non-prime habitats for potential nest sites. If Elfin-woods warbler recovery, that 

is, the growth of populations and expansion into new occurrence zones, is to be 

encouraged, then the effectiveness of potential areas should be ensured during nest 

selection period.

Management Situation 3: Limited Value Habitat

Description These areas that have less preferential habitat components for Elfin-woods warbler needs. 

Most may be buffer zones from one forest type to another at certain elevations. Continuing 

findings are noting areas in much lower elevations, such as the Palo Colorado forest types, 

due to unknown factors.

Sensitivity Levels Site Disturbance: Due to the reduced level of habitat quality or effectiveness of these 

areas, Elfin-woods warbler sensitivity to physical disturbances in management situation 3 

areas might be expected to be moderate to relatively low.

Human Disturbance: Sensitivity to disturbances from noise and human presence in these 

areas appears to be considerable, less than in management areas 1 and 2.
El Yunque National Forest

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Table A- 2. Summary of the Elfin-woods warbler management situation concept

Management 

Situation Description

Sensitivity to 

Physical 

Disturbance

Sensitivity to 

Human 

Disturbance Management Guidelines

1 Prime habitat High High Time projects outside nest selection 

period and breeding season. 

Through NEPA analysis and 

consultation under the Endangered 

Species Act, projects may require 

significant changes.

2 Potential 

habitat

High to 

Moderate

High to 

Moderate

Time projects outside nest selection 

period and breeding season.

Through NEPA analysis and 

consultation under the Endangered 

Species Act, projects may require 

significant changes.

3 Limited value 

habitat

Moderate Moderate Physical disturbance will be in 

compliance with Forest Service 

regulations and Elfin-woods Warbler 

Candidate Conservation Agreement.

No timing constraint unless amplitude 

of disturbance influences nearby 

sensitive areas or further scientific 

findings provide more information on 

Elfin-woods warbler biological needs 

within limited value habitat.
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121

Appendix B: Forest Products within the Community 

Interface Resource Management Area

There is a local, non-commercial demand for wood and non-timber special forest products within the arts 

and crafts community, and for personal use. There are more than 600 artisans certified by the Puerto Rico 

Economic Development Administration. Most of the Island’s practicing artisans that work with wood use 

mainly locally available lumber resources that are harvested for that purpose, and milled in private 

sawmills (Kicliter 1997). Artisan’s state that the supply of wood is very scarce, difficult to maintain, and 

expensive (Kicliter 1997). 

Silvicultural Products 

Using the forest to produce wood products is a management tool that can help move parts of the forest 

toward their desired ecological conditions. This use also contributes to the social and economic 

sustainability of the area. 

Stand improvements will focus on the enhancement of native species through the selection and use of 

small-diameter timber (less than 8 inches dbh) mainly as poles, posts, carvings and other biological 

materials produced from the Community Interface Resource Management Area. Silvicultural applications 

can be considered in El Yunque National Forest within and on the edges of secondary forest that has 

regenerated naturally on abandoned lands that were originally cleared of trees, and where forests were 

historically manipulated or disturbed. 

Methodology 

The silvicultural treatments considered in the Community Interface Resource Management Area 

(CIRMA) (map 2-2) will identify tree species that should be treated as “conservation trees”, or species 

important to maintain forest structure with genetically appropriate plant material. A tree spacing guide 

used in Puerto Rico (Wadsworth 1997) that considers the tree diameters and distances (D + d) for spacing 

of the conservation trees will be applied. Silvicultural treatments will consist primarily of low thinning or 

thinning from below to produce stands of unevenly distributed trees. 

The diameter growth by functional groups has been studied in Puerto Rico, and several studies will be 

used as guidelines for applicable management strategies (Adame et al. 2014; Brandeis 2009; Weaver 

1979; Wadsworth 1997). Plant functional types are non-phylogenetic groupings of species that show close 

similarities in their resource use and response to environmental and biotic controls (Wilson 1999). To 

classify species into groups or guilds imposes a degree of simplification which reduces information 

content, but reveals general patterns and facilitates predictions about forest dynamic processes. 

Forestry practices would emphasize removing invasive species to encourage development of native 

species that already exist according to spacing guidelines. Efforts would be made to promote the regrowth 

of native species in healthy stands that support ecosystem functions. The use of non-native plant materials 

will be restricted only to those situations when timely reestablishment of a native plant community, either 

through natural regeneration or with the use of native plant materials, is not likely to occur, as defined in 

the polices of the FSM 2070. Native species are defined as plant species which occur naturally in a 

particular region, state, ecosystem, and habitat without direct or indirect human actions (FSM 2070).
Revised Land Management Plan

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Forest Yield

Historically, most of the forests in the CIRMA are dominated by secondary stands which are in the 

process of separating their canopy structure. Typically this forest integrates three canopy levels at its 

mature stage. About 32 species of the 150 species identified in secondary stands are species with timber 

use value. The other species have potential uses as special forest products and are important for the 

ecological settings that these forests provide in El Yunque National Forest. To establish a sustainable yield 

capacity, the growth rates of the species that dominate the CIRMA need to be considered as part of the 

wood utilization initiatives. Growth rates in the subtropical wet, subtropical rain, lower montane wet, and 

lower montane rain forest life zones of the Luquillo Mountains of Puerto Rico have been studied (Crow 

and Weaver 1977, Schmidt and Weaver 1981, Weaver 1979, Weaver and Birdsey 1990). In 2009, Brandeis 

published a report titled “Diameter Growth of Subtropical Trees in Puerto Rico” in which the growth 

among trees measured in the forest inventories of Puerto Rico were calculated by annual increase in 

diameter at breast height (dbh) for the period of time covered by the Forest Inventory Analysis (FIA). 

Most of the CIRMA is in the subtropical wet forest, with a small area of subtropical moist forest 

according to Ewel and Whitmore (1973). Table B- 1 from the Brandeis (2009) report shows the mean 

increment by life zones documenting the similar periodic annual increment in the subtropical moist and 

subtropical wet/rain forests.

Table B- 1. Diameter at breast height (1.4 meters) periodic annual increments by Holdridge life zone with 

number of trees measured, standard error of the mean (SE), standard deviation of the mean (SD), and 

maximum observed periodic annual increment increase from Puerto Rico forest inventory data in 

centimeters per year*

Life Zone N Mean SE SD Max

Subtropical Dry 307 0.20 0.03 0.45 5.74

Subtropical Moist 2,315 0.37 0.01 0.48 4.30

Subtropical Wet/Rain 1,292 0.36 0.01 0.51 5.84

Lower Montane 112 0.20 0.02 0.24 1.28

All life zones 4,026 0.35 0.01 0.49 5.84

Note: N = number of trees measured; SE = standard error of the mean; SD = standard deviation of the mean; Max = maximum 

observed (Brandeis 2009).

* This table is derived from a publication which measurements were done using the International System of Units (SI)

Brandeis (2009) also provides the periodic annual increment measured by species as part of the appendix 

of the document. This information will be used in evaluating silvicultural applications that can support the 

potential growth of selected species according to the Community Interface Resource Management Area 

management parameters.

Timber Suitability and Sustained Yield

Planned harvests would only occur on lands “suited for timber production”. The identification of lands as 

“suitable for timber production” does not mean that timber production is the primary purpose of 

management on those lands. It means that the production of wood products is compatible with the 

achievement of desired conditions and objectives established by the plan for those lands (36 CFR 

219.11(a)(1)(iii)), and some regular flow of wood products may be expected. 

Following natural disturbance events, dead or damaged trees could also be removed on lands identified as 

“not suited for timber production because timber production is not compatible with the desired 

conditions” (see Table B- 2). 
El Yunque National Forest

123

The “sustained yield limit” for the amount of timber volume that can be removed from El Yunque is based 

on the “lands that may be suited for timber production”, and determined based on the amount of annual 

growth on those lands. The sustainable limit is the amount of timber that can be removed without 

exceeding the established level of annual growth. Silvicultural treatments in other forests in Puerto Rico 

with structure and composition similar to the Community Interface Resource Management Area forests 

have shown potential for a significant increase in the representation of promising tree species (Wadsworth 

1987). The annual growth documented in these types of forests is 56.5 cubic feet per acre per year 

(Wadsworth 1987), and these numbers will be used to limit the amount of timber removal per area.

Table B- 2. Timber production suitability classification

Land Classification Category Acres

A. Total National Forest System lands 28,223

B. Lands not suited for timber production due to legal availability or technical 

considerations

17,752

Wilderness 10,352

Slopes over 30% (outside of wilderness) 7,400

C. Lands that may be suited for timber production (A B) 10,471

D. Lands not suited for timber production because timber production is not compatible 

with the desired conditions and objectives established by the Plan

3,284

E. Lands suited for timber production (C D) 7,187

F. Lands not suited for timber production (B + D) 21,036

Planned Wood Product Sale Program

The amount of wood products extracted from the Community Interface Resource Management Area will 

fluctuate, depending on the forest stand condition, expected use of the sites and on the previous 

silvicultural treatments that may have been applied in the area. After a review of several compartment 

examination and prescription reports prepared in El Yunque, it is evident that historically there is extreme 

variation from secondary forest to mature Tabonuco-type forests. In Tabonuco-type forests the understory 

density is generally lower with reports of 49 trees per acre in the 4 to 16 inches dbh range (stand 12, 

compartment 1; Sabana) and in stands with secondary forests, the immature commercial species are 

reported at a rate of 100 trees per acre in the 4 to 12 inches dbh range. 

The potential volume of production of stands throughout the CIRMA will also vary depending on the 

forest structure, previous treatments, site quality and the response of the areas to natural disturbances. The 

level of harvest in the 1997 Plan was estimated to be 22 acres per year for the first decade with 23 

thousand cubic feet (MCF) per year of yield (Table II-3 1997 Plan FEIS). The number of acres per year 

was based on a scaled down demonstration of forest products on 1,100 acres (about 4 percent of the 

Forest). For the revised Forest Plan, even though there are 7,187 acres in the CIRMA where planned 

timber harvesting activities could occur for the first two decades, it has been determined that the level of 

harvesting activity considered in the 1997 Forest Plan will be maintained within the CIRMA (apart from 

any salvage operations conducted in response to hurricanes). The silvicultural prescription considered for 

stands in the CIRMA would plan for a stand to be entered every 50 years. So 1,100 acres/50 = 22 acres to 

be treated per year. The yield of 1.045 thousand cubic feet per acre from the 1997 Forest Plan will also be 

used for the yield projections under this revised plan. This will result in a total projected yield of 23 

thousand cubic feet per year (22 acres x 1.045 = 23 thousand cubic feet). The ten year projections are 
Revised Land Management Plan

124

presented in Table B- 3. The integration of other forest products (non-wood) are incorporated into these 

yields and a review of the projected harvest acres per year and yields will be conducted after the first 5 

years of implementation (see section in appendix B, Special Forest Products (Non-Timber)).

If timber removal is considered and allowed, it is expected that there would be an established method for 

administration of the system of removal considered, either by permit or contract (FSH 2409.15 and FSH 

2409.18). 

Sustained Yield Limit 

The sustained yield limit (SYL) is an estimate of the quantity of timber that can be removed annually in 

perpetuity on a sustained-yield basis (see 36 CFR 219.11(d)(6)). The sustained yield limit is also 

determined based on the total “lands that may be suited for timber production”, which from Table B- 2 is 

10,471 acres. For El Yunque National Forest, the sustainable limit is the amount of timber that can be 

removed without exceeding the established level of annual growth. Silvicultural treatments in the forest 

with structure and composition similar to the CIRMA forests in Puerto Rico has shown possibilities for a 

significant increase in the representation of promising tree species (Wadsworth 1987). The annual growth 

documented in this type of forests is 56.5 cubic feet per acre per year (Wadsworth 1987). The sustained 

yield limit for El Yunque is therefore 56.5 cubic feet/acre x 10,471 acres = 591,612 cubic feet per year or 

591.6 thousand cubic feet per year.

Table B- 3. Planned timber sale program; decadal volume outputs for the first and second decade

Sustained Yield Limit = 591.6 thousand cubic feet per year First Decade Second 

Decade

Timber Products

Volumes other than salvage or sanitation volumes that meet timber product utilization 

standards

Thousand 

Cubic Feet

Thousand 

Cubic Feet

A. Lands suitable for timber production

A1. Sawtimber 0 0 

A2. Other products (total for the decade) 230 230

B. Lands not suitable for timber production

B1. Sawtimber 0 0 

B2. Other products (total for the decade) 0 0 

C. Projected Timber Sale Quantity

(A1+A2+B1+B2) 230 230

Other Estimated Wood Products

Fuelwood, biomass, and other volumes that do not meet timber product utilization 

standards

D. Fuelwood 0 0 

E. Projected Wood Sale Quantity

(C + D) 230 230

With respect to the Sustained Yield Limit, it needs to be noted that the sustained yield limit does not apply 

to the sale of volume from salvage or sanitation harvesting of timber stands substantially damaged by 

hurricanes or other catastrophes, or that are in imminent danger from insect or disease attack (see U.S.C 

1611(b)). 
El Yunque National Forest

125

Estimated Vegetation Management Practices

Land management planning direction (36 CFR 219.7(f)) states that forest plans will “contain information 

reflecting proposed and possible actions that may occur on the plan area during the life of the plan, 

including: the proportion of probable methods of forest vegetation management practices expected to be 

used.” These estimates are displayed in Table B- 4 below. 

Table B- 4. Estimated vegetation management practices, annual average per decade (acres)

Vegetation Management Practice 1st Decade 2nd Decade

Uneven-aged Management/Thinning 22 22

Invasive Plant Control, Mechanical 5 101

Special Forest Products (Non-Timber) 

Different definitions are used for products that originate from the forests that are not timber-based, but are 

of biological origin. The regional strategy embraces the use of the term “special forest products” to 

provide consistency (Chamberlain 2003). These products can be organized into four major product 

categories: culinary, wood-based crafts, floral and decorative, and medicinal and dietary supplements.

There are several plant products (non-timber forest products) that are requested year-around in the Forest 

and managed via “free use permits” These products are mostly for personal consumption. Those products 

that are requested for commercial use are managed via a “special forest product permit.” Usually, these 

products include native Heliconia flowers and dead tree fern stems of Cyathea arborea. 

During Christmas season, there are many requests for yams (Dioscorea spp.), yautia (Xanthosoma spp.) 

(tanier), malanga (Colocasia spp.) (taro) and bananas (Musa spp.) which occur naturally in particular 

zones of the Forest. These crops have been historically and traditionally used and consumed at a small 

scale from the lower elevations of the Forest. These consumption products are part of the vegetation 

persistent from past agricultural practice or from home gardens of previous occupants of lands acquired 

since the 1920s. These products are harvested yearly from the same location; mainly root crops where the 

regeneration parts (the crowns) are replanted for harvest the next year.

For home decoration and Christmas tree manufacture, the fallen leaves of the Cecropia tree are collected 

during the season. Occasionally, dead and downed trees are permitted to artisans or for firewood. 

Other non-timber special forest products that could be provided from the Community Interface Resource 

Management Area include such products as (1) foods, like wild edible mushrooms, native fruits, and nuts; 

(2) medicinal plants and fungi; (3) floral greenery and horticultural stock; (4) fiber and dye plants, 

lichens, and fungi; (5) oils, resins, and other chemical extracts from plants, lichens, and fungi. 

While these products will be provided through the use of a special forest product permit, there are strict 

limitations with the use of these permits. Special forest product permits can only be used for products that 

can be managed on a sustainable basis, and the amounts offered are limited to the amount that can be 

harvested annually in perpetuity (see 36 CFR 223.219). 

There is not much information to accurately assess the current situation and to make informed decisions 

concerning management of non-timber forest resources in the CIRMA. An assessment and inventory of 

these products is recommended in the first five years of the plan to review the yields and products from 
Revised Land Management Plan

126

the CIRMA. By year 6 of the Plan, the Forest will reassess the yields and products from special forest 

products and potential projects within the CIRMA.

Special Forest Product Strategic Goals

Four strategic goals and associated actions within a framework of ecosystem management will be used to 

assess the ecological, economic and social aspects of special forest products as defined by Chamberlain 

(2003). These goals and selected actions are: 

1. Provide knowledge and information to sustain levels of special forest products

a. Inventory the species or groups of species in the CIRMA

b. Assess ecological impacts of special forest product harvesting on the special forest product and 

associated species

c. Determine sustainable harvest practices and levels for selected special forest products

2. Provide knowledge and information to ensure the economic sustainability of special forest product 

markets.

a. Determine the value and volume of the major commercial special forest products

b. Define the scope and scale of established and emerging markets

c. Determine the economic impacts to local people and communities 

3. Produce and provide information on the different aspects of human interaction with special forest 

products and incorporate an understanding of the human dimension into policy, planning and 

management decisions. 

a. Identify special forest product collectors, the special forest products they collect, and their 

functional and livelihood uses of these products

b. Examine compliance with existing special forest product regulations, and implications for 

management strategies and law enforcement

c. Establish a process of collaborative planning with collectors, and other agencies and interested 

publics 

4. Promote public understanding of special forest product uses, users, conservation, and future potential. 

a. Determine methods to create public understanding of special forest products 

b. Develop education and outreach programs that target harvesters, land managers, school groups 

and others 
El Yunque National Forest

127

Appendix C: Priority Watersheds

El Yunque National Forest has evaluated its watersheds and their current conditions according to the new 

forest planning directives, which state: 

The Planning Rule requires land management plans to: 

(i) Identify watershed(s) that are a priority for maintenance or restoration; (36 CFR 219.7(f)(1)). 

Identification of priority watersheds is done to focus effort on the integrated restoration of watershed 

conditions in these areas. 

The Responsible Official should identify an appropriate number of watersheds in the plan for 

maintenance or improvement that corresponds to reasonable and achievable plan objectives for a 5-year 

period and within current budget levels. Priority watersheds in the plan are the watersheds where plan 

objectives for restoration would concentrate on maintaining or improving watershed condition. 

What exactly are “priority watersheds” as referenced in FSH 1909, Section 22.31? 

“Priority watersheds,” as referenced in chapter 20 of the Land Management Planning Handbook, are those 

12-digit hydrologic unit watersheds specifically identified as the focus for investments in maintenance or 

improvement of watershed conditions (soil and hydrologic functions supporting aquatic ecosystems) that 

have been established under the agency’s Watershed Condition Framework (WCF) process. An overview 

of the watershed condition framework and reference materials can be found at the following web link: 

http://www.fs.fed.us/biology/watershed/condition_framework.html. 

Once a watershed condition framework priority watershed is selected, a watershed restoration action plan 

(WRAP) is developed. The watershed restoration action plan identifies specific projects necessary to 

achieve the watershed condition improvement or maintenance goals. By design, watershed condition 

framework priority watersheds are not intended to be permanent designations—when all needed work is 

completed, a new priority watershed is to be identified using the same process and criteria described 

above. Occasionally, a change in a priority watershed designation may be needed for other reasons, 

including significant condition degradation (such as after a wildfire), loss of a critically important 

restoration partner, or to attain better alignment with active unit priorities. 

What is the best way to include watershed condition framework priority watersheds in land 

management plans? 

The plan should incorporate by reference the information contained in the website at the watershed 

condition framework map viewer web link https://apps.fs.usda.gov/wcatt/. That website will always 

contain the current WCF priority watersheds and associated information. However, before changing 

priority watersheds and the information on the watershed condition framework map viewer web link 

https://apps.fs.usda.gov/wcatt/, the responsible official shall give public notice (36 CFR 219.13(c)(2)). 
Revised Land Management Plan

128

Table C- 1. Watershed condition classes and management strategies

Watersheds

Watershed Condition 

Classification April 

2016 Management Strategy

Rio Blanco near 

mouth 

Functioning At-Risk ▪ Meet standards developed by FERC. 

▪ Reduce fragmentation.

▪ Impaired functioning: Highly erodible soils, high sand

content. Upper watershed flat and funnels water into

channels and causes erosion. Landslides have impacted

channel shape.

▪ Reduce deferred maintenance of trails and roads. 

Rio Santiago near 

mouth

Functioning Properly ▪ Reduce erosion and sedimentation.

Rio Fajardo near 

mouth

Functioning Properly ▪ Reduce erosion and sedimentation.

Rio Pitahaya at mouth Functioning Properly ▪ Reduce erosion and sedimentation.

Rio Sabana at mouth Functioning Properly ▪ Reduce erosion and sedimentation.

Rio Mameyes near 

mouth

Functioning Properly ▪ Remove abandoned dams.

▪ Reduce deferred maintenance of trails and roads.

Rio Espiritu Santo 

near mouth

Functioning Properly ▪ Manage instream flows.

▪ Reduce deferred maintenance of trails and roads.

Rio Canovanas Functioning Properly ▪ Support domestic intakes. 
El Yunque National Forest

129

Map C- 1. Watershed condition classification
Revised Land Management Plan

130

Appendix D: Forest Designation Area Map

Map D- 1. All designated areas
El Yunque National Forest

131

Appendix E: List of At-Risk Species

Table E- 1. Species of conservation concern

Taxonomic 

Group

Taxonomic 

Subgroup

Species Common Name

Amphibians Frog Eleutherodactylus eneidae Eneida's coqui

Amphibians Frog Eleutherodactylus karlschmidti Web-footed coqui

Amphibians Frog Eleutherodactylus unicolor Dwarf coqui

Amphibians Frog Eleutherodactylus locustus Locust coqui

Amphibians Frog Eleutherodactylus richmondi Richmond's coqui

Amphibians Frog Eleutherodactylus gryllus Cricket coqui

Amphibians Frog Eleutherodactylus hedricki Hedrick's coqui

Amphibians Frog Eleutherodactylus portoricensis Upland coqui

Amphibians Frog Eleutherodactylus wightmanae Melodius coqui

Amphibians Frog Eleutherodactylus brittoni Grass Coqui

Aquatic Eel Anguilla rostrata American eel

Aquatic Fish Awaous banana Yellow river goby

Aquatic Fish Dormitator maculatus Fat sleeper

Aquatic Fish Eleotris pisonis Spinycheek sleeper

Aquatic Fish Gobiomorus dormitor Bigmouth sleeper

Aquatic Invertebrate Macrobrachium carcinus Bigclaw river shrimp

Aquatic Invertebrate Macrobrachium crenulatum Crenulated river shrimp

Bird Bird Icterus portoricensis Puerto Rican oriole

Bird Bird Falco peregrinus Peregrine falcon

Mammal Bat Stenoderma rufum Red-fig eating bat

Mollusc Snail Luquillia luquillensis Luquillo mountain land snail

Reptile Lizard Anolis cuvieri Puerto Rican giant anole

Reptile Lizard Anolis occultus Dwarf anole

Vascular Plant Fern Lindsaea stricta var. jamesoniiformis Lindsaea

Vascular Plant Herb Pilea multicaulis P. Multicaulis (endemic)

Vascular Plant Herb Pilea yunquensis P. yunquensis (endemic)

Vascular Plant Orchid Brachionidium parvum B. parvum

Vascular Plant Orchid Brachionidium ciliolatum B. cilionatum (endemic)

Vascular Plant Orchid Lepanthes caritensis L. caritensis (endemic)

Vascular Plant Orchid Lepanthes dodiana L. dodiana (endemic)

Vascular Plant Orchid Lepanthes selenitepala ssp.ackermanii L. selenitepala (endemic)

Vascular Plant Orchid Lepanthes stimsonii L. stimsonii (endemic)

Vascular Plant Orchid Lepanthes veleziana L. veleziana (endemic)

Vascular Plant Orchid Lepanthes woodburyana L. woodburyana (endemic)

Vascular Plant Shrub Miconia foveolata Camasey (endemic)

Vascular Plant Shrub Marlierea sintenisii Beruquillo (endemic)

Vascular Plant Shrub Varronia wagnerorum Varronia (endemic)
Revised Land Management Plan

132

Taxonomic 

Group

Taxonomic 

Subgroup

Species Common Name

Vascular Plant Shrub Solanum woodburyi Solanum (endemic)

Vascular Plant Shrub Brunfelsia lactea Jazmin de monte (endemic)

Vascular Plant Shrub Brunfelsia portoricensis Jazmin portoricensis (endemic)

Vascular Plant Shrub Urera chlorocarpa Ortiga (endemic)

Vascular Plant Shrub/small Tree Cybianthus sintenisii Cybianthus (endemic)

Vascular Plant Shrub/small Tree Xylosma schwaneckeana Palo de Candela (endemic)

Vascular Plant Shrub/small Tree Eugenia eggersii Palo de murta (endemic)

Vascular Plant Small Tree Miconia pycnoneura Camasey (endemic)

Vascular Plant Tree Symplocos lanata Nispero cimarron (endemic)

Vascular Plant Tree Ternstroemia heptasepala Palo colorado (endemic)

Vascular Plant Tree Calyptranthes luquillensis C. luquillensis (endemic)

Vascular Plant Tree Laplacea portoricensis Maricao verde 

Vascular Plant Tree Ardisia luquillensis Mamayuelo (endemic)

Vascular Plant Tree Maytenus elongata Cuero de Sapo

Vascular Plant Tree Psidium sintenisii Hoja menuda (endemic)

Vascular Plant Tree Ravenia urbanii Tortugo prieto (endemic)

Vascular Plant Tree Morella holdrigeana Palo de cera (endemic)

Vascular Plant Tree Ternstroemia stahlii Palo de buey (endemic)

Vascular Plant Tree Banara portoricensis Caracolillo (endemic)

Vascular Plant Tree Calyptranthes woodburyi C. woodburyi (endemic)

Vascular Plant Tree Conostegia hotteana Camasey peludo

Vascular Plant Tree Coccoloba rugosa Ortegon 

Vascular Plant Tree Magnolia splendens Laurel sabino (endemic)

Vascular Plant Vine Gonocalyx portoricensis Gonocalyx (endemic)

Vascular Plant Vine Mikania pachyphylla Miconia (endemic)

Table E- 2. Threatened and endangered species

Common Name Scientific Name Category

Puerto Rican Parrot Amazona vittata Bird 

Puerto Rican Broad-winged Hawk Buteo platypterus brunnescens Bird 

Puerto Rican Sharp-shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus venator Bird 

Elfin Woods Warbler Setophaga angelae Bird 

Puerto Rican Boa Epicratus inornatus Reptile

Capá Rosa Callicarpa ampla VascularPlant

Uvillo Eugenia haematocarpa VascularPlant

Palo de Jazmín Styrax portoricensis VascularPlant

Palo Colorado Ternstroemia luquillensis VascularPlant

Chupacallos Pleodendron macranthum VascularPlant

None Lepanthes eltoroensis VascularPlant

None Ilex sintenisii VascularPlant

None Ternstroemia subsessilis VascularPlant