Review of Forest Service Viability Assessment Processes

The regulations implementing the National Forest Management Act (NFMA) direct the National Forests to provide habitat that will support viable populations of native and desired non-native vertebrate species well-distributed across National Forest lands. A proposed revision of these regulations would extend this requirement to additional species in the plant and animal kingdoms, but provide for significant qualifications in the way the requirement is applied to many species in recognition of the natural history and existing condition of those species and their habitat. Since the existing regulation went into effect in 1982, a variety of approaches has been used to meet the viability requirement. Approaches have ranged from opinon-based assessments of individual resource specialists to detailed habitat and demographic modeling. many Forest Plans have been challenged on either the adequacy of the management guidelines for species, or the adequacy of the process used to demonstrate that viability requirements have been met. The Forest Service is now making a renewed effort to provide consistent and high quality input to forest plans related to viability. The results of this external review will be used in the development of guidance to National Forests for addressing species viability in land and resource management plans.