USFS Launches Northwest Forest Plan Amendment
The U.S. Forest Service convened the first meeting of a Federal Advisory Committee (FAC) in early September to work on an amendment of the Northwest Forest Plan (NWFP). Covering 17 national forests in 3 states, this is one of the most ambitious planning projects the agency has initiated in years. The agency wants to modernize the 30 year old NWFP by developing new strategies for dealing with climate change and wildfires, and engaging Tribal communities and Indigenous perspectives that were largely excluded from the original plan.
FUSEE's program director for the FireGeneration Collaborative, Ryan Reed, serves on the 21-person FAC as the sole designated "public" representative. Ryan is an Indigenous fire practitioner and wildland firefighter, and is the youngest person ever to serve on a FAC. Ryan has met personally with the USFS Chief and other government leaders in Washington D.C., has provided testimony to
National Forests in the NWFP
the Biden Administration's Wildfire Commission, and directs the dynamic team of FireGen organizers who are mobilizing young people to reimagine and transform fire management culture.
The FAC met for three full days of intensive discussions, and the meeting became emotionally charged when USFS representatives informed members that their work must be concluded in half the time originally allotted, with the scope of the project limited to just three key topics. Several FAC members warned that this accelerated schedule risked undermining the agency's goal of Tribal engagement, and neglecting the topic of old-growth protection risks alienating people across the country who hold that as a key value and concern.
In a powerful moment during committee discussion, Ryan revealed how extraordinary it was for him to have a seat at the policymaking table since his people and young generations are normally excluded from such forums. He expressed his willingness to proceed despite the enormous pressure and challenges ahead.
FUSEE's executive director provided brief oral testimony to the FAC, encouraging them to try their best to develop visionary policy proposals able to guide ecologically-sound forest and fire management over the next two centuries. Given that the majestic native forests within the NWFP hold some of the planet's biggest stores of forest carbon--a global asset in mitigating climate change--the NWFP amendment has a tremendous potential to be part of a solution to the climate crisis, or it could further worsen the crisis if it boosts commercial logging and continues fire exclusion.
FUSEE will be actively supporting Ryan's efforts throughout the FAC process, helping get his voice into the news media, and inspire young people to raise their voices in this planning process. Your support of FUSEE and the FireGeneration Collaborative is key to making the most of this unique opportunity for the sake of the young generation--of all species.