Tongass National Forest Plan Maintenance Program

Monitoring Program

Mining and Minerals Exploration

Forest Plan Objectives and Monitoring Plan Questions

The following objectives, monitoring questions, evaluation criteria, and adaptive feedback mechanisms are identified in Table 6-1 of the 2008 Forest Plan.

Objective

Provide for environmentally sound mineral exploration, development, and reclamation in areas open to mineral entry and in areas with valid existing rights that are otherwise closed to mineral entry. Seek withdrawal of specific locations where mineral development may not meet Land Use Designation objectives. Encourage the prospecting, exploration, development, mining, and processing of locatable minerals in areas with the highest potential for minerals development. Insure that minerals are developed in an environmentally sensitive manner, and other high-valued resources are considered when minerals developments occur.

Monitoring Plan Question

Are Federal regulations (36 CFR 228) to ensure surface resource protection implemented and is the administration of this regulation through the Forest Plan effective in limiting soil and water resource impacts?

Sampling/Reporting Period

Annual/5 year

Evaluation Criteria

Changes in effects relative to anticipated effects on soil and water resources relative to observations: MG2 III. B.

Data and Inventory Sources

Minerals inventory and monitoring

Feed Back Mechanism

Evaluate management practices and change if needed; Minerals and Geology Standards and Guidelines.

Inventory and Monitoring Data and Reports

This section is a location where resource-specific inventory and monitoring data and reports can be stored and made available for review by Forest Service and other participating agencies, as well as interested members of the public.

Procedures and Tools

The Procedures and Tools subsection of this web site provides information on important procedures and tools used in Forest Plan implementation. These procedures and tools are provided on this web site to help ensure that they are applied in an accurate and consistent manner.