Reforestation Reporting, Guidance, and Directives
Annual Reporting Requirements
The Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 (RPA) (P.L. 93-378), as amended by the National Forest Management Act of 1976 (NFMA) Section 3 (d) 1, directs that all forested lands in the National Forest System (NFS) be maintained in appropriate forest cover with species of trees, degree of stocking, rate of growth, and conditions of stand designated to secure the maximum benefits of multiple use sustained yield management in accordance to land management plans. The Act also requires that the Secretary of Agriculture to identify and report to the Congress, at the time of submission of the President’s Budget together with the annual report provided under section 8 (c) of the Act, the amount and location by national forest and State and by productivity class where applicable, the need to reforest areas that have been cut-over or otherwise denuded or deforested.
Reforestation and timber stand improvement (TSI) needs are compiled annually using the Forest Service Activity Tracking System (FACTS). This includes not only acres of artificial reforestation (planting), but also seeding, site preparation for natural regeneration, and areas requiring certification for meeting stocking standards set by forest management plan direction.