Appctulix c: 



^"^ United Stales Forest 



' ' Department ot Service 



Agnculture R~l 



1930 Program Development and Program Budgeting °~ |^y^p Qg jng^ 

 1920 Land and Resource Management Planning 



Land Use Planning - Rock Creek Drainage 

 Forest Supervisors, Lolo and Deerlodge NF's 



On June 23, 1972, Regional Forester Steve Yurich issued direction that new 

 contracts for timber sales in the Rock Creek Drainage would not be made 

 prior to completion of unit plans for the area. Since that time the 

 National Forest Management Act has become law and unit plans are no longer 

 required. Instead, comprehensive Forest plans are required. 



In responding to this direction you began developing unit plans for this 

 area. These unit plans were nearing completion when the National Forest 

 Management Act was passed requiring the development of Forest plans. When 

 this happened we decided to move forward and incorporate the results of 

 your unit plan analyses into Forest plans. 



Since that time you have moved ahead with the development of your Forest 

 Plans, but because of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals decision related 

 to RARE II you will not be able to issue the finals at this time. 



Given this background and your efforts to respond to the June 23, 1972, 

 direction I am making a new decision regarding carrying out management 

 activities in the Rock Creek Drainage. 



You can proceed with your planning and management of the Rock Creek 

 Drainage as you would other areas on the Forests. Proposed management 

 activities should be compatible with the management outlined in the draft 

 Lolo Forest Plan or the current management plan for the Deerlodge Forest. 

 In addition, all activities should continue to recognize the issues and 

 concerns that led to the June 23, 1972, letter. You should also be sure 

 that you are fully involving the public in your activities in this area and 

 meet the requirements of FSM 1950 in your planning and decision processes. 



*or TOM COSTON 



Regional Forester 



cc: PP&B - Reid, Hutcheson 

 RF 



