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plan for a time period specified by the plan." This quantity is usually expressed on 

 an average annual basis for the first decade shown in the plan. In a forest plan, the 

 selected alternative includes a projected sale schedule, the first decade of which es- 

 tablishes the ASQ. 



The ASQ for each national forest is established through our integrated, interdisci- 

 plinary planning process, guided by the RPA, NFMA, and NSPA statutes. The ASQ 

 is primarily determined by the capability and suitability of the land for various re- 

 source practices and the multiple-use goals and objectives of the alternative which is 

 selected as the forest plan. The overall goal of forest planning is to maximize net 

 public benefits from management of the forest, which is measured by both quantita- 

 tive and qualitative criteria, rather than a single measure or index. The rationale 

 used in reaching a decision on the ASQ is detailed in the Record of Decision issued 

 with the forest plan. 



This planned timber output is an outcome of a logical, systematic set of proce- 

 dures that are an integral part of the planning process as outlined in the NFMA 

 regulations. Three of the most important procedures are the determination of which 

 lands are suitable for timber production, the application of minimum management 

 requirements (MMR's), and the application of integrated standards and guidelines 

 during assignment of management prescriptions. 



Determination of Lands Suitable for Timber Production 



The suitability of a particular area for timber production or other uses is deter- 

 mined during the forest planning process by analyzing the economic and environ- 

 mental consequences of applying management practices and the alternative uses 

 foregone. A sequence of steps is followed in arriving at the final set of suitable 

 lands, using the best inventory and other information available. 



First, we determine the set of lands that can be considered tentatively suitable for 

 timber production. From the total forest land base, we subtract lands that have 

 been withdrawn for other purposes such as wilderness or research natural areas. 

 We also exclude those lands where technology is not available to ensure timber pro- 

 duction can be sustained without irreversible resource damage to soil productivity 

 or watershed conditions, as well as lands where there is not reasonable assurance 

 that they can be adequately restocked within 5 years after a final harvest cut. 



Next, a financial analysis of the costs and benefits for a range of management 

 practices and intensities for timber production is conducted on the set of tentatively 

 suitable lands. Yield tables are prepared which project, for a given land capability 

 and stand condition, the volumes that would be obtained under a given set of man- 

 agement practices by decade. The lands are stratified into classes of land with simi- 

 lar management costs and returns. 



Next, integrated management prescriptions designed to meet differing objectives 

 for the various multiple uses are defined. Individual resource practices are grouped 

 together in these prescriptions. Each tentatively suitable land area would normally 

 have several different prescriptions that could potentially be applied to it. These 

 prescriptions include a set of standards and guidelines to ensure resource protection 

 and the achievement of the various objectives of that prescription. The information 

 from the financial analysis and other sources is used to help ensure the prescrip- 

 tions are cost efficient in achieving these objectives. 



Next, forest-wide management alternatives are formulated and evaluated. These 

 address the forest planning issues and concerns and goals and objectives in differing 

 ways, and respond to the wants and needs identified in the public involvement proc- 

 ess. This may include setting either targets or limits for certain resource outputs, 

 including timber. Depending on the particular alternative, these may be based on 

 such factors as historical output levels, projected demand levels, levels needed for 

 dependent mills or community stability, levels responding to issues such as below- 

 cost sales, and others. Each alternative includes different combinations of the inte- 

 grated management prescriptions identified earlier. The assignment of a particular 

 prescription to each specific land area is made during the development of each alter- 

 native. In the selected alternative for the forest plan, those land areas that were 

 assigned a prescription that includes timber production become part of the final 

 suitable land base. The sum of projected timber outputs in the first decade of the 

 plan from this land base becomes the Allowable Sale Quantity. 



Minimum Management Requirements 



The NFMA regulations establish many specific minimum management require- 

 ments that must be met in accomplishing goals and objectives for the national for- 

 ests. All management prescriptions and alternatives must be designed to meet these 

 requirements. The requirements relate to basic stewardship and to environmental 

 protection required by statute or regulation. They can be viewed as assuring that 



