http://www.fs.fed.us/ National news from the U.S. Forest Service en-us On Wednesday, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper announced the final Environmental Impact Statement for the final Colorado Roadless Rule, which provides conservation for 4.2 million acres of National Forest roadless area within Colorado. Press Office 2012-05-04 http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2012/releases/05/coroadless.shtml http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2012/releases/05/coroadless.shtml Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper today announced the release of the final Environmental Impact Statement for the final Colorado Roadless Rule. Press Office 2012-05-02 Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Interior Secretary Ken Salazar today outlined the federal government's readiness for the wildland fire season to ensure protection for communities and restoration of forests and public lands across the country. Press Office 2012-04-26 http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2012/releases/04/budget.shtml http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2012/releases/04/budget.shtml In testimony today before the Senate Committee on Appropriations and Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies, U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell said the proposed FY 2013 Forest Service budget reflects strategic investments to grow the economy, create jobs and fund programs that matter to Americans. Press Office 2012-04-18 Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced a cooperative partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Canada's Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food that will promote agroforestry to help landowners improve water quality, control soil erosion and boost their agriculture production. Press Office 2012-04-17 http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2012/releases/04/urban.shtml http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2012/releases/04/urban.shtml The U.S. Forest Service today announced its My Neighborhood Forest photo contest, celebrating America’s urban and community forests. Press Office 2012-04-10 http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2012/releases/04/land-acquisition.shtml http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2012/releases/04/land-acquisition.shtml Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the U.S. Forest Service will dedicate $40.6 million for 27 exceptional land acquisition projects in 15 states that will help safeguard clean water, provide recreational access, preserve wildlife habitat, enhance scenic vistas and protect historic and wilderness areas. Press Office 2012-04-06 http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2012/releases/03/wildflowers.shtml http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2012/releases/03/wildflowers.shtml The U.S. Forest Service has released an updated online wildflower map with hundreds of locations on national forests for prime wildflower viewing, making it easier than ever to enjoy America’s great outdoors. Press Office 2012-03-29 http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2012/releases/03/employment.shtml http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2012/releases/03/employment.shtml Thousands of temporary seasonal jobs with the Forest Service and its partners are available this summer and officials say now is the time to begin the application process. Press Office 2012-03-29 http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2012/releases/03/connect-kids.shtml http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2012/releases/03/connect-kids.shtml The U.S. Forest Service is offering its 193 million acres of forests and grasslands as a prescription for healthier kids through an initiative of the National Environmental Education Foundation that connects children to nature. Press Office 2012-03-28 http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2012/releases/03/collaboration.shtml http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2012/releases/03/collaboration.shtml In testimony on Capitol Hill today, U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell emphasized the importance of collaboration in developing restoration projects on national forests and grasslands. Press Office 2012-03-27 http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2012/releases/03/support-planning-rule.shtml http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2012/releases/03/support-planning-rule.shtml On Friday, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture's final Planning Rule for America's 193 million-acre National Forest System that includes stronger protections for forests, water, and wildlife while supporting the economic vitality of rural communities. Press Office 2012-03-26 http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2012/releases/03/planning-rule.shtml http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2012/releases/03/planning-rule.shtml Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture's final Planning Rule for America's 193-million acre National Forest System that includes stronger protections for forests, water, and wildlife while supporting the economic vitality of rural communities. Press Office 2012-03-23 http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2012/releases/03/minerals.shtml http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2012/releases/03/minerals.shtml In testimony before the House Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources today, U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell said the proposed FY 2013 Forest Service budget was below last year's level. Press Office 2012-03-20 http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2012/releases/03/forest-growth.shtml http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2012/releases/03/forest-growth.shtml U.S. Forest Service scientists today released an assessment that shows forest land has expanded in northern states during the past century despite a 130-percent population jump and relentless environmental threats. At the same time, Forest Service researchers caution that threats to forests in the coming decades could undermine these gains. Press Office 2012-03-12 http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2012/releases/03/budget.shtml http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2012/releases/03/budget.shtml In testimony before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources today, U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell said the proposed FY 2013 Forest Service budget responds to the public's desire for the conservation and stewardship of the nation's forests and grasslands with efficient, cost-effective spending. Press Office 2012-03-06 http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2012/releases/03/kids.shtml http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2012/releases/03/kids.shtml Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced USDA's continuing commitment to get kids outdoors and connected to the natural world around them through $1 million in cost-share funding from the U.S. Forest Service to enhance children's programs in 18 states. Press Office 2012-03-02 http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2012/releases/02/urban-forests.shtml http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2012/releases/02/urban-forests.shtml National results indicate that tree cover in urban areas of the United States is declining at a rate of about 4 million trees per year, according to a U.S. Forest Service study published recently in Urban Forestry & Urban Greening. Press Office 2012-02-23 http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2012/releases/02/invasive-software.shtml http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2012/releases/02/invasive-software.shtml U.S. Forest Service research and funding have led to the development of a free software application that will help people identify and control destructive invasive plants in Southern forests and grasslands. Press Office 2012-02-22 http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2012/releases/02/budget.shtml http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2012/releases/02/budget.shtml In testimony before the House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies today, U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell prioritized the proposed FY 2013 Forest Service budget request in three themes: restoration, communities, and fire. Press Office 2012-02-17 Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that more than $307 million is being distributed to 41 states and Puerto Rico for public schools and roads and specific county programs. Press Office 2012-02-17 http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2012/releases/02/airtankers.shtml http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2012/releases/02/airtankers.shtml The U.S. Forest Service announced today a strategy, developed with input from the Department of the Interior, to replace the fleet of aging air tankers used to battle wildfires with a next generation of newer, faster, more cost-effective large airtankers. Press Office 2012-02-10 http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2012/releases/02/environmental-reviews.shtml http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2012/releases/02/environmental-reviews.shtml The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) today announced a new National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Pilot project under an initiative launched in March 2011 to increase the quality and efficiency of Federal environmental reviews and reduce costs. Press Office 2012-02-09 http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2012/releases/02/restoration.shtml http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2012/releases/02/restoration.shtml Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced a new report, Increasing the Pace of Restoration and Job Creation on our National Forests, that outlines a strategy and series of actions for management on 193 million acres of national forests and grasslands managed by the U.S. Forest Service. Press Office 2012-02-02 http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2012/releases/01/newplanningrule.shtml http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2012/releases/01/newplanningrule.shtml The U.S. Forest Service today announced eight national forests that will be the first to revise their land management plans using a new National Forest System Planning Rule, after it is finalized in the months ahead. Press Office 2012-02-01 http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2012/releases/01/planning-rule.shtml http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2012/releases/01/planning-rule.shtml Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today signaled the U.S. Department of Agriculture's intent to issue a new planning rule for America's 193-million acre National Forest System. Press Office 2012-01-26 Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today appointed eight members to the Forest Resource Coordinating Committee, which provides advice on private forestry and USDA's programs that assist landowners in managing their forests. Press Office 2012-01-19 http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2012/releases/01/working-forests.shtml http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2012/releases/01/working-forests.shtml The U.S. Forest Service announced today that it is granting $52.2 million for 17 conservation and working lands projects across the U.S. in 2012. Press Office 2012-01-19 http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2012/releases/01/mlk.shtml http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2012/releases/01/mlk.shtml The U.S. Forest Service announced today eight dates for the new year when national forests nationwide will waive fees that are usually collected to support forest maintenance and amenities. Press Office 2012-01-11 http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2012/releases/01/wind.shtml http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2012/releases/01/wind.shtml The U.S. Forest Service has approved the construction of a 15-turbine wind energy facility on the Green Mountain National Forest in Vermont today, which will provide enough electricity to power about 13,000 homes annually. Press Office 2012-01-04