Does the EMS make decisions that affect forest management or public use?
No. The Forest EMS will help to implement, monitor, and evaluate the Land Management Plan (“Forest Plan”). It is the recently completed Cleveland Forest Plan that makes strategic decisions about forest management and public use as well as references legal and other requirements. The EMS addresses ongoing conditions of the Forest based on observation by our employees and the public and makes no decisions. However, if a reported condition would require work on the ground then project planning with environmental review and a decision would follow.
