Does wilderness designation curtail the public’s opportunity to be involved in wilderness management decisions?
No. While there are certain statutorily mandated land use principles the appropriate federal agency must adhere to in managing wilderness areas under its jurisdiction, agency officials are expected to establish management plans for each unique wilderness area. A wilderness management plan is often developed as part of the broader forest management planning process, which includes a strong public involvement component. Wilderness planning must also comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), which allows for significant public comment.
