Forest Service Withdraws National Old Growth Management Plan Amid Opposition
The US Forest Service has officially withdrawn its National Old Growth Amendment (NOGA), a proposed rule to standardize the management of old growth forests across national forests, Gillette News Record reports.
The decision follows significant pushback from the timber industry and some communities near federal forests.
Johnson County officials, including Commission Chairman Bill Novotny, were notified of the withdrawal on January 7. The county had previously opposed the plan, citing concerns over its potential impact on local industries and natural resource management.
“I cannot underscore enough the importance of counties participating in federal land management decisions through the comment process as a cooperating agency,” Novotny stated. “The withdrawal of the nationally mandated old growth rule is a win for local control and local natural resource plans.”
The proposal aimed to amend the management plans for all national forests to ensure consistency in handling old growth trees, defined as those in the late stages of development. In the Bighorn National Forest, for example, lodgepole pines—comprising roughly 50% of the tree population—are considered old growth at 150-200 years.
While the plan would not have banned timber harvests outright, it was expected to increase scrutiny during the environmental review process for timber projects under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Johnson County and other Wyoming officials argued that forest management decisions should be tailored to individual forests rather than adhering to a nationwide standard.
Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon and US Sen. John Barrasso also criticized the amendment. Barrasso called the plan “flawed from the very beginning,” emphasizing the need for localized solutions.
The Forest Service initiated the NEPA process for the amendment last spring but initially excluded local governments from participating as cooperating agencies. After protests, Johnson County was granted cooperating agency status in June. This designation allowed the county to review and comment on the draft environmental impact statement (EIS) before its release to the public.
The public comment period for the draft EIS ended in September, and the Forest Service has since decided not to publish a final version.
The withdrawal of the Old Growth Amendment reflects a broader shift in federal land management under the new presidential administration. Other plans from the previous administration, such as the Bureau of Land Management’s Greater Sage-Grouse Management Plan and revisions to coal leasing policies in the Powder River Basin, may also face reevaluation.
Wyoming officials are optimistic about greater alignment between federal and local priorities under the new administration but remain cautious. Novotny emphasized the importance of maintaining robust local planning efforts, including updating Johnson County’s land use plan and filling key Forest Service positions.
“This is not the time for a victory lap,” Novotny warned.
He urged continued vigilance and preparation for future federal policy changes.
As Wyoming’s legislative session gets underway, Gov. Gordon has requested $7.5 million for litigation against federal government actions affecting natural resources. Local stakeholders hope that this funding and ongoing collaboration will strengthen their influence on federal land management decisions.
