Watershed Forestry Assistance Program

The Forest Service is announcing its intent to prepare an interim final guideline, in cooperation with the State Foresters and with involvement of the public, for the implementation of the Watershed Forestry Assistance Program, as authorized by Title III, section 302, of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (Pub. L. 108-148). The Watershed Forestry Assistance Program (WFAP) is administered by the Forest Service and implemented by the State Foresters, or an equivalent State official. The purpose of the WFAP is to improve public understanding of the connection between forest management and watershed health; encourage property owners to maintain tree cover and use tree plantings and vegetative treatments as creative solutions to watershed problems; enhance forest management and riparian buffer use in watersheds, with an emphasis on community watersheds; and establish partnerships and collaborative watershed approaches to forest management, protection, and conservation. Public comment is invited and will be considered in the development of the interim final guideline. Additional direction on the implementation of WFAP will be issued to the Forest Service Manual Chapter 3500, Cooperative Watershed Management.