Policy Integrity submitted comments to the Chugach National Forest advocating for the use of cost-benefit analysis in the revision of the forest’s Resource Management Plan. The US Forest Service updated its rule last year on how individual forests should develop their management plans, eliminating an explicit requirement to study the net present value of management alternatives. The forests, though, were left with some discretion, which we think forests like Chugach should use to incorporate cost-benefit analysis into their planning.
Our comments advice the forest staff to incorporate systematic economic analysis into its planning process. Using cost-benefit analysis would help to ensure that the final plan is in compliance with the statutory framework, is most effectively making use of the structured decisionmaking framework envisioned by the new Rule, and is setting a good example for other forests looking to revise their plans.