This Act is the main state governing the administration of national forests. It declares that the National Forest System consists of units of federally owned forest, range and related lands throughout the U.S. and its territories, united into one integral system for the long-term benefit of present and future generations. The Act requires the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary) to assess forest lands, develop a management program based on multiple-use, sustained-yield principles, and develop and implement a resource management plan for each unit of the National Forest System. The Secretary is required to prepare a Renewable Resource Assessment and to update the assessment every ten years. The Act specifies the broad inventory and policy information the assessment must contain. The Secretary must provide opportunity for public involvement and must consult with other interested governmental agencies. As part of the assessment, the Secretary must develop and maintain a comprehensive inventory of all National Forest System lands and renewable resources. The inventory must be kept current and must identify new and emerging resources and values. The Act also requires the Secretary to develop and implement resource management plans for each unit of the National Forest System. he Act establishes the Reforestation Trust Fund to finance reforestation and timber stand improvements on National Forest lands
The Act also concerns the sale of timber, protection of water resources and ecosystems public participation and regulation-making.