A U.S. Forest Service working group is being formed to address the need for consistency and the effective use of environmental impact mitigation requirements as well as to comply with CEQ and OMB guidance. The National Landscape-Scale Mitigation Framework announced by the Forest Service specifically explores ways to achieve the goals articulated in the November 3 Presidential memorandum that encourages private investment in restoration and public-private partnerships, and helps foster opportunities for businesses or non-profit organizations with relevant expertise to successfully achieve restoration and conservation objectives.

The framework reiterates that avoidance of adverse impacts is always the most desirable approach, but because that is not always an option, the Forest Service is exploring ways to garner support from business and other users to partner in mitigation with clear goals of uniformity, certainty, and transparency when mitigation is required.