§ 6703. Definitions

In this chapter:

• (1)
  • (A) The term “adaptive ecosystem management” means a natural resource management process under which planning, implementation, monitoring, research, evaluation, and incorporation of new knowledge are combined into a management approach that—
    • (i) is based on scientific findings and the needs of society;
    • (ii) treats management actions as experiments;
    • (iii) acknowledges the complexity of these systems and scientific uncertainty; and
    • (iv) uses the resulting new knowledge to modify future management methods and policy.
  • (B) This paragraph shall not define the term “adaptive ecosystem management” for the purposes of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 ( 16 U.S.C. 1600 et seq.).
• (2) The term “affected entities” includes—
  • (A) land managers;
  • (B) stakeholders;
  • (C) concerned citizens; and
  • (D) the States of the interior West, including political subdivisions of the States.
• (3) The term “dry forest and woodland ecosystem” means an ecosystem that is dominated by ponderosa pines and associated dry forest and woodland types.
• (4) The term “Institute” means an Institute established under section 6704(a) of this title .
• (5) The term “interior West” means the States of Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah.
• (6)
  • (A) The term “land manager” means a person or entity that practices or guides natural resource management.
  • (B) The term “land manager” includes a Federal, State, local, or tribal land management agency.
• (7) The term “restoration” means a process undertaken to move an ecosystem or habitat toward—
  • (A) a sustainable structure of the ecosystem or habitat; or
  • (B) a condition that supports a natural complement of species, natural function, or ecological process (such as a low-intensity fire).
• (8) The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service.
• (9) The term “Secretaries” means—
  • (A) the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service; and
  • (B) the Secretary of the Interior.
• (10) The term “stakeholder” means any person interested in or affected by management of forest or woodland ecosystems.
• (11) Are trees that occur underneath the canopy or extend into the canopy but are smaller and less vigorous than dominant trees.
• (12) Where the number of trees per acre exceeds the natural carrying capacity of the site.
• (13) The ability of a system to absorb disturbance without being pushed into a different, possibly less desirable stable state.