A Federal Register notice has been issued for comments on the proposed Forest Service plan to merge the Northeastern Area with the Eastern Region (R9). The merger would place both units under one regional forester and integrate existing programs, to enable "a more cohesive forest management program to be developed and deployed." NASF is concerned with the implications for program delivery across a region of the country where the forests are 92% non-federally owned, and plans to submit comments. Deadline for comments is July 9, 2009.