NATIONAL FORESTS -- The U.S. Forest Service has scheduled public meetings this month to explain the details and intent of the recently proposed draft Planning Rule. If put into law, the rule would serve as a national blueprint for how hundreds of individual forest plans -- such as the Colville and Idaho Panhandle forests -- will chart national forest management in the coming years.

The forums will not be a place to deliver public comment, but rather an opportunity for stakeholders to ask  questions that will help them submit formal comments before the May 16 deadline.

Following are meetings of regional interest from the complete list of forums across the country:

Missoula: March 21 at the Holiday Inn downtown at the park.

Coeur d'Alene: March 21 at the Forest Supervisor Office, 3815 Schreiber Way.

Seattle: March 23 at the Sheraton Downtown Seattle Hotel.

Portland: March 25 at the Sheraton Airport Hotel.