Research natural areas are part of a national network of ecological areas designated in perpetuity for research and education and/or to maintain biological diversity on National Forest System lands. Research natural areas are for nonmanipulative research, observation, and study. They also may assist in implementing provisions of special acts, such as the Endangered Species Act and the monitoring provisions of the National Forest Management Act.

4063.01 - Authority. The general provisions of the Organic Administration Act of 1897 (16 USC 551) authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to designate research natural areas. Under regulations at 7 CFR 2.42, the Secretary has delegated this authority to the Chief, who, pursuant to 36 CFR 251.23, selects and establishes research natural areas as part of the continuing land and resource management planning process for National Forest System lands (36 CFR 219.25 and FSM 1922).

4063.02 - Objectives. The objectives of establishing research natural areas are to:
1. Preserve a wide spectrum of pristine representative areas that typify important forest, shrubland, grassland, alpine, aquatic, geological, and similar natural situations that have special or unique characteristics of scientific interest and importance that, in combination, form a national network of ecological areas for research, education, and maintenance of biological diversity.
2. Preserve and maintain genetic diversity.
3. Protect against serious environmental disruptions.
4. Serve as reference areas for the study of succession.
5. Provide onsite and extension educational activities.
6. Serve as baseline areas for measuring long-term ecological changes.
7. Serve as control areas for comparing results from manipulative research.
8. Monitor effects of resource management techniques and practices.

4063.03 - Policy. Research Natural Areas may be used only for research, study, observation, monitoring, and those educational activities that maintain unmodified conditions. The selection and establishment of research natural areas within the National Forest System primarily emerges from continuing land and resource management planning and associated environmental analyses (FSM 1920 and FSM 1950). Forest plans shall include analysis of, and recommendations for, any proposed research natural areas establishment. Where proposals to establish research natural areas arise outside of the forest planning process, the affected Forest Supervisor shall prepare, as part of an establishment record (FSM 4063), a forest plan amendment in accordance with land management planning regulations (36 CFR 219.10(f); FSM 1922.5) and environmental analysis policy and procedures (FSM 1950 and FSH 1909.15). Unless catastrophic circumstances significantly alter the conditions for which a research natural area was originally created such that it no longer may serve that function, the designation of a research natural area shall be in perpetuity. The Forest Service shall cooperate with universities, private and professional organizations, and State and other public agencies to establish and maintain a national network of research natural areas primarily on federally administered lands, as well as on lands under other ownerships. Funding of all on-the-ground resource protection and management activities on research natural areas within the National Forest System shall come from funds appropriated and allocated for the National Forest System. For obtaining appropriated Forest Pest Management Funds when necessary, see FSM 3400.

4063.04 - Responsibility.

4063.04a - Washington Office.
1. Chief. The Chief reserves the authority to determine what important forest and range types are needed for a national network of research natural areas (36 CFR 251.23), and to maintain quality among Regions and Stations in the establishment and management of research natural areas through oversight and common standards.
2. Deputy Chiefs. The Deputy Chief for Research and the Deputy Chief for National Forest System have the responsibility to review the research natural area program. As part of their review the Deputy Chiefs are responsible for identifying important forest and range types needed for the national network of research natural areas and recommending approval of these types to the Chief with the concurrence of the other Deputy.
3. Staff Directors. The Washington Office Director of Forest Management Research shall maintain a national record of all research natural areas.

4063.04b - Regions and Stations.
1. Regional Foresters and Station Directors.
a. It is the responsibility of Regional Foresters, with concurrence of Station Directors, to approve all new research natural areas and to sign the implementing designation order. This authority may not be redelegated.
b. It is the responsibility of Regional Foresters and
Station Directors to establish a Regional research natural area committee to determine needs for research natural areas within each Region and each National Forest and, with assistance from this committee, to prepare an establishment record for each recommended research natural area (FSM 4063.41). In consultation with Forest Supervisors and District Rangers, Station Directors have authority to approve all management plans and to oversee and coordinate approved research on all research natural areas, except for those research natural areas in congressionally designated areas (see FSM 4063.05).
c. The authority to concur in issuance of mineral leases including access to research natural areas on National Forest System lands is reserved to the Regional Forester, in consultation with and with the concurrence of the Station Director.
d. The authority to approve management plans and to oversee and coordinate approved research on research natural areas in congressionally designated areas (FSM 4063.05) rests with Regional Foresters (FSM 2323.04c). In exercising this authority, they shall coordinate plans for research with Station Directors. The Regional Forester, with the concurrence of the appropriate Station Director, shall prepare recommendations to the Chief for any proposed Federal mineral, oil, and gas leases on research natural areas that are acquired land (FSM 2820) and on any oil and gas lease on National Forest System lands created from the public domain.
e. Only the Station Director, after consultation with the Forest Supervisor, can approve plans for temporary gauging stations and instrument shelters (FSM 4063.31).
2. Regional Research Natural Area Committee. The role of this committee is to identify the need for research natural areas on National Forest System lands and to ensure that prospective areas are identified in the forest planning process. Upon approval of a forest plan and obtaining results of subsequent surveys of the area, the committee recommends to the Regional Forester and Station Director establishment of research natural areas and assists in the preparation of establishment records.

4063.04c - Projects and Forests.
1. Research Project Leaders. Research project leaders are responsible for coordinating with Forest Supervisors any planned research activities within, and adjacent to, research natural areas.
2. Forest Supervisors. Forest Supervisors have the
responsibility to execute approved management plans for research natural areas and to administer, manage, and protect research natural areas. Forest supervisors must coordinate with the Station Director or Director's representative needed changes in management or protection. The authority to approve mining plans of operations is reserved to the Forest Supervisor in consultation with, and concurrence of, the Station Director.
3. District Rangers. District Rangers are responsible for direct administration, protection, and, in accordance with approved forest plans and/or project prescriptions, management of established research natural areas.

4063.05 - Definitions.
1. Research Natural Area. "A physical or biological unit in which current natural conditions are maintained insofar as possible. These conditions are ordinarily achieved by allowing natural physical and biological processes to prevail without human intervention. However, under unusual circumstances, deliberate manipulation may be utilized to maintain the unique feature that the Research Natural Area was established to protect." (Federal Committee on Ecological Reserves 1977. See FSM 4063.43 Suggested References, item 1.)
2. Biological Diversity. The variety and variability among living organisms and the ecological complexes in which they occur. (Office of Technology Assessment report dated March 1987.)
3. Genetic Diversity. The various forms or qualities of those elements of germplasm that control transmission of hereditary characteristics.
4. Exotic Plants or Animals. Species not native to the place where found.
5. Special Management Areas. Certain lands within the National Forest System designated administratively or by Congress for special management consideration. Examples of administratively designated areas include Archeological Areas, Historical Areas, Geological Areas, Scenic Areas, National Recreation Trails, and Research Natural Areas. Examples of Congressional designations include Wilderness, National Primitive Areas, National Recreation Areas, National Scenic-Research Areas, National Scenic Trails, and National Historic Trails.

4063.1 - Size Standards. Research natural areas must be large enough to provide essentially unmodified conditions within their interiors. In the West, 300 acres (121.4 hectares) of land is generally considered the minimum size. In the East, where it may be impossible to find areas of 300 or more acres, consider establishing smaller areas, especially in grassland systems and in areas with special vegetative, aquatic, or geologic situations. Incorporate enough acres to ensure unmodified conditions within their interiors and to protect the features and/or qualities for which the research natural area is to be established.

4063.2 - Selection. Locate those research natural areas that best represent the ecological conditions needed to complete the natural area system in areas where conflicting uses are minimal. Whenever possible, select proposed areas that show no evidence of major disturbances by humans, such as livestock grazing or timber cutting, for the past 50 years. Where possible, select entire small drainages because they maintain interrelationships of terrestrial and aquatic systems, particularly valuable as baseline areas for research and monitoring, and because they are easier to delineate and protect on the ground. In the selection of representative areas, a pristine condition is the goal. However, when candidate areas in a pristine condition are unavailable, then areas that reflect the pristine condition as closely as possible may be selected. In certain geographic regions and in certain community types, it will be impossible to find candidate areas not containing exotic plant or animal life. Under these circumstances, the best available area that qualifies in all other respects should be chosen. Do not regard failure to withdraw an area from mineral entry as a deterrent to selection and establishment of a desirable research natural area (FSM 4063.35).

4063.21 - Mapping and Recordation. Ensure that the boundaries of research natural areas are clearly identifiable in the field and in a certification page of the establishment record. Accurately depict boundaries on maps that are used for Forest Service research and administrative purposes, but do not depict boundaries on maps that are for sale to the general public.

4063.3 - Protection and Management Standards. Standards for protection and management of a research natural area must support and promote the basic objectives and purposes of establishing the area. To ensure that the standards do not digress from original objectives over time, make sure that the establishment record clearly states the objectives for establishing the area and identifies the special values for which the area is being recognized (FSM 4063.41). In addition, comply with the following standards:
1. Protect research natural areas against activities that directly or indirectly modify ecological processes. The prime consideration in managing research natural areas is maintenance of unmodified conditions and natural processes.
2. Do not permit logging or wood gathering activities.
3. In research natural areas where livestock grazing is not part of the management prescription, the Regional Forester and Station Director shall, as appropriate, establish a level of acceptable casual or incidental livestock use that can be tolerated and is consistent with the management prescription for the research natural area.
4. Where grazing is needed to establish or maintain vegetative communities, define objectives for grazing.
5. Prohibit any form of recreational use if such use threatens or interferes with the objectives or purposes for which the research natural area is established.
6. Where special orders are needed to limit, restrict, or control specific activities such as camping, seasons of use, or other uses, that are not compatible with the objectives of the research natural area, the Forest Supervisor shall issue orders pursuant to 36 CFR Part 261, Subpart B, to protect an area's features. Any such orders shall incorporate the special closure provisions of 36 CFR 261.53 (see FSM 5353 for penalties applicable to violations of orders).
7. Do not permit roads, trails, fences, or signs on an established research natural area unless they contribute to the objectives or to the protection of the area. Boundary fencing is permitted for protection against livestock or excessive human use. Buildings are not permitted. In rare instances, temporary gauging stations and instrument shelters may be desirable. Follow procedures at FSM 4063.31 for authorizing temporary physical improvements.
8. Where pest management activities are prescribed, they shall be as specific as possible against target organisms and induce minimal impact to other components of the ecosystem.
9. If practicable, remove exotic plant or animal life.

4063.31 - Authorizing Temporary Physical Improvements. In
approving plans for temporary gauging stations and instrument shelters the Station Director shall ensure that these plans specifically fix the tenure of the facility, list actions to be taken, assign time limits for completion of actions, and identify parties responsible for returning disturbed areas to a natural condition.

4063.32 - Resource Protection Guidelines. Specific management direction for research natural areas must consider measures to protect them from fire, insect, disease, and animal activity. As a general guide, extinguish as quickly as possible fires that endanger research natural areas using means that will cause minimal damage to the area (FSM 4063.41). Allow natural fires to burn only within a prescription designed to accomplish objectives of the specific natural area. Take no actions against endemic insects, diseases, wild plants, or animals unless the Regional Forester and Station Director deem such action necessary to protect the features for which the research natural area was established or to protect adjacent resources. If exotic plants or animals have been introduced into an established research natural area, the Station Director and the Regional Forester shall exercise control measures that are in keeping with established management principles and standards to eradicate them, when practical. In protecting research natural areas within congressionally designated areas (FSM 4063.05), the management direction for the research natural area must meet statuatory mandates (FSM 1920). Follow provisions in FSM 2360 and FSH 1509.11, section 19, where the research natural area is likely to involve cultural resources listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

4063.33 - Scientific and Educational Use. Encourage the use of research natural areas by responsible scientists and educators. Generally, do not authorize educational use of a research natural area by anyone below the upper class college or graduate student level. Direct scientists interested in using a research natural area to contact the appropriate Station Director to outline to the Station Director the activity planned. Station Directors approve study plans proposed by non-Forest Service scientists and execute cooperative agreements, where appropriate. As a condition of the cooperative agreement, the scientist shall be required to provide the Station Director, Regional Forester, and Forest Supervisor with copies of all data, reports, and publications resulting from the research including theses, dissertations, articles, monographs, etc. The final report on the results of the research project shall be submitted to the Forest Service no later than 1 year following completion of the research. Access to a research natural area by parties external to the Forest Service is authorized and approved by the District Ranger and shall conform to conditions specified in approved study plans and/or cooperative agreements. For research in wilderness areas, see FSM 2323. Forest Service scientists shall cooperate in research conducted by scientists from outside of the Forest Service, whenever possible, to keep informed as to the nature and progress of the work and to ensure that research natural area values are maintained. Ensure that scientists conducting research on a research natural area file copies of all research data, reports, and other pertinent documents with the Station, Region, and Forest. All researchers conducting investigations which involve the collection of flora and/or fauna in a research natural area must, as a condition of approval by the Station Director (or Regional Forester in congressionally designated areas (FSM 4063.05)) to use the area:
1. Obtain appropriate permits from State and Federal agencies.
2. Carefully control collection of endangered, threatened, or rare plants.
3. Deposit a voucher sample of each plant collected in the herbarium of the State in which it is collected. The herbarium usually is located at a land-grant college or university.

4063.34 - Vegetation Management. Use only tried and reliable vegetation management techniques and then apply them only where the vegetative type would be lost without management. The criterion here is that management practices must provide a closer approximation of the naturally occurring vegetation and the natural processes governing the vegetation than would be possible without management. Unless the manager is certain that the management practice will meet this criterion, do nothing. The Station Director, with the concurrence of the Forest Supervisor, may authorize management practices that are necessary for noxious weed control or to preserve the vegetation for which the research natural area was created. These practices may include grazing, control of excessive animal populations, or prescribed burning. Take extra care to protect undisturbed ecological climax conditions, such as old-growth forests. Use fire to preserve a vegetative type only when absolutely
necessary and then only with extreme caution.

4063.35 - Withdrawal From Mineral Entry. The Regional Forester may ask the Bureau of Land Management to withdraw a research natural area from mineral entry after its establishment in conformance with section 204 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (90 Stat. 2743, 43 U.S.C. 1701) (FSM 2761) (FSM 4063.2).

4063.36 - Mineral, Oil, and Gas Leases. Proposals to offer Federal mineral, oil, and gas leases on research natural areas are evaluated by the Regional Forester with concurrence of the Station Director using standards set forth in FSM 2820 and forwarded to the Chief for final decision.

4063.37 - Monumenting Boundaries. Upon establishment of a research natural area, clearly identify and monument corners and turning points of the boundary in the field.

4063.4 - Establishment. Document each recommended research natural area with an establishment record.

4063.41 - Establishment Record Content. Include all of the following information in the sequence listed in an establishment record for a recommended research natural area. Where a particular item does not pertain to the recommended research natural area, enter a brief statement explaining why it does not apply. Do not omit any item or leave the subject area blank. Use English units and then metric equivalents in parentheses throughout the record. Enclose the entire content in the manuscript cover (Form FS-6200-7).
1. Maps and Photographs. As a minimum, each record must contain (affixed to the inside of the front cover):
a. A legible road map showing the location of the research natural area with respect to the nearest city and the recommended access routes to the area. b. A map showing boundaries and ownership status of the proposed area with roads and trails at a scale approximating 2 inches per mile (32 mm/km).
c. A vegetational map using Society of American Foresters and/or Kuchler types with defined signs and symbols.
d. When available, a contour map must indicate the direction "North". Include photographs where they add to the report. Copies of photographs should be submitted for entry in the Forest Service Permanent Image Collection housed at the National Agricultural Library through the WO Research Natural Area Coordinator. Refer to maps and photographs in the text of the establishment record.
2. Decision Notice/Designation Order. This is a separate written instrument by which the Regional Forester, with concurrence of the Station Director, officially designates a research natural area. See FSM 4063.42 for placement of the order and for assembling and transmitting the establishment record to the Regional Forester and Station Director. Prepare a Decision Notice/Designation Order using language and format consistent with FSM 1950 and FSH 1909.15 for research natural areas both within and outside of congressionally designated areas (FSM 4063.05).
Decisions made to establish a research natural area are subject to appeal under 36 CFR Part 217. Publish notice of the decision as required by 36 CFR 217.5.
3. Signature Page. This becomes the second page of the record when the Decision Notice/Designation Order is added. Sign and date it in ink. Do not use "rubber stamp" or similar signature substitutes. Exhibit 01, FSM 4063.5 contains a suggested format for the signature page. However, the certification statement on meeting land management planning, environmental analysis, and boundary identification requirements is mandatory. This page and the remainder of the text that follows is affixed to the inside of the back cover.
4. Title. Exhibit 02, FSM 4063.5 displays the recommended format for a title page.
5. Text. Starting with "Introduction" and ending with "Appendix" use all of the following underlined titles in the establishment record.
a. Introduction. Include historical background, uses, and ownership. Identify if the proposed area is within designated wilderness, wild and scenic river, national recreation area, or other congressionally designated areas (FSM 4063.05).
(1) Land Management Planning. Indicate whether or not the Research Natural Area was included in the analysis and recommendations in the Forest Plan. If not, reference the Forest Plan amendment making the recommendation.
b. Objectives. Clearly state the objective(s) of establishing the research natural area. They shall be based upon the elements and values the area contains and shall reflect how the research natural area can best serve the objectives listed under FSM 4063.02. These objectives form the basis for any subsequent protection and management standards (FSM 4063.3) devised for the area.
c. Justification Statement for Establishment of Area. Explain how the recommended research natural area fills a gap in the research natural area system and/or contains endangered, threatened, or unique species of plants or animals that merit habitat research.
d. Principal Distinguishing Features. Describe vegetation, aquatic or geologic types, unique floral assemblage, threatened or endangered biota, and so forth.
e. Location.
(1) State the Name of the National Forest. Indicate if other National Forest System lands are involved.
(2) Give the latitude and longitude in which the area occurs, in degrees and minutes.
(3) Use one of the following to describe the area:
(a) Government Land Office System. Provide the legal description in terms of township, range, section, part section, and so forth.
(b) Metes and Bounds. Use a clearly described, recognizable, permanent feature as a starting point.
(c) Where the topography is sharply defined, provide a narrative description of the boundary in conjunction with a topographic map. Record any monumentation and bearings and distances for portions not sharply defined by topography. As an example, ortho photography, County road survey markers, and monumented survey markers may be used as starting points to tie the research natural area to a known point.
(4) Give the total acreage (hectares) of the area.
(5) List elevations in feet (meters).
(6) Describe access to the area from nearby towns or cities. List recommended routes keyed to those shown on accompanying maps. Suggest mode(s) of travel. Identify existing obstructions and impediments to travel to and from the area and make recommendations for bypassing them.
f. Area by Cover Types. List in tabular form the Society of American Foresters (1980) and Kuchler types (post 1964) and acreages (hectares) involved for each type. Account for all areas (hectares) in the recommended area. Where regional or local classifications of vegetation are well established, list them. In much of the West, where the Daubenmire system of classification has been established, list habitat types. Use regional, local, and habitat type classifications to supplement or refine the primary method of cover type classification. Key these references to the cover type map.
g. Physical and Climatic Conditions. Describe physical and climatic conditions of the area. List the name of installation(s) that provided the climatological data, the length of the record, and the distance and direction of the installation from the recommended area.
h. Description of Values.
(1) Flora. List endangered, threatened, and unique species. List dominant species. A complete list is not needed for the establishment record, but record as much information as is available. Describe the habitat type of potential climax vegetation species, if possible, of the various vegetative canopy layers (such as trees, shrubs, and grasses). Use common and scientific names and list references to these names in footnotes. See FSM 4063.43, paragraph 4, for the Forest Service authority on tree names.
(2) Fauna. List rare and endangered species. List common species if this information is available. A complete list is not needed for the establishment record, but record as much information as is available. Use common and scientific names and list references to these names in footnotes.
(3) Geology. Describe the geology of the area. Provide complete title citation of important geological reports that include the area. Include the date of the studies or surveys. Indicate the existence of any special interest areas related to geology.
(4) Soils. Describe and cite available soil maps and information.
(5) Lands. Address land status, whether acquired or reserved, any outstanding rights, and so forth (FSM 5491).
(6) Cultural. Identify and describe known historical sites, Indian mounds, campsites, and so forth. Cite available cultural studies.
(7) Other. Use this category to address other features of local importance.
i. Impacts and Possible Conflicts. If establishment is not already covered by forest plans or unit guides, see FSM 1950 for environmental analysis requirements.
(1) Mineral Resources. Discuss the mineral resources thought to exist in or adjacent to the area. It may be necessary to have a qualified geologist or minerals specialist provide this information. If so, identify the professional by name, title, position, and address. Provide as much quantitative information as possible with discussion related to anticipated industry interest. Note the intention to withdraw the area from mineral entry if the proposal is approved (FSM 4063.35).

(2) Grazing. List possible conflicts and changes that might result if the area is withdrawn from grazing use, or if there is a need for grazing in the area to achieve certain research natural area management objectives. Consider the condition of existing fences and the need and estimated cost for fencing to exclude livestock. Also consider what livestock or grazing allotment management might be necessary to achieve research natural area management objectives in lieu of fencing (FSM 4063.3).
(3) Timber. List values withdrawn from the timber producing base (FSM 4063.3). List total forested acres and acreage (hectares) of commercial forest.
(4) Watershed Values. Describe watershed values of the area.
(5) Recreation Values. Describe recreation values of the area. List possible conflicts with, or changes in, recreational use of the area (FSM 4063.3).
(6) Wildlife and Plant Values. (FSM 4063.33 and FSM 4063.34). Address the maintenance of suitable habitat for endangered and threatened species.
(7) Special Management Area Values. Identify whether establishment of a research natural area will impact the purposes or management for which a congressionally designated area (FSM 4063.05) was established.
(8) Transportation Plans. Identify transportation plans that will adversely impact the area. Also, indicate the research natural area's impacts on the forest transportation system (FSM 4063.32).
j. Management Prescription. Identify management prescriptions designed to ensure maintenance of the
objectives for which the research natural area is recommended to be established. (Include prescription information from the land and resources management plan).
(1) Vegetation Management. If such practices as prescribed burning and livestock grazing are to be used to maintain ecologic conditions, describe those practices, explain their use, and list their proposed scheduling. This shall include the prescription for fire in and near the research natural area, including the use of prescribed fire and the control of natural fire. If parts of the research natural area are assigned for eventual prescribed burning, they shall be described as well as areas assigned for permanent protection from fire. Control of fire within research natural areas shall be by methods that cause the least disturbance. Normally, methods that employ machinery shall not be used. In developing the prescription for fire, consider the role of natural fire in sustaining or managing the
vegetation. If fire is prescribed, only part of the research natural area shall be allocated for prescribed burning and part shall be reserved for permanent protection.
k. Administration Records and Protection. List the title, position, and address of principal contacts responsible for administering and protecting the physical area, for approving and coordinating observational or nonmanipulative applied research, and for maintaining the area's research data file and list of herbarium and species samples collected. Highlight special protection needs. If increased law enforcement action is anticipated, identify provisions for adequately informing the public (FSM 5351).
l. Archiving. The Station Director shall establish and maintain a system for archiving data and reports from research natural areas in a manner that will facilitate the exchange and transfer of information among Stations and scientists.
m. References. List all supplementary information and cite published studies resulting from research conducted on the area.
6. Appendix. Document needed natural diversity elements; include appropriate pages from forest plans, regional guides, and environmental impact statements.

4063.42 - Assembly, Approval, and Filing. Assemble an original and two copies of the establishment record for a recommended research natural area in Forest Service manuscript covers (Form FS-6200-7). The original must contain all original materials and a signed signature page (ex. 01, FSM 4063.5). Fasten maps and photographs to the left inside of the manuscript cover. Fasten all other materials on the right side. Place the Decision Notice/Designation Order on the outside of the manuscript cover. The Regional Forester, with concurrence of the Station Director, approves establishment of a recommended research natural area by signing and dating the designation order. When the designation order is signed, it is placed in the establishment record as page one, preceding the signature page. The original establishment record is then sent to the Director, Forest Management Research. The Forest Management Research Staff in the Washington Office retains the approved original of the establishment record. One copy of the establishment record, including a reproduction of the signed designation order, is retained by the Regional Forester and one by the Station Director. The Regional Forester ensures that the designation order is noted in the landownership status record at the Regional Office (FSM 5491.24a). The Director and Regional Forester reproduce these copies and transmit them for retention in the permanent files of the involved Forest Supervisor, District Ranger, and Research Project Leader. For research natural areas within wildernesses, attach a copy of the establishment record to the management direction document for the wilderness.

4063.43 - Suggested References. Use the following references to aid in preparing the establishment record:
1. Federal Committee on Ecological Reserves. 1977. A Directory of Research Natural Areas on Federal Lands of the United States of America. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. 280p.
2. Eyre, F.H. ed. 1980. Forest Cover Types of the United States and Canada. Washington, DC: Society of American Foresters. 148p.
3. Kuchler, A.W. 1966. Potential Natural Vegetation. U.S. Department of Interior, Geologic Survey. 1969. Washington, D.C: Note: Do not use the type numbers contained in: Kuchler, A.W. 1964. Potential Natural Vegetation of the Conterminous United States. New York: American Geographical Society. 38p. 116 plates.
4. Little, Elbert L., Jr. 1979. Checklist of United States Trees (Native and Naturalized). Agriculture Handbook No. 541. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture. 375p.

4063.44 - Revision of Boundaries or Disestablishment. The procedures for revising the boundaries of, or disestablishing, a research natural area are the same as those for forest and range experimental areas (FSM 4062.3 and FSM 4062.4).

4063.5 - Exhibits. This section contains exhibits needed to implement research natural area establishment and management policy

4063.5 - Exhibit 01

SIGNATURE PAGE for RESEARCH NATURAL AREA ESTABLISHMENT RECORD
(Name of the) Research Natural Area
(Name of the) National Forest
(Name of the County and State)
The undersigned certify that all applicable land management planning and environmental analysis requirements have been met and that boundaries are clearly identified in accordance with FSM 4063.21, Mapping and Recordation and FSM 4063.41 5.e(3) in arriving at this recommendation.

Prepared by Date
(Typed name, title, affiliation of person who prepared the report)
Recommended by Date
(Typed name), District Ranger, District
Recommended by Date
(Typed name), Forest Supervisor, National Forest
Concurrence of Date
(Typed name), Station Director, Station

4063.5 - Exhibit 02

TITLE PAGE
Establishment Record for (Name of Research Natural Area) Research Natural Area
within (Name) National Forest,
(County) (State)