Access Terms

Items starting with D

DBH (Diameter at Breast Height)

The diameter of a tree 4 and 1/2 feet above the ground on the uphill side of the tree.

Decision criteria

The rules and standards used to evaluate alternatives to a proposed action on National Forest land. Decision criteria are designed to help a decisionmaker identify a preferred choice from the array of alternatives.

Decking area

A site where logs are collected after they are cut and before they are taken to the landing area where they are loaded for transport.

Decommissioning

Demolition, dismantling, removal, obliteration, or disposal of a deteriorated or otherwise unneeded asset or component, including necessary cleanup work. This action eliminates the deferred maintenance needs for the fixed asset. Portions of an asset or component may remain if they do not cause problems or require maintenance.

DEIS (Draft Environmental Impact Statement)

The draft version of the Environmental Impact Statement that is released to the public and other agencies for review and comment

Designated Right-of-Way Corridor

A parcel of land, usually linear in shape, that is identified through Secretarial Order in a land use plan or by other management decision as a preferred location for existing and future rights-of-way grants.

Designated road, trail, or area

Desired Conditions

Narrative descriptions of the ecological, social, and economic attributes of the plan area toward which management is directed.

Desired future condition

Land or resource conditions that are expected to result if goals and objectives are fully achieved.

Developed recreation

Activities that are consistent with the settings and experiences identified with the Roaded Natural (RN), Rural (R), and Urban (U) classes of the Recreation Opportunity Spectrum. These activities are usually associated with an area that has been improved or developed for recreation, such as campgrounds and picnic areas, scenic overlooks and interpretive sites, or visitor centers and resorts.