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This policy establishes a common definition for ecological restoration and resilience that is consistent with the 2012 Land Planning rule. The directive provides additional guidance to implement the definition throughout Forest Service program areas by incorporating it into the Forest Service Manual. Restoration objectives span a number of initiatives in various program areas, including the invasive species strategy; recovery of areas affected by high-severity fires, hurricanes, and other catastrophic disturbances; fish habitat restoration and remediation; riparian area restoration; conservation of threatened and endangered species; and restoration of impaired watersheds and large-scale watershed restoration projects. The restoration policy allows agency employees to communicate Forest Service work more effectively in meeting restoration needs at the local, regional, and national levels. Currently an internal Forest Service interim policy for this final directive has been implemented in the field units, without any problems. This final directive aligns the Forest Service policywith current ecological restoration science and with congressional and Forest Service authorizations and initiatives.