the assessment and program are two components of the US Forest and Rangelands Renewable Resources Planning Act (RPA) of 1974; the assessment is prepared every 10 years and describes the potential of the nation's forests and rangelands to provide a sustained flow of goods and services; the program is prepared every five years to chart the long-term course of the USDA Forest Service's management of the national forests, assistance to state and private landowners, and research —see renewable resource, nonrenewable resource This definition last updated 08/15/2008