[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 55 (Wednesday, March 23, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14637-14642]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-5652]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
RIN 0596-AC02
National Forest System Land Management Planning Directives
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of issuance of agency interim directives; request for
comment.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Forest Service has issued twelve (12) interim directives
to Forest Service Manuals 1330, 1900, and 1920 and Forest Service
Handbook 1909.12 establishing procedures and responsibilities for
implementing the National Forest land management planning regulation
set out at 36 CFR part 219. The planning regulation was published in
the Federal Register on January 5, 2005 (70 FR 1023). The intended
effect of issuance of these IDs is to provide consistent overall
guidance to Forest Service line officers and agency employees in
developing, amending, or revising land management plans for units of
the National Forest System. Public comment is invited and will be
considered in developing final directives.
DATES: Interim directive no. 1330-2005-1, 1900-2005-1, 1920-2005-1,
1909.12-2005-1, 1909.12-2005-2, 1909.12-2005-3, 1909.12-2005-4,
1909.12-2005-5, 1909.12-2005-6, 1909.12-2005-7, 1909.12-2005-8, and
1909.12-2005-9 is effective March 23, 2005. Comments must be received
in writing by June 21, 2005.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments concerning these interim directives
through one of the following methods: Federal Rulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments;
E-mail: planningdirectives @contentanalysis group.com. Include ``RIN
0596-AC02'' or ``planning directives'' in the subject line of the
message. Fax: (801) 397-2601. Please identify your comments by
including ``RIN 0596-AC02'' or ``planning directives'' on the cover
sheet or the first page. Mail: USDA Forest Service Planning Directives,
c/o Content Analysis Group, PO Box 2000, Bountiful, UT 84011-2000. For
detailed instructions on submitting comments
[[Page 14638]]
and additional information on the rulemaking process, see the ``Public
Participation'' heading in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of
this notice.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Regis Terney, Planning Specialist,
Ecosystem Management Coordination Staff (202) 205-1552.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Public Participation
Please note that the Forest Service will not be able to receive
hand-delivered comments. If you intend to submit comments in batched e-
mails from the same server, please be aware that electronic security
safeguards on Forest Service and Department of Agriculture computer
systems for prevention of commercial spamming may limit batched e-mail
access. The Forest Service is interested in receiving all comments on
these interim directives (ID's). Therefore, please call (801) 517-1020
to facilitate transfer of comments in batched e-mail messages. Please
note that all comments, including names and addresses when provided,
will be placed in the record and will be available for public
inspection and copying. The agency cannot confirm receipt of comments.
Individuals wishing to inspect comments should call Jody Sutton at
(801) 517-1020 to schedule an appointment.
These ID's are issued to Forest Service Manual (FSM) 1330, 1900
Zero Code, 1920; and Forest Service Handbook (FSH) 1909.12, chapters
10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, and 80. Copies of the ID's are available on
the World Wide Web/Internet at http://www.fs.fed.us/emc/nfma/index, or
on a compact disc (CD). Copies of the directives on CD can be obtained
by contacting Regis Terney by e-mail ([email protected]) or by phone at
1-866-235-6652 or 202-205-1552. Copies may also be obtained by
contacting one of the following Regional Offices:
Northern Region: 200 E. Broadway, Federal Building, PO Box 7669,
Missoula, MT 59807, (406) 329-3511, TTY Telephone: 406-329-3675.
Rocky Mountain Region: Street Address, 740 Simms St, Golden, CO 80401,
Mailing address, PO Box 25127, Lakewood CO 80225-0127, 303-275-5350,
TTY 303-275-5367.
Southwestern Region: 333 Broadway SE., Albuquerque, NM 87102, (505)
842-3292, TTY: (505) 842-3198.
Intermountain Region: 324 25th Street, Ogden, UT 84401, (801) 625-5306.
Pacific Southwest Region: 1323 Club Drive, Vallejo, CA 94592, 707-562-
8737, TTY: 707-562-9130.
Pacific Northwest Region: PO Box 3623, 333 SW First Avenue, Portland,
Oregon 97208-3623 USA, (503) 808-2468.
Southern Region: Attn: Public Affairs, 1720 Peachtree Rd, NW., Atlanta,
GA 30309.
Eastern Region--R9: 626 East Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53202,
Phone: (414) 297-3600, TTY: (414) 297-3507.
Alaska Region: PO Box 21628, Juneau, AK 99802-1628, (907) 586-8806,
TTY: 907-586-7921.
Readers are encouraged to obtain a copy of the ID's to formulate
their comments and provide input for the development of the final
planning directives.
Background
On January 5, 2005, the Department adopted final planning
regulations for the National Forest System at 36 CFR part 219, subpart
A (70 FR 1023). This 2004 planning rule provides broad programmatic
direction in developing and carrying out land management planning. The
rule explicitly directs the Chief of the Forest Service to establish
planning procedures in the Forest Service directives system (36 CFR
219.1(c)).
The Forest Service directives consist of the Forest Service Manual
(FSM) and the Forest Service Handbook (FSH), which contain the agency's
policies, practices, and procedures and serves as the primary basis for
the internal management and control of programs and administrative
direction to Forest Service employees. The directives for all agency
programs are set out on the World Wide Web/Internet at http://www.fs.fed.us/im/directives.
Specifically, the FSM contains legal authorities, objectives,
policies, responsibilities, instructions, and guidance needed on a
continuing basis by Forest Service line officers and primary staff to
plan and execute programs and activities. The FSH is the principal
source of specialized guidance and instruction for carrying out the
policies, objectives, and responsibilities contained in the FSM.
Need for Interim Direction
Procedural and technical details associated with implementing the
2004 planning rule at 36 CFR part 219 are needed immediately for units
to be able to begin or adapt plan amendments or plan revisions. About
42 revision efforts are currently ongoing under the 1982 planning rule.
The unit supervisors for all of these revisions have the option of
transitioning to the 2004 planning rule. These ID's provide unit
supervisors additional information so they may make an informed
decision on whether to modify their existing planning processes to
conform to the 2004 rule, or finish their revision efforts under the
1982 planning rule.
Likewise, about 4 to 5 units should be initiating their revision
efforts this year. It is imperative that these units start off on the
right foot in a consistent manner. This consistency is necessary so the
American public that is interested in more than one unit, does not
become confused and questions why units are revising plans differently.
Content of Interim Directives
The following is an overview of what the ID's contain related to
land management planning.
Forest Service Manual
FSM 1330--New Management Strategies
The ID removes new perspectives in ecosystem management from the
content of the chapter. FSM 1331 adds guidance for carrying out
environmental management systems and how to conform to the consensus
standard developed by the International Organization for
Standardization (ISO) and adopted by the American National Standards
Institute, as ISO 14001: Environmental Management Systems:
Specification With Guidance For Use.
FSM 1900--Planning--Zero Code Chapter
In general, the zero code sections of the directive coding scheme
are used to identify general instructions, such as authority,
objectives, and policy that apply to all subsequent direction within
the section where the zero code is set out. The ID to the zero code
chapter changes definitions to make them consistent with the 2004
planning rule, removes direction on The Forest and Rangeland Renewable
Resources Planning Act of 1974 (RPA) program, and replaces it with
direction on the Forest Service's Strategic Plan.
FSM Chapter 1920--Land Management Planning
Section 1920.2--Objectives
The ID to this section revises objectives 1 through 3 to reflect
the principles of the National Forest Management Act of 1976 (NFMA),
including public participation, interdisciplinary approach, and
multiple use. Objectives 4 and 5 update sustainability wording.
Section 1920.3--Objectives
The ID adds that the responsible official must conduct
sustainability evaluations within an area large enough
[[Page 14639]]
to consider broad-scale factors and trends over large landscapes when
plans are prepared or revised.
Section 1920.4--Responsibility
The ID reserves the authority to the Chief to approve the schedule
of plan revisions at FSM 1920.41.
Section 1921--Land Management Planning for 2004 Planning Rule
The ID changes the caption from ``Regional Planning'' to ``Land
Management Planning for 2004 Planning Rule.'' FSM 1921.03b adds policy
that project or activity decisions should not be included in plans. FSM
1921.04 adds responsibilities for Regional Foresters, Forest
Supervisors, responsible officials, and District Rangers. FSM 1921.06
adds requirements for plan documents. FSM 1921.1 includes direction on
what constitutes a plan and describes (1) desired conditions, (2)
guidelines, (3) identification of areas generally suitable for various
uses, (4) evaluation and monitoring, (5) National Forest Management Act
requirements for vegetation management, (6) objectives, (7) resource
integration requirements, and (8) special areas. FSM 1921.15 describes
requirements for identification of areas generally suitable for various
uses. FSM 1921.16 provides an exhibit on special designated areas,
including designating official, and cross-references.
FSM 1921.17 adds a section on National Forest Management Act
requirements. FSM 1921.17a adds requirements for vegetation management
in carrying out site-specific projects. FSM 1921.17b adds requirements
for vegetation management guidance in land management plans. FSM
1921.17c adds requirements for determining the general suitability of
lands for timber harvest and identification of lands not suitable for
timber production with reevaluation to occur every 10 years. FSM
1921.17d adds requirements for estimating long-term sustained-yield
capacity (LTSYC) and limitation on timber harvest on ``land where
timber harvest could occur'' to equal to or less than LTSYC, and
exceptions to these limitations of timber harvest. This is a change in
policy as existing policy calculates LTSYC from timber production lands
only. FSM 1921.17e adds requirements for guidelines of maximum size
limits for even-aged regeneration harvest. FSM 1921.17f adds
requirements for guidelines of culmination of mean annual increment
(CMAI) of growth and even-aged regeneration harvest and clarifies when
CMAI concept does not apply. FSM 1921.17g adds requirements for timber
management projections and other National Forest Management Act of 1976
statutory requirements, including description of likely forest
management systems, and adds a requirement that these timber management
projections in a plan are not to be considered decisions and that they
may be administratively corrected. FSM 1921.17h adds requirements for
special conditions or situations that involve hazards to the various
resources. FSM 1921.17i adds requirements for plan guidance on
restocking.
FSM 1921.18 adds requirements for establishment of performance
measures and monitoring questions within land management plans and
provides a cross-reference to FSM 1921.5.
FSM 1921.2 includes direction on plan evaluation and includes an
exhibit showing the cycle of planning. FSM 1921.21 describes management
review of evaluations and environmental management systems (EMS)
information to determine if changes are needed in plan components. FSM
1921.3 includes an exhibit that shows the normal sequence of actions
for plans, plan amendments, and plan revisions. FSM 1921.31 describes
the need for change in plan components and FSM 1921.32 describes how to
amend a plan. FSM 1921.33 describes a plan revision. FSM 1921.4
describes plan implementation and FSM 1921.5 describes plan monitoring.
FSM 1921.6 describes public participation, collaboration, consultation,
and notification requirements.
FSM 1921.7 describes social and economic evaluation, civil rights
and environmental justice issues, ecological evaluation, ecosystem
diversity, species diversity, and plan components for sustainability.
This ID establishes at FSM 1921.74 that the rigor of analysis should be
proportional to the level of risk to ecosystems and species. A key
requirement at FSM 1921.77c states that for species-of-concern, the
plan must provide for habitats that are of sufficient quality,
distribution, and abundance to allow species populations to be well
distributed and interactive, within the bounds of the life history,
distribution, and natural population fluctuations of the species and
the capability of the landscape across the plan area.
FSM 1921.8 describes the role of science in planning, including
uncertainty, risk, independent peer reviews, and documentation. FSM
1921.9 provides guidance for carrying out environmental management
systems.
Section 1922--Land Management Planning for 1982 Planning Rule
There are minor editorial changes within this section. The caption
is changed to ``Land Management Planning for 1982 Planning Rule,''
previously titled ``Forest Planning.''
Section 1923--Wilderness Evaluation
At FSM 1923, the term ``roadless area'' is changed to ``potential
wilderness area'' to avoid confusion with the areas identified in the
Forest Service Roadless Area Conservation, Final Environmental Impact
Statement, Volume 2, dated November 2000. Guidance is added on what
areas should be subject to evaluation based on text from the 1982
planning rule. Responsibilities are added for the Forest, Grassland, or
Prairie Supervisor. Guidance is added on when a legislative
environmental impact statement is required. Finally minor changes are
made to text to agree with the 2004 planning rule.
Section 1924--Wild and Scenic River Evaluation
At FSM 1924, policy is added to complete legislatively mandated
studies within a specified study period to clarify conditions under
which previous river studies may need to be revisited. A responsibility
is added for the Regional Forester to prepare legislative proposals for
river proposals and one was added for Forest, Grassland, or Prairie
Supervisor to approve management direction for rivers found eligible or
recommended for designation. At FSM 1924.2, a section is added to
provide interim management of eligible or suitable rivers. Current text
at FSH 1909.12, chapter 8, section 8.12 regarding interim management of
study rivers is moved to FSM 1924.2.
Section 1925--Management of Inventoried Roadless Areas
This section provides a cross-reference to another interim
directive (no. 1920-2004-1) on inventoried roadless areas, which became
effective on July 16, 2004.
Section 1926--Objection Process
This section provides guidance for the pre-decisional objection
process, including guidance on: Computation of periods, evidence of
timely filing, lead objector, dismissal of objections, time frames for
resolving objections, response of reviewing officials, and maintaining
records.
[[Page 14640]]
Section 1927--Backcountry and Primitive Areas
This section establishes a reserved code for backcountry and
primitive areas for issuances of an interim directive or field
supplementation.
Forest Service Handbook
FSH 1909.12--Land Management Planning Handbook
The ID to this handbook includes a change from a 1 digit chapter
coding scheme to a 2 digit coding scheme. For example, chapter 9
becomes chapter 90. The current direction in chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,
and 6 is removed in its entirety and those chapters, with two digit
coding, are revised to be consistent with the 2004 planning rule at 36
CFR part 219. Chapters 70 and 80 (formerly chapters 7 and 8), and the
zero code chapter contain revisions to assure consistency with the 2004
planning rule.
Chapter 10--Land Management Plan
This chapter provides direction on what constitutes a plan and
multilevel planning. A 19-page exhibit in section 11 provides examples
of plan components, pre-proposal analysis, and site-specific project
proposals. Section 12 includes guidance on the three parts of a plan:
vision, strategy, and design criteria displayed in the plan model at
http://www.fs.fed.us/emc/nfma/index.html. Section 12 includes several
exhibits: Including (1) an outline of a plan and (2) a sample
environmental management systems policy and (3) sample plan components.
Section 13 includes guidance on the monitoring program and associated
performance measures. Section 14 includes guidance on resource
integration requirements for air, water, fire, recreation, heritage
resources, minerals, range, travel management, and land use.
Chapter 20--The Adaptive Planning Process
This chapter provides guidance on the adaptive planning process and
includes procedural steps for amending and revising plans. Section 24
describes how to review and evaluate a plan and provides guidance on
evaluation report content and format. Section 25 describes how to amend
or revise a plan. Section 28 describes content for the approval
document for plan development, plan amendment, or plan revision.
Section 29 describes the application of plan direction to projects.
Chapter 30--Public Participation, Collaboration, and Notification
This chapter provides guidance on how to do the public
participation, collaboration, and notification process and describes
each party's responsibilities and relationships in these processes.
Chapter 40--Science and Sustainability
This chapter provides guidance on sustainability. Section 41 is
reserved to provide a location for field supplementation on the role of
science. Section 42 describes social and economic sustainability and
provides a framework for social and economic evaluation. Section 43
describes ecological sustainability and describes how to analyze
ecosystem diversity and species diversity. The steps in the ecosystem
diversity analysis include:
1. Selecting the appropriate scales;
2. Identifying the characteristics of ecosystem diversity that will
be the focus of the analysis;
3. Developing information on the range of variation;
4. Describing the current condition of the selected
characteristics;
5. Describing the current condition of disturbance regimes;
6. Evaluating the status of the selected characteristics of
ecosystem diversity;
7. Describing risks to selected characteristics of ecosystem
diversity; and
8. Developing plan components for ecosystem diversity.
The steps in the species diversity analysis include:
1. Establishing the ecosystem context for species;
2. Identifying listed species, species-of-concern, and species-of-
interest;
3. Screening species-of-concern and species-of-interest for further
detailed consideration in the planning process;
4. Collecting information;
5. Identifying species groups/surrogate species for analysis and
management; and
6. Developing plan components for listed species, species-of-
concern, and species-of-interest.
Section 43.22 provides guidance to responsible officials in
identifying species-of-concern and species-of-interest. For instance,
it states that the responsible official may identify species with ranks
of G-1 through G-3 on the NatureServe ranking system as species-of-
concern. Additionally, section 43.22b specifies how responsible
officials may identify species-of-interest. For example, it states that
the responsible official may identify species-of-interest with ranks of
S-1 and S-2 on the NatureServe ranking system as deemed appropriate by
the responsible official. Species-of-interest may include hunted,
fished, and other species identified cooperatively with State fish and
wildlife agencies consistent with the Sikes Act.
Chapter 50--Plan Set of Documents
This chapter provides direction on what constitutes a record,
records required by the planning rule, record specifications, retention
of records, and a record checklist.
Chapter 60--Forest Vegetation Resource Planning
This chapter adds guidance on timber and forest vegetation resource
planning, including guidance on identifying lands generally suitable
for timber production, suitability determinations at the project level,
and long-term sustained-yield capacity.
Chapter 70--Wilderness Evaluation
This chapter revises terminology to be consistent with the
terminology used in the 2004 planning rule. For instance, requirements
for evaluation are changed from ``during the development of the forest
plan'' to ``during developing or revising a land management plan'' and
terms such as ``roadless areas'' to ``areas or lands.'' Changing the
term ``roadless areas'' to ``areas or lands'' avoids confusion with the
term ``inventoried roadless areas.'' ``Inventoried roadless areas'' are
those areas identified in a set of inventoried roadless area maps,
contained in Forest Service Roadless Area Conservation, Final
Environmental Impact Statement, Volume 2, dated November 2000. Section
74 adds requirements for wilderness evaluation documentation and is
direction previously found in section 4.19c.
Other changes are made to update the chapter, including removing
outdated wording because the direction is not needed, or not
applicable. For instance, at section 71.1 at paragraph 1, language
discussing the statutory definition of wilderness is removed. In
section 71.12, paragraph 4 pertaining to location of an area conducive
to the perpetuation of wilderness values is removed. In section 72.1,
(1) language discussing the range of geological, biological, or
ecological strata is removed; (2) the list of activities considered for
primitive and unconfined recreation is revised; (3) wording associated
with outdoor education and scientific study and special scenic features
is removed; and (4) wording pertaining to how boundaries affect the
manageability of an area is removed.
[[Page 14641]]
Chapter 80--Wild and Scenic River Evaluation
This chapter revises terminology, such as the term ``study report''
to ``study report/EIS'' and updates terminology, such as, ``management
prescriptions'' to ``management direction,'' and so forth. In addition,
chapter 80 provides more explicit guidance for the Wild and Scenic
Rivers (WSRs) study process that is consistent with a November 21,
1996, memorandum to Regional Foresters from the Directors, Ecosystem
Management Coordination and Recreation, Heritage, and Wilderness
Resources Staffs, Washington Office, with the U.S. Department of
Agriculture-U.S. Department of the Interior Guidelines, and with the
river study direction of other Federal agencies. These changes
strengthen and reinforce the linkage of the river study process to land
management planning. In addition, the content of original 8.12--Interim
Management of Study Rivers is moved to FSM 1924.2 and combined with
portions of the original section 8.2.
Regulatory Certifications
Regulatory Impact
This notice has been reviewed under USDA procedures and Executive
Order (E.O.) 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review. The Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) has reviewed this notice and has determined
that it is substantive, nonsignificant. The ID's would not have an
annual effect of $100 million or more on the economy nor adversely
affect productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public health
or safety, nor State or local governments. The ID's would not interfere
with an action taken or planned by another agency nor raise new legal
or policy issues. Finally, the ID's would not alter the budgetary
impact of entitlements, grants, user fees, or loan programs or the
rights and obligations of recipients of such programs.
Moreover, the ID's have been considered in light of Executive Order
13272 regarding proper consideration of small entities and the Small
Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (SBREFA), which
amended the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.). No
direct or indirect financial impact on small businesses or other
entities has been identified. Therefore, it is hereby certified that
these ID's will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities as defined by the act.
Environmental Impact
These ID's provide the detailed direction to agency employees
necessary to carry out the provisions of the final 2004 planning rule
adopted at 36 CFR part 219 governing land management planning. Section
31.12 of Forest Service Handbook 1909.15 (57 FR 43208; September 18,
1992) excludes from documentation in an environmental assessment or
impact statement ``rules, regulations, or policies to establish
Service-wide administrative procedures, program processes, or
instructions.'' The agency's conclusion is that these ID's fall within
this category of actions and that no extraordinary circumstances exist
as currently defined that require preparation of an environmental
assessment or an environmental impact statement.
No Takings Implications
These ID's have been analyzed in accordance with the principles and
criteria contained in Executive Order 12360, Governmental Actions and
Interference with Constitutionally Protected Property Rights, and it
has been determined that they would not pose the risk of a taking of
private property as they are limited to the establishment of
administrative procedures.
Energy Effects
These ID's have been analyzed under Executive Order 13211, Actions
Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply,
Distribution, or Use. It has been determined that they do not
constitute a significant energy action as defined in the Executive
order.
Civil Justice Reform
These ID's have been reviewed under Executive Order 12988, Civil
Justice Reform. These ID's will direct the work of Forest Service
employees and are not intended to preempt any State and local laws and
regulations that might be in conflict or that would impede full
implementation of these directives. The directives would not
retroactively affect existing permits, contracts, or other instruments
authorizing the occupancy and use of National Forest System lands and
would not require the institution of administrative proceedings before
parties may file suit in court challenging their provisions.
Unfunded Mandates
Pursuant to Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (2
U.S.C. 1531-1538), which the President signed into law on March 22,
1995, the effects of these ID's on State, local, and Tribal
governments, and on the private sector have been assessed and do not
compel the expenditure of $100 million or more by any State, local, or
Tribal government, or anyone in the private sector. Therefore, a
statement under section 202 of the act is not required.
Federalism
The agency has considered these ID's under the requirements of
Executive Order 13132, Federalism. The agency has made a preliminary
assessment that the ID's conform with the federalism principles set out
in this Executive order; would not impose any significant compliance
costs on the States; and would not have substantial direct effects on
the States, on the relationship between the national government and the
States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the
various levels of government. Moreover, these ID's address the land
management planning process on National Forests, Grasslands or other
units of the National Forest System, which do not directly affect the
States. Based on comments received on these ID's, the agency will
consider if any additional consultation will be needed with State and
local governments prior to adopting final directives.
Consultation and Coordination With Indian Tribal Governments
These ID's do not have tribal implications as defined by Executive
Order 13175, Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal
Governments, and therefore, advance consultation with Tribes is not
required.
Controlling Paperwork Burdens on the Public
These ID's do not contain any record keeping or reporting
requirements or other information collection requirements as defined in
5 CFR part 1320 and, therefore, impose no paperwork burden on the
public. Accordingly, the review provisions of the Paperwork Reduction
Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and implementing regulations at 5
CFR part 1320 do not apply.
Conclusion
These ID's provide consistent interpretation of the 2004 planning
rule for line and staff officers, and interdisciplinary teams. As a
consequence, the agency can fulfill its commitment to improve public
involvement and decisionmaking associated with developing, amending, or
revising a land management plan. The Forest Service has developed these
[[Page 14642]]
planning directives to set forth the legal authorities, objectives,
policy, responsibilities, direction, and overall guidance needed by
Forest Service line officers, agency employees, and others to use the
2004 planning rule.
Normally, when the agency determines that public notice and
opportunity to comment are necessary on a Forest Service Manual or
Handbook revision, the agency publishes a notice of a proposed revision
with a minimum 60-day comment period. The agency then considers the
comments, makes any changes, drafts, and publishes a final Federal
Register notice explaining the final directive and the rationale for
any changes. At a minimum, this process takes 6 months and usually
takes 9-12 months. Such a delay in issuing planning directives would
perpetuate uncertainty and confusion and delay units from beginning or
adjusting plan amendments or revisions with interested and affected
publics.
Consequently, the agency has elected to issue interim directives
and to make them immediately effective. An interim directive expires 18
months from issuance and may be reissued only once for a total duration
of 36 months. Thereafter, the direction must be incorporated into an
amendment or allowed to expire.
The Forest Service is committed to providing adequate opportunities
for the public to comment on administrative directives that are of
substantial public interest or controversy, as provided in the
regulations at 36 CFR part 216. Because it is important to provide
Forest Service units with interim direction to ensure consistent
interpretation of the 2004 planning rule, the agency is issuing these
ID's and making them effective immediately. However, pursuant to 36 CFR
216.7, the Forest Service is now also requesting public comment on
these ID's.
All comments will be considered in the development of final
directives. The full text of these Manuals and Handbook references are
available on the World Wide Web at http://www.fs.fed.us.directives.
Single paper copies are available upon request from the address and
phone numbers listed earlier in this notice as well as from the nearest
Regional Office, the location of which are also available on the
Washington Office headquarters homepage on the World Wide Web at http://www.fs.fed.us.
Dated: March 8, 2005.
Peter J. Roussopoulos,
Acting Chief.
[FR Doc. 05-5652 Filed 3-22-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P