Notice2022-07523
Directive Publication Notice
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
April 8, 2022
Issuing agencies
Agriculture DepartmentForest Service
Abstract
The Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, provides direction to employees through issuances in its Directive System, comprised of the Forest Service Manual and Forest Service Handbooks. The Agency must provide public notice of and opportunity to comment on any directives that formulate standards, criteria, or guidelines applicable to Forest Service programs. Once per quarter, the Agency provides advance notice of proposed and interim directives that will be made available for public comment during the next three months and notice of final directives issued in the last three months.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 68 (Friday, April 8, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 68 (Friday, April 8, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20810-20811]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-07523]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Directive Publication Notice
AGENCY: Forest Service, Agriculture (USDA).
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, provides
direction to employees through issuances in its Directive System,
comprised of the Forest Service Manual and Forest Service Handbooks.
The Agency must provide public notice of and opportunity to comment on
any directives that formulate standards, criteria, or guidelines
applicable to Forest Service programs. Once per quarter, the Agency
provides advance notice of proposed and interim directives that will be
made available for public comment during the next three months and
notice of final directives issued in the last three months.
DATES: This notice identifies proposed and interim directives that will
be published for public comment between April 1, 2022, and June 30,
2022; proposed and interim directives that were previously published
for public comment but not yet finalized and issued; and final
directives that have been issued since January 1, 2022.
ADDRESSES: Questions or comments may be provided by email to
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#cb9886e58d98e58fa2b9aea8bfa2bdaeb88bbeb8afaae5aca4bd"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d98a94f79f8af79db0abbcbaadb0afbcaa99acaabdb8f7beb6af">[email protected]</span></a> or in writing to 201 14th Street SW,
Washington, DC 20250, Attn: Directives and Regulations staff, Mailstop
1132.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jay Lowe at 703-231-8079 or
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#294348444c5a0745465e4c695c5a4d48074e465f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4e242f232b3d602221392b0e3b3d2a2f60292138">[email protected]</span></a>.
Individuals who use telecommunications devices for the deaf or hard
of hearing (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 800-877-
8339 24 hours a day, every day of the year, including holidays.
You may register to receive email alerts at <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/about-agency/regulations-policies">https://www.fs.usda.gov/about-agency/regulations-policies</a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Proposed and Interim Directives
Consistent with 16 U.S.C. 1612(a) and 36 CFR part 216, Public
Notice and Comment for Standards, Criteria and Guidance Applicable to
Forest Service Programs, the Forest Service publishes for public
comment Agency directives that formulate standards, criteria, and
guidelines applicable to Forest Service programs. Agency procedures for
providing public notice and opportunity to comment are specified in
Forest Service Handbook (FSH) 1109.12, Chapter 30, Providing Public
Notice and Opportunity to Comment on Directives.
The following proposed directives are planned for publication for
public comment from April 1, 2022, to June 30, 2022:
1. Forest Service Manual (FSM) 2000, National Forest System
Monitoring Policy Development.
2. Forest Service Handbook (FSH) 5509.11, Title Claims, Sales, and
Grants Handbook, Chapter 10, Title Claims & Encroachments.
The primary method of public outreach for this proposed directive
is publication on the Forest Service website at <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/about-agency/regulations-policies">https://www.fs.usda.gov/about-agency/regulations-policies</a>, publication in the
Federal Register, use of the GovDelivery email service, and other
Agency communications resources, which may include a press release,
blog post, or social media.
Previously Published Directives That Have Not Been Finalized
The following proposed and interim directives have been published
for public comment but have not yet been finalized:
1. FSM 2200, Rangeland Management, Chapters Zero Code; 2210,
Rangeland Management Planning; 2220, Management of Rangelands
(Reserved); 2230, Grazing Permit System; 2240, Rangeland Improvements;
2250, Rangeland Management Cooperation; and 2270, Information
Management and Reports; FSH 2209.13, Grazing Permit Administration
Handbook, Chapters 10, Term Grazing Permits; 20, Grazing Agreements;
30, Temporary Grazing and Livestock Use Permits; 40, Livestock Use
Permits; 50, Tribal Treaty Authorizations and Special Use Permits; 60,
Records; 70, Compensation for Permittee Interests in Rangeland
Improvements; 80, Grazing Fees; and 90, Rangeland Management Decision
Making; and Forest Service Handbook 2209.16, Allotment Management
Handbook, Chapter 10, Allotment Management and Administration.
2. Interim FSM 2719, Special Use Authorizations Involving Storage
and Use of Explosives and Magazine Security, and FSH 2709.11, Special
Uses Handbook, Chapter 50, Standard Forms and Supplemental Clauses.
3. FSM 3800, Landscape Scale Restoration Program.
4. FSM 7700, Travel Management, Chapters Zero and 10, Travel
Planning.
Final Directives That Have Been Issued Since January 1, 2022
1. FSM 2400, Timber Management, Chapter 2420, Timber Appraisal; FSH
2409.19, Renewable Resources Handbook, Chapters 10, Knutson-Vandenberg
Sale Area Program Management Handbook; 20, Knutson-Vandenberg Forest
and Regional Program Management; 60, Stewardship Contracting; and 80,
Good Neighbor Authority. The Forest Service requested comments on
proposed amendments to several of its 2400 series directives pertaining
to the sale and disposal of forest products. The amendments address
changes in authorities, policies and direction designed to improve
efficiencies and increase the pace of forest restoration and generally
update outdated directives. The 60-day comment period for these
directives began December 17, 2020, and closed February 16, 2021. A
total of 13 comments were received and can be viewed at <a href="https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public/ReadingRoom?project=ORMS-2747">https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public/ReadingRoom?project=ORMS-2747</a>. The final
directives were issued January 4, 2022, and can be viewed at the
following websites: <a href="https://www.fs.fed.us/im/directives/fsh/2409.19/wo_2409.19_10-Amend%202022-1.docx">https://www.fs.fed.us/im/directives/fsh/2409.19/wo_2409.19_10-Amend%202022-1.docx</a>. <a href="https://www.fs.fed.us/im/directives/fsh/2409.19/wo_2409.19_20-Amend%202022-2.docx">https://www.fs.fed.us/im/directives/fsh/2409.19/wo_2409.19_20-Amend%202022-2.docx</a>. <a href="https://www.fs.fed.us/im/directives/fsh/2409.19/wo_2409.19_60-Amend%202022-3.docx">https://www.fs.fed.us/im/directives/fsh/2409.19/wo_2409.19_60-Amend%202022-3.docx</a>. <a href="https://www.fs.fed.us/im/directives/fsh/2409.19/wo_2409.19_80-Amend%202022-4.docx">https://www.fs.fed.us/im/directives/fsh/2409.19/wo_2409.19_80-Amend%202022-4.docx</a>. <a href="https://www.fs.fed.us/im/directives/fsm/2400/wo_2420-Amend%202022-1.docx">https://www.fs.fed.us/im/directives/fsm/2400/wo_2420-Amend%202022-1.docx</a>.
2. Region 10 Supplement to FSM 2720, Special Uses; Management of
Strictly Point-To-Point Commercial Transportation Under Special Use
Authorization to National Forest System Lands within the Visitor Center
Subunit of Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area. The Alaska Region final
directive supplement addresses challenges in managing strictly point-
to-point commercial transportation to and from the Mendenhall Glacier
Visitor Center (Visitor Center) during the cruise ship season (April-
October). Visitation to the Visitor Center has increased to nearly
700,000 annual visitors as of 2018, with additional growth expected
over the next several years. Existing facilities cannot accommodate the
growing number of visitors. Increased use has affected resources and
visitor safety and experiences. The final directive supplement allows
the Alaska Region of the Forest Service to restrict strictly point-to-
point commercial transportation to and from the Visitor Center during
the cruise season. The final directive supplement will enhance
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the Alaska Region's management and enforcement of authorized point-to-
point commercial transportation to and from the Visitor Center. The 60-
day comment period for this directive began June 24, 2021, and closed
August 28, 2021. Five comments were received, which can be viewed at
<a href="https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public/ReadingRoom?project=ORMS-2314">https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public/ReadingRoom?project=ORMS-2314</a>. The
final directive was issued January 13, 2022, and can be viewed at
<a href="https://www.fs.fed.us/im/directives/field/r10/fsm/2700/R10%202720.docx">https://www.fs.fed.us/im/directives/field/r10/fsm/2700/R10%202720.docx</a>.
3. FSM 2700, Special Uses Management, Chapter 40, Vegetation
Management Pilot Projects, and FSH 2709.11, Special Uses Handbook,
Chapter 50, Standard Forms and Supplemental Clauses. The Forest Service
has issued this final directive, which implements section 8630 of the
Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (Farm Bill). The Farm Bill created
a voluntary pilot project program for removal of vegetation other than
hazard trees near powerline rights-of-way on National Forest System
(NFS) lands. The final directive establishes Agency procedures to
enhance the reliability of the electric grid and reduce the threat of
wildfire due to vegetation-related conditions adjacent to powerline
facility rights-of-way. Approved vegetation management pilot projects
will allow electric utilities to conduct voluntary vegetation
management, other than removal of hazard trees, up to 150 feet from
either side of a powerline facility right-of-way and for a total width
of up to 200 feet. The 30-day comment period for this directive began
December 10, 2020, and closed January 11, 2021. Four comments were
received, which can be viewed at <a href="https://cara.ecosystem-management.org/Public/ReadingRoom?project=ORMS-2717">https://cara.ecosystem-management.org/Public/ReadingRoom?project=ORMS-2717</a>. The final directive was issued
February 10, 2022, and can be viewed at <a href="https://www.fs.fed.us/im/directives/fsm/2700/wo_2740-Amend%202022-1.docx">https://www.fs.fed.us/im/directives/fsm/2700/wo_2740-Amend%202022-1.docx</a>.
4. FSH 2709.11, Special Uses Handbook, Chapter 80, Operating Plans
and Agreements for Powerline Facilities. The Forest Service has issued
this final directive, which implements section 512 of the Federal Land
Policy and Management Act (FLPMA), as added by the Consolidated
Appropriations Act of 2018. The final directive will help reduce
threats of wildfire and enhance electric system reliability by
establishing Agency procedures for development, review, and approval of
proposed operating plans and agreements for vegetation management,
inspection, and operation and maintenance of powerline facilities on
NFS lands. The 30-day comment period for this directive began December
10, 2020, and closed January 11, 2021. Fourteen comments were received,
which can be viewed at <a href="https://cara.ecosystem-management.org/Public/ReadingRoom?project=ORMS-2718">https://cara.ecosystem-management.org/Public/ReadingRoom?project=ORMS-2718</a>. The final directive was issued February
10, 2022, and can be viewed at <a href="https://www.fs.fed.us/im/directives/fsh/2709.11/wo_2709.11_80-Amend%202022-1.docx">https://www.fs.fed.us/im/directives/fsh/2709.11/wo_2709.11_80-Amend%202022-1.docx</a>.
Dated: April 4, 2022.
Amelia I. Steed,
Acting Deputy Director, Directives and Regulations, Strategic Planning,
Budget, & Accountability.
[FR Doc. 2022-07523 Filed 4-7-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411-15-P
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