Notice2022-12071
Request for Information (RFI) Regarding Wildfire Crisis Implementation Plan
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
June 6, 2022
Issuing agencies
Agriculture DepartmentForest Service
Abstract
The Forest Service invites public comment on the framework, focus, and direction of its Wildfire Crisis Implementation Plan associated with the Wildfire Crisis Strategy and specific provisions of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, 2021. This Implementation Plan differs from a land management plan, which is a requirement of the National Forest Management Act. The Wildfire Crisis Implementation Plan will provide a cross-jurisdictional blueprint for coordination, collaboration and funding of restoration treatments specifically designed to reduce wildfire risk to people, communities, and natural resources in high priority, at-risk landscapes. It is intended to be a living document informed by public engagement and outreach, and projects/actions will comply with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) accordingly. We invite public comment on specific elements of the Implementation Plan, per questions outlined below. Comments will be considered in further developing and refining approaches taken by the Forest Service.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 108 (Monday, June 6, 2022)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 108 (Monday, June 6, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34234-34235]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-12071]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Request for Information (RFI) Regarding Wildfire Crisis
Implementation Plan
AGENCY: Forest Service, Agriculture (USDA).
ACTION: Request for information.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Forest Service invites public comment on the framework,
focus, and direction of its Wildfire Crisis Implementation Plan
associated with the Wildfire Crisis Strategy and specific provisions of
the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, 2021. This Implementation
Plan differs from a land management plan, which is a requirement of the
National Forest Management Act. The Wildfire Crisis Implementation Plan
will provide a cross-jurisdictional blueprint for coordination,
collaboration and funding of restoration treatments specifically
designed to reduce wildfire risk to people, communities, and natural
resources in high priority, at-risk landscapes. It is intended to be a
living document informed by public engagement and outreach, and
projects/actions will comply with National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA) accordingly. We invite public comment on specific elements of
the Implementation Plan, per questions outlined below. Comments will be
considered in further developing and refining approaches taken by the
Forest Service.
DATES: Comments must be received in writing by July 6, 2022.
ADDRESSES: Written comments concerning this notice should be sent via
email to <a href="https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public/CommentInput?project=NP-3172">https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public/CommentInput?project=NP-3172</a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrea Bedell-Loucks, Engagement and
Strategic Partnerships, Wildfire Risk Reduction Infrastructure Team,
(202) 295-7968, <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a7c6c9c3d5c2c689cbc8d2c4ccd4e7d2d4c3c689c0c8d1"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="76171812041317581a1903151d05360305121758111900">[email protected]</span></a>. Individuals who use
telecommunication 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.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of this RFI is to inform the
public and gather feedback on potential future implementation efforts
associated with provisions of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs
Act, 2021 (Pub. L. 117-58, Division D Title VIII, Sec. 40803(b)) and
the Forest Service's Wildfire Crisis Strategy (<a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/Confronting-Wildfire-Crisis.pdf">https://www.fs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/Confronting-Wildfire-Crisis.pdf</a>). This
Implementation Plan differs from a land management plan, which is a
requirement of the National Forest Management Act and ``guides
management of National Forest System lands'' (36 CFR 219.1(c)).
Background. The past 10 wildfire seasons, including 2020-2021,
highlighted the incredible challenges associated with keeping
communities safe and more resilient to the impacts of climate change
and extreme weather events. These challenges underscore a growing need
for a new land management approach within the Forest Service--one that
is designed to support strategic management and restoration of millions
of acres of land in high-risk areas to protect forest health, watershed
function, and human infrastructure.
With the need for increased pace and scale of restoration
associated with the Wildfire Crisis Strategy, the Forest Service aims
to approach on-going challenges holistically and in partnership with
employees, multiple agencies, Tribal and other governments,
communities, industries, organizations, and private landowners.
To help inform the development of the Implementation Plan, the
Forest Service has partnered with the National Forest Foundation to
host a series of virtual roundtable discussions with internal and
external audiences. Eight regional roundtables have been conducted
since February 2022, and two additional roundtables are planned (Region
9- May 31, June 1-2 and Region 10- June 7-9). These roundtables are
intended to strengthen shared approaches to how the Forest Service,
Tribal Nations, State and local governments, Federal agencies, and
partners work together to reduce risk by moving from small-scale,
independently managed treatments to strategic, science-based,
landscape-scale treatments. Information on the roundtable discussions
hosted by the National Forest Foundation can be found at <a href="https://www.nationalforests.org/collaboration-resources/wildfire-crisis-strategy-roundtables">https://www.nationalforests.org/collaboration-resources/wildfire-crisis-strategy-roundtables</a>.
Input Requested. Input is sought on the key thematic questions
covered in roundtable discussions to ensure that the Agency develops
its Implementation Plan with diverse input from all involved,
interested, and affected parties. Our intent with the issuance of this
notice is to consider such input and, as appropriate, incorporate it to
update and refine the Wildfire Crisis Implementation Plan (<a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/Wildfire-Crisis-Implementation-Plan.pdf">https://www.fs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/Wildfire-Crisis-Implementation-Plan.pdf</a>). The Forest Service is especially interested in receiving
input on the following topics, listed alphabetically with questions for
consideration:
Cross-boundary Partnerships. No single entity can accomplish all
the work needed to achieve the collective restoration that our forests
and communities need. We must build and maintain multi-jurisdictional
coalitions to work across landscapes, leverage capacity, and build
public and community support for this work. Key questions associated
with cross-boundary partnerships include: What are examples of
successful tools and approaches to multi-jurisdictional restoration
work? Are there process or policy barriers to cross-boundary
partnerships that you have encountered, including an ability to reach
under-served populations, and if so, what are some potential solutions
to these barriers? What can we readily build upon at a regional or
national level to advance cross-boundary partnerships and large-scale
forest resiliency?
Forest Products and Markets. The wood products industry has been,
and will remain, an important partner for helping to achieve
restoration outcomes and reduce wildfire risk. New and innovative uses
of forest products not only support restoration and reduce risk, but
also sequester large quantities of carbon. In these efforts, we will
need to explore current market capacity and room for innovation. Key
questions associated with forest products and markets include: What are
the on-going challenges to a healthy forest products market? How might
the Forest Service, Tribal Nations, State and local governments, and
other organizations work together to grow markets and market potential?
What opportunities are there to expand market potential and access
tribal and underserved communities?
Outcome-based Metrics and Prioritization. We are focused on
outcome-based work to achieve mutually desired priorities, including
risk to people, communities, natural resources, and other values at the
landscape scale. We will develop outcome-based performance measures to
track accomplishments, to measure effectiveness, and to inform
continued
[[Page 34235]]
work. Key questions associated with outcome-based metrics and
prioritization include: What successful prioritization approaches have
you seen at the landscape scale? How are Tribal Nations, State and
local governments, and partners involved? How have the needs of
underserved and socially vulnerable communities (including tribal
communities), and the impacts on these communities, been considered?
What tools are you currently using or interested in using, and why?
Science Supporting Wildfire Risk Reduction. Delineation of priority
treatment areas and subsequent project design will be supported by the
best available science, including social science and Traditional and
Indigenous Ecological Knowledge. Key questions associated with science
application include: What types of science products do you rely upon to
support this work? What do you see as current gaps and information
needs in the science of fuels and fire risk reduction efforts? How
effective is information sharing across communities, agencies,
disciplines, and scales (local, regional, and national), and what can
be done to improve or sustain such sharing?
Workforce Capacity. We need to rebuild skills and workforce
capacity to accomplish management treatments and fully engage with
communities at the necessary pace and scale. This will require building
and sustaining an inclusive workforce across governments and
organizations. Key questions associated with workforce capacity
include: What major constraints are you facing around workforce
capacity? What key workforce skills and knowledge are needed for fuels
reduction work? How might we ensure our collective workforce is well-
positioned to engage and support underserved and socially vulnerable
communities? Are there existing training or workforce development
programs that you have developed or are using/leveraging for this work?
Conclusion. The Forest Service is considering how best to proceed
in further developing and refining its implementation of the Wildfire
Crisis Strategy. Your input relating to the questions listed above will
be helpful in building this Plan.
Dated: May 31, 2022.
Brian Ferebee,
Senior Executive, Intergovernmental Affairs, USDA Forest Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-12071 Filed 6-3-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411-15-P
</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on June 6, 2022.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.