[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 99 (Tuesday, May 21, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 25478]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-12732]



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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Revised Forest Legacy Program Guidelines

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comment.

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SUMMARY: The Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 (CFAA) 
authorizes a Forest Legacy Program, the purpose of which is to identify 
and protect environmentally important private forest lands that may be 
threatened by conversion to non-forest uses. The Federal Agricultural 
Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 amended the CFAA to provide for 
Optional State Grants to States requesting funding support to carry out 
the Program. The Forest Service hereby gives notice of the availability 
of revised guidelines for implementing the revisions to the Forest 
Legacy Program in Fiscal Year 1996 and requests comments.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before June 20, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Director, Cooperative Forestry 
Staff, Forest Service, USDA, P.O. Box 96090, Washington, D.C. 20090-
6090, via FAX at (202) 205-1271, or via the INTERNET (ASCII only) at /
s=cf/[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Single copies of the guidelines for implementing the Forest Legacy 
Program may be obtained by writing the Director, Cooperative Forestry 
Staff, Forest Service, USDA, P.O. Box 96090, Washington, D.C. 20090-
6090, via FAX at (202) 205-1271, or by calling (202) 205-1389. 
Information may also be requested by E-Mail (ASCII only) at /s=cf/
oul=w01c@mhs=fswa.attmail.com.
    Questions about the revised Forest Legacy Program Guidelines may be 
addressed to Ted Beauvais, Cooperative Forestry Staff, at (202) 205-
1190.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 1217 of Title XII of the Food, 
Agriculture, Conservation and Trade Act of 1990 (104 Stat. 3526) and 
the Federal Agricultural Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 authorize 
the Secretary of Agriculture to provide a Federal grant to a designated 
State agency for carrying out the Forest Legacy Program. The purpose of 
the Federal grant is to provide Optional State Grants to States for the 
acquisition of environmentally important private lands and interests in 
the lands with title to the land vested in the State. Under section 
7(a) of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act (16 U.S.C. 2103c(c)), 
the Secretary of Agriculture continues to have authority to acquire 
from willing landowners, environmentally important forest lands and 
interests therein for Federal acquisition.
    The revised Forest Legacy Program guidelines are divided into three 
parts:
    Part 1--General Program Guidelines: Program direction applicable to 
all aspects of the Forest Legacy Program.
    Part 2--Federal Acquisition Program Guidelines: Program direction 
applicable to States and Forest Service units selecting the Federal 
acquisition and ownership process, where ownership of lands or 
interests in lands is vested in the United States.
    Part 3--State Grant Program Guidelines: Program direction 
applicable to States and Forest Service units where the State has 
elected the State grant option and acquisitions result in State 
ownership.
    The guidelines are for the use of agencies, State Forest 
Stewardship Coordinating Committees, and the Forest Service in 
implementing the Forest Legacy Program nationwide.
    The revised implementation guidelines are available for review and 
comment by the Governors through State forestry agencies and to land 
trusts, conservation organizations, forest industry groups, landowners, 
and other organizations interested in the Forest Legacy Program. Those 
entities currently on the Forest Legacy Program mailing list maintained 
by the Forest Service will receive direct notice of the revised 
guidelines.

    Dated: May 15, 1996.
Jerry A. Sesco,
Acting Chief.
[FR Doc. 96-12732 Filed 5-20-96; 8:45 am]
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