[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 7 (Wednesday, January 10, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 1864-1866]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-615]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service

36 CFR Part 219


National Forest System Land and Resource Management Planning; 
Review of Decisions To Amend or Revise Plans

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Interpretive rule.

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SUMMARY: The Department is adopting this interpretive rule to make 
explicit its intent regarding the procedure(s) that citizens and 
entities may use to appeal or object to plan revisions or amendments 
subsequent to the recent revision of the planning regulations at 36 CFR 
part 219 and the corollary rescission of the appeal regulations at 36 
CFR part 217.

EFFECTIVE DATE: This interpretive rule is effective January 10, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Written inquiries about this interpretive rule may be sent 
to the Director, Ecosystem Management Staff, Forest Service, USDA, P.O. 
Box 96090, Washington, DC 20090-6090.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steve Segovia, Assistant Director for 
Appeals and Litigation, Forest Service; Telephone (202) 205-1066; Fax 
(202) 205-1012.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On November 9, 2000, the Secretary of 
Agriculture adopted a final rule which revised the land and resource 
management planning rules at 36 CFR part 219 and removed the 
administrative appeal of plan decisions at 36 CFR part 217 (65 FR 
67514). The revised rule at 36 CFR part 219 establishes requirements 
for the implementation, monitoring, evaluation, amendment, and revision 
of land and resource management plans, and affirms sustainability as 
the overall goal for National Forest System planning and management. 
The intended effects of the rule are to simplify, clarify, and 
otherwise improve the planning process. To help achieve these intended 
effects, Sec. 219.32 of the recently revised planning rule establishes 
an objection process to replace the appeals process embodied in part 
217. Section 219.35 of the recently revised rule provides

[[Page 1865]]

direction to govern the transition from the previous planning process.
    Questions have arisen regarding interpretation and application of 
administrative appeal and review processes in the context of the 
transitional language provided in Sec. 219.35. As a consequence, the 
Department is issuing this interpretive rule which adds a note to 
appear as an appendix to Sec. 219.35 to explain how these provisions 
operate together. A description of the matters addressed in this 
interpretive rule follows.
    Terminology. Paragraph (b) of Sec. 219.35 uses the term 
``initiated'' in the context of plan revisions or amendments under way 
prior to November 9, 2000. The Department is clarifying the term 
``initiated'' to avert misinterpretation of the Department's intended 
application of the rule. This interpretive rule clarifies that 
``initiated'' refers to the published public notification of a proposed 
plan amendment or revision.
    Options. Paragraph (b) of Sec. 219.35 grants an option to proceed 
at the responsible official's discretion either under the 1982 
regulations in effect prior to November 9, 2000, or under the revised 
regulations. This interpretive rule makes clear that paragraph (b) 
specificially includes the option to select either the administrative 
appeal and review procedures of 36 CFR part 217 in effect prior to 
November 9, 2000, or the new objection procedures to complete a plan 
amendment or revision process initiated under the 1982 regulations.
    This rulemaking consists of an interpretive rule and is issued by 
the agency to advise the public of the agency's preexisting 
construction of one of the rules it administers--that is, 36 CFR 
219.35, in the context of National Forest System land and resource 
management planning. See, e.g., Shalala, Secretary of Health and Human 
Services v. Guernsey Memorial Hosp., 514 U.S. 87, 99 (1995). Therefore, 
under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(A), this rulemaking is exempt from the notice and 
comment requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act, and, pursuant 
to 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(2), this rule is effective immediately upon 
publication in the Federal Register.

Regulatory Impact

    It has been determined that this is not a significant rule. This 
interpretive rule will not have an annual effect of $100 million or 
more on the economy, or adversely affect productivity, competition, 
jobs, the environment, public health or safety, or State or local 
governments. This rulemaking will not interfere with an action taken or 
planned by another agency, or raise new legal or policy issues. 
Finally, this rulemaking will not alter the budgetary impacts of 
entitlements, grants, user fees, or loan programs or the rights and 
obligations of recipients of such programs. Accordingly, this 
rulemaking is not subject to Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
review under Executive Order 12866. Moreover, this rulemaking has been 
considered in light of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et 
seq.). It is therefore certified that this rule will not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities 
as defined by the Act. This rule will not impose recordkeeping 
requirements; will not affect their competitive position in relation to 
large entities; and will not affect their cash flow, liquidity, or 
ability to remain in the market.

Environmental Impact

    This rulemaking has no direct or indirect effect on the 
environment, but merely clarifies the relationship of certain planning 
actions to their respective appeal procedures. Section 31.1b of Forest 
Service Handbook 1909.15 (57 FR 43180; 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. Based on the nature and 
scope of this rulemaking, the agency has determined that the 
interpretive rule falls within this category of actions and that no 
extraordinary circumstances exist which would require preparation of an 
environmental assessment or environmental impact statement.

No Takings Implications

    This rulemaking has been analyzed in accordance with the principles 
and criteria contained in Executive Order 12360, and it has been 
determined that this rule will not pose the risk of a taking of private 
property, as the interpretive rule is limited to clarification of the 
transition procedures in the new planning rule.

Civil Justice Reform

    This rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12988, Civil 
Justice Reform. The rule (1) does not preempt State and local laws and 
regulations that conflict with or impede its full implementation; (2) 
has no retroactive effect; and (3) will not require administrative 
proceedings before parties may file suit in court challenging its 
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 agency has assessed the effects of this rule on State, local 
and tribal governments and the private sector. This rule will 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.

Controlling Paperwork Burdens on the Public

    This rule does not contain any recordkeeping or reporting 
requirements or other information collection requirements as defined in 
5 CFR part 1320. 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.

List of Subjects in Part 219

    Administrative practice and procedure, Environmental impact 
statements, Forest and forest products, Indians, Intergovernmental 
relations, National forests, Natural resources, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements, Science and technology.

    Therefore, for the reasons set forth in the preamble, part 219 of 
title 36 of the Code of Federal Regulations is amended as follows:

PART 219--PLANNING

Subpart A--National Forest System Land and Resource Management 
Planning

    1. The authority citation for subpart A continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; and Secs. 6 and 15, 90 Stat. 2949, 
2952, 2958 (16 U.S.C. 1604, 1613).


    2. Add an appendix at the end of Sec. 219.35 to read as follows:


Sec. 219.35  Transition.

* * * * *

Appendix A to Sec. 219.35

Interpretive Rule Related to Paragraph 219.35(b)

    The Department is making explicit its preexisting understanding 
of paragraph (b) of this section with regard to the appeal or 
objection procedures that may be applied to amendments or revisions 
of land and resource management plans during the transition from the 
appeal procedures of 36 CFR part 217 in effect prior to November 9, 
2000 (See CFR 36 parts 200 to 299, Revised as of July 1, 2000), to 
the objection procedures of Sec. 219.32 as follows:

[[Page 1866]]

    1. The option to proceed under the 1982 regulations or under the 
provisions of this subpart specifically includes the option to 
select either the administrative appeal and review procedures of 36 
CFR part 217 in effect prior to November 9, 2000, or the objection 
procedures of 36 CFR 219.32.
    2. The Department interprets the term ``initiated,'' as used in 
paragraph (b) of this section, to indicate that the agency has 
issued a Notice of Intent or other public notification announcing 
the commencement of a plan revision or amendment as provided for in 
the Council on Environmental Quality regulations at 40 CFR 1501.7 or 
in Forest Service Handbook 1909.15, Environmental Policy and 
Procedures Handbook, section 11.
* * * * *

    Dated: January 4, 2001.
Dan Glickman,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 01-615 Filed 1-5-01; 1:38 pm]
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