[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 217 (Thursday, November 10, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68394-68395]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-22434]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Revision of Land Management Plans, Colville, Okanogan and 
Wenatchee National Forests, Located in Central WA

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of adjustment to Federal Register Notice of Vol. 69, No. 
46, p. 10974, March 9, 2004, and transition to the 2005 Planning Rule 
at 36 CFR 219 (Federal Register Vol. 70, No.3/January 5, 2005, p. 
1023).

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    Authority: 36 CFR 219.14(e).

SUMMARY: The Responsible Officials (Forest Supervisors) for the 
Colville National Forest and the Okanogan and Wenatchee National 
Forests will exercise their option to adjust the land management plan 
revision process from compliance with the 1982 planning regulations, to 
conformance with new planning regulations adopted in January

[[Page 68395]]

2005. This adjustment will have the following effects:
    1. The new rule redefines forest plans to be more strategic and 
flexible to better facilitate adaptive management and public 
collaboration.
    2. The new rule focuses more on the goals of ecological, social, 
and economic sustainability and less on prescriptive means of producing 
goods and services.
    3. The Responsible Official who will approve the final plan will 
now be the Forest Supervisor instead of the Regional Forester.
    4. The Colville National Forest and the Okanogan and Wenatchee 
National Forests will establish an environmental management system (per 
ISO 14001:2004(E)) prior to completion of the revised forest plan.
    5. Upon completion of final rulemaking, the planning and decision-
making process may be categorically excluded from analysis and 
documentation in an environmental impact statement and record of 
decision (see draft rule at Federal Register Vol. 70, No. 3, January 5, 
2005, p. 1062).
    6. The emphasis on public involvement will shift from public 
comment on a range of alternative plans, to a collaborative process 
intended to yield a single, broadly supported plan.
    7. Administrative review has changed from a post-decision appeals 
process to a pre-decision objection process.

DATES: Transition to the 2005 Planning Rule is effective immediately 
upon publication of this notice in the Federal Register.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Margaret Hartzell, Plan Revision Team 
Leader, Colville, Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests, (509) 826-
3275 or e-mail: [email protected]; or view our Web site at http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/colville/cow, or mail: Forest Plans Revision Team, 
1240 Second Avenue South, Okanogan, WA 98840.
    Responsible Officials: James L. Boynton, Forest Supervisor, 
Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests, 215 Melody Lane, Wenatchee, WA 
98801 and Rick Brazell, Colville National Forest, 765 South Main, 
Colville, WA 99114.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Responsible Officials (Forest 
Supervisors) of the Colville National Forest and the Okanogan and 
Wenatchee National Forests have elected to transition the previously 
initiated Land and Resource Management Plan (Plan) Revisions so that 
they fall under the requirements of the 2005 Planning Rule. The Plan 
Revision will be conducted in accordance with all Forest Service 
directive applicable to the 2005 Planning Rule.
    All three proclaimed units (Colville, Okanogan and Wenatchee) have 
their own current Plan. As part of the Revision Process, the 
Responsible Officials will revise all three Plans. Revised Forest Plans 
are expected to be approved in September 2006.
    The public will be invited to collaborate during the development of 
each revised Plan. Options for the public include any of the following 
methods: (1) Reviewing and commenting on the materials posted on our 
Web site, (2) attending open house meetings, (3) requesting planning 
team presentations to specific groups, (4) newsletters, (5) 
participating in collaborative dialogue in working groups, or (6) 
providing input during formal comment periods. Public participation and 
collaborative work on this planning process has occurred since January 
2003. This and other planning process details are available for review 
on the Web site.

    Dated: November 3, 2005.
James L. Boynton,
Forest Supervisor, Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests.
    Dated: October 27, 2005.
Rick Brazell,
Forest Supervisor, Colville National Forest.
[FR Doc. 05-22434 Filed 11-9-05; 8:45 am]
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