[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 247 (Tuesday, December 26, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 77367]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-22063]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Procedures for Third Party Facilitated Land Exchanges

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of Issuance of Agency Interim Directive.

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SUMMARY: The Forest Service is issuing an interim directive to Forest 
Service Handbook (FSH) 5409.13--Land Acquisition Handbook to provide 
additional guidance to its employees for using third party facilitators 
in a real estate action.

DATES: This interim directive is effective December 26, 2006.

ADDRESSES: This interim directive (id--5409.13-2006-1) is available 
electronically from the Forest Service via the World Wide Web/Internet 
at http://www.fs.fed.us/im/directives. Single paper copies of the 
interim directive are also available by contacting Maryanne 
Kurtinaitis, Lands Staff (Mail Stop 1124), Forest Service, 1400 
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-1124 (telephone 202-205-
1264).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Maryanne Kurtinaitis, Lands Staff, 
(202) 205-1264.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The interim directive to Forest Service 
Handbook (FSH) 5409.13, section 32.2 provides additional guidance when 
a third party facilitator is used in a real estate action. Several 
problems have been identified with facilitated land exchanges, 
including third party facilitators not being legally authorized in 
writing by non-Federal landowners to represent their interests, and 
non-Federal landowners not being adequately informed and involved by 
the third party facilitator and the Forest Service.
    The effect of these situations may be that while the Forest Service 
incurs appraisal, environmental analysis, and other costs associated 
with a proposed exchange, the facilitator may not have bound the non-
Federal landowner or lands to enable completion of the exchange upon an 
affirmative decision.

    Dated: December 19, 2006.
Dale N. Bosworth,
Chief, Forest Service.
 [FR Doc. E6-22063 Filed 12-22-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P