[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 120 (Friday, June 22, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34430-34432]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-12149]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service

RIN 0596-AC68


USDA Forest Service Open Space Conservation Strategy

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of request for public input.

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[[Page 34431]]

SUMMARY: The Forest Service is inviting all interested members of the 
public to provide comments on the Draft Forest Service Open Space 
Conservation Strategy, which will help shape the Agency's strategic 
role in its national effort to conserve open space. The Forest Service 
is interested in addressing the effects of the loss of open space on 
private forests; on the National Forests and Grasslands and surrounding 
landscape; and on forests in cities, suburbs, and towns. The Draft 
Strategy provides a framework to focus existing and new Forest Service 
actions for open space conservation. Accordingly, comments on the Draft 
Strategy should focus broadly on the strategic objectives and actions 
described in the document. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for 
more background on the loss of open space and the Strategy.

DATES: Comments must be received, in writing, on or before July 23, 
2007.

ADDRESSES: Written comments concerning this notice should be addressed 
to Claire Harper or Kathryn Conant, Forest Service, Cooperative 
Forestry, Mail Stop Code 1123, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Washington, DC 20250-1123. Comments may also be sent via e-mail to 
[email protected]; or via facsimile to 202-205-1271. The agency 
cannot confirm receipt of comments. All comments, including names and 
addresses when provided, are placed in the record and are available for 
public inspection. The public may inspect comments during regular 
business hours at the office of the Cooperative Forestry Staff, 4th 
Floor SE., Yates Building, 201 14th Street, SW., Washington, DC. 
Visitors are encouraged to call ahead to 202-205-1389 to facilitate 
entry into the building.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Electronic copies of the Draft Open 
Space Conservation Strategy document are available at http://www.fs.fed.us/openspace and hardcopies are available by contacting 
Claire Harper or Kathryn Conant, Forest Service, Cooperative Forestry 
by telephone at 202-205-1389 or by electronic mail at 
[email protected]. For general information about the Open Space 
Conservation Strategy and the loss of open space, visit the Forest 
Service's Open Space Web site: http://www.fs.fed.us/openspace.
    Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) 
may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 
between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through 
Friday.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    In 2003, the Forest Service Chief identified the loss of open space 
as one of four great threats facing our Nation's forests and 
grasslands. Loss of open space is an issue that affects the 
sustainability of both the National Forests and Grasslands and private 
forests. Open space--including public and private land, wilderness and 
working land--provides a multitude of public benefits and ecosystem 
services we all need and enjoy. Three interrelated trends of 
conversion, fragmentation, and parcelization are jeopardizing the long-
term health and function of forests, limiting management options, and 
reducing opportunities for public enjoyment and use. To address the 
loss of open space threat, the Forest Service has drafted a national 
strategy that outlines how the agency plans to focus its efforts on the 
issue. This strategy provides priority actions to conserve open space, 
with an emphasis on partnerships and collaborative approaches. The 
strategy builds upon existing Forest Service expertise, resources, and 
programs, as well as expands the agency's involvement, to help conserve 
open space across the landscape and maintain healthy, resilient 
ecosystems.

II. Progress to Date

    The Forest Service published a Federal Register notice on November 
13, 2006, inviting public input to provide ideas for innovative tools 
and partnerships in achieving open space conservation. We received 
approximately 9,500 comments with over 90 percent of the respondents in 
support of a greater Forest Service emphasis on open space 
conservation.
    The Conservation Fund held three roundtable dialogue listening 
sessions on the Forest Service role in conserving open space. These 
sessions were held in Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Washington, DC; and 
Denver, Colorado in November and December 2006. In addition, we 
solicited internal comments from Forest Service employees. The Draft 
Strategy incorporates ideas and input from all the public comments and 
forums.
    Many comments expressed strong support for current State and 
Private Forestry programs--including the Forest Legacy Program, Forest 
Stewardship Program, and the Urban & Community Forestry Program. Many 
respondents look to the Forest Service to lead in convening a range of 
stakeholders around landscape level planning, researching and promoting 
markets for ecosystem services, and prioritizing critical lands for 
conservation. A small minority of comments questioned the Forest 
Service's role in State and Private Forestry in general and the 
Strategy in particular.
    A complete review of comments can be found at http://www.fs.fed.us/openspace/summary_of_public_input.html

III. Open Space Conservation Strategy

    The goal of the Open Space Conservation Strategy is to maintain the 
environmental, social, and economic benefits of forests and grasslands 
across the country by: Protecting the most ecologically and socially 
important lands; Conserving working lands as sustainable forests and 
grasslands; Expanding and connecting open spaces in cities, suburbs, 
and towns; and Reducing the ecological impacts and risks of 
development.
    Four priorities will guide Forest Service action into the future:
    A. Convene partners to identify and protect priority open space;
    B. Promote national policies and markets to help private landowners 
conserve open space;
    C. Provide resources and tools to help communities expand and 
connect open spaces; and
    D. Participate in community growth planning to reduce ecological 
impacts and wildfire risks.
    Within these four priorities, the Draft Strategy focuses on 12 
actions for the Agency--all of which will be implemented in partnership 
and collaboration with others. The actions emphasize our roles as a 
policy advisor at the national level, a convenor at the regional level, 
and an information provider and stakeholder at the local level.

IV. Next Steps

    After the 30-day comment period, the Forest Service will synthesize 
all comments received and revise the Strategy accordingly. We expect 
the final Open Space Conservation Strategy, including a response to 
comments received, will be announced and published in Fall 2007. The 
Open Space Conservation Web site will be updated to coincide with this 
announcement. After publication of the Strategy, the Forest Service 
will collaborate with stakeholders, states, and the public to implement 
the Strategy.

V. Public Comment

    During the first round of public comment, many respondents 
requested the opportunity to review and comment on a Draft Strategy. 
This notice and call

[[Page 34432]]

for public comment is a direct result of those requests.
    The Draft Strategy provides a framework to focus existing and new 
Forest Service actions for open space conservation. Accordingly, 
comments on the Draft Strategy should focus broadly on the strategic 
objectives and actions described in the document. Input regarding the 
following three questions is most useful:
    1. Are there major actions or concepts for conserving open space 
missing in the Draft Strategy;
    2. Has the Draft Strategy outlined strategic priorities that will 
best leverage Forest Service expertise, resources, and partnerships to 
conserve open space; and
    3. Are the proposed priority actions feasible and complementary to 
other conservation efforts?
    By receiving input from people with diverse interests and 
perspectives, the Agency hopes to attain an array of viewpoints and 
ideas regarding the Open Space Conservation Strategy. Feedback from a 
range of interested individuals will assist the Agency in developing a 
well-informed, focused, and effective strategy to address the loss of 
open space threat.

    Dated: June 14, 2007.
James Hubbard,
Deputy Chief, State and Private Forestry.
 [FR Doc. E7-12149 Filed 6-21-07; 8:45 am]
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