[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 23 (Monday, February 4, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 6457]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-2010]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


USDA Forest Service Open Space Conservation Strategy

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of Availability.

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SUMMARY: The Forest Service is announcing the availability of the 
agency's Open Space Conservation Strategy. The Strategy provides a 
framework to strengthen and focus existing and new Forest Service 
actions for open space conservation. The goal of the Strategy is to 
conserve open space 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 potential ecological impacts and risks of 
development. The goal will be achieved through collaboration and 
partnerships--by working with willing landowners, conservation groups 
and State and local governments to promote voluntary land conservation. 
In developing the Strategy, the Forest Service solicited public 
comments through three Federal Register Notices: November 13, 2006 (71 
FR 66162); December 14, 2006 (71 FR 75228); and June 22, 2007 (70 FR 
34430). A total of over 22,000 comments were received during these 
comment periods.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Electronic copies of the Open Space 
Conservation Strategy document are available at http://www.fs.fed.us/openspace/OS_Strategy_final_web.pdf and hardcopies are available by 
contacting James Melonas, USDA 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.

    Dated: January 28, 2008.
 James E. Hubbard,
Deputy Chief, State & Private Forestry.
[FR Doc. E8-2010 Filed 2-1-08; 8:45 am]
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