[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 144 (Friday, July 25, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43402-43403]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-17111]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Forest Service Manual 2360 for Heritage Program Management

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of availability of final directive.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Forest Service is issuing a new directive to Forest 
Service Manual 2360 for Heritage Program Management. The Forest Service 
Manual for the Heritage Program was last amended in 1991. The new 
directive addresses laws, amendments, and Executive orders passed since 
1991 and issues that are increasingly important to the Forest Service 
Heritage Program including increased Tribal coordination on a variety 
of issues from re-burial of human remains to tourism, growth of 
educational travel and heritage tourism, emphasis on use of historic 
properites, and increased theft of American antiquities.
    The directive provides Heritage Program guidance to Forest Service 
land managers. It does not change management direction, but rather 
clarifies responsibilities, authorities, and internal procedures to 
improve the management and protection of cultural resources on National 
Forest System lands.

DATES: This directive is effective July 25, 2008.

ADDRESSES: The directive is available at http://www.fs.fed.us/cgi-bin/Directives/get_dirs/fsm?2300!. Single paper copies of the directive 
are also available by contacting April Thorne, Recreation and Heritage 
Resources (Mail Stop 1125), Forest Service, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20250, 
telephone 202-205-3562.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Kaczor, Federal Preservation 
Officer, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 201 14th 
Street, NW., Washington, DC 20250, e-mail: [email protected], telephone 
202-205-1427.
    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: In addition to legislation and regulation 
passed prior to 1991, this directive incorporates laws, regulations, 
and Executive orders passed since 1991 that affect Heritage Program 
management, including:

    1992--Amendments to the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA).
    2000--E.O. 13175--Consultation with Indian Tribal Governments.
    2003--43 CFR 10--Native American Graves and Repatriation 
Regulations.
    2003--E.O. 13287--Preserve America
    2004--Amendments to the 36 CFR 800 regulations implementing the 
National Historic Preservation Act.
    2004--E.O. 13327--Federal Real Property Asset Management.
    2004--Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act.
    2005--Forest Service Facility Realignment and Enhancement Act.

Goals of FSM 2360--Heritage Program Management

    The goals of the updated direction in Forest Service Manual 2360 
are to:
    1. Improve cultural resource stewardship on National Forest System 
lands.
    2. Establish consistent Heritage program implementation across 
Forest Service units.
    3. Increase efficiency in Heritage Program support to other Forest 
Service programs.
    4. Improve and expand Forest Service partnerships with the public 
and with Indian tribal communities in the interest of historic 
preservation.
    5. Improve and expand the delivery of Heritage programs and 
products to the American public.

FSM 2360 Sections

    2361--Consultation and Coordination describes consultation and 
coordination with State, Tribal, and local governments, other Federal 
agencies, and the public in all facets of Heritage Program management.
    2362--Planning includes guidance on the integration of heritage 
issues in agency planning efforts and development of management plans 
for the Heritage Program and for individual historic properties.
    2363--Identification, Evaluation, and Allocation to Management 
Categories describes the process to identify cultural resources that 
are eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places 
and recommend management that protects the value of cultural resources 
and maximizes their benefit to the agency and the public.
    2364--Protection and Stewardship describes requirements to protect 
cultural resources from environmental damage, effects of agency or 
agency-authorized undertakings, and illegal activity or unauthorized 
use. It provides guidance on conservation, study, and formal 
designations of historic properties.
    2365--Public Education and Outreach provides guidelines for the 
delivery of heritage values to the public through the Forest Service 
Windows on the Past program.
    2366--Management of Heritage Collections describes types of 
collections and curation standards.
    2367--Permits, Agreements, and Contracts provides guidance for the

[[Page 43403]]

issuance of permits, agreements, and contracts for Heritage Program 
work.
    2368--Information Management and Reporting identifies the 
importance of maintaining up-to-date electronic data for the Heritage 
Program and explains confidentiality options for sensitive cultural 
resource information.

    Dated: July 21, 2008.
Gloria Manning,
Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System.
[FR Doc. E8-17111 Filed 7-24-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P