[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 154 (Friday, August 8, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46242-46244]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-18283]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service

RIN 0596-AC54


Sensitive Species and Endangered Species Act Section 7 
Consultation Policy for National Forest System Land Management Planning 
Under the 2008 Planning Rule

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of issuance of interim directive; request for comment.

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SUMMARY: The Forest Service has issued an interim directive (ID) 2670-
2008-1 to the Forest Service Manual 2670, sections 45 and 46, to 
clarify sensitive species and Endangered Species Act policy 
responsibilities of Forest Supervisors and District Rangers when 
developing, amending, or revising Land Management Plans (LMPs) under 
the 2008 Planning Rule, or carrying out projects and activities 
consistent with those LMPs (36 CFR part 219).

DATES: This Interim Directive is effective August 8, 2008. Comments 
must be received in writing by September 8, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to: Forest Service, USDA, Attn: 
Director Wildlife, Fish, Watershed, Air and Rare Plants, Mail Stop 
1121, Washington, DC 20250-1125. Comments may also be e-mailed to: 
[email protected].
    All comments, including names and addresses when provided, are 
placed in the record and are available for public inspection and 
copying. Persons wishing to inspect the comments are encouraged to call 
ahead, contacting Wayne Owen, 202-205-1262.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marc Bosch, Wildlife, Fish, Watershed, 
Air and Rare Plants Staff, (202) 205-1220. The ID 2670-2008-01 is 
available electronically from the Forest Service via the World Wide 
Web/Internet at http://www.fs.fed.us/im/directives and in this notice. 
Single paper copies of the amendment are also available by contacting 
Marc Bosch, Threatened, Endangered, and Sensitive Species National 
Program Leader, Wildlife, Fish, Watershed, Air and Rare Plants Staff, 
(Mail Stop 1121), Forest Service, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Washington, DC 20250-1121.
    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: This interim directive (ID) clarifies the 
responsibilities of Forest Supervisors when developing, amending, or 
revising Land Management Plans (LMPs) under the 2008 Planning Rule. 
This ID also clarifies responsibilities of Forest Supervisors and 
District Rangers when approving projects and activities consistent with 
those (36 CFR part 219).
    The intended effect of issuing this interim directive is to provide 
guidance to those Forest Service line officers and other agency 
employees who are developing and revising LMP's under the 2008 Planning 
Rule regarding sensitive species and Endangered Species Act policy 
responsibilities. Because of pending LMP revisions, and to align agency 
policy with statutory and regulatory responsibilities, there is an 
immediate need to supersede the existing Forest Service Manual 
regarding policies that apply to such revisions. Public comments on 
this interim direction will be considered in the development of final 
direction. A comprehensive review of the entire FMS 2670 chapter is 
being done, and further changes may result from that separate effort.
    The ID clarifies proper consideration of Forest Service manual 
direction for

[[Page 46243]]

sensitive species to reflect and align with the direction for forest 
plans to be completed under the 2008 Planning Rule. The species 
diversity component of the framework for ecological sustainability 
under the 2008 Planning Rule uses species of concern (SOC) and species 
of interest (SOI) to address the diversity requirements in the National 
Forest Management Act. Species conservation using SOC and SOI is an 
integral part of the forest planning process for Ecosystem Diversity 
and Species Diversity and replaces the need for sensitive species.
    FSM 2670 chapter concerning sensitive species remains unchanged for 
LMPs not developed, amended, or revised under the 2008 Planning Rule 
and for approving projects and activities consistent with those LMPs.
    The ID also describes changes needed because the framework for 
ecological sustainability established under the 2008 Planning Rule 
makes a biological evaluation for an LMP developed, amended or revised 
under the 2008 Planning Rule contingent on whether the LMP will have 
effects on listed species or designated critical habitat under the 
Endangered Species Act (ESA).
    Responsibilities remain unchanged for conducting ESA section 
7(a)(2) consultation for projects and activities that are consistent 
with the relevant LMP.

Regulatory Certifications

Environmental Impact

    This proposed interim directive to Forest Service Manual 2670 
clarifies sensitive species and Endangered Species Act policy 
responsibilities of Forest Supervisors and District Rangers when 
developing, amending or revising Land Management Plans under the 2008 
Planning Rule, or for carrying out projects and activities consistent 
with those LMPs (36 CFR part 219). Section 31.1b of FSH 1909.15 (57 FR 
43180, September 18, 1992) excludes from documentation in an 
environmental assessment or impact statement ``rules, regulations, or 
policies to establish servicewide administrative procedures, program 
processes, or instructions.'' The agency's preliminary assessment is 
that this interim action falls within this category of actions, and 
that no extraordinary circumstances exist as currently defined which 
would require preparation of an environmental impact statement or 
environmental assessment. A final determination will be made upon 
adoption of the final directive.

Regulatory Planning and Review

    This proposed interim directive has been reviewed under USDA 
procedures and Executive Order 12866, amended by Executive Order 13422, 
Regulatory Planning and Review. It has been determined that this is not 
a significant policy. This policy to clarify agency direction will not 
have an annual effect of $100 million or more on the economy nor 
adversely affect productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, 
public health or safety, nor State or local governments. This policy 
would not interfere with an action taken or planned by another agency 
nor raise new legal or policy issues. Finally, this action would not 
alter the budgetary impact of entitlements, grants, user fees, or loan 
programs or the rights and obligations of recipients of such programs. 
Accordingly, this policy is not subject to Office of Management and 
Budget review under Executive Order 12866.
    Moreover, this proposed policy has been considered in light of 
Executive Order 13272 regarding proper consideration of small entities 
and the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 
(SBREFA), which amended the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et 
seq.). An initial small entities flexibility assessment has been made 
and it has been determined that this action will not have a significant 
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities as defined by 
SBREFA.

Unfunded Mandates

    Pursuant to Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (2 
U.S.C. 1531-1538), which the President signed into law on March 22, 
1995, the agency has assessed the effects of this action on State, 
local, and tribal governments and the private sector. This action would 
not compel the expenditure of $100 million or more by any State, local, 
or tribal government or anyone in the private sector. Therefore, a 
statement under section 202 of the act is not required.

Controlling Paperwork Burdens on the Public

    This interim directive does not contain any additional record-
keeping or reporting requirements associated with the special uses 
program or other information collection requirements as defined in 5 
CFR part 1320 that are not already required by law or not already 
approved for use. Accordingly, the review provisions of the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and its implementing 
regulations at 5 CFR part 1320 do not apply.

    Dated: July 3, 2008.
Gloria Manning,
Associate Deputy Chief for National Forest Systems.
    Specific changes to the manual text include adding new paragraphs 7 
and 8 to section 2670.45 and adding new paragraph 6 to section 2670.46.

2670.45--Forest Supervisors

    7. When developing, amending or revising Land Management Plans 
(LMP) under the 2008 Planning Rule (36 CFR part 219; see also FSM 
1921.73, and FSH 1909.12) and approving a project of activity 
consistent with those LMPs, do not apply guidance contained in this 
chapter (FSM 2670) that pertains to sensitive species.
    8. Approval of an LMP, amendment, or revision developed under the 
2008 Planning Rule is an action that typically will have no effect on 
listed species or designated critical habitat under the Endangered 
Species Act (ESA). However, an LMP, amendment or revision is itself not 
an action within the meaning of the ESA. Do not apply guidance 
contained in this chapter (FSM 2670) that pertains to conducting a 
biological assessment unless the LMP, amendment, or revision may have 
an effect on threatened or endangered species or is likely to 
jeopardize the continued existence of a proposed species, or will 
result in the destruction or adverse modification of designated or 
proposed critical habitat (FSM 2670.31). Collaboration with the Fish 
and Wildlife Service and NOAA Fisheries under section 7(a)(1) on the 
LMP for the conservation of endangered and threatened species is 
appropriate. Continue coordination of projects and activities with 
state and federal agencies, groups, and individuals interested in 
species diversity. When developing and approving projects or 
activities, ensure they are consistent with LMP components for 
ecosystem and species diversity, species-of-concern and/or species-of-
interest.

2670.46--District Rangers

    6. When developing and approving projects or activities consistent 
with an LMP developed, amended or revised under the 2008 Planning Rule 
(36 CFR part 219; see also FSM 1921.73 and FSH 1909.12), do not apply 
guidance contained in this chapter (FSM 2670) that pertains to 
sensitive species. Continue coordination of projects and activities 
with state and federal agencies, groups, and individuals interested in 
species diversity. When

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developing and approving projects or activities, ensure they are 
consistent with LMP components for ecosystem and species diversity, 
species-of-concern and/or species-of-interest.

[FR Doc. E8-18283 Filed 8-7-08; 8:45 am]
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