[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 24 (Tuesday, February 5, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8104-8105]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-02588]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


First Phase of the Forest Planning Process for the Bio-Region; 
Correction

AGENCY: USDA, Forest Service.

ACTION: Notice; correction.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service, Pacific 
Southwest Region, published a notice in the Federal Register of January 
24, 2013, (78 FR 5165) which concerned initiating a forest planning 
process under the new planning rule entitled First Phase of the Forest 
Planning Process for the Bio-Region. The document contained incorrect 
wording describing the Notice as a Notice of Intent and introducing 
terms associated with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process, 
and extraneous material not associated with the forest planning 
revision process.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ronald L. Pugh, Deputy Director, 
Ecosystem Planning, 707-562-8951. 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 
Time, Monday through Friday.

Correction

    In the Federal Register of January 24, 2013, in FR doc. 2013-1254, 
on page 5165, in the first column, correct the SUMMARY to read:
    The Department of Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service, Pacific 
Southwest Region is initiating the first phase of the forest planning 
process pursuant to the 2012 Forest Planning Rule. This process results 
in Forest Land Management Plans which describe the strategic direction 
for management of forest resources for the next ten to fifteen years on 
these National Forests. The first phase of the process, the assessment 
phase, has begun on the Sequoia, Sierra, and Inyo National Forests and 
that interested parties are invited to contribute in the development of 
the assessment (36 CFR 219.6), and that associated NEPA processes will 
be initiated after its completion.
    In the Federal Register of January 24, 2013, in FR doc. 2013-1254, 
on page 5165, in the second column, correct the DATES to:
    The assessments for the Inyo, Sequoia, and Sierra National Forests 
will be completed by December 31, 2013. Following completion of the 
assessments each forest will initiate procedure pursuant to the NEPA 
and prepare forest plan revisions.
    In the Federal Register of January 24, 2013, in FR doc. 2013-1254, 
on page 5165, in the second column, correct the SUPPLEMENTARY 
INFORMATION to read:
    The National Forest Management Act (NFMA) of 1976 requires that 
every National Forest System (NFS) unit develop a land management plan 
(LMP). On April 9, 2012, the Forest Service finalized its land 
management planning rule (2012 Planning Rule), which provides broad 
programmatic direction to National Forests and National Grasslands for 
developing and implementing their land management plans (LMPs). Forest 
plans describe the strategic direction for management of forest 
resources for ten to fifteen years, and are adaptive and amendable as 
conditions change over time. Under the 2012 Planning Rule, the 
assessment of ecological, social, and economic trends and conditions is 
the first stage of the planning process. The second stage is a 
development and decision process guided, in part, by the National 
Environment Policy Act (NEPA) and includes the preparation of Draft 
Environmental Impact Statement and Revised Forest Plan for public 
review and comment, and the preparation of the Final Environmental 
Impact Statement and Revised Forest Plan. The third stage of the 
process is monitoring and feedback, which is ongoing over the life of 
the revised forest plans.
    The Pacific Southwest Region of the Forest Service, United States 
Department of Agriculture, along with the Sierra, Inyo, and Sequoia 
National Forests, is preparing assessments pursuant to 2012 Forest 
Planning Rule. The assessments will rapidly evaluate existing 
information about relevant ecological, economic, and social conditions, 
trends, and sustainability and their relationship to land management 
plans within the context of the broader landscape. The assessments will 
identify existing information relevant to the planning areas and build 
common understanding of that information prior to initiating formal 
plan revision processes. The process to develop these assessments will 
be carried out using an open, collaborative, and transparent public 
engagement process. With this notice, the agency invites other 
governments, non-governmental parties, and the public to contribute in 
assessment development. The intent of public engagement during 
development of the assessment is to identify as much relevant 
information as possible to inform the land management plan development 
process. We encourage contributors to share material about existing 
conditions, trends, and perceptions of social, economic, and ecological 
systems relevant to the planning process. Public participation in the 
assessment process supports the development of relationships of key 
stakeholders throughout the plan development process and is a first 
step to understanding current conditions, available data, and feedback 
needed to support a strategic, efficient planning process.
    Due to commonality of issues and the broader landscape to consider, 
these assessment processes will begin with a larger geographic or 
regional assessment. This broader area evaluation will not only provide 
a landscape scale context for the revision of the Inyo, Sequoia, and 
Sierra National Forests, it will provide information that will be used 
as the agency moves into the revision process for adjacent forests in 
the near future, and provide for a more comprehensive and efficient 
process.
    We are committed to collaboration and to strengthening public 
engagement throughout the process. Collaboration and communication 
plans are being developed with the help of stakeholders at the regional 
and forest levels. Each plan is unique to the needs of the people and 
communities being served. Regional and forest specialists have begun 
collecting information and working with stakeholders to describe 
existing resource conditions and trends. If you would like to 
contribute to the process or for more information, please contact 
Ronald L. Pugh, Deputy Director, Ecosystem Planning of the Pacific 
Southwest Region, 707-562-8951 or visit intranet site: 
www.ourforestplace.ning.com. The projected completion date for the 
assessments for the Inyo, Sequoia, and Sierra National Forests is 
December 31, 2013.


[[Page 8105]]


    Dated: January 31, 2013.
Randy Moore,
Regional Forester.
[FR Doc. 2013-02588 Filed 2-1-13; 11:15 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P