[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 118 (Friday, June 19, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Page 35299]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-15151]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 118 / Friday, June 19, 2015 / 
Notices  

[[Page 35299]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service

RIN 0596-AC51


Proposed Directive on Groundwater Resource Management, Forest 
Service Manual 2560

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of withdrawal of proposed directive.

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SUMMARY: On May 7, 2014, the Forest Service published an action 
proposing to amend its internal agency directives for the National 
Forest System (NFS), Watershed and Air Management to establish 
direction for management of groundwater resources on NFS lands (79 FR 
25815). The proposed amendment was intended to provide internal agency 
direction on the consideration of groundwater resources in Agency 
activities, approvals, and authorizations; encourage source water 
protection and water conservation; establish systematic procedures for 
reviewing new proposals for groundwater withdrawals on NFS lands; and 
require the evaluation of potential impacts from groundwater 
withdrawals on public resources on NFS lands. That notice invited 
public comment on the proposal.

DATES: Not applicable.

ADDRESSES: No further comments will be accepted on this proposal.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Harper, Director, Watershed, 
Fish, Wildlife, Air and Rare Plants Staff, (202) 205-1671.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Agency has determined that its proposal 
does not adequately meet its needs. Therefore, the Agency hereby 
withdraws the proposal to amend its internal Agency directives for 
Watershed and Air Management to establish direction for management of 
groundwater resources on National Forest System lands and will engage 
in a public conversation to develop revised proposed directives.
    The response to the proposal from conservation organizations and 
Tribes was generally favorable; however, States and a number of other 
organizations raised concerns that the proposed directive would exceed 
the Agency's authorities and infringe on State authorities to allocate 
water. The proposed directives did not, and any future actions will 
not, infringe on State authority, impose requirements on private 
landowners, or change the long-standing relationship between the Forest 
Service, States, and Tribes on water.
    The intent of any new groundwater proposed directive or next steps 
would be to establish a clearer and more consistent approach to 
evaluating and monitoring the effects of actions on groundwater 
resources of the National Forest System. It is clear the Agency must 
have further discussions with key publics on this issue. The decision 
to withdraw the May 2014 groundwater proposed directives will allow 
these conversations to take place. The Forest Service will use the 
additional input received from engagements with States and other 
citizen groups to develop new proposed directives to create a 
consistent approach to evaluating and monitoring effects to groundwater 
resulting from actions on NFS lands.

    Dated: June 15, 2015.
Thomas L. Tidwell,
Chief, Forest Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-15151 Filed 6-18-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3411-15-P