[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 229 (Monday, November 30, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 74740-74741]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-30347]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service

36 CFR Part 216


Request for Information (RFI) Regarding Involving the Public in 
the Formulation of Forest Service Directives

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Request for Information.

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

SUMMARY: The Department of Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service, Business 
Operations, Office of Regulatory and Management Services (ORMS) is 
preparing to revise a portion of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 
governing public participation requirements and procedures related to 
the issuance or revision of internal Agency directives. The Forest 
Service is committed to ensuring that a broad and representative cross-
section of the interested public is provided advance notice and a full 
and fair opportunity to comment upon the formulation of standards, 
criteria, and guidelines applicable to Forest Service programs. In 
keeping with this commitment, the Agency is interested in enhancing its 
public engagement and expanding its approach for public notice and 
comment beyond just formal rulemaking. The Agency has identified a need 
to update the relevant regulations to reflect the varied media 
consumption patterns of key Forest Service stakeholders and the public 
at large. These potential regulatory revisions are also necessary to 
ensure that written policies align with the Agency's current practices, 
which have changed to ensure compliance with recent court orders.
    The Agency is hosting a webinar for all interested members of the 
general public to inform the public of these changes to the Forest 
Service's public participation procedures. This session will include 
additional information on the need for these changes and the outcomes 
the Agency is seeking to achieve. It will also include an outline of a 
potential path forward and provide attendees an opportunity to ask 
questions, provide input, and suggest ideas.

[[Page 74741]]


DATES: A webinar will be held for interested members of the general 
public on Tuesday, December 15, 2015, from 1:00-2:30 p.m. Eastern 
Standard Time/10:00-11:30 a.m. Pacific Standard Time.

ADDRESSES: The webinar will be held via Adobe Connect web conferencing 
software. To access the presentation, enter the following URL into any 
Flash-enabled web browser: https://usfs.adobeconnect.com/orms/. Audio-
only access is available toll-free by calling (888) 844-9904 and 
entering the following access code: 4909819.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Earnest Rawles, Acting Assistant 
Director, Office of Regulatory and Management Services--Directives and 
Regulations Branch (202) 205-2601, [email protected]. Individuals 
who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the 
Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at (800) 877-8339 between 8:00 
a.m. and 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of this RFI is to inform the 
public, gather feedback on potential future strategies for notifying 
the public, and obtaining comments prior to making any amendments to 
the Forest Service Directive System. Information obtained in response 
to this RFI may be used by the Forest Service for program planning and 
development, or for other purposes. Note that information shared by the 
Forest Service in conjunction with this RFI may or may not be used to 
inform or issue further policy.
    Background: The Forest Service is bound by the Forest and Rangeland 
Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974, as modified by the National 
Forest Management Act of 1976, ``to give the Federal, State, and local 
governments and the public adequate notice and an opportunity to 
comment upon the formulation of standards, criteria, and guidelines 
applicable to Forest Service programs'' (16 U.S.C. 1612(a)). Many of 
these standards, criteria, and guidelines are contained in the Forest 
Service Directive System, which is used to implement existing laws and 
regulations. The Forest Service Directive System contains the Agency's 
policies, practices, and procedures and serves as the primary basis for 
the internal management and control of programs and administrative 
direction to Agency employees. The Forest Service Manual contains legal 
authorities, objectives, policies, responsibilities, and guidance 
needed on a continuing basis by Agency line officers and primary staff 
to plan and execute programs and activities. The Forest Service 
Handbook is the principal source of specialized guidance and 
instruction for carrying out the policies, objectives, and 
responsibilities contained in the Forest Service Manual. The directives 
for all Agency programs are available on the Agency Web site 
(www.fs.fed.us).
    Currently, the Forest Service uses the process set forth in the 
Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 U.S.C. 553) to notify the public 
of, and obtain comments on, changes to the Forest Service Directive 
System. This entails publication of notice in the Federal Register and 
solicitation of comments through Regulations.gov. This process was 
established and is primarily used to facilitate public participation in 
the promulgation of rules in the CFR. The Forest Service will continue 
to exclusively use the APA process to involve the public in rulemaking. 
The Agency is seeking to expand options for involving interested 
parties in the formulation of directives to be more responsive and 
accessible to the public.

     Dated: November 23, 2015.
Lenise Lago,
Deputy Chief of Business Operations, U. S. Forest Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-30347 Filed 11-27-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3411-15-P