[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 69 (Wednesday, April 12, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17629-17630]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-07407]


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

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Revision of the Land Management Plan for the National Forests and 
Grasslands in Texas

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of initiating the assessment phase of the land 
management plan revision for the National Forests and Grasslands in 
Texas.

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

SUMMARY: The National Forests and Grasslands in Texas, located in 
central and east Texas, is initiating the first phase of the forest 
planning process pursuant to the 2012 National Forest System land 
management planning rule. This process will result in a revised land 
management plan (Forest Plan) which describes the strategic direction 
for management of forest and grassland resources on the National 
Forests and Grasslands in Texas for the next ten to fifteen years. The 
planning process encompasses three stages: Assessment, plan revision, 
and monitoring. The first phase of the process, the assessment phase, 
is beginning on the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas and 
involves assessing ecological, social, and economic conditions of the 
planning area, which is documented in an assessment report.
    The Forest is inviting the public to contribute to the development 
of the assessment. The Forest will be hosting public forums where the 
public will be invited to share information relevant to the assessment, 
including existing information, current trends, and local knowledge.

DATES: Public meetings associated with the development of the 
assessment will be announced on the Forest's Web site at 
www.fs.usda.gov/goto/texas/planrevision and sent to individuals and 
organizations on the Forest's mailing list. A draft of the assessment 
report for the revision of National Forests and Grasslands land 
management plan is anticipated to be available by March 2018. Following 
completion of the assessment, the Forest will initiate procedures 
pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to prepare and 
evaluate a revised land management plan.

ADDRESSES: Written comments or questions concerning this notice should 
be addressed to National Forests and Grasslands in Texas, Attn: Forest 
Plan, 2221 N. Raguet St., Lufkin, Texas 75904. Comments or questions 
may also be sent via email to [email protected]. All 
correspondence, including names and addresses when provided, are placed 
in the record and are available for public inspection and copying.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Theresa Mathis, Forest Planner, 
National Forests and Grasslands in Texas at 936-639-8586. More 
information on the plan revision process can be found on the Forest's 
Web site at www.fs.usda.gov/goto/texas/planrevision. If you have 
questions or would like to sign up to be on the Forest's mailing list, 
send an email to [email protected] or call the Forest Plan 
Revision number 936-639-8586. Individuals who use telecommunication 
devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay 
Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. 
(Eastern time), Monday through Friday.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Forest Management Act (NFMA) of 
1976 requires that every National Forest System (NFS) unit develop a 
land management plan. On April 9, 2012, the Forest Service

[[Page 17630]]

finalized its land management planning rule (2012 Planning Rule, 36 CFR 
219), which describes requirements for the planning process and the 
content of land management plans. Forest plans describe the strategic 
direction for management of forest and grassland resources for ten to 
fifteen years, and are adaptive and amendable as conditions change over 
time. Pursuant to the 2012 Forest Planning Rule (36 CFR 219), the 
planning process encompasses three-stages: Assessment, plan revision, 
and monitoring. The first stage of the planning process involves 
assessing social, economic, and ecological conditions of the planning 
area, which is documented in an assessment report. This notice 
announces the start of the initial stage of the planning process, which 
is the development of the assessment report.
    The second stage, formal plan revision, involves the development of 
the Forest Plan in conjunction with the preparation of an Environmental 
Impact Statement under the NEPA. Once the plan revision is completed, 
it will be subject to the objection procedures of 36 CFR 219, subpart 
B, before it can be approved. The third stage of the planning process 
is the monitoring and evaluation of the revised plan, which is ongoing 
over the life of the revised plan.
    The assessment is a rapid evaluation of the existing information 
about the relevant ecological, economic, cultural and social 
conditions, trends, and sustainability and their relationship to land 
management plans within the context of the broader landscape. This 
information builds a common understanding prior to entering formal plan 
revision. The development of the assessment will include public 
engagement.
    With this notice, the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas 
invite other governments, non-governmental parties, and the public to 
contribute to the development of the assessment. The intent of public 
engagement during development of the assessment is to identify as much 
relevant information as possible to inform the upcoming plan revision 
process. We encourage contributors to share material about existing 
conditions, trends, and perceptions of social, economic, and ecological 
systems relevant to the planning process. The assessment also supports 
the development of relationships with key stakeholders that will be 
used throughout the plan revision process.
    As public meetings, other opportunities for public engagement, and 
public review and comment opportunities are identified to assist with 
the development of the forest plan revision, public announcements will 
be made, notifications will be posted on the Forest's Web site at 
www.fs.usda.gov/goto/texas/planrevision and information will be sent 
out to the Forest's mailing list. If anyone is interested in being on 
the Forest's mailing list to receive these notifications, please 
contact Theresa Mathis, Forest Planner, at the address or phone number 
identified above, or by sending an email to [email protected].

Responsible Official

    The responsible official for the revision of the land management 
plan for the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas is William E. 
Taylor, Jr., Forest Supervisor, National Forests and Grasslands in 
Texas, 2221 N. Raguet St., Lufkin, Texas 75904.

    Dated: March 15, 2017.
Jeanne M. Higgins,
Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System.
[FR Doc. 2017-07407 Filed 4-11-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3411-15-P