[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 121 (Tuesday, June 23, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37622-37623]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-13509]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Forest Service Manual 2710 and Forest Service Handbook 2709.11; 
Special Uses; Use and Storage of Explosive Materials on National Forest 
System Lands Under Special Use Authorizations

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Issuance of interim directives; notice of availability for 
public comment.

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SUMMARY: The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest 
Service (Forest Service), is issuing interim directives on the use and 
storage of explosive materials on National Forest System lands as part 
of activities authorized under special use permits. The Forest Service 
has determined that some of the direction contained in these interim 
directives formulates standards, criteria, and guidelines applicable to 
Forest Service programs and is therefore subject to public notice and 
comment. The Forest Service has made a finding of good cause that an 
exigency exists to support issuance of the interim directives, which go 
into effect upon publication for public comment.

DATES: The interim directives are effective June 23, 2020. Comments 
must be received in writing by August 24, 2020.

ADDRESSES: Interim directives may be reviewed and electronic comments 
may be submitted electronically to https://cara.ecosystem-management.org/Public/CommentInput?project=ORMS-2226. Written comments 
may be mailed to Sean Wetterberg, National Winter Sports Program 
Manager, 125 South State Street, Suite 7105, Salt Lake City, UT 84138. 
All timely received comments, including names and addresses, will be 
placed in the record and will be available for public inspection and 
copying. The public may inspect comments received at https://cara.ecosystem-management.org/Public/ReadingRoom?project=ORMS-2226.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sean Wetterberg, Winter Sports Program 
Manager, 801-975-3793 or [email protected]. Individuals using 
telecommunication devices for the deaf may call the Federal Information 
Relay Service at 800-877-8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Eastern Time, 
Monday through Friday.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The interim directive in Forest Service 
Manual 2710, section 2719, sets forth direction for Forest Service 
policy and responsibility relating to non-federal use and storage of 
explosives and military artillery and ordinance on National Forest 
System lands under special use authorizations. The interim directive at 
Forest Service Handbook 2709.11,

[[Page 37623]]

Chapter 50, replaces existing clause B-29, Explosives, with new clause 
B-29, Storage and Use of Explosives and Magazine Security; clarifies 
the purpose of the new clause; specifies all types of special use 
authorizations that may authorize storage and use of explosives and 
therefore, may require inclusion of clause B-29; and describes 
implementation of the new clause.
    The Forest Service has made a finding of good cause that an 
exigency exists to support issuance of the interim directives, which 
become effective upon publication for public comment. The interim 
directives make revisions regarding storage and use of explosives under 
special use authorizations, such as at Winter Sports Resorts and 
highway avalanche mitigation programs conducted by State transportation 
departments that enhance public safety on National Forest System lands 
and need to go into effect upon publication for public comment.
    After the public comment period closes, the Forest Service will 
consider timely comments that are within the scope of the interim 
directives in the development of the final directives. A notice of the 
final directives, including a response to timely comments, will be 
posted on the Forest Service's web page at https://www.fs.fed.us/about-agency/regulations-policies.

Tina Johna Terrell,
Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System.
[FR Doc. 2020-13509 Filed 6-22-20; 8:45 am]
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