[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 186 (Thursday, September 24, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Page 60129]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-21128]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Forest Service Manual 7700 Travel Management; Chapter 7700, Zero 
Code; Chapter 7710 Travel Planning

AGENCY: Forest Service, Agriculture (USDA).

ACTION: Notice of availability for public comment.

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SUMMARY: The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Forest 
Service, is proposing to revise its directives to update and clarify 
guidance on management of electric bicycle (e-bike) use on National 
Forest System (NFS) lands. E-bikes have become increasingly popular 
nationwide among outdoor recreationists on NFS and other federal lands. 
E-bikes expand recreational opportunities for many people, particularly 
the elderly and disabled, enabling them to enjoy the outdoors and 
associated health benefits. Currently e-bike use is not allowed on NFS 
roads, on NFS trails, and in areas on NFS lands that are not designated 
for motor vehicle use. To promote designation of NFS roads, NFS trails, 
and areas on NFS lands for e-bike use, the proposed revisions include 
new definitions for an e-bike and a Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 e-
bike, as well as guidance and criteria for designating e-bike use on 
NFS roads, on NFS trails, and in areas on NFS lands.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing by October 26, 2020.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted electronically to https://cara.ecosystem-management.org/Public/ReadingRoom?project=ORMS-2619. 
Written comments may be mailed to Director, Recreation Staff, 1400 
Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-1124. 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/CommentInput?project=ORMS-2619.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Penny Wu, Recreation Staff, 
[email protected], (303) 275-5168. Individuals who use 
telecommunication devices for the deaf may call the Federal Relay 
Service at (800) 877-8339 between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., Eastern 
Standard Time, Monday through Friday.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Over 27 States have adopted a standard 
definition for an e-bike and a three-tiered classification system for 
e-bikes. Additionally, the United States Department of the Interior 
(DOI) recently issued proposed e-bike rules for the Bureau of Land 
Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Reclamation, and 
the National Park Service pursuant to a Secretarial Order that promotes 
e-bike use on DOI-managed federal lands.
    The Forest Service's proposed directive revisions align with the 27 
States and DOI's proposed e-bike rules in adopting a standard 
definition for an e-bike and a three-tiered classification for e-bikes 
and align with DOI's proposed e-bike rules in requiring site-specific 
decision-making and environmental analysis at the local level to allow 
e-bike use. In particular, the proposed revisions would add a paragraph 
to Forest Service Manual (FSM) 7702 to establish promotion of e-bike 
use on NFS lands as an objective; would add a cross-reference in FSM 
7703.13 and 7703.14 to specific guidance on designating NFS trails and 
areas on NFS lands for motor vehicle use; would add definitions in FSM 
7705 for ``bicycle'' and ``e-bike,'' including ``Class 1,'' ``Class 
2,'' and ``Class 3 e-bike''; would revise FSM 7711.3, paragraph 6, to 
add a category for designating e-bike use on NFS trails; would add a 
paragraph to FSM 7715.03 to establish promotion of e-bike use on NFS 
lands as a policy; would revise FSM 7715.5 to add a criterion to 
consider trail management objectives in designating trails for motor 
vehicle use generally and to add criteria and guidance for designating 
e-bike use on NFS trails; and to add a paragraph in FSM 7715.72 to 
enhance coordination with appropriate Federal, State, and local 
governmental entities and Tribal governments on travel management 
decisions and operational practices on routes crossing multiple 
jurisdictions to provide continuity of recreation experiences.
    After the public comment period closes, the Forest Service will 
consider timely comments that are within the scope of the proposed 
revisions to the directives in the development of the final revisions. 
A notice of the final revisions, 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. 2020-21128 Filed 9-23-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411-15-P