[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 200 (Thursday, October 15, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Page 65339]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-22859]


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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. 85, No. 200 / Thursday, October 15, 2020 / 
Notices  

[[Page 65339]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Forest Service Handbook 2409.15, Chapters Zero, 10, 30, 50 and 
70; Forest Service Handbook 2409.18a, Chapters Zero, 10, and 20; Forest 
Service Manual 2400, Chapters Zero, 30, 40, 50 and 60 Timber 
Management; Public Notice and Comment for Changes to Forest Service 
Directives

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of availability for public comment.

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SUMMARY: The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), United 
States Forest Service (Forest Service), is revising directives related 
to timber management, timber sale administration and timber sale 
debarment and suspension procedures.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing by November 16, 2020.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted electronically to https://cara.ecosystem-management.org/Public/CommentInput?project=ORMS-2688. 
Written comments may be mailed to Dave Wilson, Acting Assistant 
Director, Forest Management, Range and Vegetation Ecology, 201 14th 
Street SW, Washington, DC 20024. 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-2688.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dave Wilson, Acting Assistant 
Director, Forest Management, Range and Vegetation Ecology, at 202-578-
9916 or by electronic mail to [email protected]. Individuals using 
telecommunication devices for the deaf may call the Federal Information 
Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. 
Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposed directives reorganize and 
eliminate redundant policies and procedures, delete obsolete references 
and update agency policies and procedures to reflect new authorities 
and timber management practices that have been implemented since 
previous revisions to the directives were made available. An analysis 
of existing agency policy in Forest Service Handbooks and Manuals was 
conducted to identify revisions needed to support this initiative.
    The proposed directives update Forest Service Handbook 2409.15, 
``Timber Sale Administration,'' Chapters Zero, 10, 30, 50 and 70; 
Forest Service Handbook 2409.18a, ``Timber Sale Debarment and 
Suspension Procedures,'' Chapters Zero, 10, and 20; and Forest Service 
Manual 2400, ``Timber Management,'' Chapters Zero, 30, 40, 50 and 60. 
These directives set forth policy, responsibilities, and direction for 
several aspects of management and implement the agency's goal of 
providing more current direction. Forest Service National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA) procedures exclude from documentation in an 
environmental assessment or impact statement ``rules, regulations, or 
policies to establish servicewide administrative procedures, program 
processes, or instructions.'' 36 CFR 220.6(d)(2). The Agency's 
conclusion is that these final directives fall within this category of 
actions and that no extraordinary circumstances exist as currently 
defined that require preparation of an environmental assessment or an 
environmental impact statement.
    The Forest Service has also determined that the changes to the 
manual and two handbooks formulate standards, criterion, or guidelines 
applicable to a Forest Service program and are therefore publishing the 
proposed manual for public comment in accordance with 36 CFR part 216. 
The Forest Service is seeking public comment on the proposed 
directives, including the sufficiency of the proposed directives in 
meeting its stated objectives, ways to enhance the utility and clarity 
of information within the direction, or ways to streamline processes 
outlined.
    After the public comment period closes, the Forest Service will 
consider timely comments that are within the scope of the proposed 
directive in the development of the final directive. A notice of the 
final directive, 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/comment-on-directives.

Jacqueline A. Emanuel,
Acting Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System.
[FR Doc. 2020-22859 Filed 10-14-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411-15-P