[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 108 (Monday, June 6, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34234-34235]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-12071]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Request for Information (RFI) Regarding Wildfire Crisis 
Implementation Plan

AGENCY: Forest Service, Agriculture (USDA).

ACTION: Request for information.

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SUMMARY: The Forest Service invites public comment on the framework, 
focus, and direction of its Wildfire Crisis Implementation Plan 
associated with the Wildfire Crisis Strategy and specific provisions of 
the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, 2021. This Implementation 
Plan differs from a land management plan, which is a requirement of the 
National Forest Management Act. The Wildfire Crisis Implementation Plan 
will provide a cross-jurisdictional blueprint for coordination, 
collaboration and funding of restoration treatments specifically 
designed to reduce wildfire risk to people, communities, and natural 
resources in high priority, at-risk landscapes. It is intended to be a 
living document informed by public engagement and outreach, and 
projects/actions will comply with National Environmental Policy Act 
(NEPA) accordingly. We invite public comment on specific elements of 
the Implementation Plan, per questions outlined below. Comments will be 
considered in further developing and refining approaches taken by the 
Forest Service.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing by July 6, 2022.

ADDRESSES: Written comments concerning this notice should be sent via 
email to https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public/CommentInput?project=NP-3172.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrea Bedell-Loucks, Engagement and 
Strategic Partnerships, Wildfire Risk Reduction Infrastructure Team, 
(202) 295-7968, [email protected]. Individuals who use 
telecommunication devices for the deaf or hard of hearing (TDD) may 
call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 800-877-8339 24 hours a day, 
every day of the year, including holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of this RFI is to inform the 
public and gather feedback on potential future implementation efforts 
associated with provisions of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs 
Act, 2021 (Pub. L. 117-58, Division D Title VIII, Sec. 40803(b)) and 
the Forest Service's Wildfire Crisis Strategy (https://www.fs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/Confronting-Wildfire-Crisis.pdf). This 
Implementation Plan differs from a land management plan, which is a 
requirement of the National Forest Management Act and ``guides 
management of National Forest System lands'' (36 CFR 219.1(c)).
    Background. The past 10 wildfire seasons, including 2020-2021, 
highlighted the incredible challenges associated with keeping 
communities safe and more resilient to the impacts of climate change 
and extreme weather events. These challenges underscore a growing need 
for a new land management approach within the Forest Service--one that 
is designed to support strategic management and restoration of millions 
of acres of land in high-risk areas to protect forest health, watershed 
function, and human infrastructure.
    With the need for increased pace and scale of restoration 
associated with the Wildfire Crisis Strategy, the Forest Service aims 
to approach on-going challenges holistically and in partnership with 
employees, multiple agencies, Tribal and other governments, 
communities, industries, organizations, and private landowners.
    To help inform the development of the Implementation Plan, the 
Forest Service has partnered with the National Forest Foundation to 
host a series of virtual roundtable discussions with internal and 
external audiences. Eight regional roundtables have been conducted 
since February 2022, and two additional roundtables are planned (Region 
9- May 31, June 1-2 and Region 10- June 7-9). These roundtables are 
intended to strengthen shared approaches to how the Forest Service, 
Tribal Nations, State and local governments, Federal agencies, and 
partners work together to reduce risk by moving from small-scale, 
independently managed treatments to strategic, science-based, 
landscape-scale treatments. Information on the roundtable discussions 
hosted by the National Forest Foundation can be found at https://www.nationalforests.org/collaboration-resources/wildfire-crisis-strategy-roundtables.
    Input Requested. Input is sought on the key thematic questions 
covered in roundtable discussions to ensure that the Agency develops 
its Implementation Plan with diverse input from all involved, 
interested, and affected parties. Our intent with the issuance of this 
notice is to consider such input and, as appropriate, incorporate it to 
update and refine the Wildfire Crisis Implementation Plan (https://www.fs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/Wildfire-Crisis-Implementation-Plan.pdf). The Forest Service is especially interested in receiving 
input on the following topics, listed alphabetically with questions for 
consideration:
    Cross-boundary Partnerships. No single entity can accomplish all 
the work needed to achieve the collective restoration that our forests 
and communities need. We must build and maintain multi-jurisdictional 
coalitions to work across landscapes, leverage capacity, and build 
public and community support for this work. Key questions associated 
with cross-boundary partnerships include: What are examples of 
successful tools and approaches to multi-jurisdictional restoration 
work? Are there process or policy barriers to cross-boundary 
partnerships that you have encountered, including an ability to reach 
under-served populations, and if so, what are some potential solutions 
to these barriers? What can we readily build upon at a regional or 
national level to advance cross-boundary partnerships and large-scale 
forest resiliency?
    Forest Products and Markets. The wood products industry has been, 
and will remain, an important partner for helping to achieve 
restoration outcomes and reduce wildfire risk. New and innovative uses 
of forest products not only support restoration and reduce risk, but 
also sequester large quantities of carbon. In these efforts, we will 
need to explore current market capacity and room for innovation. Key 
questions associated with forest products and markets include: What are 
the on-going challenges to a healthy forest products market? How might 
the Forest Service, Tribal Nations, State and local governments, and 
other organizations work together to grow markets and market potential? 
What opportunities are there to expand market potential and access 
tribal and underserved communities?
    Outcome-based Metrics and Prioritization. We are focused on 
outcome-based work to achieve mutually desired priorities, including 
risk to people, communities, natural resources, and other values at the 
landscape scale. We will develop outcome-based performance measures to 
track accomplishments, to measure effectiveness, and to inform 
continued

[[Page 34235]]

work. Key questions associated with outcome-based metrics and 
prioritization include: What successful prioritization approaches have 
you seen at the landscape scale? How are Tribal Nations, State and 
local governments, and partners involved? How have the needs of 
underserved and socially vulnerable communities (including tribal 
communities), and the impacts on these communities, been considered? 
What tools are you currently using or interested in using, and why?
    Science Supporting Wildfire Risk Reduction. Delineation of priority 
treatment areas and subsequent project design will be supported by the 
best available science, including social science and Traditional and 
Indigenous Ecological Knowledge. Key questions associated with science 
application include: What types of science products do you rely upon to 
support this work? What do you see as current gaps and information 
needs in the science of fuels and fire risk reduction efforts? How 
effective is information sharing across communities, agencies, 
disciplines, and scales (local, regional, and national), and what can 
be done to improve or sustain such sharing?
    Workforce Capacity. We need to rebuild skills and workforce 
capacity to accomplish management treatments and fully engage with 
communities at the necessary pace and scale. This will require building 
and sustaining an inclusive workforce across governments and 
organizations. Key questions associated with workforce capacity 
include: What major constraints are you facing around workforce 
capacity? What key workforce skills and knowledge are needed for fuels 
reduction work? How might we ensure our collective workforce is well-
positioned to engage and support underserved and socially vulnerable 
communities? Are there existing training or workforce development 
programs that you have developed or are using/leveraging for this work?
    Conclusion. The Forest Service is considering how best to proceed 
in further developing and refining its implementation of the Wildfire 
Crisis Strategy. Your input relating to the questions listed above will 
be helpful in building this Plan.

    Dated: May 31, 2022.
Brian Ferebee,
Senior Executive, Intergovernmental Affairs, USDA Forest Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-12071 Filed 6-3-22; 8:45 am]
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