[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 97 (Friday, May 19, 2023)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 32166-32167]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-10436]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service

36 CFR Part 251

RIN 0596-AD35


Land Uses; Special Uses; Cost Recovery, Strict Liability Limit, 
and Insurance

AGENCY: Forest Service, Agriculture (USDA).

ACTION: Proposed rule; reopening of comment period.

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SUMMARY: The Forest Service (Forest Service or Agency), United States 
Department of Agriculture, published a proposed rule in the Federal 
Register on March 9, 2023, initiating a 60-day comment period on the 
proposed rule to amend its special use regulations to update the 
processing and monitoring fee schedules based on current Agency costs; 
to provide for recovery of costs associated with processing special use 
proposals, as well as applications; and to remove the exemption for 
commercial recreation special use applications and authorizations that 
involve 50 hours or less to process or monitor. In addition, the Forest 
Service is proposing to amend its special use regulations to increase 
the strict liability limit consistent with the strict liability limit 
established by the United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of 
Land Management, and to expressly provide for requiring holders of a 
special use authorization to obtain insurance, as needed. The comment 
period for the original document closed May 8, 2023. The Agency is 
reopening the comment period for an additional 30 days from the date of 
publication of this document.

DATES: The comment period for the proposed rule published at 88 FR 
14517 on March 9, 2023, is reopened. Comments must be received in 
writing by June 20, 2023.

ADDRESSES: Comments, identified by RIN 0596-AD35, should be sent via 
one of the following methods:
    1. Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. Follow 
the instructions for sending comments;

[[Page 32167]]

    2. Email: [email protected];
    3. Mail: Director, Lands, Minerals, and Geology Staff, 201 14th 
Street SW, Washington, DC 20250-1124; or
    4. Hand Delivery/Courier: Director, Lands, Minerals, and Geology 
Staff, 1st Floor Southeast, 201 14th Street SW, Washington, DC 20250-
1124.
    Comments should be confined to issues pertinent to the proposed 
rule, should explain the reasons for any recommended changes, and 
should reference the specific section and wording being addressed, 
where possible. All comments, including names and addresses when 
provided, will be placed in the record and will be available for public 
inspection and copying. The public may inspect comments received on 
this proposed rule at the Office of the Director, Lands, Minerals, and 
Geology Staff, 201 14th Street SW, 1st Floor Southeast, Sidney R. Yates 
Federal Building, Washington, DC 20024, on business days between 8:30 
a.m. and 4 p.m. Visitors are encouraged to call ahead at 202-205-1680 
to facilitate entry into the building.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elrand Denson, Assistant Director, 
Washington Office Lands, Minerals, and Geology Staff, 202-644-5974 or 
[email protected]. Individuals who use telecommunication devices 
for the deaf and hard of hearing (TDD) may call the Federal Relay 
Service at 800-877-8339 24 hours a day, every day of the year, 
including holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Forest Service is proposing to amend its 
special use regulations to update the processing and monitoring fee 
schedules based on current Agency costs; to provide for recovery of 
costs associated with processing special use proposals, as well as 
applications; and to remove the exemption for commercial recreation 
special use applications and authorizations that involve 50 hours or 
less to process or monitor. In addition, the Forest Service is 
proposing to amend its special use regulations to increase the strict 
liability limit consistent with the strict liability limit established 
by the United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land 
Management, and to expressly provide for requiring holders of a special 
use authorization to obtain insurance, as needed.
    To provide further opportunity for the public to comment, the 
Agency is reopening the comment period on the proposed rule for an 
additional 30 days.
    The proposed rule can be found at www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/03/09/2023-04180/land-uses-special-uses-cost-recovery-strict-liability-limit-and-insurance.
    After the comment period closes, the Forest Service will consider 
timely and relevant comments in the development of the final rule.

    Dated: May 11, 2023.
Andrea Delgado,
Chief of Staff, Natural Resources and Environment.
[FR Doc. 2023-10436 Filed 5-18-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411-15-P