[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 159 (Friday, August 16, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66671-66672]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-18353]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Forest Service Manual 2470, Silvicultural Practices

AGENCY: Forest Service, Agriculture (USDA).

ACTION: Notice of availability for public comment.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service 
(Agency), is revising its directive related to silvicultural practices 
on National Forest System lands. The proposed directive updates Forest 
Service Manual 2470, ``Silvicultural Practices.'' This directive sets 
forth policy, responsibilities, and direction for several aspects of 
management and moves the agency closer to its goal of providing more 
current direction.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing by October 15, 2024.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted electronically to https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Project/Details/4178. Written comments may be mailed 
to Stephanie Miller, Assistant Director for Future Forest, Denver 
Federal Center, Building 40, Lakewood, CO 80215. 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.fs2c.usda.gov/Project/Details/4178.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephanie Miller, Assistant Director 
for Future Forest, by phone at 720-354-6454 or by email to 
[email protected]. Individuals who use telecommunications 
devices for the hearing impaired may call 711 to reach the 
Telecommunications Relay Service, 24 hours a day, every day of the 
year, including holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposed directive reorganizes and 
eliminates redundant policies and procedures, deletes obsolete 
references, and updates agency policies and procedures. The intent of 
the updates is to amend the directive to reflect new authorities and 
more closely align with current and future forest restoration needs. An 
analysis of existing agency policy in Forest Service Handbooks and 
Manuals was conducted to identify revisions needed to support this 
initiative.
    The Forest Service has determined that the changes to the manual 
formulate standards, criteria, or guidelines applicable to a Forest 
Service program and it is therefore publishing the proposed directive 
for public comment in accordance with 36 CFR part 216. The Forest 
Service is seeking public comment on the proposed directive, including 
the sufficiency of the proposed directive in meeting the stated 
objectives, ways to enhance the utility and clarity of information 
within the directive, or ways to streamline processes outlined.
    Forest Service National Environmental Policy Act 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 the proposed directive 
falls 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.
    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.usda.gov/
about-

[[Page 66672]]

agency/regulations-policies/comment-on-directives.

Christopher French,
Deputy Chief, National Forest System.
[FR Doc. 2024-18353 Filed 8-15-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411-15-P