[Federal Register: September 20, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 181)]
[Notices]
[Page 55102]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr20se05-18]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
RIN 0596-AC12
Rangeland Management Direction Regarding Grazing Permit
Administration
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: On July 19, 2005, the Forest Service published a notice in the
Federal Register with request for comment on the issuance of two (2)
interim directives (IDs) to Forest Service Handbook (FSH) 2209.13,
chapter 10--Term Grazing Permits and chapter 20--Grazing Agreements.
These IDs established procedures and responsibilities for administering
term grazing permits and grazing agreements (FR 70 41370). On that same
day, several other amendments to FSH 2209.13, as well as amendments to
several chapters of Forest Service Manual (FSM) 2200 on Range
Management were issued. On August 19, 2005, the Forest Service
published a notice in the Federal Register notifying the public that
the IDs had been rescinded and a revised ID had been reissued on August
16, 2005. In addition, the Forest Service announced that proposed
directives containing the direction removed from the two chapters had
been prepared and were available for public comment (70 FR 48663). On
September 2, 2005, a third Federal Register notice was published to
correct the World Wide Web/Internet address and proposed direction that
included incorrect restrictions of the base property and livestock
ownership requirements (70 FR 52362). The Forest Service rescinded all
of the direction referred to in these three Federal Register notices on
September 9, 2005, and replaced it with the direction that was in place
prior to July 19, 2005.
DATES: Rangeland Management direction in effect prior to July 19, 2005,
in the Forest Service Manual 2200 contents, the zero code chapter,
chapters 2210, 2230, 2240, 2250, and 2270; and direction in the Forest
Service Handbook contents, zero code chapter, and chapters 30, 40, 50,
60, 70, 80, and 90 were reinstated on September 9, 2005.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ralph Giffen, Rangeland Management
Staff, USDA Forest Service, (202) 205-1455.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Forest Service directives consist of the
Forest Service Manual (FSM) and the Forest Service Handbook (FSH),
which contain the agency's policies, practices, and procedures and
serves as the primary basis for the internal management and control of
programs and administrative direction to Forest Service employees. The
directives for all agency programs are set out on the World Wide Web/
Internet at http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/leaving.cgi?from=leavingFR.html&log=linklog&to=http://www.fs.fed.us/im/directives.
The FSM contains legal authorities, objectives, policies,
responsibilities, instructions, and guidance needed on a continuing
basis by Forest Service line officers and primary staff to plan and
execute programs and activities. The FSH is the principal source of
specialized guidance and instruction for carrying out the policies,
objectives, and responsibilities contained in the FSM.
The Forest Service is committed to providing adequate opportunities
for the public to comment on the formulation of administrative
directives that are of substantial public interest or controversy, as
provided in the regulations at 36 CFR part 216.
The Forest Service will make an extra effort to ensure that
proposed changes in FSM 2200 and FSH 2209.13 are well communicated to
the public and that the public has ample opportunity to comment on and
be appropriately involved in those changes.
Therefore, the 14 amended chapters and two ID chapters issued July
19, 2005, and the two revised ID chapters issued again on August 19,
2005, are rescinded. Rangeland management direction in effect prior to
the July 19, 2005 releases is reinstated in full. Comment is also no
longer requested on the proposed directives. The Forest Service's
objective is to clarify its rangeland management directives and explain
the proposed changes while ensuring that a clear process for public
comment is provided. Proposed rangeland management policy along with
procedures for comment will be reevaluated prior to requesting future
public comment.
Dated: September 14, 2005.
Ann Bartuska,
Acting Chief.
[FR Doc. 05-18659 Filed 9-19-05; 8:45 am]
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