From: Subject: FR Doc E7-12149 Date: Sun, 24 Jun 2007 23:00:34 -0700 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/html; charset="Windows-1252" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Location: http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20071800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/E7-12149.htm X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2900.3138 FR Doc E7-12149 
[Federal Register: June 22, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 120)]
[Notices]              =20
[Page 34430-34432]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr22jn07-29]                        =20

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service

RIN 0596-AC68

=20
USDA Forest Service Open Space Conservation Strategy

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of request for public input.

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[[Page 34431]]

SUMMARY: The Forest Service is inviting all interested members of the=20
public to provide comments on the Draft Forest Service Open Space=20
Conservation Strategy, which will help shape the Agency's strategic=20
role in its national effort to conserve open space. The Forest Service=20
is interested in addressing the effects of the loss of open space on=20
private forests; on the National Forests and Grasslands and surrounding=20
landscape; and on forests in cities, suburbs, and towns. The Draft=20
Strategy provides a framework to focus existing and new Forest Service=20
actions for open space conservation. Accordingly, comments on the Draft=20
Strategy should focus broadly on the strategic objectives and actions=20
described in the document. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for=20
more background on the loss of open space and the Strategy.

DATES: Comments must be received, in writing, on or before July 23,=20
2007.

ADDRESSES: Written comments concerning this notice should be addressed=20
to Claire Harper or Kathryn Conant, Forest Service, Cooperative=20
Forestry, Mail Stop Code 1123, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW.,=20
Washington, DC 20250-1123. Comments may also be sent via e-mail to 
openspace@fs.fed.us; or via facsimile to 202-205-1271. The agency=20

cannot confirm receipt of comments. All comments, including names and=20
addresses when provided, are placed in the record and are available for=20
public inspection. The public may inspect comments during regular=20
business hours at the office of the Cooperative Forestry Staff, 4th=20
Floor SE., Yates Building, 201 14th Street, SW., Washington, DC.=20
Visitors are encouraged to call ahead to 202-205-1389 to facilitate=20
entry into the building.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Electronic copies of the Draft Open=20
Space Conservation Strategy document are available at http:=
//frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/leaving.cgi?from=3DleavingFR.html&=
log=3Dlinklog&to=3Dhttp://www.fs.fed.us/openspace
 and hardcopies are available by contacting=20

Claire Harper or Kathryn Conant, Forest Service, Cooperative Forestry=20
by telephone at 202-205-1389 or by electronic mail at 
openspace@fs.fed.us. For general information about the Open Space=20

Conservation Strategy and the loss of open space, visit the Forest=20
Service's Open Space Web site: http:=
//frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/leaving.cgi?from=3DleavingFR.html&=
log=3Dlinklog&to=3Dhttp://www.fs.fed.us/openspace.

    Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD)=20
may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339=20
between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through=20
Friday.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    In 2003, the Forest Service Chief identified the loss of open space=20
as one of four great threats facing our Nation's forests and=20
grasslands. Loss of open space is an issue that affects the=20
sustainability of both the National Forests and Grasslands and private=20
forests. Open space--including public and private land, wilderness and=20
working land--provides a multitude of public benefits and ecosystem=20
services we all need and enjoy. Three interrelated trends of=20
conversion, fragmentation, and parcelization are jeopardizing the long-
term health and function of forests, limiting management options, and=20
reducing opportunities for public enjoyment and use. To address the=20
loss of open space threat, the Forest Service has drafted a national=20
strategy that outlines how the agency plans to focus its efforts on the=20
issue. This strategy provides priority actions to conserve open space,=20
with an emphasis on partnerships and collaborative approaches. The=20
strategy builds upon existing Forest Service expertise, resources, and=20
programs, as well as expands the agency's involvement, to help conserve=20
open space across the landscape and maintain healthy, resilient=20
ecosystems.

II. Progress to Date

    The Forest Service published a Federal Register notice on November=20
13, 2006, inviting public input to provide ideas for innovative tools=20
and partnerships in achieving open space conservation. We received=20
approximately 9,500 comments with over 90 percent of the respondents in=20
support of a greater Forest Service emphasis on open space=20
conservation.
    The Conservation Fund held three roundtable dialogue listening=20
sessions on the Forest Service role in conserving open space. These=20
sessions were held in Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Washington, DC; and=20
Denver, Colorado in November and December 2006. In addition, we=20
solicited internal comments from Forest Service employees. The Draft=20
Strategy incorporates ideas and input from all the public comments and=20
forums.
    Many comments expressed strong support for current State and=20
Private Forestry programs--including the Forest Legacy Program, Forest=20
Stewardship Program, and the Urban & Community Forestry Program. =
Many=20
respondents look to the Forest Service to lead in convening a range of=20
stakeholders around landscape level planning, researching and promoting=20
markets for ecosystem services, and prioritizing critical lands for=20
conservation. A small minority of comments questioned the Forest=20
Service's role in State and Private Forestry in general and the=20
Strategy in particular.
    A complete review of comments can be found at http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/leaving.c=
gi?from=3DleavingFR.html&log=3Dlinklog&to=3Dhttp://www.fs.fed.us/=
openspace/summary_of_public_input.html



III. Open Space Conservation Strategy

    The goal of the Open Space Conservation Strategy is to maintain the=20
environmental, social, and economic benefits of forests and grasslands=20
across the country by: Protecting the most ecologically and socially=20
important lands; Conserving working lands as sustainable forests and=20
grasslands; Expanding and connecting open spaces in cities, suburbs,=20
and towns; and Reducing the ecological impacts and risks of=20
development.
    Four priorities will guide Forest Service action into the future:
    A. Convene partners to identify and protect priority open space;
    B. Promote national policies and markets to help private landowners=20
conserve open space;
    C. Provide resources and tools to help communities expand and=20
connect open spaces; and
    D. Participate in community growth planning to reduce ecological=20
impacts and wildfire risks.
    Within these four priorities, the Draft Strategy focuses on 12=20
actions for the Agency--all of which will be implemented in partnership=20
and collaboration with others. The actions emphasize our roles as a=20
policy advisor at the national level, a convenor at the regional level,=20
and an information provider and stakeholder at the local level.

IV. Next Steps

    After the 30-day comment period, the Forest Service will synthesize=20
all comments received and revise the Strategy accordingly. We expect=20
the final Open Space Conservation Strategy, including a response to=20
comments received, will be announced and published in Fall 2007. The=20
Open Space Conservation Web site will be updated to coincide with this=20
announcement. After publication of the Strategy, the Forest Service=20
will collaborate with stakeholders, states, and the public to implement=20
the Strategy.

V. Public Comment

    During the first round of public comment, many respondents=20
requested the opportunity to review and comment on a Draft Strategy.=20
This notice and call

[[Page 34432]]

for public comment is a direct result of those requests.
    The Draft Strategy provides a framework to focus existing and new=20
Forest Service actions for open space conservation. Accordingly,=20
comments on the Draft Strategy should focus broadly on the strategic=20
objectives and actions described in the document. Input regarding the=20
following three questions is most useful:
    1. Are there major actions or concepts for conserving open space=20
missing in the Draft Strategy;
    2. Has the Draft Strategy outlined strategic priorities that will=20
best leverage Forest Service expertise, resources, and partnerships to=20
conserve open space; and
    3. Are the proposed priority actions feasible and complementary to=20
other conservation efforts?
    By receiving input from people with diverse interests and=20
perspectives, the Agency hopes to attain an array of viewpoints and=20
ideas regarding the Open Space Conservation Strategy. Feedback from a=20
range of interested individuals will assist the Agency in developing a=20
well-informed, focused, and effective strategy to address the loss of=20
open space threat.

    Dated: June 14, 2007.
James Hubbard,
Deputy Chief, State and Private Forestry.
 [FR Doc. E7-12149 Filed 6-21-07; 8:45 am]

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