Commenting on Forest Service Rules and Directives

Proposed and Interim Directives – Comment Period Closed

Follow the links below to access the text of proposed and interim Forest Service directives, supplemental information, and comments submitted.

• Orleans 2024 Fire and Fuels Project

  (March-11-2024 - April-24-2024) | View Comments
  

  The Six Rivers Hazardous Fuels and Fire Management Project (Fire & Fuels Project) was signed in September 2023 and allows the Six Rivers NF to conduct a series of prescribed fire and fuels management treatments across the entire Six Rivers NF, approximately 1.17 million acres, with ongoing tribal and community engagement and participation in the implementation process. This Orleans 2024 Fire and Fuels projects requests your comments/thoughts on where you would like to see treatments using the prescribed fire and fuels management treatments that this project allows for.

• Special Uses Handbook, Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act Cabin Policy

  (January-09-2024 - March-08-2024) | View Comments
  

  The Alaska Region is revising the Forest Service Handbook (FSH), Region 10 Supplement for special uses administration (FSH 2709.11-2021-01) to provide updated direction on authorizing individual use, privately owned cabins under Section 1303 of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) - commonly referred to as “ANILCA cabins.” The Region is proposing a policy change that will allow the Forest Service to continue authorizing the renewal or reissuance of special use permits for ANILCA cabins for traditional and customary uses that are compatible with the purposes for which the unit or area was established.

• FSM 2355 Climbing Opportunities

  (November-17-2023 - January-30-2024) | View Comments
  

  FSM 2355 Climbing Opportunities #ORMS-3524

• FSM 2040 - Monitoring

  (November-28-2023 - January-11-2024) | View Comments
  

  The Forest Service is proposing to establish a new chapter and new direction for all types of monitoring activities across the National Forest System to track conditions and inform evidence-based decision-making and adaptive management. This directive will require a 30-day public notice and comment period.

• Carbon Capture and Storage Exemption Rulemaking

  (November-03-2023 - January-02-2024) | View Comments
  

  The United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service (Forest Service or Agency), is proposing to amend its special use regulations, which prohibit authorizing exclusive and perpetual use and occupancy of National Forest System lands, to provide an exemption for carbon capture and storage. The Forest Service is also proposing to add a definition for “Carbon capture and storage.”

• Criminal Prohibitions

  (October-03-2023 - December-04-2023) | View Comments
  

  The Forest Service, United States Department of Agriculture, is proposing to revise the Forest Service’s criminal prohibitions to enhance consistency of the Forest Service’s law enforcement practices with those of State and other Federal land management agencies. The Forest Service is proposing to streamline enforcement of criminal prohibitions in related to fire and use of vehicles on National Forest System roads and trails by eliminating the requirement to issue an order for enforcement.

• Spec Uses Land Use Fees Temp Fee Red for Rec Res Permits

  (October-01-2023 - December-01-2023) | View Comments
  

  Update special uses regulations, consistent with the requirement in the Cabin Fee Act, to provide for suspension or temporary reduction of the land use fee for a recreation residence permit if access to, or occupancy of, the recreation residence is significantly restricted.

• 5509.11 Chapter 10 Title Claims & Encroachments

  (June-16-2023 - July-15-2023) | View Comments
  

  Title Claims and Encroachments (FSH 5509.11 Chapter 10), last updated August 3, 1992, needs updating to the entire chapter 10. The contents of the 1992 handbook have been reorganized to be in parallel with the case processing activities in the Title Claims and Encroachment Management System Database. Additional internal processing steps have also been included to provide clarity for employees. This directive revision provides economic relief and helps build our economy. The revised handbook will provide a full understanding to land staffs regarding authorities used for title claim and encroachment cases. Nationwide understanding of steps for processing and resolving trespass and encroachment cases is needed to process these cases in a timely manner. Clear examples and exhibits of deeds, correspondence letters, and reports will help maintain consistency throughout the Forest Service. The revised handbook will provide clear steps on how to produce reports required for title claim cases that will be used by a variety of land staffs throughout the Forest service. To view additional documentation please follow the link below. https://usfs-public.box.com/s/oert32ftqf57xbv97hmpp5tqtzmla9kq