Forest Service Interim Directives Implement New Planning Regulations

摘要

On March 23,2005, the Forest Service issued 12 interim directives amending, revising, and replacing various sections of the Forest Service Manuals 1330,1900, and 1920 and Forest Service Handbook 1909.12 establishing procedures and responsibilities for implementing the National Forest Land Management Planning Regulations set out at 36 C.F.R. pt. 219. 70 Fed. Reg. 14,637 (Mar. 23, 2005). For discussion of the Forest Service's new planning regulations, see Vol. XXII, No. 1, at 5 (2005) and Vol. XXI, No. 4, at 5 (2004), of this Newsletter. The Forest Service's new planning regulations were published in the Federal Register on January 5, 2005. See 70 Fed. Reg. 1023 (to be codified at 36 C.F.R. pt. 219). The interim directives are intended to provide consistent overall guidance to Forest Service land officers and agency employees in developing, amending, and revising land management plans for units of the National Forest System. In addition to announcing the effectiveness of the interim directives, the Federal Register notice issued on March 23, 2005, invites comments on the interim directives which will be considered in developing final directives Comments regarding the new interim directives must be received in writing by June 21, 2005.