[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 18 (Wednesday, January 28, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 4107]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-1791]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
RIN 0596-AC03
Stewardship End Result Contracting Policy
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of issuance of agency interim directive.
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SUMMARY: The Forest Service is issuing an interim directive to provide
guidance for stewardship end result contracting (commonly referred to
as ``stewardship contracting'') projects. This interim directive
provides internal administrative direction to guide Forest Service
employees in planning, implementing, and monitoring of stewardship
contracting projects. The interim directive is issued to Forest Service
Handbook (FSH) 2409.19, Renewable Resources Handbook, Chapter 60,
Stewardship Contracting, as interim directive No. 2409.19-2004-1.
EFFECTIVE DATE: The interim directive is effective January 28, 2004.
ADDRESSES: The interim directive is available electronically via the
World Wide Web/Internet at http://www.fs.fed.us/im/directives/fsh/2409.19. Single paper copies of the directive also are available by
contacting the USDA Forest Service, Forest and Rangeland Management
Staff, 3 SW., Stop Code 1103, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington,
DC 20250-1103.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard Cook, (202) 205-1762, or Darci
Birmingham, (202) 205-1759, Forest and Rangeland Management Staff.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June 27, 2003, the Forest Service and the
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) adopted jointly developed interim
guidelines for implementation of the stewardship end results
contracting provisions as authorized by section 323 of Public Law 108-
7, the Consolidated Appropriations Resolution, 2003 (16 U.S.C. 2104
note). The Forest Service and BLM published a joint Federal Register
notice with request for comment on the interim guidelines on June 27,
2003 (68 FR 38285).
Sixty-two (62) responses in the form of letters, faxes, and e-mail
messages were received regarding the Federal Register notice of the
interim guidelines on stewardship contracting. The comments came from
private citizens, elected officials, and groups and individuals
representing businesses, private organizations, and Federal agencies.
Comments ranged from full support of the interim guidelines to the
recommendation that the Forest Service not use much of the authority
set out in 16 U.S.C. 2104 note.
Since publication of the Federal Register notice of the interim
guidelines on stewardship contracting and receipt of comments, the
Forest Service has developed an interim directive to provide internal
administrative direction to guide Forest Service personnel in planning,
implementing, and monitoring of stewardship contracting projects. The
interim directive expands upon the interim guidelines and reflects the
Forest Service's consideration of all comments received on the Federal
Register notice of the interim guidelines.
The interim directive (ID) No. 2409.19-2004-1 is being issued to
Forest Service Handbook 2409.19, Renewable Resources Handbook, Chapter
60, Stewardship Contracts.
Dated: January 22, 2004.
Dale N. Bosworth,
Chief, USDA Forest Service.
[FR Doc. 04-1791 Filed 1-27-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P