[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 181 (Tuesday, September 20, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 55102]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-18659]


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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the IDs had been rescinded and a revised ID had been reissued on August 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 The Forest Service rescinded all 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://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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