[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 24 (Tuesday, February 5, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8104-8105]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-02588]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
First Phase of the Forest Planning Process for the Bio-Region;
Correction
AGENCY: USDA, Forest Service.
ACTION: Notice; correction.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Department of Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service, Pacific
Southwest Region, published a notice in the Federal Register of January
24, 2013, (78 FR 5165) which concerned initiating a forest planning
process under the new planning rule entitled First Phase of the Forest
Planning Process for the Bio-Region. The document contained incorrect
wording describing the Notice as a Notice of Intent and introducing
terms associated with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process,
and extraneous material not associated with the forest planning
revision process.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ronald L. Pugh, Deputy Director,
Ecosystem Planning, 707-562-8951. Individuals who use telecommunication
devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay
Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern
Time, Monday through Friday.
Correction
In the Federal Register of January 24, 2013, in FR doc. 2013-1254,
on page 5165, in the first column, correct the SUMMARY to read:
The Department of Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service, Pacific
Southwest Region is initiating the first phase of the forest planning
process pursuant to the 2012 Forest Planning Rule. This process results
in Forest Land Management Plans which describe the strategic direction
for management of forest resources for the next ten to fifteen years on
these National Forests. The first phase of the process, the assessment
phase, has begun on the Sequoia, Sierra, and Inyo National Forests and
that interested parties are invited to contribute in the development of
the assessment (36 CFR 219.6), and that associated NEPA processes will
be initiated after its completion.
In the Federal Register of January 24, 2013, in FR doc. 2013-1254,
on page 5165, in the second column, correct the DATES to:
The assessments for the Inyo, Sequoia, and Sierra National Forests
will be completed by December 31, 2013. Following completion of the
assessments each forest will initiate procedure pursuant to the NEPA
and prepare forest plan revisions.
In the Federal Register of January 24, 2013, in FR doc. 2013-1254,
on page 5165, in the second column, correct the SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION to read:
The National Forest Management Act (NFMA) of 1976 requires that
every National Forest System (NFS) unit develop a land management plan
(LMP). On April 9, 2012, the Forest Service finalized its land
management planning rule (2012 Planning Rule), which provides broad
programmatic direction to National Forests and National Grasslands for
developing and implementing their land management plans (LMPs). Forest
plans describe the strategic direction for management of forest
resources for ten to fifteen years, and are adaptive and amendable as
conditions change over time. Under the 2012 Planning Rule, the
assessment of ecological, social, and economic trends and conditions is
the first stage of the planning process. The second stage is a
development and decision process guided, in part, by the National
Environment Policy Act (NEPA) and includes the preparation of Draft
Environmental Impact Statement and Revised Forest Plan for public
review and comment, and the preparation of the Final Environmental
Impact Statement and Revised Forest Plan. The third stage of the
process is monitoring and feedback, which is ongoing over the life of
the revised forest plans.
The Pacific Southwest Region of the Forest Service, United States
Department of Agriculture, along with the Sierra, Inyo, and Sequoia
National Forests, is preparing assessments pursuant to 2012 Forest
Planning Rule. The assessments will rapidly evaluate existing
information about relevant ecological, economic, and social conditions,
trends, and sustainability and their relationship to land management
plans within the context of the broader landscape. The assessments will
identify existing information relevant to the planning areas and build
common understanding of that information prior to initiating formal
plan revision processes. The process to develop these assessments will
be carried out using an open, collaborative, and transparent public
engagement process. With this notice, the agency invites other
governments, non-governmental parties, and the public to contribute in
assessment development. The intent of public engagement during
development of the assessment is to identify as much relevant
information as possible to inform the land management plan development
process. We encourage contributors to share material about existing
conditions, trends, and perceptions of social, economic, and ecological
systems relevant to the planning process. Public participation in the
assessment process supports the development of relationships of key
stakeholders throughout the plan development process and is a first
step to understanding current conditions, available data, and feedback
needed to support a strategic, efficient planning process.
Due to commonality of issues and the broader landscape to consider,
these assessment processes will begin with a larger geographic or
regional assessment. This broader area evaluation will not only provide
a landscape scale context for the revision of the Inyo, Sequoia, and
Sierra National Forests, it will provide information that will be used
as the agency moves into the revision process for adjacent forests in
the near future, and provide for a more comprehensive and efficient
process.
We are committed to collaboration and to strengthening public
engagement throughout the process. Collaboration and communication
plans are being developed with the help of stakeholders at the regional
and forest levels. Each plan is unique to the needs of the people and
communities being served. Regional and forest specialists have begun
collecting information and working with stakeholders to describe
existing resource conditions and trends. If you would like to
contribute to the process or for more information, please contact
Ronald L. Pugh, Deputy Director, Ecosystem Planning of the Pacific
Southwest Region, 707-562-8951 or visit intranet site:
www.ourforestplace.ning.com. The projected completion date for the
assessments for the Inyo, Sequoia, and Sierra National Forests is
December 31, 2013.
[[Page 8105]]
Dated: January 31, 2013.
Randy Moore,
Regional Forester.
[FR Doc. 2013-02588 Filed 2-1-13; 11:15 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P