80 FR 74740 - Request for Information (RFI) Regarding Involving the Public in the Formulation of Forest Service Directives
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 229 (November 30, 2015)
Forest Service
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 229 (November 30, 2015)
| Page Range | 74740-74741 | |
| FR Document | 2015-30347 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 229 (Monday, November 30, 2015)] [Proposed Rules] [Pages 74740-74741] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-30347] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service 36 CFR Part 216 Request for Information (RFI) Regarding Involving the Public in the Formulation of Forest Service Directives AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA. ACTION: Request for Information. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Department of Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service, Business Operations, Office of Regulatory and Management Services (ORMS) is preparing to revise a portion of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) governing public participation requirements and procedures related to the issuance or revision of internal Agency directives. The Forest Service is committed to ensuring that a broad and representative cross- section of the interested public is provided advance notice and a full and fair opportunity to comment upon the formulation of standards, criteria, and guidelines applicable to Forest Service programs. In keeping with this commitment, the Agency is interested in enhancing its public engagement and expanding its approach for public notice and comment beyond just formal rulemaking. The Agency has identified a need to update the relevant regulations to reflect the varied media consumption patterns of key Forest Service stakeholders and the public at large. These potential regulatory revisions are also necessary to ensure that written policies align with the Agency's current practices, which have changed to ensure compliance with recent court orders. The Agency is hosting a webinar for all interested members of the general public to inform the public of these changes to the Forest Service's public participation procedures. This session will include additional information on the need for these changes and the outcomes the Agency is seeking to achieve. It will also include an outline of a potential path forward and provide attendees an opportunity to ask questions, provide input, and suggest ideas. [[Page 74741]] DATES: A webinar will be held for interested members of the general public on Tuesday, December 15, 2015, from 1:00-2:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time/10:00-11:30 a.m. Pacific Standard Time. ADDRESSES: The webinar will be held via Adobe Connect web conferencing software. To access the presentation, enter the following URL into any Flash-enabled web browser: https://usfs.adobeconnect.com/orms/. Audio- only access is available toll-free by calling (888) 844-9904 and entering the following access code: 4909819. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Earnest Rawles, Acting Assistant Director, Office of Regulatory and Management Services--Directives and Regulations Branch (202) 205-2601, WO_Directives@fs.fed.us. Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at (800) 877-8339 between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of this RFI is to inform the public, gather feedback on potential future strategies for notifying the public, and obtaining comments prior to making any amendments to the Forest Service Directive System. Information obtained in response to this RFI may be used by the Forest Service for program planning and development, or for other purposes. Note that information shared by the Forest Service in conjunction with this RFI may or may not be used to inform or issue further policy. Background: The Forest Service is bound by the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974, as modified by the National Forest Management Act of 1976, ``to give the Federal, State, and local governments and the public adequate notice and an opportunity to comment upon the formulation of standards, criteria, and guidelines applicable to Forest Service programs'' (16 U.S.C. 1612(a)). Many of these standards, criteria, and guidelines are contained in the Forest Service Directive System, which is used to implement existing laws and regulations. The Forest Service Directive System contains 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 Agency employees. The Forest Service Manual contains legal authorities, objectives, policies, responsibilities, and guidance needed on a continuing basis by Agency line officers and primary staff to plan and execute programs and activities. The Forest Service Handbook is the principal source of specialized guidance and instruction for carrying out the policies, objectives, and responsibilities contained in the Forest Service Manual. The directives for all Agency programs are available on the Agency Web site (www.fs.fed.us). Currently, the Forest Service uses the process set forth in the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 U.S.C. 553) to notify the public of, and obtain comments on, changes to the Forest Service Directive System. This entails publication of notice in the Federal Register and solicitation of comments through Regulations.gov. This process was established and is primarily used to facilitate public participation in the promulgation of rules in the CFR. The Forest Service will continue to exclusively use the APA process to involve the public in rulemaking. The Agency is seeking to expand options for involving interested parties in the formulation of directives to be more responsive and accessible to the public. Dated: November 23, 2015. Lenise Lago, Deputy Chief of Business Operations, U. S. Forest Service. [FR Doc. 2015-30347 Filed 11-27-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3411-15-P
![74740 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 229 / Monday, November 30, 2015 / Proposed Rules
Dated: November 20, 2015. personal information that you do not December 1, 2015, to December 15,
Clifford J. White III, want publicly disclosed; MSHA will 2015.
Director, Executive Office for United States post all comments without change to Joseph A. Main,
Trustees. http://www.regulations.gov and http:// Assistant Secretary of Labor for Mine Safety
[FR Doc. 2015–30294 Filed 11–27–15; 8:45 am] www.msha.gov/currentcomments.asp, and Health.
BILLING CODE 4410–40–P including any personal information [FR Doc. 2015–30181 Filed 11–25–15; 11:15 am]
provided. BILLING CODE 4520–43–P
Docket: For access to the docket to
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR read comments received, go to http://
Mine Safety and Health Administration www.regulations.gov or http:// DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
www.msha.gov/currentcomments.asp.
To read background documents, go to Forest Service
30 CFR Part 75
http://www.regulations.gov. Review the
[Docket No. MSHA–2014–0019] docket in person at MSHA, Office of 36 CFR Part 216
RIN 1219–AB78 Standards, Regulations, and Variances, Request for Information (RFI)
201 12th Street South, Suite 4E401, Regarding Involving the Public in the
Proximity Detection Systems for Arlington, Virginia 22202–5452, Formulation of Forest Service
Mobile Machines in Underground between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Directives
Mines Monday through Friday, except Federal
Holidays. Sign in at the receptionist’s AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
AGENCY: Mine Safety and Health
desk on the 4th Floor East. ACTION: Request for Information.
Administration, Labor.
ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of Email Notification: To subscribe to SUMMARY: The Department of
comment period. receive an email notification when Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service,
MSHA publishes rules in the Federal Business Operations, Office of
SUMMARY: In response to a request, the Register, go to http://www.msha.gov. Regulatory and Management Services
Mine Safety and Health Administration (ORMS) is preparing to revise a portion
(MSHA) is extending the comment FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)
period on the Agency’s proposed rule Sheila A. McConnell, Acting Director, governing public participation
on Proximity Detection Systems for Office of Standards, Regulations, and requirements and procedures related to
Mobile Machines in Underground Variances, MSHA, at the issuance or revision of internal
Mines. This extension gives mcconnell.sheila.a@dol.gov (email); Agency directives. The Forest Service is
stakeholders additional time to evaluate 202–693–9440 (voice); or 202–693–9441 committed to ensuring that a broad and
the comments and testimony received (facsimile). representative cross-section of the
thus far and provide meaningful input. interested public is provided advance
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On
DATES: The comment period for the notice and a full and fair opportunity to
September 2, 2015 (80 FR 53070),
proposed rule published on September MSHA published a proposed rule that comment upon the formulation of
2, 2015 (80 FR 53070), is extended. standards, criteria, and guidelines
would require underground coal mine
Comments must be received or applicable to Forest Service programs.
operators to equip coal hauling
postmarked by midnight Eastern In keeping with this commitment, the
machines and scoops with proximity
Standard Time on December 15, 2015. Agency is interested in enhancing its
detection systems. Miners working near public engagement and expanding its
ADDRESSES: Submit comments and
these machines face pinning, crushing, approach for public notice and
informational materials, identified by
and striking hazards that result in comment beyond just formal
RIN 1219–AB78 or Docket No. MSHA–
accidents involving life threatening rulemaking. The Agency has identified
2014–0019, by one of the following
injuries and death. MSHA believes that a need to update the relevant
methods:
• Federal E-Rulemaking Portal: the use of proximity detection systems regulations to reflect the varied media
http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the would reduce the potential for these consumption patterns of key Forest
on-line instructions for submitting pinning, crushing, or striking accidents. Service stakeholders and the public at
comments. On September 28, 2015 (80 FR 58229), large. These potential regulatory
• E-Mail: zzMSHA-comments@ MSHA published a document revisions are also necessary to ensure
dol.gov. Include RIN 1219–AB78 or announcing the dates and locations for that written policies align with the
Docket No. MSHA–2014–0019 in the four public hearings on the proposed Agency’s current practices, which have
subject line of the message. rule. The hearings were held in October changed to ensure compliance with
• Mail: MSHA, Office of Standards, 2015. MSHA posted the comments recent court orders.
Regulations, and Variances, 201 12th received and the hearing transcripts on The Agency is hosting a webinar for
Street South, Suite 4E401, Arlington, the Agency’s Web site, and on http:// all interested members of the general
Virginia 22202–5452. www.regulations.gov. The comment public to inform the public of these
• Fax: 202–693–9441. period was scheduled to close on
changes to the Forest Service’s public
• Hand Delivery or Courier: MSHA, participation procedures. This session
jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
December 1, 2015.
201 12th Street South, Suite 4E401, will include additional information on
Arlington, Virginia, between 9:00 a.m. On November 18, 2015, MSHA the need for these changes and the
and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, received a request to extend the outcomes the Agency is seeking to
except Federal holidays. Sign in at the comment period an additional two achieve. It will also include an outline
receptionist’s desk on the 4th Floor East. weeks to provide more time for of a potential path forward and provide
Instructions: All submissions must interested parties to comment. In attendees an opportunity to ask
include RIN 1219–AB78 or Docket No. response to this request, MSHA is questions, provide input, and suggest
MSHA–2014–0019. Do not include extending the comment period from ideas.
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![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 229 / Monday, November 30, 2015 / Proposed Rules 74741
DATES: A webinar will be held for The Forest Service Handbook is the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
interested members of the general principal source of specialized guidance David A. Trissell, General Counsel, at
public on Tuesday, December 15, 2015, and instruction for carrying out the 202–789–6820.
from 1:00–2:30 p.m. Eastern Standard policies, objectives, and responsibilities SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Time/10:00–11:30 a.m. Pacific Standard contained in the Forest Service Manual.
Time. The directives for all Agency programs Table of Contents
ADDRESSES: The webinar will be held are available on the Agency Web site I. Introduction
via Adobe Connect web conferencing (www.fs.fed.us). II. Summary of Proposals
software. To access the presentation, Currently, the Forest Service uses the III. Initial Commission Action
process set forth in the Administrative IV. Ordering Paragraphs
enter the following URL into any Flash-
enabled web browser: https:// Procedure Act (APA) (5 U.S.C. 553) to
I. Introduction
usfs.adobeconnect.com/orms/. Audio- notify the public of, and obtain
only access is available toll-free by comments on, changes to the Forest On November 20, 2015, the Postal
calling (888) 844–9904 and entering the Service Directive System. This entails Service filed a petition pursuant to 39
following access code: 4909819. publication of notice in the Federal CFR 3050.11 requesting that the
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Register and solicitation of comments Commission initiate an informal
Earnest Rawles, Acting Assistant through Regulations.gov. This process rulemaking proceeding to consider
Director, Office of Regulatory and was established and is primarily used to changes to analytical principles relating
Management Services—Directives and facilitate public participation in the to the Postal Service’s periodic reports.1
Regulations Branch (202) 205–2601, promulgation of rules in the CFR. The Proposal Twelve is attached to the
WO_Directives@fs.fed.us. Individuals Forest Service will continue to Petition and identifies the proposed
who use telecommunication devices for exclusively use the APA process to analytical method change that relates to
involve the public in rulemaking. The the treatment of costs for vehicles used
the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal
Agency is seeking to expand options for on city carrier letter routes within
Information Relay Service (FIRS) at
involving interested parties in the various cost components of the Cost and
(800) 877–8339 between 8:00 a.m. and
formulation of directives to be more Revenue Analysis (CRA) report. Id. The
8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time,
responsive and accessible to the public. Postal Service concurrently filed two
Monday through Friday.
library references, along with an
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Dated: November 23, 2015. application for non-public treatment for
purpose of this RFI is to inform the Lenise Lago, one.2
public, gather feedback on potential Deputy Chief of Business Operations, U. S.
future strategies for notifying the public, Forest Service. II. Summary of Proposal
and obtaining comments prior to [FR Doc. 2015–30347 Filed 11–27–15; 8:45 am] The Postal Service requests this
making any amendments to the Forest BILLING CODE 3411–15–P rulemaking to re-align certain
Service Directive System. Information calculations within the CRA report to be
obtained in response to this RFI may be consistent with the methodology
used by the Forest Service for program approved by the Commission in
planning and development, or for other POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION Proposal Thirteen.3 Petition at 1.
purposes. Note that information shared Acknowledging that the Postal Service
by the Forest Service in conjunction 39 CFR Part 3050 will soon submit the FY 2015 Annual
with this RFI may or may not be used Compliance Report, the Postal Service
to inform or issue further policy. [Docket No. RM2016–3; Order No. 2836] emphasizes that immediate
Background: The Forest Service is consideration of Proposal Twelve is
bound by the Forest and Rangeland Periodic Reporting necessary to avoid a mismatch between
Renewable Resources Planning Act of the current methodology for the
1974, as modified by the National Forest AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission. treatment of ancillary vehicle cost
Management Act of 1976, ‘‘to give the ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking. matters and the framework approved in
Federal, State, and local governments Proposal Thirteen. Id. at 1–2. Under
and the public adequate notice and an SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing a
Proposal Twelve, the Postal Service
opportunity to comment upon the recent filing requesting that the
proposes two methodological changes:
formulation of standards, criteria, and Commission initiate an informal
guidelines applicable to Forest Service rulemaking proceeding to consider 1 Petition of the United States Postal Service for
programs’’ (16 U.S.C. 1612(a)). Many of changes to analytical principles relating the Initiation of a Proceeding to Consider Proposed
these standards, criteria, and guidelines to periodic reports (Proposal Twelve). Changes in Analytical Principles (Proposal Twelve),
This notice informs the public of the November 20, 2015, at 1 (Petition).
are contained in the Forest Service 2 Notice of Filing of USPS–RM2016–3/1, USPS–
Directive System, which is used to filing, invites public comment, and
RM2016–3/NP1, and Application for Nonpublic
implement existing laws and takes other administrative steps. Treatment, November 20, 2015 (Notice). Library
regulations. The Forest Service Directive DATES: Comments are due: December 4, Reference USPS–RM2016–3/1 contains workbooks
2015. Reply Comments are due: displaying the calculation and cost impacts of
System contains the Agency’s policies, implementing the proposed methodology. Library
practices, and procedures and serves as December 9, 2015. Reference USPS–RM2016–3/NP1 contains
the primary basis for the internal ADDRESSES: Submit comments supporting non-public material. The Notice
jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
management and control of programs electronically via the Commission’s incorporates by reference the Application for Non-
Public Treatment of Materials contained in
and administrative direction to Agency Filing Online system at http:// Attachment Two to the December 29, 2014, United
employees. The Forest Service Manual www.prc.gov. Those who cannot submit States Postal Service Fiscal Year 2014 Annual
contains legal authorities, objectives, comments electronically should contact Compliance Report. Notice at 1. See 39 CFR part
policies, responsibilities, and guidance the person identified in the FOR FURTHER 3007 for information on access to non-public
material.
needed on a continuing basis by Agency INFORMATION CONTACT section by 3 Docket No. RM2015–7, Order No. 2792, Order
line officers and primary staff to plan telephone for advice on filing Approving Analytical Principles Used in Periodic
and execute programs and activities. alternatives. Reporting (Proposal Thirteen), October 29, 2015.
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Document Created: 2018-03-01 11:12:04
Document Modified: 2018-03-01 11:12:04
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Proposed Rules | |
| Action | Request for Information. | |
| Dates | A webinar will be held for interested members of the general public on Tuesday, December 15, 2015, from 1:00-2:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time/10:00-11:30 a.m. Pacific Standard Time. | |
| Contact | Earnest Rawles, Acting Assistant Director, Office of Regulatory and Management Services--Directives and Regulations Branch (202) 205-2601, [email protected] Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at (800) 877-8339 between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday. | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 74740 |
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