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USDA/FS RIN: 0596-AB67 Publication ID: Fall 1999 
Title: Administration of the Forest Development Transportation System 
Abstract: The Forest Service proposes to change how the National Forest road system is improved, maintained, operated, and funded. Advanced notice of the agency's intent was published January 28, 1998, concurrently with publication of a notice of a proposed interim rule to Temporarily Suspend Road Construction in Roadless Areas. Extensive comments were received on both notices and have been considered in developing an interim final road suspension rule (February 12, 1999, 64 FR 7290) and in proposing a long range road management policy for the National Forest System. The existing road system on National Forest System lands was largely funded and constructed through timber harvesting and the development of other resources to provide long-term access for use, management and protection. In the last 10 years, public interest in the national forests has shifted substantially toward recreation use and resource protection. Road management emphasis needs to shift away from new construction and development toward operation and maintenance. Accordingly, the agency proposes to revise its transportation system rules at 36 CFR part 212 to change the emphasis from development of roads to operation and maintenance of roads. The agency also proposes revision of its internal road management and forest planning direction to shift the focus of forest road system administration to access management rather than development and expansion, and clarify terminology and definitions. A key element of the internal directive change is the adoption of science-based, multi-scale road analysis that subjects potential road construction and reconstruction to a rigorous analysis of effects and more completely considers unroaded area values. These analyses will be coordinated and integrated with other resource assessments and forest planning. This is expected to result in fewer roads, especially in unroaded areas, and a more affordable, safer, better maintained road system needed to access the national forests. 
Agency: Department of Agriculture(USDA)  Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant 
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Proposed Rule Stage 
Major: No  Unfunded Mandates: No 
CFR Citation: 36 CFR 212   
Legal Authority: 16 USC 551    23 USC 205   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
ANPRM  01/28/1998  63 FR 4350   
ANPRM Comment Period End  03/30/1998    
NPRM  11/00/1999    
NPRM Comment Period End  12/00/1999    
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No  Government Levels Affected: None 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
Agency Contact:
Marian P. Connolly
Regulatory Officer
Department of Agriculture
Forest Service
MS 1134, ATTN: IRM, D&R, 1400 Independence Avenue SW,
Washington, DC 20250-1134
Phone:703 605-4533
Fax:703 605-5111
Email: mconnolly@fs.fed.us