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    <RIN_INFO>
        <RIN>0596-AC53</RIN>
        <PUBLICATION>
            <PUBLICATION_ID>200804</PUBLICATION_ID>
            <PUBLICATION_TITLE>Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions</PUBLICATION_TITLE>
        </PUBLICATION>
        <AGENCY>
            <CODE>0596</CODE>
            <NAME>Forest Service</NAME>
            <ACRONYM>FS</ACRONYM>
        </AGENCY>
        <PARENT_AGENCY>
            <CODE>0500</CODE>
            <NAME>Department of Agriculture</NAME>
            <ACRONYM>USDA</ACRONYM>
        </PARENT_AGENCY>
        <RULE_TITLE>Categorical Exclusion for Ski Area Resort Activities (FSH 1909.15, Chapter 30)</RULE_TITLE>
        <ABSTRACT><![CDATA[The Forest Service is publishing a proposed directive to amend Forest Service Handbook 1909.15, chapter 30, regarding categorical exclusions (CEs) from documentation under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).  Its purpose is to improve management efficiency for ski areas operating under special use authorization on National Forest System lands.  

Experience in environmental analysis of ski area developments has shown that many projects implementing a ski area master development plan or programmatic decision that were analyzed through an Environmental Assessment (EA) or Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) have not individually or cumulatively had a significant effect on the human environment.  In the majority of projects, the issues associated with ski areas arise from the initial development or expansion of an area rather than from implementing projects.

The current list of CEs in this handbook omits some activities that do not warrant additional analysis and therefore places an unnecessary cost burden on the Agency and ski area operators.  The Agency will review past environmental analyses to determine the types of implementing projects that typically do not have significant effects.  Examples may include lift replacement or modification, minor modification of existing ski trails and terrain, improving or replacing existing facilities, and minor construction within the permitted area.]]></ABSTRACT>
        <PRIORITY_CATEGORY>Other Significant</PRIORITY_CATEGORY>
        <RIN_STATUS>Previously Published in The Unified Agenda</RIN_STATUS>
        <RULE_STAGE>Proposed Rule Stage</RULE_STAGE>
        <MAJOR>No</MAJOR>
        <UNFUNDED_MANDATE_LIST>
            <UNFUNDED_MANDATE>No</UNFUNDED_MANDATE>
        </UNFUNDED_MANDATE_LIST>
        <CFR_LIST>
            <CFR>None</CFR>
        </CFR_LIST>
        <LEGAL_AUTHORITY_LIST>
            <LEGAL_AUTHORITY>7 CFR 1b</LEGAL_AUTHORITY>
        </LEGAL_AUTHORITY_LIST>
        <LEGAL_DLINE_LIST/>
        <RPLAN_ENTRY>No</RPLAN_ENTRY>
        <TIMETABLE_LIST>
            <TIMETABLE>
                <TTBL_ACTION>Proposed Directive</TTBL_ACTION>
                <TTBL_DATE>07/00/2008</TTBL_DATE>
            </TIMETABLE>
        </TIMETABLE_LIST>
        <RFA_REQUIRED>No</RFA_REQUIRED>
        <SMALL_ENTITY_LIST>
            <SMALL_ENTITY>No</SMALL_ENTITY>
        </SMALL_ENTITY_LIST>
        <GOVT_LEVEL_LIST>
            <GOVT_LEVEL>None</GOVT_LEVEL>
        </GOVT_LEVEL_LIST>
        <FEDERALISM>No</FEDERALISM>
        <ENERGY_AFFECTED>No</ENERGY_AFFECTED>
        <PRINT_PAPER>No</PRINT_PAPER>
        <INTERNATIONAL_INTEREST>Not Collected</INTERNATIONAL_INTEREST>
        <AGENCY_CONTACT_LIST>
            <CONTACT>
                <FIRST_NAME>Michael</FIRST_NAME>
                <LAST_NAME>McGee</LAST_NAME>
                <TITLE>Regulatory Analyst</TITLE>
                <AGENCY>
                    <CODE>0596</CODE>
                    <NAME>Forest Service</NAME>
                    <ACRONYM>FS</ACRONYM>
                </AGENCY>
                <PHONE>202 205-2601</PHONE>
                <FAX>202 260-6539</FAX>
                <EMAIL>mmcgee01@fs.fed.us</EMAIL>
                <MAILING_ADDRESS>
                    <STREET_ADDRESS>MS 1134, ATTN:  ORMS, D&amp;R Branch, 1400 Independence Avenue SW,</STREET_ADDRESS>
                    <CITY>Washington</CITY>
                    <STATE>DC</STATE>
                    <ZIP>20250-0003</ZIP>
                </MAILING_ADDRESS>
            </CONTACT>
        </AGENCY_CONTACT_LIST>
    </RIN_INFO>
</REGINFO_RIN_DATA>
