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<REGINFO_RIN_DATA xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" RUN_DATE="2026-06-09-04:00" xsi:noNamespaceSchemaLocation="https://www.reginfo.gov/public/xml/REGINFO_XML_Ver10262011.xsd">
    <RIN_INFO>
        <RIN>0596-AC89</RIN>
        <PUBLICATION>
            <PUBLICATION_ID>200910</PUBLICATION_ID>
            <PUBLICATION_TITLE>The Regulatory Plan and the 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>Enhancing Policies Relating to Partnerships</RULE_TITLE>
        <ABSTRACT><![CDATA[Background:  Describe what the current regulations require or allow, and what the problem is.

Throughout its 100-year history, the Forest Service (FS) has utilized partnership arrangements with States, non-Government organizations, and others to help carry out its mission.  These arrangements are used in a variety of ways to support FS programs on Federal, State, and private lands, including ecological restoration and enhancement, interpretation and education services, enhancement of recreation opportunities, and wildlife habitat improvements.  

Establishing partnerships and utilizing them to their greatest potential has not always been a simple matter for the FS and its partners.  A number of statutory authorities govern how and when the FS may work cooperatively with partners, such as the Cooperative Funds Act, Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act, Granger-Thye Act, Federal Grants and Cooperative Agreements Act, and Public Law 109-54, Section 434, Watershed Restoration and Enhancement Agreements.  Challenges have resulted, in part, from the multiplicity and varying interpretation of these partnership authorities, and time-consuming business processes.  

Proposed Action:  Briefly describe the action you wish to take.

The FS seeks to promote and maintain the broader use and integrity of working relationships between the Agency and outside entities, including partners, donors and fundraising organizations.  The FS is proposing servicewide direction regarding the formation and use of partnership relationships.  The proposed directive would define a range of Agency services and programs appropriate to support and fully utilize these relationships, while simultaneously providing new and/or refined guidelines to ensure Agency integrity, impartiality and public confidence as we further Agency mission objectives and priorities through mutually beneficial arrangements.]]></ABSTRACT>
        <PRIORITY_CATEGORY>Substantive, Nonsignificant</PRIORITY_CATEGORY>
        <RIN_STATUS>First Time 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>Not Yet Determined</LEGAL_AUTHORITY>
        </LEGAL_AUTHORITY_LIST>
        <LEGAL_DLINE_LIST/>
        <RPLAN_ENTRY>No</RPLAN_ENTRY>
        <TIMETABLE_LIST>
            <TIMETABLE>
                <TTBL_ACTION>Proposed Directive</TTBL_ACTION>
                <TTBL_DATE>12/00/2009</TTBL_DATE>
            </TIMETABLE>
        </TIMETABLE_LIST>
        <RFA_REQUIRED>No</RFA_REQUIRED>
        <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>No</INTERNATIONAL_INTEREST>
        <AGENCY_CONTACT_LIST>
            <CONTACT>
                <FIRST_NAME>Lorrie</FIRST_NAME>
                <LAST_NAME>Parker</LAST_NAME>
                <TITLE>Regulatory Analyst</TITLE>
                <AGENCY>
                    <CODE>0596</CODE>
                    <NAME>Forest Service</NAME>
                    <ACRONYM>FS</ACRONYM>
                </AGENCY>
                <PHONE>202 205-6560</PHONE>
                <FAX>202 260-6539</FAX>
                <EMAIL>lsparker@fs.fed.us</EMAIL>
                <MAILING_ADDRESS>
                    <STREET_ADDRESS>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>
