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USDA/FS

RIN: 0596-AB73

Publication ID: Fall 2002

Title: National Environmental Policy Act Documentation Needed for Certain Special Uses Permit Actions (Final Interim Directive to FSH 1909.15, Chapter 30)
Abstract: In April 1997, the Forest Service completed a reengineering study of its special uses program. One finding in that study was that the Forest Service is conducting extensive National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis and documentation for the renewal or transfer of ownership of special use authorizations having no significant effect on the human environment, either individually or cumulatively. This level of NEPA compliance is costly, time consuming, and not commensurate with the risk attributed to the activity. Therefore, the Forest Service proposes to add a new category of categorical exclusions from NEPA documentation at sections 31.1b and 31.2 of FSH 1909.15, Environmental Policy and Procedures Handbook. This action would give clearer direction regarding the NEPA obligation, when issuance of a special use authorization is a purely ministerial action and no changes are proposed in permitted activities or facilities. The proposed policy published September 20, 2001 (66 FR 48412) also contained a proposed revision to section 30.3 to clarify the NEPA documentation that is needed for processing applications and authorizations under a categorical exclusion when extraordinary circumstances exist. This revision to section 30.3 regarding extraordinary circumstances was incorporated as a separate action in RIN 0596-AB94 and final policy was published August 23, 2002 (67 FR 54622).
Agency: Department of Agriculture(USDA)	Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda	Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Final Rule Stage
Major: No	Unfunded Mandates: No
CFR Citation: None (To search for a specific CFR, visit the Code of Federal Regulations.)
Legal Authority: 42 USC 4321 to 4346

Legal Deadline: None

Timetable:

Action	Date	FR Cite
NPRM	09/20/2001	66 FR 48412
NPRM Comment Period End	11/19/2001
Final Action	01/00/2003
Final Action Effective	01/00/2003

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No	Government Levels Affected: None
Small Entities Affected: No	Federalism: No
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No
Related RINs: Related to 0596-AB94
Agency Contact: Michael McGee Regulatory Analyst Department of Agriculture Forest Service MS 1134, ATTN: ORMS, D&R Branch, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-0003 Phone:202 205-2601 Fax:202 260-6539 Email: mmcgee01@fs.fed.us