[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 238 (Thursday, December 10, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Page 79462]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-27104]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Forest Service Handbook 2709.11, Chapter 80; Special Uses; 
Operating Plans and Agreements for Powerline Facilities

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Issuance of Proposed Directives; notice of availability for 
public comment.

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SUMMARY: The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Forest 
Service, is seeking public comment on a proposed directive implementing 
section 512 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA), as 
added by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018. Section 512 of 
FLPMA governs development, review, and approval of proposed operating 
plans and agreements for vegetation management, inspection, and 
operation and maintenance of powerline facilities on National Forest 
System (NFS) lands.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing by January 11, 2021.

ADDRESSES: The proposed directives are available at, and comments may 
be submitted electronically to, https://cara.ecosystem-management.org/Public/CommentInput?project=ORMS-2718. Comments may be mailed to 
Gregory C. Smith, Director, Lands and Realty Management, 1400 
Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-1124. All timely comments, 
including names and addresses, will be placed in the record and will be 
available for public inspection and copying. The public may inspect 
comments received at https://cara.ecosystem-management.org/Public/ReadingRoom?project=ORMS-2718.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Reggie Woodruff, Lands and Realty 
Management, at 202-205-1196 <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#87f5e2e0eee9e6eba9f0e8e8e3f5f2e1e1c7f2f4e3e6a9e0e8f1"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="99ebfcfef0f7f8f5b7eef6f6fdebecffffd9eceafdf8b7fef6ef">[email protected]</span></a>. Individuals who 
use telecommunication devices for the deaf may call the Federal Relay 
Service at 800-877-8339 between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., Eastern Time, 
Monday through Friday.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 211 of division O of the 
Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018 amended Title V of FLPMA, 43 
U.S.C. 1761-1771, to add section 512, codified at 43 U.S.C. 1772. 
Section 512 of FLPMA governs development, review, and approval of 
proposed operating plans and agreements for vegetation management, 
inspection, and operation and maintenance of powerline facilities on 
NFS lands. Section 512 of FLPMA requires the Forest Service to 
promulgate implementing regulations and issue implementing agency 
guidance. The Forest Service promulgated regulations implementing 
section 512 of FLPMA on July 10, 2020 (85 FR 41387). The proposed 
directive would add Chapter 80 to the Special Uses Handbook, to 
implement section 512 of FLPMA.
    The Forest Service has determined that the proposed directive would 
formulate standards, criteria, and guidelines applicable to a Forest 
Service program and is therefore publishing the proposed directive for 
public comment in accordance with 36 CFR part 216.
    After the public comment period closes, the Forest Service will 
consider timely and relevant comments in developing the final 
directive. A notice of the final directive, including a response to 
timely and relevant comments, will be posted on the Forest Service's 
web page at https://www.fs.fed.us/about-agency/regulations-policies/comment-on-directives.

Christine Dawe,
Acting Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System.
[FR Doc. 2020-27104 Filed 12-9-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411-15-P


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