Federal Register #RIN 0596AD74

USDA Forest Service Proposed Rule: Amendments to Directive System and Public Participation Procedures

This notice announces a proposed rule by the USDA Forest Service to amend its Directive System regulations. - Government Buyer: - United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service - Purpose of Proposed Rule: - Clarifies distinction between mandatory direction (Forest Service Manual) and advisory guidance (Forest Service Handbooks) - Updates requirements for public notice and comment on standards, criteria, and guidelines for Forest Service programs - Aims to increase agency employee discretion and promote innovation in program implementation - Accounts for unique ecological, social, and economic conditions - Modernizes public participation procedures, including allowing electronic comment submissions and removing the need for a physical mailing address - Notable Exclusions: - No procurement of products or services is involved - No OEMs or vendors are mentioned - The rule does not address procurement, personnel, or administrative support activities

Description

The United States Department of Agriculture is proposing to amend regulations governing the Directive System for the United States Forest Service. The amendments aim to enhance agency employees' discretion to allow innovation in program implementation, considering unique ecological conditions and changing social and economic needs. The rule clarifies the scope of public participation requirements for the formulation of standards, criteria, and guidelines applicable to Forest Service programs. It redefines the Forest Service Manual as the primary source of mandatory direction and the Forest Service Handbooks as advisory guidance. The rule also updates public notice and comment procedures, including allowing electronic submission of comments.

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