[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 121 (Tuesday, June 23, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37622-37623]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-13509]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Forest Service Manual 2710 and Forest Service Handbook 2709.11;
Special Uses; Use and Storage of Explosive Materials on National Forest
System Lands Under Special Use Authorizations
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Issuance of interim directives; notice of availability for
public comment.
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SUMMARY: The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest
Service (Forest Service), is issuing interim directives on the use and
storage of explosive materials on National Forest System lands as part
of activities authorized under special use permits. The Forest Service
has determined that some of the direction contained in these interim
directives formulates standards, criteria, and guidelines applicable to
Forest Service programs and is therefore subject to public notice and
comment. The Forest Service has made a finding of good cause that an
exigency exists to support issuance of the interim directives, which go
into effect upon publication for public comment.
DATES: The interim directives are effective June 23, 2020. Comments
must be received in writing by August 24, 2020.
ADDRESSES: Interim directives may be reviewed and electronic comments
may be submitted electronically to https://cara.ecosystem-management.org/Public/CommentInput?project=ORMS-2226. Written comments
may be mailed to Sean Wetterberg, National Winter Sports Program
Manager, 125 South State Street, Suite 7105, Salt Lake City, UT 84138.
All timely received 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-2226.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sean Wetterberg, Winter Sports Program
Manager, 801-975-3793 or [email protected]. Individuals using
telecommunication devices for the deaf may call the Federal Information
Relay Service at 800-877-8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Eastern Time,
Monday through Friday.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The interim directive in Forest Service
Manual 2710, section 2719, sets forth direction for Forest Service
policy and responsibility relating to non-federal use and storage of
explosives and military artillery and ordinance on National Forest
System lands under special use authorizations. The interim directive at
Forest Service Handbook 2709.11,
[[Page 37623]]
Chapter 50, replaces existing clause B-29, Explosives, with new clause
B-29, Storage and Use of Explosives and Magazine Security; clarifies
the purpose of the new clause; specifies all types of special use
authorizations that may authorize storage and use of explosives and
therefore, may require inclusion of clause B-29; and describes
implementation of the new clause.
The Forest Service has made a finding of good cause that an
exigency exists to support issuance of the interim directives, which
become effective upon publication for public comment. The interim
directives make revisions regarding storage and use of explosives under
special use authorizations, such as at Winter Sports Resorts and
highway avalanche mitigation programs conducted by State transportation
departments that enhance public safety on National Forest System lands
and need to go into effect upon publication for public comment.
After the public comment period closes, the Forest Service will
consider timely comments that are within the scope of the interim
directives in the development of the final directives. A notice of the
final directives, including a response to timely comments, will be
posted on the Forest Service's web page at https://www.fs.fed.us/about-agency/regulations-policies.
Tina Johna Terrell,
Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest System.
[FR Doc. 2020-13509 Filed 6-22-20; 8:45 am]
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