FY 2012 Congressional Directives Responses
Official responses to Congressional requests for information are provided below along with short descriptions of the requests.
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Back Country Airstrips
Congressional request: Relating to a Congressional Directive in the FY 2012 Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, Conference Report 112-331. The Forest Service is directed to submit a report to the Committees on Appropriations within 90 days of enactment of this Act to provide a general assessment of back-country airstrips on National Forest System lands with recommendations for improving their function as an important component of the forest transportation and recreation system and publicly post this information.
Back-country Airstrips Bill Language (pdf, 81 kb)
Back-country Airstrips Letters and Report (pdf, 710 kb)
National Environmental Policy Act - Analysis for Grazing Permits
Congressional request: Relating to a Congressional Directive in Public Law 108-108, Title III - General Provisions, Section 325. Beginning in November 2004, and every year thereafter, the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture shall report to Congress the extent to which they are completing analysis required under applicable laws prior to the expiration of grazing permits, and beginning in May 2004, and every two years thereafter, the Secretaries shall provide Congress recommendations for legislative provisions necessary to ensure all permit renewals are completed in a timely manner.
NEPA Accomplishments Bill Language (pdf, 818 kb)
NEPA Accomplishments Letters and Report (pdf, 1601 kb)
Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act and Competitive Grant Procedures
Congressional request: Relating to Congressional Directives in Conference Report 112-311 and House Report 112-151. Congress requests the Forest Service to provide an update on the status of developing a process, in consultation with State Foresters, that provides for the consideration and incorporation of Forest Action Plans in the annual budget preparation process, responds to state-specific priorities by allowing State Foresters the flexibility to reallocate a percentage of authorizations for the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act, and supports an effective competitive grant procedure that addresses national and regional priorities.
Coop Forestry Asst. Act & Competitive Grant Procedures Bill Language (pdf, 1380 kb)
Coop Forestry Asst. Act & Competitive Grant Procedures Letters (pdf, 440 kb)
Status of Balances of Appropriation
Congressional request: Relating to a Congressional Directive in H. R. 2055, Public Law 112-74, Status of Balances of Appropriation, SEC. 424. The Department of the Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Forest Service, and the Indian Health Service shall provide the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and Senate quarterly reports on the status of balances of appropriations including all uncommitted, committed, and unobligated funds in each program and activity.
Balances and Appropriations Q4 Bill Language (pdf, 95 kb)
Balances and Appropriations Q4 Letters and Report (pdf, 2491 kb)
Reprogramming Actions
Congressional request: Relating to a Congressional Directive in Conference Report 112-331, Quarterly Reports. All re-programmings between budget activities, budget line-items, program areas, or the more detailed activity levels shown in the Statement of the Managers, including those below the monetary thresholds established above, shall be reported to the Committees within 60 days of the end of each quarter and shall include cumulative totals for each budget activity, budget line item, or construction, land acquisition, or forest legacy project.
Reprogramming Q4 Bill Language (pdf, 572 kb)
Reprogramming Q4 Letters and Report (pdf, 1235 kb)
Current Jobs Associated with the Legacy Roads and Trails Program
Congressional request: Relating to a Congressional Directive in Conference Report 112-331, Title III - Related Agencies, Capital Improvement and Maintenance, and Legacy Roads. Congress requests the Forest Service to provide a report on the jobs associated with the Legacy Roads and Trails program.
Legacy Roads and Trails Jobs Bill Language (pdf, 171 kb)
Legacy Roads & Trails Jobs Letters and Report (pdf, 988 kb)
Forest Service Collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy: Urban Heat Island Effects and Cooling
Congressional request: Relating to a Congressional Directive in Conference Report 112-331, Title III - Related Agencies, and Forest and Rangeland Research. Congress expects the Forest Service to continue ongoing urban natural resources stewardship research and should produce a joint report with the Department of Energy on the role that this work can play in helping reduce the urban heat island effect, as well as reduce the energy demand to cool buildings.
Urban Heat Island Effects Bill Language (pdf, 502 kb)
Urban Heat Island Effects Letters and Report (pdf, 481 kb)
Status of Balances of Appropriation
Congressional request: Relating to a Congressional Directive in H. R. 2055, Public Law 112-74, Status of Balances of Appropriation, SEC. 424. The Department of the Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Forest Service, and the Indian Health Service shall provide the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and Senate quarterly reports on the status of balances of appropriations including all uncommitted, committed, and unobligated funds in each program and activity.
Balances and Appropriations Q3 Bill Language (pdf, 95 kb)
Balances and Appropriations Q3 Letters and Report (pdf, 2765 kb)
FLAME Activity for Fiscal Year 2011
Congressional request: Relating to a Congressional Directive in Public Law 111-88, Title V – FLAME Act of 2009, Section 502 – FLAME Wildfire Suppression Reserve Funds, Annual Report – The Secretary concerned shall submit to the relevant congressional committees and make available to the public an annual report that describes the obligation and expenditure of amounts transferred from the FLAME Fund; and includes any recommendations that the Secretary concerned may have to improve the administrative control and oversight of the FLAME Fund.
FLAME Activities for FY11 Bill Language (pdf, 2242 kb)
FLAME Activities for FY11 Letters and Report (pdf, 5276 kb)
Status of Balances of Appropriation
Congressional request: Relating to a Congressional Directive in H. R. 2055, Public Law 112-74, Status of Balances of Appropriation, SEC. 424. The Department of the Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Forest Service, and the Indian Health Service shall provide the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and Senate quarterly reports on the status of balances of appropriations including all uncommitted, committed, and unobligated funds in each program and activity.
Balances and Appropriations Q2 Bill Language (pdf, 91 kb)
Balances and Appropriations Q2 Letters & Report (pdf, 961 kb)
Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA) Fee Information
Congressional request: Relating to a Congressional Directive in the Statement of the Managers: Division E – Department of the Interior, Environment, and related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2012; which directs the Department of the Interior, the EPA, and the Forest Service to provide specific information to the Appropriations Committees relating to payments made under the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA). This report is provided for the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations including information on payments made in fiscal year 2011 under EAJA.
Equal Access to Justice Act Bill Language (pdf, 1806 kb)
Equal Access to Justice Act Letters and Report (pdf, 1176 kb)