Welcome to the Forest Service Policy Report! Our goal is to provide weekly updates on agency policy actions, including directives and regulations.

RECENTLY ISSUED DIRECTIVES

The following new directives were published during the period of 04/25/2022 to 04/29/2022.

Forest Service Handbook 2409.19 – Renewable Resources Handbook

Chapter 40 – Brush Disposal Fund Collections, Costs, and Accounting – 4/26/2022

Adds reference to Good Neighbor Agreements and Stewardship Agreements; includes additional direction on the preparation of Brush Disposal Treatment Plans. Provides clarification regarding extension requests after the initial 5-year period. Clarifies that funds collected for equipment purchase on a particular BD Treatment Plan should be proportional to that equipment being utilized on that sale area, that equipment purchases should be spread across multiple plans or funding sources, and additional direction on the development of forms.

Forest Service Handbook 2409.19 – Renewable Resources Handbook

Chapter 50 – Timber Sale Pipeline Restoration Fund – 4/26/2022

Establishes direction for Timber Sale Pipeline Restoration Fund. Removes guidance for “first generation sales” as this is now historical information. Clarifies that deposits to National Forest Fund are to be a minimum of $0.25/CCF up to 25% of the total stumpage. Replaces Automated Timber Sale Accounting with Forest Products Financial System.

Forest Service Handbook 2409.19 - Renewable Resources Handbook

Chapter 70 - Salvage Sale Fund Collections, Costs and Accounting – 4/26/2022

Removes references to Automated Timber Sale Accounting and replaces with Forest Products Financial System. Removes requirement to expend Salvage Sale Funds only on sales where Salvage Sale program is identified in the purpose and need statement of the National Environmental Policy Act documentation. Adds direction to review Regional Salvage Sale Fund balances and to issue an annual report to the Regions. Provides direction for Salvage Sale Program Report and an annual report being shared with the Regions to communicate the current state of the program.

DIRECTIVES PUBLISHED FOR PUBLIC COMMENT

No new directives were published for public comment from the period of 04/25/2022 to 04/29/2022.

REGULATORY ACTIONS

No new regulatory actions were published from the period of 04/25/2022 to 04/29/2022.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

There are no new announcements regarding upcoming events, but please continue to check this report weekly as new updates may be included in the future.

If you have questions or recommendations for Policy Report content that would be valuable to you and your colleagues, please contact Miranda Galadima (Miranda.galadima@usda.gov).