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Policy Report: June 13, 2022

June 13, 2022

Forest Service Policy Report

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 06/06/2022 to 06/10/2022.

Forest Service Manual 6400 – Property Management

Chapter 6440 - Real Property Management

6447 - Space Utilization: Forest Service policy is removed to ensure compliance with USDA and consistency in Forest Service space planning. Refer to USDA Space Planning and Utilization policy in AgPMR Advisory 21-03 to define employee calculations due to increased use of teleworking/remote schedules and defines the amount of space allowed for the type of office and the number of employees calculated. Updates provided to the Department Regulation references and electronic links and Forest Service workplace space and design guidelines electronic link.

DIRECTIVES PUBLISHED FOR PUBLIC COMMENT

No new directives were published for public comment from the period of 06/06/2022 to 06/10/2022.

REGULATORY ACTIONS

The following new regulatory action was published from the period of 06/06/2022 to 06/10/2022.

Assessing Fees for Excess and Unauthorized Grazing (36 CFR Part 222)

Following a 2016 General Accounting Office report that highlighted serious inconsistencies in practice and existing policy, the Forest Service has updated the agency’s rangeland management regulations, providing greater flexibility and a consistent policy when handling excess and unauthorized grazing.

The Forest Service published a proposed rule on November 2, 2020, intending to satisfy the recommendations contained with the July 2016 General Accounting Office report. The rule amends the Forest Service grazing regulations to reflect Agency practices when resolving excess and unauthorized grazing use that are a result of unforeseen or uncontrollable circumstances. 

Under the final rule, provision is made to provide the authorized officer an option to waive the excess or unauthorized grazing use fees when the use is a result of unforeseen or uncontrollable circumstances when all the conditions set forth in the regulation are met.  Knowing such a waiver exists could encourage timely self-reporting on the part of industry and foster more cooperative relationships with land managers.

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 Melinda Zimmerman (melinda.zimmerman@usda.gov).

 

https://www.fs.usda.gov/inside-fs/mail-call/policy-report-june-13-2022