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

Recently issued directive updates:   

The 3 directives issued last week are related and institutionalize practices to ensure adequate fire agreement internal controls, contributing to effective management of wildfires and supporting Administration priorities on mitigating climate effects of wildland fire. Please be advised of the updated links for these directives included below.

1. FSM 3170-Cooperative Fire Protection (5/12/2021): Requires that State Cooperative Fire Protection Agreements be submitted to the WO Fire and Aviation Management for review and approval by the Deputy Chief of State and Private Forestry.  Added language to include tribes and cross references to FSH 1509.11, Chapter 30 and FSH 6509.11, Chapter 50.
2. FSH 1509.11_30-Cooperative L.E., Forest Road, & Fire Protection Agreements (5/12/2021): Cross-references the added requirements in FSH 6509.11g, Chapter 50, regarding segregation of duties for Cost Share Agreements, and the new requirement in FSM 3171.11 that Cooperative Fire Protection Agreements with the States must be reviewed and approved by the Deputy Chief of State & Private Forestry prior to execution.  In addition, language referencing Statewide and Local Cooperative Fire Protection agreements and/or templates was updated in conformance with changes.  
3. FSH 6509.11g_50-Wildland Fire Mgmt. (5/12/2021): Prohibits Regions from creating supplemental policies and procedures so that national procedures are followed consistently. It retains and more fully describes the reference to the Standard Operating Procedures that address internal controls but incorporates some elements, including Washington Office reviews, into directives. A requirement that all Cost Share Agreements undergo a second level regional review through a standardized process, has also been incorporated.

Recently issued directives:

1. FSH 2309.13 Chapter 50-O&M of Developed Recreation Sites (5/20/2021): Establishes codes and sets forth direction for Forest Service operation and maintenance of developed recreation sites in chapter 50.  Recodes to this Forest Service Handbook chapter direction that is currently set out in FSM 2332 governing operation and maintenance of developed recreation sites by the Forest Service.
2. FSM 2330-FS Planning, Design, O&M of Developed Recreation Sites (5/20/2021): Changes chapter title from “Publicly Managed Recreation Opportunities” to “Forest Service Planning, Design, Operation, and Maintenance of Developed Recreation Sites” and updates directive in its entirety.

Regulatory actions:

No new regulatory actions were published from the period of 05/17/2021 to 05/24/2021.

Directives published for public comment:

No new directives were published for public comment from the period of 05/17/2021 to 05/24/2021.

Announcements:

Forest Service Quarterly Directive Publication Notice - The Forest Service recently finalized new direction regarding providing the public notice and opportunity to comment on proposed directives.

The new policy requires the Agency to provide notice of and opportunity for the public to comment on any directives that formulate standards, criteria, or guidelines applicable to Forest Service programs. Once per quarter, the agency provides advance notice of proposed and interim directives that will be made available for public comment during the next 3 months and notice of recently issued final directives.

More information regarding this notice can be found here: 2021-10202.pdf (govinfo.gov).

Upcoming events:

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).