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

Recently issued directives

• FSH 2709.11 Chapter 50 Standard Forms and Supplemental Clauses (08/17/2024)
  Updates chapter to add clause C-4, GT Davis-Bacon Act, Minimum Wage, and Paid Sick Leave Requirements; clause C-5, Minimum Wage Requirement; and clause C-6, Paid Sick Leave Requirement. 

• FSH 1509.11 Chapter 70 Partnership Agreements (07/19/2024)
  Establishes code, caption, and sets forth direction for Match Contributions
  Policy. Adds a new section to align with the Chief’s guidance letter released in July 2022. Additional changes may be found within the digest at the link above. 

• FSH 2209.13 Chapter 90 Rangeland Management Decision Making (07/15/2024)
  This chapter retains the incorporated and revised direction on rangeland
  management planning previously located in Forest Service Manual (FSM) 2210, 2211, 2212, 2213, 2214, and 2215. Clarifies direction on planning and analysis, decision implementation, monitoring, and modifications in the use or activity based on monitoring results. 

Information collection

Information Collection Requests (ICR) concluded by OMB are as follows. 

1. ICR OMB # 0596-0236 Interagency Generic Clearance for Federal Land Management Agencies Collaborative Visitor Feedback Surveys on Recreation and Transportation Related Programs and Systems was approved without change 09/10/2024.

2. ICR OMB # 0596-0242 Cooperative Wildland Fire Management and Stafford Act Response Agreements approved without change 08/28/2024.

3. ICR OMB # 0596-0081 Disposal of Mineral Materials approved with change 08/13/2024.

4. ICR OMB # 0596-0257 Community Wood Energy and Wood Innovation Program (CWEWIP) approved with change 07/17/2024.

5. ICR OMB # 0596-0256 Wood Innovations Funding Opportunity (WIFO) Program approved without change 06/11/2024.

All Information Collection Requests may be viewed on Reginfo.gov and can be searched by the ICR number.

Regulatory updates

• Special Uses; Land Use Fees; Temporary Land Use Fee Reductions for Recreation Residence Permits (09/09/2024)
  Final rule to update special uses regulation to be consistent with the requirement in the Cabin Fee Act, to provide for suspension or temporary reduction of the land use fee for a recreation residence permit if access to or occupancy of the recreation residence is significantly restricted.

Announcements

There are no new announcements regarding upcoming events, but please continue to check this report 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).