National Environmental Policy Act Documentation Needed
for Certain Special Use Authorizations

On September 20, 2001, the Forest Service published a proposed interim directive and request for public comment in the Federal Register (66 FR 48412) concerning the degree of National Environmental Policy Act documentation needed for certain types of special use authorizations.    

In April 1997, the Forest Service completed a reengineering study of its special uses program to identify changes needed to manage the program in a more efficient and customer service oriented manner.  One of the problematic areas identified in the study involved inconsistency among agency personnel in two primary special use permitting activities when those permitting activities did not involve a change in the use or occupancy authorized and would not have a significant effect on the environment.  The activities involve:

•	Administrative actions amending current authorizations, such as, changes in rental rates or addition of supplemental clauses, and so forth, and

•	Issuance of a new authorization upon the termination of the current authorization.

This inconsistency has created a large backlog of unprocessed special use applications.  The study concluded that the primary cause of this backlog is the inconsistent application and misinterpretation of agency policy found in Forest Service Handbook (FSH) 1909.15, Environmental Policy and Procedures Handbook, chapter 30, which addresses categorical exclusion from documentation in an environmental assessment (EA) or environmental impact statement (EIS).  The proposed interim directive (ID) would clarify the direction in FSH 1909.15, chapter 30, regarding categorical exclusions and the definition and policy for extraordinary circumstances.

The Forest Service is inviting the public to comment on the proposed interim direction.  Comments must be received in writing by November 19, 2001.  Instructions for commenting are contained in the preamble section of the Federal Register notice.