Request for Information (RFI) Regarding Involving the Public in the Formulation of Forest Service Directives, 74740-74741 [2015-30347]

Download as PDF 74740 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 229 / Monday, November 30, 2015 / Proposed Rules Dated: November 20, 2015. Clifford J. White III, Director, Executive Office for United States Trustees. [FR Doc. 2015–30294 Filed 11–27–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4410–40–P DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Mine Safety and Health Administration 30 CFR Part 75 [Docket No. MSHA–2014–0019] RIN 1219–AB78 Proximity Detection Systems for Mobile Machines in Underground Mines Mine Safety and Health Administration, Labor. ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment period. AGENCY: In response to a request, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is extending the comment period on the Agency’s proposed rule on Proximity Detection Systems for Mobile Machines in Underground Mines. This extension gives stakeholders additional time to evaluate the comments and testimony received thus far and provide meaningful input. DATES: The comment period for the proposed rule published on September 2, 2015 (80 FR 53070), is extended. Comments must be received or postmarked by midnight Eastern Standard Time on December 15, 2015. ADDRESSES: Submit comments and informational materials, identified by RIN 1219–AB78 or Docket No. MSHA– 2014–0019, by one of the following methods: • Federal E-Rulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments. • E-Mail: zzMSHA-comments@ dol.gov. Include RIN 1219–AB78 or Docket No. MSHA–2014–0019 in the subject line of the message. • Mail: MSHA, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances, 201 12th Street South, Suite 4E401, Arlington, Virginia 22202–5452. • Fax: 202–693–9441. • Hand Delivery or Courier: MSHA, 201 12th Street South, Suite 4E401, Arlington, Virginia, between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Sign in at the receptionist’s desk on the 4th Floor East. Instructions: All submissions must include RIN 1219–AB78 or Docket No. MSHA–2014–0019. Do not include jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:18 Nov 27, 2015 Jkt 238001 personal information that you do not want publicly disclosed; MSHA will post all comments without change to https://www.regulations.gov and https:// www.msha.gov/currentcomments.asp, including any personal information provided. Docket: For access to the docket to read comments received, go to https:// www.regulations.gov or https:// www.msha.gov/currentcomments.asp. To read background documents, go to https://www.regulations.gov. Review the docket in person at MSHA, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances, 201 12th Street South, Suite 4E401, Arlington, Virginia 22202–5452, between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays. Sign in at the receptionist’s desk on the 4th Floor East. Email Notification: To subscribe to receive an email notification when MSHA publishes rules in the Federal Register, go to https://www.msha.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sheila A. McConnell, Acting Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances, MSHA, at mcconnell.sheila.a@dol.gov (email); 202–693–9440 (voice); or 202–693–9441 (facsimile). On September 2, 2015 (80 FR 53070), MSHA published a proposed rule that would require underground coal mine operators to equip coal hauling machines and scoops with proximity detection systems. Miners working near these machines face pinning, crushing, and striking hazards that result in accidents involving life threatening injuries and death. MSHA believes that the use of proximity detection systems would reduce the potential for these pinning, crushing, or striking accidents. On September 28, 2015 (80 FR 58229), MSHA published a document announcing the dates and locations for four public hearings on the proposed rule. The hearings were held in October 2015. MSHA posted the comments received and the hearing transcripts on the Agency’s Web site, and on https:// www.regulations.gov. The comment period was scheduled to close on December 1, 2015. On November 18, 2015, MSHA received a request to extend the comment period an additional two weeks to provide more time for interested parties to comment. In response to this request, MSHA is extending the comment period from SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 December 1, 2015, to December 15, 2015. Joseph A. Main, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Mine Safety and Health. [FR Doc. 2015–30181 Filed 11–25–15; 11:15 am] BILLING CODE 4520–43–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service 36 CFR Part 216 Request for Information (RFI) Regarding Involving the Public in the Formulation of Forest Service Directives Forest Service, USDA. Request for Information. AGENCY: ACTION: The Department of Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service, Business Operations, Office of Regulatory and Management Services (ORMS) is preparing to revise a portion of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) governing public participation requirements and procedures related to the issuance or revision of internal Agency directives. The Forest Service is committed to ensuring that a broad and representative cross-section of the interested public is provided advance notice and a full and fair opportunity to comment upon the formulation of standards, criteria, and guidelines applicable to Forest Service programs. In keeping with this commitment, the Agency is interested in enhancing its public engagement and expanding its approach for public notice and comment beyond just formal rulemaking. The Agency has identified a need to update the relevant regulations to reflect the varied media consumption patterns of key Forest Service stakeholders and the public at large. These potential regulatory revisions are also necessary to ensure that written policies align with the Agency’s current practices, which have changed to ensure compliance with recent court orders. The Agency is hosting a webinar for all interested members of the general public to inform the public of these changes to the Forest Service’s public participation procedures. This session will include additional information on the need for these changes and the outcomes the Agency is seeking to achieve. It will also include an outline of a potential path forward and provide attendees an opportunity to ask questions, provide input, and suggest ideas. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\30NOP1.SGM 30NOP1 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 229 / Monday, November 30, 2015 / Proposed Rules A webinar will be held for interested members of the general public on Tuesday, December 15, 2015, from 1:00–2:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time/10:00–11:30 a.m. Pacific Standard Time. ADDRESSES: The webinar will be held via Adobe Connect web conferencing software. To access the presentation, enter the following URL into any Flashenabled web browser: https:// usfs.adobeconnect.com/orms/. Audioonly access is available toll-free by calling (888) 844–9904 and entering the following access code: 4909819. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Earnest Rawles, Acting Assistant Director, Office of Regulatory and Management Services—Directives and Regulations Branch (202) 205–2601, WO_Directives@fs.fed.us. Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at (800) 877–8339 between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of this RFI is to inform the public, gather feedback on potential future strategies for notifying the public, and obtaining comments prior to making any amendments to the Forest Service Directive System. Information obtained in response to this RFI may be used by the Forest Service for program planning and development, or for other purposes. Note that information shared by the Forest Service in conjunction with this RFI may or may not be used to inform or issue further policy. Background: The Forest Service is bound by the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974, as modified by the National Forest Management Act of 1976, ‘‘to give the Federal, State, and local governments and the public adequate notice and an opportunity to comment upon the formulation of standards, criteria, and guidelines applicable to Forest Service programs’’ (16 U.S.C. 1612(a)). Many of these standards, criteria, and guidelines are contained in the Forest Service Directive System, which is used to implement existing laws and regulations. The Forest Service Directive System contains the Agency’s policies, practices, and procedures and serves as the primary basis for the internal management and control of programs and administrative direction to Agency employees. The Forest Service Manual contains legal authorities, objectives, policies, responsibilities, and guidance needed on a continuing basis by Agency line officers and primary staff to plan and execute programs and activities. jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS DATES: VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:18 Nov 27, 2015 Jkt 238001 The Forest Service Handbook is the principal source of specialized guidance and instruction for carrying out the policies, objectives, and responsibilities contained in the Forest Service Manual. The directives for all Agency programs are available on the Agency Web site (www.fs.fed.us). Currently, the Forest Service uses the process set forth in the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 U.S.C. 553) to notify the public of, and obtain comments on, changes to the Forest Service Directive System. This entails publication of notice in the Federal Register and solicitation of comments through Regulations.gov. This process was established and is primarily used to facilitate public participation in the promulgation of rules in the CFR. The Forest Service will continue to exclusively use the APA process to involve the public in rulemaking. The Agency is seeking to expand options for involving interested parties in the formulation of directives to be more responsive and accessible to the public. Dated: November 23, 2015. Lenise Lago, Deputy Chief of Business Operations, U. S. Forest Service. [FR Doc. 2015–30347 Filed 11–27–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3411–15–P POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION 39 CFR Part 3050 [Docket No. RM2016–3; Order No. 2836] Periodic Reporting Postal Regulatory Commission. Notice of proposed rulemaking. AGENCY: ACTION: The Commission is noticing a recent filing requesting that the Commission initiate an informal rulemaking proceeding to consider changes to analytical principles relating to periodic reports (Proposal Twelve). This notice informs the public of the filing, invites public comment, and takes other administrative steps. DATES: Comments are due: December 4, 2015. Reply Comments are due: December 9, 2015. ADDRESSES: Submit comments electronically via the Commission’s Filing Online system at https:// www.prc.gov. Those who cannot submit comments electronically should contact the person identified in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section by telephone for advice on filing alternatives. SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 74741 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David A. Trissell, General Counsel, at 202–789–6820. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Table of Contents I. Introduction II. Summary of Proposals III. Initial Commission Action IV. Ordering Paragraphs I. Introduction On November 20, 2015, the Postal Service filed a petition pursuant to 39 CFR 3050.11 requesting that the Commission initiate an informal rulemaking proceeding to consider changes to analytical principles relating to the Postal Service’s periodic reports.1 Proposal Twelve is attached to the Petition and identifies the proposed analytical method change that relates to the treatment of costs for vehicles used on city carrier letter routes within various cost components of the Cost and Revenue Analysis (CRA) report. Id. The Postal Service concurrently filed two library references, along with an application for non-public treatment for one.2 II. Summary of Proposal The Postal Service requests this rulemaking to re-align certain calculations within the CRA report to be consistent with the methodology approved by the Commission in Proposal Thirteen.3 Petition at 1. Acknowledging that the Postal Service will soon submit the FY 2015 Annual Compliance Report, the Postal Service emphasizes that immediate consideration of Proposal Twelve is necessary to avoid a mismatch between the current methodology for the treatment of ancillary vehicle cost matters and the framework approved in Proposal Thirteen. Id. at 1–2. Under Proposal Twelve, the Postal Service proposes two methodological changes: 1 Petition of the United States Postal Service for the Initiation of a Proceeding to Consider Proposed Changes in Analytical Principles (Proposal Twelve), November 20, 2015, at 1 (Petition). 2 Notice of Filing of USPS–RM2016–3/1, USPS– RM2016–3/NP1, and Application for Nonpublic Treatment, November 20, 2015 (Notice). Library Reference USPS–RM2016–3/1 contains workbooks displaying the calculation and cost impacts of implementing the proposed methodology. Library Reference USPS–RM2016–3/NP1 contains supporting non-public material. The Notice incorporates by reference the Application for NonPublic Treatment of Materials contained in Attachment Two to the December 29, 2014, United States Postal Service Fiscal Year 2014 Annual Compliance Report. Notice at 1. See 39 CFR part 3007 for information on access to non-public material. 3 Docket No. RM2015–7, Order No. 2792, Order Approving Analytical Principles Used in Periodic Reporting (Proposal Thirteen), October 29, 2015. E:\FR\FM\30NOP1.SGM 30NOP1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 229 (Monday, November 30, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 74740-74741]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-30347]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service

36 CFR Part 216


Request for Information (RFI) Regarding Involving the Public in 
the Formulation of Forest Service Directives

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Request for Information.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Department of Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service, Business 
Operations, Office of Regulatory and Management Services (ORMS) is 
preparing to revise a portion of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 
governing public participation requirements and procedures related to 
the issuance or revision of internal Agency directives. The Forest 
Service is committed to ensuring that a broad and representative cross-
section of the interested public is provided advance notice and a full 
and fair opportunity to comment upon the formulation of standards, 
criteria, and guidelines applicable to Forest Service programs. In 
keeping with this commitment, the Agency is interested in enhancing its 
public engagement and expanding its approach for public notice and 
comment beyond just formal rulemaking. The Agency has identified a need 
to update the relevant regulations to reflect the varied media 
consumption patterns of key Forest Service stakeholders and the public 
at large. These potential regulatory revisions are also necessary to 
ensure that written policies align with the Agency's current practices, 
which have changed to ensure compliance with recent court orders.
    The Agency is hosting a webinar for all interested members of the 
general public to inform the public of these changes to the Forest 
Service's public participation procedures. This session will include 
additional information on the need for these changes and the outcomes 
the Agency is seeking to achieve. It will also include an outline of a 
potential path forward and provide attendees an opportunity to ask 
questions, provide input, and suggest ideas.

[[Page 74741]]


DATES: A webinar will be held for interested members of the general 
public on Tuesday, December 15, 2015, from 1:00-2:30 p.m. Eastern 
Standard Time/10:00-11:30 a.m. Pacific Standard Time.

ADDRESSES: The webinar will be held via Adobe Connect web conferencing 
software. To access the presentation, enter the following URL into any 
Flash-enabled web browser: https://usfs.adobeconnect.com/orms/. Audio-
only access is available toll-free by calling (888) 844-9904 and 
entering the following access code: 4909819.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Earnest Rawles, Acting Assistant 
Director, Office of Regulatory and Management Services--Directives and 
Regulations Branch (202) 205-2601, WO_Directives@fs.fed.us. Individuals 
who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the 
Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at (800) 877-8339 between 8:00 
a.m. and 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of this RFI is to inform the 
public, gather feedback on potential future strategies for notifying 
the public, and obtaining comments prior to making any amendments to 
the Forest Service Directive System. Information obtained in response 
to this RFI may be used by the Forest Service for program planning and 
development, or for other purposes. Note that information shared by the 
Forest Service in conjunction with this RFI may or may not be used to 
inform or issue further policy.
    Background: The Forest Service is bound by the Forest and Rangeland 
Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974, as modified by the National 
Forest Management Act of 1976, ``to give the Federal, State, and local 
governments and the public adequate notice and an opportunity to 
comment upon the formulation of standards, criteria, and guidelines 
applicable to Forest Service programs'' (16 U.S.C. 1612(a)). Many of 
these standards, criteria, and guidelines are contained in the Forest 
Service Directive System, which is used to implement existing laws and 
regulations. The Forest Service Directive System contains the Agency's 
policies, practices, and procedures and serves as the primary basis for 
the internal management and control of programs and administrative 
direction to Agency employees. The Forest Service Manual contains legal 
authorities, objectives, policies, responsibilities, and guidance 
needed on a continuing basis by Agency line officers and primary staff 
to plan and execute programs and activities. The Forest Service 
Handbook is the principal source of specialized guidance and 
instruction for carrying out the policies, objectives, and 
responsibilities contained in the Forest Service Manual. The directives 
for all Agency programs are available on the Agency Web site 
(www.fs.fed.us).
    Currently, the Forest Service uses the process set forth in the 
Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 U.S.C. 553) to notify the public 
of, and obtain comments on, changes to the Forest Service Directive 
System. This entails publication of notice in the Federal Register and 
solicitation of comments through Regulations.gov. This process was 
established and is primarily used to facilitate public participation in 
the promulgation of rules in the CFR. The Forest Service will continue 
to exclusively use the APA process to involve the public in rulemaking. 
The Agency is seeking to expand options for involving interested 
parties in the formulation of directives to be more responsive and 
accessible to the public.

     Dated: November 23, 2015.
Lenise Lago,
Deputy Chief of Business Operations, U. S. Forest Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-30347 Filed 11-27-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3411-15-P
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