Ecosystem Restoration Policy, 24785-24793 [2016-09750]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
• Forest Service

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 81 (Wednesday, April 27, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24785-24793]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-09750]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service

RIN 0596-AC82


Ecosystem Restoration Policy

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of final directive.

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SUMMARY: The Forest Service is issuing a permanent Ecosystem 
Restoration policy that replaces the Interim Directive, ``Ecological 
Restoration and Resilience Policy,'' in Forest Service Manual (FSM) 
2020. The policy provides broad guidance for restoring ecosystems on 
National Forest System lands so that they are self-sustaining and, if 
subject to disturbances or environmental change, have the ability to 
reorganize and renew themselves. This policy recognizes the adaptive 
capacity of restored ecosystems, the role of natural disturbances, and 
uncertainty related to climate and other environmental factors.

DATES: This directive is in effect May 27, 2016.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Alegria, Forest Management Staff, 
USDA Forest Service, Mailstop 1103, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., 
Washington, DC 20250; phone: 202-205-1787.
    Individuals who use telecommunications devices for the deaf (TDD) 
may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 
between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through 
Friday.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background and Need for the Directive

    The need for reestablishing and retaining resilience of National 
Forest System lands and resources to achieve sustainable management and 
provide a broad range of ecosystem services is widely recognized, and 
the Forest Service has conducted restoration-related activities for 
decades. In 2008, the Chief of the Forest Service determined that a 
national policy was needed to ensure a consistent and cohesive approach 
to reestablish and retain ecological resilience on National Forest 
System lands and for National Forest System resources. An interim 
directive was first issued on September 22, 2008, and was reissued on 
March 3,

[[Page 24786]]

2010, August 30, 2011, May 13, 2013, November 17, 2014, and October 15, 
2015.
    A notice of availability of a proposed Ecological Restoration 
Policy (78 FR 56202) was published in the Federal Register on September 
12, 2013 for public review and comment. A total of 16 comments were 
received: Five from non-affiliated members of the public, two from 
State government agencies, four from the timber industry, and five from 
non-governmental organizations.
    The Agency believes that a comprehensive policy that includes 
standard definitions would provide a tool for sustaining the health, 
diversity, and productivity of the Nation's forests and grasslands to 
meet the needs of present and future generations. The Forest Service is 
amending its directives by establishing a new title in the Forest 
Service Manual, FSM 2020: Ecosystem Restoration. The ecosystem 
restoration directive applies to all National Forest System resource 
management programs. The intent is to provide a clear, science-based 
policy to guide management actions where restoration is appropriate.
    This policy provides that ``ecosystem restoration'' can be carried 
out through the processes of ecological restoration and functional 
restoration. Ecological restoration typically focuses on recreating the 
ecosystem conditions that were present prior to European influences. 
However, some ecosystems may have been altered to such an extent that 
reestablishing pre-European conditions may be ecologically or 
economically infeasible. In such circumstances, management goals and 
activities should create functioning ecosystems in the context of 
changing conditions through the process called functional restoration.
    Ecosystem restoration can be achieved by a range of management 
activities, such as forest thinning to reduce tree density, prescribed 
fire to reduce fuel buildup, replacing culverts to better connect 
streams, or fencing to restrict disturbances. Ecosystem restoration may 
include manipulating or protecting terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems 
to assist in their recovery or adaptation to changing environmental 
conditions. Monitoring and evaluation of restoration projects are 
essential adaptive management steps for achieving sustainable 
ecosystems. Ecosystem restoration is a process that can help to achieve 
the multiple-use mission of the Forest Service, but not all management 
activities on National Forests and Grasslands require a restoration 
objective. For example, hazardous fuels reduction to reduce wildfire 
risk to communities may require a silvicultural treatment that is not 
restoration. Additionally, not all NFS lands need to be restored. 
Restoration activities will complement management to maintain 
conditions in areas with ecological integrity. The Agency may 
incorporate restoration objectives to the extent that they are 
ecologically and economically feasible and support achieving desired 
conditions or management objectives including multiple uses and 
ecosystem services such as carbon storage, energy development, 
recreation use, livestock grazing, hazardous fuels reduction, soil 
formation, watershed, wildlife, and timber production conducted in 
accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and policies.
    Restoration may be helpful in managing for climate change by 
maintaining carbon stocks provided by the national forests. The 
relationship between restoration and carbon is complex. The Forest 
Service manages carbon through managing the health and promoting the 
adaptive capacity of our forests in the face of frequent, intense, and 
severe disturbances. Management can also be designed to recover, 
maintain, and enhance carbon stocks, through restoration management 
practices. The Forest Service also maintains and restores carbon 
through treatment activities that restore the age and size-class 
patterns across the landscape. Some of the activities that the Forest 
Service undertakes for restoring resiliency and function in the 
National Forest System, such as thinning of forest stands and 
prescribed burning, can result in a release of carbon in the short 
term. In the long term, however, these activities should make the 
forest more resilient to disturbances such as wildfire, insects, and 
drought therefore reducing the risk to carbon stocks.
    The expectation is that forest restoration treatments will lead to 
forest resilience and a lower probability of a catastrophic disturbance 
and that consequently, more carbon will continue to be sequestered than 
would otherwise occur without the treatment. How quickly the carbon 
pools sequester carbon depends on several factors including the amount 
of carbon removed or lost in the treatment, the productivity of the 
ecosystem, the site conditions, the climate variables following the 
treatment, and the stand structure. Due to the many variables and 
assumptions regarding post-treatment carbon capture, research on 
whether restoration increases carbon stocks is inconclusive. Some 
studies indicate that post-treatment forest stands never catch up to 
the carbon stocks in untreated stands. However, other studies have 
concluded that treated stands lose less overall carbon in subsequent 
wildfire events compared to untreated stands and that reductions in 
wildfire severity have a significant impact on future carbon pools. 
Other studies have demonstrated that forest harvesting can reduce 
atmospheric CO2 if the carbon accounting considers avoided 
emissions from fossil fuels when biomass is used for energy, or the 
avoided emissions and carbon storage when long-lived harvested wood 
products are substituted for high embodied energy materials such as 
steel and concrete.
    The Ecosystem Restoration policy has identical definitions for key 
terms that are in the 2015 National Forest System, Land Management 
Planning Directive (FSH 1909.12, zero code, section 05). By using 
identical definitions, the policy ensures that within the Agency, and 
in dealing with the public, terms will be used and understood in the 
same way. The terms and definitions are: Adaptation, adaptive capacity, 
adaptive management, carbon pool, carbon stocks, disturbance, 
disturbance regime, ecological restoration (see ``restoration--
ecological''), functional restoration (see ``restoration--
functional''), ecological integrity, ecosystem, ecosystem services, 
landscape, natural range of variation (NRV), resilience, stressors, and 
sustainability.
    Some of the terms defined in 2015 National Forest System, Land 
Management Planning Directive (FSH 1909.12, zero code, section 05) such 
as ecological and functional restoration, natural range of variation 
and resilience, merit further discussion on how they interrelate to one 
another. In order to construct a desired future condition for an area, 
one should assess past and current conditions as well as how these 
conditions may change into the future. Ecological restoration focuses 
on reestablishing the composition, structure, pattern, and ecological 
processes necessary to facilitate terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem 
sustainability, resilience, and health under current and future 
conditions. Assessing current and potential future conditions should 
result in a detailed description of the composition, structure, 
pattern, and ecological processes of the ecosystem as it moves along an 
ecological trajectory through time. Moving along a trajectory means 
that ecosystems are not static and may have changing characteristics.
    The desired future condition of an ecosystem should be informed by 
an assessment of spatial and temporal variation in ecosystem 
characteristics under historic disturbance regimes during a specified 
reference period. The

[[Page 24787]]

spatial and temporal variation of characteristics in the specified 
reference period is often called the natural range of variation (NRV). 
The NRV should be used to inform an understanding of ecosystem function 
and biophysical capability, the dynamic nature of ecosystems associated 
natural and current disturbance regimes, and potential responses to 
future environments resulting from climate change and increasing human 
uses. The NRV does not define a management target or desired condition; 
it provides context for understanding ecological integrity. In some 
situations, the desired future condition may be a restored ecosystem 
similar to pre-disturbance conditions where degradation and stressors 
are limited and minimal changes to environmental conditions are 
anticipated in the near future. In other situations, the desired future 
condition may be a restored ecosystem that departs from the NRV along a 
continuum from only slight to substantial but still retains some 
ecological components within the NRV.
    Like ecological restoration, functional restoration is a process to 
restore degraded biotic and abiotic processes to facilitate the 
creation of a desired future condition. A functionally restored 
ecosystem, however, may look quite different than the NRV in terms of 
structure and composition, where the disparities cannot be easily 
changed because some threshold of degradation has been crossed or 
significant environmental drivers, such as climate or invasive species, 
that influenced structural and (especially) compositional development 
have changed. The desired outcome of a restoration treatment may 
incorporate concepts from both ecological and functional restoration. 
For example, ecological conditions for some native species, due to 
insects and diseases, are no longer functioning as they once functioned 
and cannot be restored to their previous state. There are invasive 
species that have become so established that they cannot be 
economically eradicated. Climate change may affect components of the 
ecosystem differently so that some components should be restored to 
within the NRV and others should not or cannot be restored. In these 
situations the objective should be to restore the abiotic and biotic 
processes even if the components diverge from the NRV.
    Resilience is the ability of an ecosystem and its component parts 
to absorb, or recover from, the effects of disturbances through 
preservation, restoration, or improvement of its essential structures, 
functions, and redundancy of ecological patterns across the landscape. 
It is a characteristic of healthy ecosystems and a desired 
characteristic of a restored ecosystem.

Response to Comments on the Proposed Policy

Changes Between the Proposed and Final Policy

    Based on external and internal comments, there were changes between 
the proposed and final policy. The major changes are listed below.
    1. The title has changed from ``Ecological Restoration'' to 
``Ecosystem Restoration'' in the final policy, to better align the 
title with the content of the final policy and the mission of the 
Agency.
    2. The final policy adds consideration for the recovery, 
maintenance, and enhancement of carbon stocks associated with National 
Forest System lands.
    3. The final policy does not change the definition of ecological 
restoration but does clarify the relationship of ecological restoration 
to functional restoration and resilience.
    4. The final policy facilitates achieving long-term ecological 
sustainability and a broad range of ecosystem services and multiple 
uses to society in Objectives (FSM 2020.2).
    5. The final policy uses key terms that are in the 2015 National 
Forest System, Land Management Planning Directive and uses the same 
definitions for those terms. (FSH 1909.12, zero code.
    6. The final policy retains the summaries of the principal legal 
authorities for the policy FSM 2020.11, but now lists other statutes, 
without summaries, in FSM 2020.61.
    7. The Executive Orders (FSM 2020.12) descriptions are eliminated 
and replaced with the citations to those Executive Orders in FSM 
2020.63.
    8. The agency removed most of FSM 2020.4 because it was redundant 
with the general delegations of authorities of FSM 1230. The Agency has 
concluded that the responsibilities for restoration belongs to those 
Agency employees who have the delegated authority to approve land and 
resource management plans, project plans, or other Forest Service 
activities.
    9. Definitions of key terms were deleted in the final policy and 
replaced with a reference to the definitions in planning rule (36 CFR 
219.19) and planning handbook (FSH 1909.12, Zero Code chapter, section 
05).

General Comments on the Proposed Policy

    Comment: Respondents questioned how the directive will help achieve 
national forest management objectives or how not having the directive 
will prevent achieving national forest management objectives. Others 
questioned how the directive would increase Agency effectiveness, they 
questioned the need for a permanent ecological restoration policy, and 
they questioned why there is no attempt to prioritize ecological 
restoration within the context of relevant laws or ecosystem 
components.
    Response: Restoration spans a number of initiatives in various 
program areas, including the invasive species strategy; recovery of 
areas affected by high-severity fires, hurricanes, and other 
catastrophic disturbances; fish habitat restoration and remediation; 
riparian area restoration; conservation of threatened, endangered, and 
sensitive species; and restoration of impaired watersheds and large-
scale watershed restoration projects. There was no framework to unite 
these various program-specific initiatives with cohesive policies and 
definitions. While restoration has been a long-standing Agency 
practice, even without a restoration policy, a cohesive policy is 
expected to increase the Agency's efficiency in achieving management 
objectives. The authority for restoring National Forest System lands 
derives from laws enacted by Congress that define the purpose of 
national forests and grasslands and direct the Forest Service to 
administer and manage the lands for these purposes. The major 
authorities are cited in FSM 2020.1. The prioritization of ecological 
restoration is guided by the responsible official, which is usually the 
forest supervisor or district ranger.
    Comment: Another respondent asked how this directive will affect 
implementation of the 2012 planning rule.
    Response: The 2012 planning rule emphasizes restoration as it 
guides the Forest Service in the development, amendment, and revision 
of land management plans. The policies, ecological principles, and 
definitions in this final directive are consistent with the planning 
rule and will also guide activities on those units that have not yet 
developed, amended, or revised land management plans under the planning 
rule, and it provides further guidance on ecosystem restoration.
    Comment: Some respondents felt that the term ``restoration'' was 
too limiting and that it may not be economically or ecologically 
possible to achieve NRV due to factors such as climate change or 
severely degraded environments. The terms ``ecological integrity'' and 
``NRV'' are past-focused and ignore adaptation

[[Page 24788]]

to future climate and anthropogenic stressors.
    Response: The policy has been clarified in the final directive. 
Emphasis has been placed on returning an impaired ecosystem to a 
condition of appropriate complexity and increased resilience through 
ecosystem restoration or functional restoration. The aim of both 
ecological and functional restoration is to restore degraded processes 
to facilitate the creation of a desired future condition. The final 
policy acknowledges that, when an ecosystem has been so degraded such 
that it is impossible or impractical to return conditions to those 
within the NRV, or that the projected environmental conditions will not 
support returning an ecosystem to be within the NRV, the functional 
restoration may be appropriate to restore ecological processes but 
achieve the essential functions of the ecosystem with different species 
composition and structure than pre-European settlement conditions. 
Functional restoration can sometimes serve as the best approach to 
restoring ecological integrity within the inherent capability of the 
planning area.
    Comment: Other comments included that a broad-scale restoration 
policy fails to account for localized historic influences, that there 
is a lack of an active role for forest management in the policy, and 
that the policy would result in an underrepresentation of early seral 
stages on the national forests.
    Response: The broad-scale or ecosystem restoration approach 
emphasized in the policy includes evaluating the current seral stage 
distribution and connectivity against the desired conditions, which may 
include early seral stages, specialized habitats, and historic 
influences. The mechanism to achieve the desired conditions are decided 
on a project-by-project basis and may include active forest management 
to restore the stand age distribution to be within NRV.
    Comment: Another respondent stated that the definitions are 
circular: Ecological integrity is a set of conditions that are within 
the NRV and is relative to a historic reference period. Consequently, 
since the NRV defines ecological integrity, one could argue, any 
management action that strays from NRV is degrading the ecosystem.
    Response: The management objective for any area is governed by the 
applicable land management plan. The land management plan must provide 
for social, economic, and ecological sustainability within Forest 
Service authority and consistent with the inherent capability of the 
plan area (36 CFR 219.8). NRV is ``The variation of ecological 
characteristics and processes over scales of time and space that are 
appropriate for a given management application.'' The definition of the 
term elaborates that ``The NRV is a tool for assessing the ecological 
integrity and does not necessarily constitute a management target or 
desired condition'' (FSM 2020.5, citing the planning handbook at FSH 
1909.12, zero code, section 05). Consequently, management actions that 
are consistent with the inherent capability of the plan area are the 
best approach to restoring ecological integrity.

Specific Comments on the Proposed Policy

    Comment: One commenter stated that contemporary ecology has 
abandoned the concept of NRV due to the arbitrary nature of agreeing on 
a time scale, or due to the implied exclusion of historic burning by 
Native Americans, and added that ecologists have advocated the term HRV 
(historic range of variability). Another commenter stated that the term 
``Ecological Integrity'' is misleading by indiscriminately implying 
that ``species composition can withstand and recover from most 
perturbations imposed by natural environmental dynamics or human 
influence'' and adds, as an example, that this definition seems to have 
no coherent relevance to species whose survival has depended on burning 
by Native Americans.
    Response: The final policy retains the concept of NRV. The time 
period used in the definition for natural range of variation is pre-
European, and, therefore, includes historic burning by Native 
Americans. Therefore, this policy would apply to the restoration of 
species that were dependent on burning by the Native Americans.
    Comment: The definition for ecosystem includes basic ecological 
functions such as hydrological and nutrient cycling. The definition 
should also include ``capture, storage, and release of water and 
nutrients.'' It could be argued that ``nutrient cycling'' includes all 
these processes, but our concern arises because both old growth forest 
and young plantation cycle nutrients, but there is a big and important 
difference between the nutrient capital stored in each. Restoration 
should include recovery of lost capital. In addition, if ``function'' 
and ``process'' are to be used synonymously, then ``growth and 
mortality'' should be added to the definition of ecosystem.
    Response: The suggested text to add capture, storage, and release 
of water and nutrients to hydrological and nutrient cycling to 
differentiate between old growth forests and young plantations was not 
adopted in the final policy. Ecological restoration focuses on 
reestablishing the composition, structure, pattern, and ecological 
processes necessary to facilitate terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem 
sustainability, resilience, and health under current and future 
conditions. The primary objective of restoration is to place the 
ecosystem along an ecological trajectory that is sustainable.
    The recommendation to add ``growth and mortality'' was not adopted. 
Although they are important processes, they are sub-processes of energy 
flow and would not be at the same relative level as the basic 
ecological functions of energy flow, nutrient cycling and retention, 
soil development and retention, predation and herbivory, and natural 
disturbances.
    Comment: One respondent wanted to add a definition of ecological 
composition to the list of definitions at FSM 2020.5 because 
composition is a critical component of ecological function, structure, 
and process.
    Response: The definition of ecosystem, in the planning rule and 
planning handbook, at FSH 1909.12, zero code, secion 05, includes and 
explains the concept of composition. The addition of a separate 
definition for ecological composition is, therefore, unnecessary.
    Comment: Revise the definition of ``Ecological Integrity'' to 
eliminate the requirement to manage within the NRV.
    Response: The definition of ``ecological integrity'' was not 
changed in the final policy. There is no requirement to manage within 
the NRV. The NRV is a tool for assessing ecological integrity and does 
not necessarily constitute a management target or desired condition 
(FSM 2020.5, citing the planning handbook at FSH 19012.12, zero code, 
section 05).
    Comment: Respondents were concerned that restoration and ecological 
sustainability were being placed above other forest uses and that all 
the activities on national forests will be required to have a 
restoration objective.
    Response: The final policy has been clarified to state that not all 
activities on National Forest System lands are required to have a 
restoration objective.
    Comment: FSM 2020.3(6) omits requirements for consultation with 
State and local government entities.
    Response: There is no statutory, regulatory, or policy requirement 
to consult with State and local government entities, but the 
expectation to engage

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with State and local governments has been added to FSM 2020.3(6).
    Comment: The objectives fail to acknowledge the mandates of the 
Multiple-Use Sustained-Yield Act and the National Forest Management Act 
of 1976.
    Response: Restoration is accomplished to ensure that resources are 
usable and sustainable into perpetuity; consequently this policy is 
wholly compatible with the Multiple-Use and Sustained-Yield Act and the 
National Forest Management Act of 1976. In addition, a statement has 
been added to the final policy that explicitly acknowledges that this 
policy must comply with all applicable laws and regulations, including 
the Multiple-Use and Sustained-Yield Act, the National Forest 
Management Act of 1976, and the principal statutes listed in FSM 
2020.11.
    Comment: The responsibilities of Forest Supervisors (FSM 2020.45) 
and District Rangers (FSM 2020.46) should be expanded to include 
incorporation of net restoration goals and outcomes in all forest 
management projects. If restoration is just one among many types of 
projects undertaken by District Rangers, while they also pursue non-
restorative actions, there is no assurance of net progress toward 
restoration objectives.
    Response: The final wording in the policy is unchanged. The Forest 
Service does not have net restoration goals and outcomes. Although 
restoration is a key objective for the Forest Service, there are other 
projects that are not restoration, such as fuels reduction treatments 
within the wildland urban interface. However, the Forest Supervisors 
and District Rangers are responsible for development and approval of 
projects to reestablish and retain ecological resilience of National 
Forest System lands and resources to achieve sustainable management and 
provide a broad range of ecosystem services that are consistent with 
regional and national policy.
    Comment: The proposed policy states that restoration management 
activities for ecosystems should ``assist in their recovery from the 
impacts of human uses.'' This statement implies that human uses should 
be removed to accomplish objectives.
    Response: The policy statements in the final directive have been 
revised to provide that ``restoration activities should be evaluated 
within the context of NRV, the potential future climate trajectories, 
and to counter detrimental human uses.''
    Comment: Respondents suggested that the Policy section (FSM 2020.3) 
should also promote ecosystem processes and function, biodiversity, and 
soils.
    Response: No change to the policy is needed. Ecosystem restoration 
is the objective of the policy, and the definition of ``ecosystem'' 
states that it is commonly described in terms of its composition), and 
function, including soil development and retention (see FSM 2020.5 and 
the planning handbook at FSH 1909.12, zero code); consequently, the 
respondent's suggestions were already incorporated in the proposed as 
well as the final policy.
    Comment: Respondents questioned the presumed link between historic 
system processes (implied by the use of the word ``reestablish'') with 
the processes required to support ``ecosystem sustainability, 
resilience, and health under current and future conditions.'' The 
respondents believe there will be confusion in the implementation of 
the policy due to the differences in processes necessary to support 
historic systems and those to support current and future conditions; 
one example is warming conditions.
    Response: The final policy includes slight modifications to include 
the most recent research that more fully takes into account climate 
change. The term functional restoration has been added to acknowledge 
that in some situations it is not possible or desirable to reestablish 
key ecosystem characteristics within the NRV. The policy provides the 
flexibility to define desired conditions under warming conditions 
outside the NRV, if necessary.
    Comment: Another respondent found that the Objective section 
focuses on building resiliency, whereas the Policy section focuses on 
restoration.
    Response: Resilience is a desired property of a restored ecosystem. 
The use of the terms ``resilience'' and ``restoration'' are found in 
the Objective section (FSM 2020.2) and the Policy section (FSM 2020.3) 
by design. However, a definition of the term resilience has been listed 
as available in FSH 1909.12, zero code chapter, section 05 to clarify 
the meaning when the term is used in the policy.
    Comment: A respondent was concerned that the proposed policy did 
not address the causes that contribute to ecological degradation, such 
as grazing and fire suppression. Another respondent stated that the 
policy should explicitly recognize the potential conflict between 
restoration goals, such as fuel reduction versus biomass accumulation, 
and that an objective of the policy should be to harmonize conflicting 
goals.
    Response: The purpose of this policy is to establish broad 
direction for reestablishing and retaining ecological resilience of 
National Forest System lands and associated resources to achieve 
sustainable management and provide a broad range of ecosystem services. 
It is always the case that, as the Forest Service engages in day-to-day 
management of units of the National Forest System, the responsible 
official considers potential conflicts, which may include conflicts 
between restoration goals.
    Comment: Some respondents were concerned that the policy has the 
potential to limit the available areas of Forest Service land for 
recreation and to arbitrarily close trails to off-highway-vehicle 
recreation, and that the Forest Service should recognize that 
recreation and other multiple uses are legitimate uses on NFS lands.
    Response: A statement has been added in the Policy section (FSM 
2020.3) that explicitly acknowledges that this policy must comply with 
all applicable laws and regulations, including the Multiple-Use 
Sustained-Yield Act (MUSYA) and the National Forest Management Act 
(NFMA) of 1976, and the statutes listed in FSM 2020.11. Managing for 
multiple-use and sustained-yield of goods and services has often 
required the Forest Service to deal with several conflicting factors 
and uses at the same time. In some instances, restoration may indeed 
limit some uses. But, this policy does not mandate restoration in all 
situations. When and how to restore specific ecosystems will still be a 
case-by-case matter for the Forest Service's responsible officials who 
will be informed by public involvement.
    Comment: The Policy section (FSM 2020.3) in the proposed policy 
should be rewritten to focus on creating functioning systems.
    Response: The language has been changed to emphasize that goals and 
activities should focus on restoring the underlying processes that 
create functioning ecosystems where appropriate.
    Comment: The following sentence should be added within the final 
Policy section (FSM 2020.3): ``The NRV is a tool for assessing the 
ecological integrity and does not necessarily constitute a management 
target or desired condition.''
    Response: Although the suggested text was not added to the final 
Policy section it is included in the definition of the NRV (FSM 2025, 
citing the planning handbook at FSH 1909.12, zero code, section 05).

[[Page 24790]]

    Comment: The policy should stress functional restoration, not 
ecological restoration, or it should at least provide a logical link 
between functional restoration and ecological restoration; functional 
restoration should be defined in the policy.
    Response: In the final directive, functional restoration has been 
added to the Policy (FSM 2020.3) and the Definition (FSM 2020.5) 
sections. An explanation of its use and relationship with ecological 
restoration is in the ``Background and Need for the Directive'' section 
of this document.
    Comment: Reversing the order of the objectives would change the 
tone to a more forward-looking policy.
    Response: The order of the objectives (FSM 2020.2) has been changed 
and the objectives themselves have been clarified in the final policy.
    Comment: Respondents noted that social and economic sustainability 
as well as ecological factors should be emphasized within the policy.
    Response: Consideration for public values and desires, and the 
contribution to ecological, social, and economic sustainability, among 
other considerations, has been added to the Policy section, FSM 
2020.3(3)(b).

Interim Directives

    The Forest Service has been using an interim directive since 2008. 
Below are the major differences between the interim directive and the 
permanent policy:
    1. The title has changed from ``Ecological Restoration and 
Resilience'' to ``Ecosystem Restoration'' in the final policy, to 
better align its title with its content (establishing that not only 
ecological restoration but also functional restoration are appropriate 
approaches) and with the mission of the Agency.
    2. The final policy adopted from the 2012 Planning Rule directives 
(FSH 1909.12) the concepts, terms, and definitions for the following: 
Functional restoration, natural range of variation, adaptation, 
disturbance, disturbance regime, landscape, stressors, and 
sustainability.
    3. The final policy adds to the Policy section (FSM 2020.50 a 
requirement to give consideration for the recovery, maintenance, 
enhancement, and the resilience of carbon stocks associated with 
National Forest System lands.
    4. The final policy adds in the Policy section public values and 
desires; contributions to ecological, social, and economic 
sustainability; the natural range of variation (NRV); and ecological 
integrity as matters to consider in development of restoration goals or 
objectives.
    5. The contents of the Principles section (FSM 2020.6) in the 
interim directive was distributed to other sections of the final policy 
and the Principle section was dropped.
    6. The final policy adds guidance for ecological and functional 
restoration activities.

Regulatory Certification

Environmental Impact

    This final directive establishes policy for restoring and managing 
ecosystems on National Forest System lands, but does not direct that 
any specific action be taken. Forest Service NEPA procedures at 36 CFR 
220.6(d)(2) excludes from documentation in an environmental assessment 
or environmental impact statement ``rules, regulations, or policies to 
establish Service-wide administrative procedures, program processes, or 
instructions.'' The Agency's conclusion is that this final directive 
falls within the category of actions in 36 CFR 220.6(d)(2); no 
extraordinary circumstances exist which would require preparation of an 
environmental assessment or environmental impact statement.

Regulatory Impact

    This final directive has been reviewed under USDA procedures and 
Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review. This is not an 
economically significant action. This action would not have an annual 
effect of $100 million or more on the economy nor adversely affect 
productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public health or 
safety, nor State, local, or Tribal governments. This action would not 
interfere with an action taken or planned by another agency. This 
action would not alter the budgetary impact of entitlements, grants, 
user fees, or loan programs or the rights and obligations of recipients 
of such programs. However, this final directive has been designated as 
significant and therefore is subject to Office of Management and Budget 
review under Executive Order 12866.
    In accordance with OMB circular A-4, ``Regulatory Analysis,'' a 
cost/benefit analysis was conducted comparing the costs and benefits 
associated with the ``no action'' alternative of not having an Agency 
policy and the alternative of adopting the final restoration policy. 
Many benefits and costs associated with the final Agency policy are not 
quantifiable. Benefits include providing consistent and uniform 
understanding and Service-wide application of restoration policies, 
principles, and terminology; increasing Agency effectiveness when 
planning and implementing ecosystem management activities; and 
fostering better understanding and collaboration among interests from 
local to national levels. It is anticipated that this final directive 
would reduce costs by providing clear policy, definitions, and 
principles for restoring or modifying ecosystems, thereby reducing ad 
hoc or inconsistent interpretation of terminology and policy.
    This final directive has been reviewed in light of the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), and this action 
will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of 
small entities as defined by that Act. A threshold regulatory 
flexibility analysis is not required, under the Regulatory Flexibility 
Act, because this directive is broad Agency policy that imposes no 
impacts or requirements on small or large entities. This directive will 
increase Agency effectiveness when planning and implementing 
restoration activities at the local level.

Federalism

    The Agency considered this final directive under requirements of 
Executive Order 13132, Federalism. The Agency concludes this final 
directive conforms to the federalism principles set out in this 
Executive Order; will not impose any compliance costs on the States; 
and will not have substantial direct effects on the States or the 
relationship between the national government and the States, or on the 
distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of 
government. Therefore, the Agency has determined that no further 
assessment of federalism implications is necessary.

Consultation and Coordination With Indian Tribal Governments

    Pursuant to Executive Order 13175 of November 6, 2000, 
``Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments,'' 
Tribes were invited to consult on the proposed directive prior to 
review and comment by the general public. The consultation process was 
initiated through written instructions from the Deputy Chief for the 
National Forest System to the Regional Foresters and subsequently to 
the Forest Supervisors. Upon request from the Tribes, formal 
consultation was conducted by the Forest Supervisors and/or District 
Rangers with assistance from staff. Tribal comments were submitted to 
the Washington Office staff designated as lead for this policy and

[[Page 24791]]

were addressed in the notice of proposed directive that was published 
in the Federal Register.
    Implementation of this directive primarily occurs at the local 
level (national forest or grassland unit) through land management and 
project-level planning and accomplishment. When local actions are 
initiated, another level of consultation would occur with Tribes at the 
local level where site-specific land and resource management goals and 
objectives are established. Also, at that level, the design and effects 
of management activities are most effectively addressed in relation to 
the Agency's tribal trust responsibilities and Indian tribal treaty 
rights to assure Tribal interests are respected.
    This final directive establishes broad policy for reestablishing 
and retaining ecological resilience of National Forest System lands and 
resources to achieve sustainable management and provide a broad range 
of ecosystem services but does not directly affect the occupancy and 
use of National Forest System land. The Agency has assessed the impact 
of this final directive on Indian Tribes through tribal consultation 
and determined that it does not have substantial direct or unique 
effects on Indian Tribes, on the relationship between the Federal 
Government and Indian Tribes, or on the distribution of power and 
responsibilities between the Federal Government and Indian Tribes.
    The Agency has also determined this final directive does not impose 
substantial direct compliance costs on Indian tribal governments or 
preempt tribal law.

No Takings Implications

    This final directive has been analyzed in accordance with the 
principles and criteria contained in Executive Order 12630, 
Governmental Actions and Interference with Constitutionally Protected 
Property Rights, and it has been determined this final directive does 
not pose the risk of a taking of protected private property.

Civil Justice Reform

    This final directive has been reviewed under Executive Order 12988 
``Civil Justice Reform.'' After adoption of the final directive, (1) 
all State and local laws and regulations that conflict with this final 
directive or that would impede full implementation of this directive 
would be preempted; (2) no retroactive effect would be given to this 
final directive; and (3) this final directive would not require the use 
of administrative proceedings before parties could file suit in court 
challenging its provisions.

Unfunded Mandates

    Pursuant to Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (2 
U.S.C. 1531-1538), signed into law on March 22, 1995, the Agency 
assessed the effects of this final directive on State, local, and 
tribal governments and the private sector. This final directive does 
not compel the annual expenditure of $100 million or more by any State, 
local, or tribal government in the aggregate or by anyone in the 
private sector. Therefore, a statement under section 202 of the act is 
not required.

Energy Effects

    This final directive has been reviewed under Executive Order 13211, 
Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, 
Distribution, or Use. It has been determined this final directive does 
not constitute a significant energy action as defined in the Executive 
Order.

Controlling Paperwork Burdens on the Public

    This final directive does not contain any additional record keeping 
or reporting requirements or other information collection requirements 
as defined in 5 CFR part 1320 that are not already required by law and 
already approved for use, and therefore imposes no additional paperwork 
burden on the public. Accordingly, the review provisions of the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and its 
implementing regulations at 5 CFR part 1320 do not apply.

Forest Service Manual

    The Forest Service policy is established in Forest Service Manual 
2020 as follows:

Chapter 2020--Ecosystem Restoration

    FSM 2020 provides policy for reestablishing and retaining 
ecological resilience of National Forest System lands and resources to 
achieve sustainable multiple use management and provide a broad range 
of ecosystem services. Resilient ecosystems have greater capacity to 
survive disturbances and large-scale threats, especially under changing 
and uncertain future environmental conditions, such as those driven by 
climate change and human uses. The directive reaches across all program 
areas and activities applicable to management of National Forest System 
lands and resources so as to ensure integration and coordination at all 
levels and organizational units. It does not directly affect land 
management plans or the occupancy and use of National Forest System 
lands, leaving to responsible officials the discretion to decide when 
and how to authorize restoration projects and activities. When applying 
or implementing this policy, the Forest Service must comply with 
applicable laws and regulations, including the National Forest 
Management Act (NFMA), Multiple-Use Sustained-Yield Act (MUSYA), and 
the principal statutes in section FSM 2020.11.

2020.1--Authority

    The authority for sustainably managing the National Forest System 
derives from laws enacted by Congress that set out the purpose for 
which it has been established and is to be administered. These laws are 
cited throughout the Forest Service Manual and Handbooks. FSM 1010 
lists the most significant laws and provides guidance on where to 
obtain copies of them.
    The history of federal policies, treaties, statutes, court 
decisions, and Presidential direction regarding Indian Tribes and 
tribal rights and interests is extensive. FSM 1563.01a through FSM 
1563.01i set out the legal authorities relevant to Forest Service 
relationships with Tribes.
    The President issued direction through several Executive Orders 
relevant to protection of resources or restoration of ecosystem 
processes and functions (FSM 2020.12). Also, numerous regulations 
governing the sustainable management and restoration of National Forest 
System lands are found in the Code of Federal Regulations under Title 
36, Chapter II, parts 200-299.

2020.11--Laws

    The principal statutes governing the reestablishing and retaining 
of the ecological resilience of National Forest System lands and 
resources to achieve sustainable multiple use management and provide a 
broad range of ecosystem services, include but are not limited to, the 
following statutes, which are listed in alphabetical order. Except 
where specifically stated, these statutes apply to all National Forest 
System lands and resources.
    1. Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act (RPA) of 
1974, as amended by National Forest Management Act (NFMA) of 1976 (16 
U.S.C. 1600-1614, 472a). This Act states that the development and 
administration of the renewable resources of the National Forest System 
are to be in full accord with the concepts for multiple use and 
sustained yield of products and services as set forth in the Multiple-
Use Sustained-Yield Act of 1960. The Act establishes

[[Page 24792]]

the policy of the Congress that all forested lands in the National 
Forest System be maintained in appropriate forest cover with species of 
trees, degree of stocking, rate of growth, and stand conditions 
designed to secure the maximum benefits of multiple-use, sustained-
yield management in accordance with land management plans. It sets 
forth the requirements for land and resource management plans for units 
of the National Forest System, including requiring guidelines to 
provide for diversity of plant and animal communities based on the 
suitability and capability of the specific land area in order to meet 
overall multiple-use objectives.
    2. Healthy Forests Restoration Act (HFRA) of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 6501-
6591). This Act provides processes for developing and implementing 
hazardous fuel reduction projects on certain types of ``at-risk'' 
National Forest System and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands, and 
also provides other authorities and direction to help reduce hazardous 
fuels and protect, restore, and enhance healthy forest and rangeland 
ecosystems.
    3. Multiple-Use Sustained-Yield Act of 1960 (16 U.S.C. 528-531). 
This Act states that the National Forests are to be administered for 
outdoor recreation, range, timber, watershed, and wildlife and fish 
purposes, and adds that the establishment and maintenance of wilderness 
areas are consistent with this Act. This Act directs the Secretary to 
manage renewable surface resources of the National Forests for multiple 
use and sustained yield of the several products and services obtained 
therefrom. Multiple use means the management of all the various 
renewable surface resources of the National Forests in the combination 
that will best meet the needs of the American people; providing for 
periodic adjustments in use to conform to changing needs and 
conditions; and harmonious and coordinated management of the resources 
without impairment of the productivity of the land. Sustained yield of 
the several products and services means achieving and maintaining in 
perpetuity a high-level annual or regular periodic output of renewable 
resources without impairment of the productivity of the land.
    4. Organic Administration Act (at 16 U.S.C. 475, 551). This Act 
states the purpose of the National Forests, and directs their control 
and administration to be in accord with such purpose, that is, ``[n]o 
national forest shall be established, except to improve and protect the 
forest within the boundaries, or for the purpose of securing favorable 
conditions of water flows, and to furnish a continuous supply of timber 
for the use and necessities of citizens of the United States.'' The Act 
authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to ``make such rules and 
regulations . . . to preserve the [national] forests from 
destruction.''
    Other statutes, regulations, and Executive Orders related to the 
policies in the restoration policy are referenced in FSM 2020.6.

2020.2--Objective

    Ecosystems ecologically or functionally restored, so that over the 
long term they are resilient and can be managed for multiple use and 
provide ecosystem services, including but not limited to carbon storage 
and sequestration.

2020.3--Policy

    1. The Forest Service will emphasize ecosystem restoration across 
the National Forest System and within its multiple use mandate.
    2. The Forest Service land and resource management plans, project 
plans, and other Forest Service activities may include goals or 
objectives for restoration. The goals or objectives for ecosystem 
restoration must be consistent to all applicable laws and regulations. 
In development of restoration goals or objectives, the Forest Service 
should consider:
    a. Factors such as the following:
    (1) Public values and desires;
    (2) the natural range of variation (NRV);
    (3) ecological integrity;
    (4) current and likely future ecological capabilities;
    (5) a range of climate and other environmental change projections;
    (6) the best available scientific information; and,
    (7) detrimental human uses.
    b. technical and economic feasibility to achieve desired future 
conditions.
    c. ecological, social, and economic sustainability.
    d. the recovery, maintenance, and enhancement of carbon stocks.
    e. opporunities to incorporate restoration objectives into resource 
management projects to achieve complementary or synergistic results.
    f. the concept that an ecological system is dynamic and follows an 
ecological trajectory
    g. the social, economic and ecological influences of restoration 
activities at multiple scales.
    3. The Forest Service may reestablish, maintain, or modify the 
composition, structure, function, and connectivity of aquatic and 
terrestrial ecosystems in order to sustain their resilience and 
adaptive capacity.
    4. Activities with localized, short-term adverse effects may be 
acceptable in order to achieve long-term restoration objectives.
    5. The definitions for following terms in this policy are identical 
to the definitions for the same terms in the National Forest System, 
Land Management Planning Directive: adaptation, adaptive capacity, 
adaptive management, disturbance, disturbance regime, ecological 
integrity, ecosystem, ecosystem services, landscape, natural range of 
variation (NRV), resilience, restoration-ecological, restoration-
functional, stressors, and sustainability. (FSH 1909.12, zero code, 
section 05).
    6. When ecosystems have been altered to such an extent that 
reestablishing key ecosystem characteristics within the NRV may not be 
ecologically or economically possible, the restoration focus should be 
to create functioning ecosystems.
    7. Resource managers should consider ecological conditions across 
ownerships and jurisdictions to develop and achieve landscape 
restoration objectives by engaging the public, State and local 
governments, and consultation with Indian Tribes.
    8. Not all natural resource management activities are required to 
include restoration, and not all National Forest System lands require 
restoration.

2020.4--Responsibility

    The responsible officials to carry out the Ecosystem Restoration 
Policy are the Agency employees who have the delegated authority to 
approve land and resource management plans, project plans, or other 
Forest Service activities.

2020.5--Definitions

    The definitions at the Land Management Planning Handbook, FSH 
1909.12, zero code chapter, section 05 at https://www.fs.fed.us/im/directives/fsh/1909.12/wo_1909.12_zero_code.docx apply for the 
following terms in this policy: Adaptation, adaptive capacity, adaptive 
management, carbon pool, carbon stocks, disturbance, disturbance 
regime, ecological integrity, ecosystem, ecosystem services, landscape, 
natural range of variation (NRV), resilience, restoration-ecological, 
restoration-functional, stressors, and sustainability.

2020.6--References

    This section displays references to statutes, regulations, and 
Executive Orders related to the policies in FSM 2020.

[[Page 24793]]

2020.61--References to Statutes

1. Text of the Agricultural Act of 2014 (16 U.S.C. 6591c and 16 
U.S.C. 2113a) Title VIII, Sections 8205 & 8206 is available at: 
https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/USCODE-2014-title16/pdf/USCODE-2014-title16-chap84-subchapVI-sec6591c.pdf and https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/USCODE-2014-title16/pdf/USCODE-2014-title16-chap41-sec2113a.pdf.
2. Text of the Anderson-Mansfield Reforestation and Revegetation 
Joint Resolution Act of 1949 (at 16 U.S.C. 581j and 581j (note)) is 
available at: https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/USCODE-2011-title16/pdf/USCODE-2011-title16-chap3-subchapII-sec581j.pdf.
3. Text about visibility protection for Federal class I areas (43 
U.S.C. 7491) and text about control of air pollution from Federal 
facilities under the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401, 7418, 7470. 
7472, 7474, 7475, 7491, 7506, 7602) is available at: https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/USCODE-2014-title42/pdf/USCODE-2014-title42-chap85-subchapI-partC-subpartii-sec7491.pdf and https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/USCODE-2014-title42/pdf/USCODE-2014-title42-chap85-subchapI-partA-sec7418.pdf.
4. Text about Federal facilities water pollution control 
responsibilities (33 U.S.C. 1323) under the Clean Water Act (33 
U.S.C. 1251, 1254, 1323, 1324, 1329, 1342, 1344) is available at: 
https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/USCODE-2014-title33/pdf/USCODE-2014-title33-chap26-subchapIII-sec1323.pdf.
5. Text of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531-1544, 
as amended) is available at: https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/USCODE-2011-title16/pdf/USCODE-2011-title16-chap35.pdf.
6. Text of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act 
(RPA) of 1974, as amended by National Forest Management Act (NFMA) 
of 1976 (16 U.S.C. 1600-1614, 472a) is available at: https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/USCODE-2010-title16/html/USCODE-2010-title16-chap5C.html.
7. Text of the Granger-Thye Act (16 U.S.C. at 580g-h) is available 
at: https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/USCODE-2011-title16/pdf/USCODE-2011-title16-chap3-subchapI-sec580g.pdf and https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/USCODE-2011-title16/pdf/USCODE-2011-title16-chap3-subchapI-sec580h.pdf.
8. Text of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act (HFRA) of 2003 (16 
U.S.C. 6501-6591) is available at: https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/USCODE-2011-title16/pdf/USCODE-2011-title16-chap84.pdf.
9. Text of the Knutson-Vandenberg Act (16 U.S.C. at 576b) is 
available at: https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/USCODE-2011-title16/pdf/USCODE-2011-title16-chap3-subchapI-sec576b.pdf.
10. Text of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management 
Act of 2006 (16 U.S.C. 1855, as amended) is available at: https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/USCODE-2011-title16/pdf/USCODE-2011-title16-chap38-subchapIV-sec1855.pdf.
11. Text of the Multiple-Use Sustained-Yield Act of 1960 (16 U.S.C. 
528-531) is available at: https://www.fs.fed.us/emc/nfma/includes/musya60.pdf.
12. Text of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) (42 
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) is available at: https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/USCODE-2011-title42/pdf/USCODE-2011-title42-chap55.pdf.
13. Text of the North American Wetland Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 
4401 (note), 4401-4413, 16 U.S.C. 669b (note)). Section 9 (U.S.C. 
4408) is available at: https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/USCODE-2011-title16/pdf/USCODE-2011-title16-chap64-sec4408.pdf.
14. Text of the Organic Administration Act (at 16 U.S.C. 475, 551) 
is available at: https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/USCODE-2011-title16/pdf/USCODE-2011-title16-chap2-subchapI-sec475.pdf and https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/USCODE-2011-title16/pdf/USCODE-2011-title16-chap3-subchapI-sec551.pdf.
15. Text of the Sikes Act (16 U.S.C. at 670g) is available at: 
https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/USCODE-2010-title16/html/USCODE-2010-title16-chap5C.htm.
16. Text of the Tribal Forest Protection Act of 2004 (25 U.S.C. 
3115a) is available at: https://www.fs.fed.us/restoration/documents/stewardship/tfpa/TribalForestProtectionAct2004.pdf.
17. Text of the Weeks Act, as amended (at 16 U.S.C. 515, 552) is 
available at: https://www.fs.fed.us/land/staff/Documents/Weeks%20Law.pdf.
18. Text of the Wilderness Act of September 3, 1964 (16 U.S.C. 1131-
1136) is available at: https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/USCODE-2012-title16/pdf/USCODE-2012-title16-chap23.pdf.
19. Selected text of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of October 2, 
1968 (Public Law 90-572; 16 U.S.C. 1271-1287), as amended, is 
available at: https://www.rivers.gov/documents/wsr-act.pdf.

2020.62--References to Federal Regulations

1. Text of 36 CFR 219 governing land and resource management 
planning as amended through April 19, 2013 is available at: https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2013-title36-vol2/pdf/CFR-2013-title36-vol2-part219.pdf.

2020.63--References to Executive Orders

1. Text of Executive Order 11514 issued March 5, 1970, as amended by 
E.O. 11991, issued May 24, 1977. Protection and enhancement of 
environmental quality (35 FR 4247, March 7, 1970; 42 FR 26967, May 
25, 1977) is available at: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/codification/executive-order/11514.html.
2. Text of the Executive Order 11644 issued February 8, 1972. Use of 
off-road vehicles on the public lands. (37 FR 2877, February 9, 
1972). Amended by E.O. 11989 issued May 24, 1977 and E.O. 12608 
issued September 9, 1987 is available at: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/codification/executive-order/11644.html.
3. Text of the Executive Order 11988 issued May 24, 1977. Floodplain 
management (42 FR 26951 (May 25, 1977)) is available at: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/codification/executive-order/11988.html.
4. Text of the Executive Order 11990 issued May 24, 1977. Protection 
of wetlands. (42 FR 26961, May 25, 1977) is available at: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/codification/executive-order/11990.html.
5. Text of the Executive Order 13112 issued February 3, 1999. 
Invasive Species. (64 FR 6183 (February 8, 1999)) is available at: 
https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-1999-02-08/pdf/99-3184.pdf.
6. Text of the Executive Order 13653 issued November 1, 2013. 
Preparing the United States for the Impacts of Climate Change. (78 
FR 66819 (November 6, 2013)) is available at: https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-11-06/pdf/2013-26785.pdf.

    Dated: April 18, 2016.
Thomas L. Tidwell,
Chief, Forest Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-09750 Filed 4-26-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3411-15-P