Forest Service Handbook (FSH) 5509.11, Chapter Twenty, Section 21; Title Claims, Sales, and Grants Handbook; Sales, 29997 [2021-11731]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 106 / Friday, June 4, 2021 / Notices DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Forest Service Handbook (FSH) 5509.11, Chapter Twenty, Section 21; Title Claims, Sales, and Grants Handbook; Sales Forest Service, USDA. Notice of availability for public comment. AGENCY: ACTION: Following 2018 Farm Bill amendments to the Small Tracts Act (STA), the U.S. Forest Service is revising directives implementing the STA. These revisions are necessary to bring the Agency into alignment with the 2018 Farm Bill, specifically regarding the valuation of land the Agency sells or exchanges to keep pace with increasing market value, as well as expanding the categories of land that can be sold or exchanged. DATES: Comments must be received in writing by July 6, 2021. ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted electronically to https:// cara.ecosystem-management.org/Public/ CommentInput?project=ORMS-2755. Written comments may be mailed to Betty M. Jewett, Lands Program Specialist, 201 14th Street SW, Washington, DC 20024. All timely received comments, including names and addresses, will be placed in the record and will be available for public inspection and copying. The public may inspect comments received at https:// cara.ecosystem-management.org/Public/ ReadingRoom?project=ORMS-2755. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Betty M. Jewett at 770.540.4800 or by electronic mail to betty.jewett@usda.gov. Individuals using telecommunication devices for the hearing-impaired may call the Federal Information Relay Service at 800–877–8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, Monday through Friday. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Forest Service is revising its regulations and directive implementing the Small Tracts Act due to amendments made to it by the 2018 Farm Bill. The amendments update the value of lands the Agency can sell or exchange to keep up with increasing land values. This directive also expand the categories of lands that can be sold or exchanged under the STA. Proceeds generated from eligible sales made under the Small Tracts Act may be deposited in a Sisk Act account, allowing the Agency to acquire lands that improve the health and productivity of National Forests while simultaneously disposing small, problematic parcels. The following are SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:08 Jun 03, 2021 Jkt 253001 the specific changes that are covered throughout Forest Service Handbook (FSH) 5509.11, Chapter 20, section 21: • The land value threshold for eligible parcels will increase to $500,000 from $150,000. • A category will be added for cemeteries, landfills, and sewer treatment plants authorized under a special use authorization or other authorization by the Secretary of Agriculture. • A category will be added for parcels 10 acres or less encroached upon by permanent, habitable improvements where there is no evidence the encroachment is intentional or negligent. • A category will be added for parcels 40 acres or less that are physically isolated, inaccessible, or lack National Forest characteristics. The proposed directives update Forest Service Handbook 5509.11, Chapter 20, section 21. This directive set forth policy, responsibilities, and direction for several aspects of management and implement the Agency’s goal of providing more current direction. The Forest Service has determined that the changes to the handbook formulate standards, criterion, or guidelines applicable to a Forest Service program and are therefore publishing the proposed handbook for public comment in accordance with 36 CFR part 216. The Forest Service is seeking public comment on the proposed directive, including the sufficiency of the proposed directive in meeting its stated objectives, ways to enhance the utility and clarity of information within the direction, or ways to streamline processes outlined. Forest Service NEPA procedures exclude from documentation in an environmental assessment or impact statement ‘‘rules, regulations, or policies to establish Service-wide administrative procedures, program processes, or instructions.’’ 36 CFR 220.6(d)(2). The Agency’s conclusion is that this proposed directive falls within this category of actions and that no extraordinary circumstances exist as currently defined that require preparation of an environmental assessment or an environmental impact statement. After the public comment period closes, the Forest Service will consider timely comments that are within the scope of the proposed directive in the development of the final directive. A notice of the final directive, including a response to timely comments, will be posted on the Forest Service’s web page at https://www.fs.fed.us/about-agency/ PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 29997 regulations-policies/comment-ondirectives. Dated: May 24, 2021. Tina Johna Terrell, Acting Deputy Chief, National Forest System. [FR Doc. 2021–11731 Filed 6–3–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3411–15–P COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS Notice of Public Meeting of the New York Advisory Committee Commission on Civil Rights. Notice of meeting. AGENCY: ACTION: Notice is hereby given, pursuant to the provisions of the rules and regulations of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (Commission) and the Federal Advisory Committee Act that the New York Advisory Committee (Committee) will hold a meeting via WebEx on Friday, July 16, 2021 from 1:00–2:15 p.m. ET for the purpose meeting is to debrief the briefings on potential racial discrimination in eviction polices and enforcement in New York. DATES: The meeting will be held on Friday, July 16, 2021 from 1:00 p.m.– 2:15 p.m. ET. • To join by web conference please click the link below; password is USCCR: https://civilrights.webex.com/ civilrights/j.php?MTID=m71c12750 a2fb6067793695c7b73b7044. • To join by phone only, dial: 1–800– 360–9505; Access code: 199 963 9326. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mallory Trachtenberg, DFO, at mtrachtenberg@usccr.gov or 202–809– 9618. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Members of the public can listen to the discussion. This meeting is available to the public through the following tollfree call-in number. An open comment period will be provided to allow members of the public to make a statement as time allows. The conference operator will ask callers to identify themselves, the organizations they are affiliated with (if any), and an email address prior to placing callers into the conference call. Callers can expect to incur charges for calls they initiate over wireless lines, and the Commission will not refund any incurred charges. Callers will incur no charge for calls they initiate over landline connections to the toll-free telephone number. Persons with hearing impairments may also follow the proceedings by first calling the Federal Relay Service at 1–800–977–8339 and providing the Service with the SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\04JNN1.SGM 04JNN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 106 (Friday, June 4, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Page 29997]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-11731]



[[Page 29997]]

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Forest Service Handbook (FSH) 5509.11, Chapter Twenty, Section 
21; Title Claims, Sales, and Grants Handbook; Sales

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of availability for public comment.

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

SUMMARY: Following 2018 Farm Bill amendments to the Small Tracts Act 
(STA), the U.S. Forest Service is revising directives implementing the 
STA. These revisions are necessary to bring the Agency into alignment 
with the 2018 Farm Bill, specifically regarding the valuation of land 
the Agency sells or exchanges to keep pace with increasing market 
value, as well as expanding the categories of land that can be sold or 
exchanged.

DATES: Comments must be received in writing by July 6, 2021.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted electronically to https://cara.ecosystem-management.org/Public/CommentInput?project=ORMS-2755. 
Written comments may be mailed to Betty M. Jewett, Lands Program 
Specialist, 201 14th Street SW, Washington, DC 20024. All timely 
received comments, including names and addresses, will be placed in the 
record and will be available for public inspection and copying. The 
public may inspect comments received at https://cara.ecosystem-management.org/Public/ReadingRoom?project=ORMS-2755.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Betty M. Jewett at 770.540.4800 or by 
electronic mail to [email protected]. Individuals using 
telecommunication devices for the hearing-impaired may call the Federal 
Information Relay Service at 800-877-8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. 
Eastern Daylight Time, Monday through Friday.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Forest Service is revising its 
regulations and directive implementing the Small Tracts Act due to 
amendments made to it by the 2018 Farm Bill. The amendments update the 
value of lands the Agency can sell or exchange to keep up with 
increasing land values. This directive also expand the categories of 
lands that can be sold or exchanged under the STA. Proceeds generated 
from eligible sales made under the Small Tracts Act may be deposited in 
a Sisk Act account, allowing the Agency to acquire lands that improve 
the health and productivity of National Forests while simultaneously 
disposing small, problematic parcels. The following are the specific 
changes that are covered throughout Forest Service Handbook (FSH) 
5509.11, Chapter 20, section 21:
     The land value threshold for eligible parcels will 
increase to $500,000 from $150,000.
     A category will be added for cemeteries, landfills, and 
sewer treatment plants authorized under a special use authorization or 
other authorization by the Secretary of Agriculture.
     A category will be added for parcels 10 acres or less 
encroached upon by permanent, habitable improvements where there is no 
evidence the encroachment is intentional or negligent.
     A category will be added for parcels 40 acres or less that 
are physically isolated, inaccessible, or lack National Forest 
characteristics.
    The proposed directives update Forest Service Handbook 5509.11, 
Chapter 20, section 21. This directive set forth policy, 
responsibilities, and direction for several aspects of management and 
implement the Agency's goal of providing more current direction.
    The Forest Service has determined that the changes to the handbook 
formulate standards, criterion, or guidelines applicable to a Forest 
Service program and are therefore publishing the proposed handbook for 
public comment in accordance with 36 CFR part 216. The Forest Service 
is seeking public comment on the proposed directive, including the 
sufficiency of the proposed directive in meeting its stated objectives, 
ways to enhance the utility and clarity of information within the 
direction, or ways to streamline processes outlined.
    Forest Service NEPA procedures exclude from documentation in an 
environmental assessment or impact statement ``rules, regulations, or 
policies to establish Service-wide administrative procedures, program 
processes, or instructions.'' 36 CFR 220.6(d)(2). The Agency's 
conclusion is that this proposed directive falls within this category 
of actions and that no extraordinary circumstances exist as currently 
defined that require preparation of an environmental assessment or an 
environmental impact statement.
    After the public comment period closes, the Forest Service will 
consider timely comments that are within the scope of the proposed 
directive in the development of the final directive. A notice of the 
final directive, including a response to timely comments, will be 
posted on the Forest Service's web page at https://www.fs.fed.us/about-agency/regulations-policies/comment-on-directives.

    Dated: May 24, 2021.
Tina Johna Terrell,
Acting Deputy Chief, National Forest System.
[FR Doc. 2021-11731 Filed 6-3-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411-15-P
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