Forest Service proposes changes to internal rulemaking process and public comment procedures
/ 1 min read
Table of Contents
The U.S. Forest Service is proposing a change to how it creates and updates its own internal rules. Currently, the agency treats both its mandatory directives (the Manual) and its advisory guidance (the Handbooks) as subject to public notice and comment requirements when they establish standards or criteria. Under this proposal, only changes to the Manual that create binding standards would require public input.
Why it matters: This change is primarily administrative and procedural. It reduces the amount of paperwork the Forest Service must process when updating internal guidance documents that do not legally bind the public. The agency states this aligns with recent executive orders aimed at deregulation by clarifying which internal directives actually require formal public participation under existing law.
Who it affects
- Forest Service employees who use Handbooks for daily operational guidance
This is a proposed rule from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, published in the Federal Register; readers should check the original document for specific comment deadlines and full regulatory text before relying on this summary.
Agency: Agriculture Department, Forest Service
Source: Federal Register — read the official document