Pre-publication Forest System Land Management Rule Available

The final rule describes the National Forest System (NFS) land management planning framework; sets up requirements for sustainability of social, economic, and ecological systems; and gives directions for developing, amending, revising, and monitoring land management plans. It also clarifies that, absent rare circumstances, land management plans under this final rule are strategic in nature and are one stage in an adaptive cycle of planning for management of NFS lands.

The intended effects of the rule are to strengthen the role of science in planning; to strengthen collaborative relationships with the public and other governmental entities; to reaffirm the principle of sustainable management consistent with the Multiple-Use Sustained-Yield Act of 1960 (MUSYA) and other authorities; and to streamline and improve the planning process by increasing adaptability to changes in social, economic, and environmental conditions.

This rulemaking is the result of a United State District Court of Northern California order dated March 30, 2007, which enjoined the United States Department of Agriculture (the Department, the Agency, or the USDA) from putting into effect and using the land management planning rule published on January 5, 2005 (70 FR 1023) until it complies with the court’s order regarding the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Endangered Species Act (ESA), and the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (Citizens for Better Forestry v. USDA, 481 F. Supp 2d 1059 (N.D. Cal. 2007)). The purpose of this final rule is to respond to the district court’s ruling. This final rule replaces the 2005 final rule (2005 rule) (70 FR 1022, Jan. 5, 2005), as amended March 3, 2006 (71 FR 10837) (which was enjoined by the district court’s ruling) and the 2000 final rule (2000 rule) adopted on November 9, 2000 (65 FR 67514) as amended on September 29, 2004 (69 FR 58055).

See the entire pre-pub version and other USFS NFMA planning info at: http://www.fs.fed.us/emc/nfma/2008_planning_rule.html

BLM Western Oregon Plan Revisions

The Bureau of Land Management is revising the six western Oregon Resource Management Plans tiered to the Northwest Forest Plan. The revised plans (to be completed in the fall of 2008) will address public lands and resources managed by the Salem, Eugene, Roseburg, Medford, and Coos Bay Districts and the Klamath Falls Resource Area of the Lakeview District. The planning area includes approximately 2,550,000 acres of public lands. About 2,100,000 of those acres are land revested from the Oregon and California Railroad and are managed under the O&C Lands Act of 1937.

The planning process began on September 7, 2005 with formal issue scoping. A Draft Environmental Impact Statement was available for public review from August 10, 2007 through January 11, 2008. More about public involvement activities >>>

A Science Team consisting of seven scientists and natural resource specialists from several federal and state agencies was formed in 2005 to provide scientific advice to the BLM to “enhance the quality and credibility of RMP revision analyses”.

See more at: http://www.blm.gov/or/plans/wopr/index.php

NHTSA CAFE EIS Notice and Request for Scoping Comments

NHTSA plans to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to address the potential environmental impacts of the agency's Corporate Average Fuel Economy [CAFE] program for passenger automobiles (= "passenger cars'') and non-passenger automobiles (= "light trucks''). The EIS will address new fuel economy standards for model year 2011-2015 passenger cars and light trucks. The notice initiates the NEPA scoping process to identify the environmental issues and reasonable alternatives to be examined in the EIS, and requests comments regarding those and other matters related to the scope of NHTSA'S NEPA analysis for the new standards.

See FR notice at: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-6227.htm

Should we distribute the NEPA WG email list to members?

A suggestion has been made to distribute the WG name/email address list to WG members.

I am inclined to do this, but I don't know what you think.

If you have an objection or other comment, please let me know at peter dot havens at embarqmail dot com or (360) 471-5167.

P

Environmental Planning position at EPA San Francisco

UPCOMING ONE-YEAR POSITION IN
TRANSPORTATION/ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING
US ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, SAN FRANCISCO OFFICE

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 9 is hiring to fill a newly created position within the Environmental Review Office to facilitate better integration of early environmental impact analysis with regional transportation planning. The position will be based in the EPA Region 9 San Francisco Office and will be funded by the California Department of Transportation, Divisions of Environmental Analysis and Transportation Planning.

Using knowledge of regulations and guidance in environmental, transportation, and planning fields, the successful applicant will promote interagency coordination and consultation between the EPA, federal and state regulatory and resource agencies, California Department of Transportation, and local transportation and planning organizations in California. The position is funded for one-year at the GS-11 pay-rate with an anticipated start date of April/May 2008.

Work includes, but is not limited to:
- Coordination with local planning organizations (metropolitan planning organizations and rural transportation planning agencies) to identify key environmental issues, sensitive resources, and available resource data to facilitate improved transportation and land-use planning and decision-making.
- Reviewing current federal regulations regarding resource agency consultation and involvement during statewide and regional planning processes.
Participation in California’s Regional Blueprint Planning Program to provide a federal resource and regulatory agency perspective on integrated land-use, transportation, and environmental planning.
- Preparing correspondence to transportation agencies regarding environmental impact assessment and data sources.

Desired skills for the successful implementation of this newly created position include
- Experience with integrated land-use and transportation planning,
- Experience with regional environmental, land-use, and transportation planning efforts (Regional Transportation Plans, Conservation and Open Space Plans, Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plans),
- Knowledge of environmental impacts (habitat, air and water quality) associated with transportation projects
- Knowledge and skills with geographic information systems (GIS) tools and digitized resource data sources.
- Experience reviewing and analyzing environmental analysis documents.
- Ability to work both independently and as a part of a team.

This position will be posted on www.USAJOBS.gov in March/April 2008. Please send a resume and short statement of interest to Connell Dunning at dunning.connell@epa.gov if interested. Please also apply online to the position through USAJOBS when it is posted.