§1612 — Title 16 Conservation | U.S. Code

Summary

The Secretary must make rules so the Forest Service gives government and the public fair notice and a chance to comment on standards, criteria, and guidelines for its programs. The rules must include procedures and, when needed, public hearings. For planning and managing the National Forest System, the Secretary must create and use advisory boards under chapter 10 of title 5 and other laws. The boards must give full advice and include members from a cross section of groups who use and enjoy the forests.

Title 16, §1612

Conservation — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)In exercising his authorities under this subchapter and other laws applicable to the Forest Service, the Secretary, by regulation, shall establish procedures, including public hearings where appropriate, 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.

(b)In providing for public participation in the planning for and management of the National Forest System, the Secretary, pursuant to chapter 10 of title 5 and other applicable law, shall establish and consult such advisory boards as he deems necessary to secure full information and advice on the execution of his responsibilities. The membership of such boards shall be representative of a cross section of groups interested in the planning for and management of the National Forest System and the various types of use and enjoyment of the lands thereof.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2022—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 117–286 substituted “chapter 10 of title 5” for “the Federal Advisory Committee Act (86 Stat. 770)”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Forest Service Decisionmaking and Appeals Reform Pub. L. 102–381, title III, § 322, Oct. 5, 1992, 106 Stat. 1419, which provided for the establishment of a notice and comment process for proposed actions of the Forest Service relating to certain land and resource management projects and required modification of the procedure for appeals of decisions concerning such projects, was repealed by Pub. L. 113–79, title VIII, § 8006(a), Feb. 7, 2014, 128 Stat. 913.

Executive Documents

Transfer of Functions

For transfer of certain

Enforcement

functions of Secretary or other official in Department of Agriculture under this subchapter to Federal Inspector, Office of Federal Inspector for Alaska Natural Gas Transportation System, and subsequent transfer to Secretary of Energy, then to Federal Coordinator for Alaska Natural Gas Transportation Projects, see note set out under section 1601 of this title.

§1612 Public participation