National Environmental Policy Act Documentation Needed for Limited Timber Harvest

The Forest Service gives notice of and requests comment on proposed revisions to its directives for implementing the National Environmental Policy Act and Council on Environmental Quality regulations contained in Forest Service Handbook 1909.15, Chapter 30, which addresses categorical exclusions from requirements to prepare environmental disclosure documents. The proposal would add three categorical exclusions to Section 31.2 that are applicable to small timber harvesting projects. These categorical exclusions will not apply where there are extraordinary circumstances, such as adverse effects on threatened and endangered species or their designated critical habitat, wilderness areas, inventoried roadless areas, wetlands, and archeological or historic sites. The intended effect is to facilitate the implementation of limited timber harvest projects that do not have significant effects on the human environment. Public comment is invited and will be considered in development of the final directive.