Forest Products Modernization - Batch 2B #ORMS-3241

In 2017, the Forest Management program launched the Forest Products Modernization (FPM) effort, aimed at improving efficiency in how the agency manages forests, delivers forest products, and carries out timber sales to increase acres treated and volume produced. A significant component of this effort is focused on amending 2400 series FS Manual /FS Handbook directives to reflect new authorities and more closely align with current and future forest restoration needs.

Updates to Forest Management directives have not kept pace with authorities granted to the Forest Service by Congress pertaining to the sale and disposal of forest products designed to improve efficiencies, increase the pace of forest restoration and reduce hazardous fuels. Due to the volume of directives in need of update, proposed changes are being released on a rolling basis as they are completed. This is one of a series of proposed updates to the Timber Management directives posted for public comment.  

This set of updates includes changes to the following directives:

FSH 2409.12, Timber Cruising Handbook

• Chapter 30: Cruising Systems
• Chapter 40: Cruise Planning, Data Recording, and Cruise Reporting
• Chapter 60: Quality Control
• Chapter 70: Designating Timber For Cutting

FSH 2409.15, Timber Sale Administration Handbook

• Chapter 20: Measuring and Accounting For Included Timber
• Chapter 40: Rates and Payments
• Chapter 60: Operations And Other Provisions

The Forest Service values public participation. Communications from the public regarding this project, including commenters' names and contact information, will become part of the public record. Comments, including anonymous comments, will be accepted at any time. However, comments posted after the close of a designated comment period may not be able to be given full consideration.

DOCUMENTS

The full revised directives are posted below. Each directive includes a digest of all proposed changes. To aid the public in its review of the documents, we have also included a summary of some of the most important changes to all documents. For comparison, any available current, unrevised version of a chapter may be obtained from https://www.fs.usda.gov/im/directives/. 

1. Summary of Changes
2. FSH 2409.12 Chapter 30
3. FSH 2409.12 Chapter 40
4. FSH 2409.12 Chapter 60
5. FSH 2409.12 Chapter 70
6. FSH 2409.15 Chapter 20
7. FSH 2409.15 Chapter 40
8. FSH 2409.15 Chapter 60

Your comments are requested by 10/03/2022. Comments submitted after that date will not be addressed as part of the public comment period. We are seeking comment only on the Chapters proposed for revision as listed above. Comments on Chapters not included in this set of directive updates will not be considered.

Further updates to Timber Management Directives are forthcoming and the public will have an opportunity to comment as they are completed.