Search Results for agency_names:"Forest Service"

The Forest Service, part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, has decided to withdraw its earlier plans to create an environmental impact statement for the greater sage-grouse in the Dakota Prairie Grasslands. This decision was made because recent changes have reduced threats to the sage-grouse, including a rule from 2020 that limits oil and gas development in their habitat and a 2015 decision by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service stating that the species doesn't need protection under the Endangered Species Act.

The Land Between the Lakes Advisory Board will hold a public meeting on April 9, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Central Time. The meeting will be available both in-person at 100 Van Morgan Drive, Golden Pond, Kentucky, and virtually. The board, which advises the Secretary of Agriculture on plans and education for the Recreation Area, will discuss topics such as environmental education and natural resource management. Those wishing to provide comments must register by April 4, 2025, and the meeting is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The Flathead Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will hold virtual meetings from March 8 to March 11, 2021, at 4:00 p.m. Mountain Standard Time each day. The committee aims to enhance collaboration and provide advice to the Forest Service on projects and funding under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act. Public participation is welcome, and those interested in making oral statements must request time in writing before March 5. For more details, contact Janette Turk via phone or email.

The Black Hills Resource Advisory Committee (RAC), connected with the USDA Forest Service, will hold a virtual meeting on January 28, 2021, at 5:30 p.m. This committee operates under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act to improve collaboration and advise on projects and funding. The public can attend and submit comments, and the committee will review project funding recommendations for Custer, Lawrence, and Pennington Counties under the Secure Rural Schools allocations from 2017 to 2019. For more details or to request accommodations, individuals should contact Kelly Warnke.

The Federal Subsistence Board has proposed new rules for wildlife hunting and trapping in Alaska for the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 regulatory years. These rules would update the regulations for subsistence use, revise hunting seasons and harvest limits, and ensure that Alaska residents in rural areas have priority for taking fish and wildlife on federal lands. The proposed regulations would replace existing ones and are subject to public meetings for comments and suggestions on changes. Federal agencies, along with rural residents, are working together to manage the subsistence resources effectively.

The Shasta County Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will have a public meeting to discuss projects and funding related to the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. The meetings will take place multiple times in April 2025, and participants can attend in person in Redding, California. People interested in speaking at the meetings must pre-register by specific deadlines. The meeting will also cover electing a new chairperson, reviewing, and voting on RAC proposals, and discussing future meetings. The events are accessible to people with disabilities, and comments can be submitted electronically or by mail.

The Forest Service, part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is asking the public for comments on renewing and updating an information collection about non-timber forest products, which include items like plants, mushrooms, nuts, and sap that are gathered from forests and used for food, medicine, and cultural purposes. This survey aims to gather insights on how to manage these resources sustainably and understand their importance to local communities. The public can comment until February 28, 2025, and the Forest Service is looking to learn about ways to improve the quality and reduce the burden of collecting this information. All received comments will be made publicly available.

The Ravalli Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) is scheduled to hold a virtual meeting on February 16 and February 18, 2021. RAC is part of the USDA Forest Service and operates under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act, aiming to strengthen collaborative relationships and offer advice on projects and funding. The meeting will involve discussions on project proposals and decisions about funding recommendations. Public participation is encouraged, and individuals wishing to make oral statements should request to be on the agenda in advance.

The Forest Service, part of the Agriculture Department, has approved a Revised Land Management Plan (LMP) for the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests in Idaho. This plan guides how the forest will be managed and was developed using scientific research and input from the public and government agencies, including consulting with the Nez Perce Tribe. Covering over four million acres, the plan addresses various activities like recreation, timber harvesting, and wildlife conservation while honoring tribal treaties. The Revised LMP will take effect 30 days after its publication in the Federal Register.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, announced a second notice about closing the Beattie Gulch Trailhead and McConnell Fishing Access areas in Montana to the discharge of firearms. This notice corrects the mailing address for comments sent by mail and extends the public comment period by another 60 days. The closure aims to protect public health and safety due to the risk posed by firearms near developed facilities and private property. Bow hunting will still be allowed in these areas.