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1950.31
TITLE 1900 - PLANNING
1950.31 - Study Plans. All projects for which the Forest Supervisor is the
responsible official and that require an environmental assessment or
environmental impact statement shall be preceded with a study plan unless the
Forest Supervisor determines otherwise. Projects that meet any one of the
following conditions may proceed without a study plan-- (1) do not require
coordination among resources, (2) are of no concern to the public, (3)
insignificantly affect the environment, (4) do not require a team effort, or
(5) are of an emergency nature. Examples of such projects are free use
permits, requests for borrow material, stream cleanup, "green sheet" sales and
fire and rescue.
1950.32 - Roles of Participants
1. The Team Leader:
a. Coordinates the specialists' work, focusing their attention on team
goals and objectives as spelled out in directions to the IDT.
b.
Provides a link between the IDT and the responsible official.
c. Develops the study plan; directs the environmental analysis and
preparation of the environmental assessment or statement.
d. Leads the IDT in all steps through the process for which they are
responsible.
e.
Keeps analysis on schedule.
2. The Team Members:
a.
Provide a needed skill or discipline required by the study plan.
b. Participate collectively with each other in considering problems,
finalizing data needs and meeting schedules in the study plan.
Participate in all phases of the environmental analysis through
identification of the preferred alternative.
c.
Act as team leader when so delegated.
d.
Write portions of the EA or EIS as assigned by the team leader.
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TITLE 1900 - PLANNING
3. Consultants:
a. Provide needed information to the IDT in the form of reports, memos,
or through personal interviews and contacts as requested by the team
leader.
b.
Advise the IDT on technical matters.
c.
Write portions of the EA or EIS as assigned by the team leader.
4. The Forest Supervisor's Management Team
(Staff and Rangers):
a.
The Planning Officer will serve as Coordinator for project review.
He will determine appropriate Staff Officers and Rangers to review
documents and submit comments to the IDT leader in a timely manner.
Courtesy copies will be given to each of the Management Team.
b.
The reviewing Staff Officers and Rangers will: 1) recommend
direction for a properly negotiated study plan (See 1950.33 1 a-g
following), 2) provide functional consultation if needed at decision
points throughout the project, including Environmental Assessment
preparation, c) review and recommend approval of EA's that involve
his or her functional expertise.
5. The Forest Supervisor:
a. Provides direction to the IDT and Management Team to assure that Step
1950.33 1 a-g as defined below is properly carried out. The planning of
projects for which the Forest Supervisor is responsible may be delegated
to the District Ranger or Staff Officer.
b. Approves study plan and EA/EIS or provides additional direction when
remanding for further work.
c. Designates a team leader. This should be done at the outset unless
the Forest Supervisor chooses to personally prepare the management
direction. Team leaders should possess both a working knowledge of the
planning process and strong ability to communicate effectively with both
the IDT, management, and the public.
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TITLE 1900 - PLANNING
1950.33 - Preparation of Study Plans (The contract for getting the job done).
1. Preparation of Direction to the IDT
The Forest Supervisor or delegated member of his Management Team (if so
chosen) will identify a team leader and transmit direction to the IDT covering
the following items.
a.
A brief written description of the project, its priority, purpose,
and link to the program plan and budget (include 1900-4).
b.
Identification of the Management Area the project is in and the
project boundary.
c.
Tentative evaluation criteria that include such things as objectives,
targets, management direction, road standards, A-95 coordination if
appropriate, and management concerns. (See Forest Service NEPA
Process Revised Implementing Procedures, NEPA Procedures Handbook
12.2).
d.
Significant issues and problems addressed.
e.
IDT composition by skills needed and possible assignment of team
members.
f. Degree of public involvement needed. For environmental statements
and large or controversial projects, a public participation plan will
be prepared. Projects requiring an EA will, as a minimum, have a
news release inviting public participation.
g.
Desired completion date for the environmental assessment or EIS.
2. Management Team Review and Concurrence of Direction to IDT
a. The Planning Officer distributes Direction to appropriate Management
Team members for coordinated review. Unaffected Staff Officers and
Rangers should not review the Direction. The amount of lead time
will depend on the complexity of the project. Ideally, about one
week of lead time should be given, unless the project is complex, in
which case more time should be allowed.
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TITLE 1900 - PLANNING
b.
The Forest Supervisor through consultation with appropriate Staff and
Ranger selects core team members, and agrees on consultants. IDTeam
members shall be selected to form a balanced team to address the
affected resources, issues, and concerns to be resolved. Prime
consideration should be given to the individuals professional
expertise, experience, and their demonstrated abilities to perform in
a team environment.
c.
The Management Team may recommend direction changes and, if
necessary, shall meet at the earliest possible time with the Planning
Officer to resolve any disagreements on Direction to IDT.
Irresolvable disagreements should be brought to the Forest Supervisor
for resolution at the earliest possible time.
d.
Reviewing Management Team signs recommending approval of Direction to
the IDE.
e.
Forest Supervisor approves management direction to the IDT.
3. IDT-Management Team Negotiations and Completion of the Study Plan.
a.
The team leader meets with the IDT who collectively review Direction
to the IDT.
b.
IDT makes any additional recommendations.
c.
Data consistency collection needs and time frames are set by the IDT
to meet target date established by the Forest Supervisor.
d.
A critical path or appropriate schedule for project accomplishment is
prepared.
e.
Approved management direction, data needs, critical path chart, and
public involvement plan (if appropriate) are combined to complete the
study plan.
f. Forest Supervisor and_IDT meet, if necessary, to resolve any problems.
g.
Reviewed and signed by IDT.
h.
Reviewed and signed by appropriate Management Team members.
i. Reviewed and approved by Forest Supervisor.
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TITLE 1900 - PLANNING
4. Study Plan Revision
If the team leader determines that the project has or will exceed the
budget significantly (10%) or that the project has fallen behind schedule,
the Forest Supervisor will be informed by written memo. Reasons for the
project delay or budget overrun will be specifically identified.
Corrective actions will be suggested and appropriate modification
documents (revised 1900-4, critical path, etc.) will be included. The
Forest Supervisor will specify the corrective action desired.
1950.34 - Environmental Assessment Review
a.
The team leader submits the EA in draft format to the Planning
Officer who distributes to appropriate Management Team reviewers.
b.
Reviewers return comments on EA to the IDT leader within two weeks.
c.
Planning Officer summarizes substantive comments and gives them to
the IDT under Forest Supervisor signature for consideration.
d.
The EA is revised by the IDT in response to comments and returned to
the Planning Officer.
e.
Planning Officer routes the revised EA to affected Management Team
for final review and recommendation.
f. Team leader delivers EA including a Decision Notice, FCtSI, and news
release to the Forest Supervisor for approval.
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