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FOREST SERVICE MANUAL
PACIFIC SOUTHWEST REGION (REGION 5)
VALLEJO, CA
FSM 2700 - SPECIAL USES MANUAL
CHAPTER 20 - SPECIAL USES MANAGEMENT
Supplement No.: 2700-2011-1
Effective Date: June 2, 2011
Duration: This supplement expires 5 years from the effective date unless superseded or
removed earlier.
Approved: RANDY MOORE
Regional Forester
Date Approved: 6/2/2011
Posting Instructions: Supplements are numbered consecutively by title and calendar year.
Post by document; remove the entire document and replace it with this supplement. Retain this
transmittal as the first page(s) of this document. The last supplement to this title was 2700-92-8
to FSM 2720.
New Document
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9 Pages
Superseded Document(s) by
Issuance Number and
Effective Date
2700-92-8 11/18/1992
10 Pages
Digest: Reissues 2700-92-8 with formatting changes.
R5 SUPPLEMENT 2700-2011-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 6/2/2011
DURATION: This supplement is expires 5 years from the effective date unless superseded or removed earlier.
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CHAPTER 2720 - SPECIAL USES MANAGEMENT
2725- INDUSTRY
2725.5 - Arts
Authorize the use of National Forest System lands for commercial photography and motion
picture and television locations only where such uses do not seriously impact forest land
resources or other uses, or do not unreasonably interfere with National Forest management.
Forests may require the posting of forest officers in order to assure resource protection, fire
prevention, or similar activities.
Grant permits for filming on areas under Special Use Permit only with concurrence of the
permittee.
1. Fee Schedule. Determine basic fees as provided by FSM 2725.51 and 2725.52, based
on the number of people on location. District Rangers may adjust the fees in special
circumstances, such as minimum number of people or short time periods.
2. Unique Attractions. Certain structures, such as the Mt. Wilson Pavilion, are
sufficiently unique to be filmed as attractions. Allow this where it will not unduly hinder
administrative or public use. Charge an additional $200.00 fee to reflect the added value
of these structures.
3. Permit Applications. Require the following documentation with the permit
application:
(a) Number of people involved on-location, whether employees, volunteers,
contractors, or other personnel.
(b) A schedule of times, dates, and location of operations.
(c) All equipment or chemicals to be available on-location.
(d) Changes in the natural condition of the area that can reasonably be expected to
result from the production.
4. Other Requirements. Where appropriate, the District Ranger shall require liability
insurance and performance bonds (site rehabilitation) that protect the public interest.
Allow filming in wilderness areas only when:
(a) It is demonstrated that a wilderness setting is required.
(b) No reasonable alternative outside of a wilderness exists.
R5 SUPPLEMENT 2700-2011-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 6/2/2011
DURATION: This supplement is expires 5 years from the effective date unless superseded or removed earlier.
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FSM 2700 - SPECIAL USES MANUAL
CHAPTER 2720 - SPECIAL USES MANAGEMENT
(c) Impacts are negligible.
The restrictions for any use of motor vehicles and mechanized equipment in wilderness areas
apply to these activities (FSM 2326).
5. Collection Agreements. Use collection agreements to recover costs incurred by the
Forest Service for activities which are the responsibility of the permittee, such as the
posting of forest officers to assure resource protection, fire prevention, or similar
activities, and for costs incurred by the use of government builidings, equipment, and
employees. See FSM 1584.
2725.51 - Commercial Still Photography
Use the following for basic fee per day rate when permits are required.
1. 1 - 10 persons. . . .$ 50.00
2. 11 - 30 persons. . . . 150.00
3. over 30 persons. . . . 250.00
2725.52 - Motion Picture and Television Location
Use the following for basic fee per day rate.
1. 1 - 10 persons. . . .$150.00
2. 11 - 30 persons. . . . 200.00
3. 31 - 60 persons. . . . 500.00
4. over 60 persons. . . . 600.00
2726.43 - Powerline
1. Objectives
a. To eliminate or mitigate long-term conflicts between powerlines and the
management of National Forest lands and resources.
b. To eliminate identified fire and safety hazards.
2. Policy. The following direction applies, except for those utility companies who have
entered into an undergrounding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Forest
R5 SUPPLEMENT 2700-2011-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 6/2/2011
DURATION: This supplement is expires 5 years from the effective date unless superseded or removed earlier.
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Service. Where these MOUs exist, Forest Service officers shall follow the agreed upon
direction. See exhibit 01.
a. Powerlines Up To and Including 35 KV. Place all new powerline installations
underground, except where the environmental analysis indicates that aerial
construction provides better protection for National Forest resource and
environmental values.
The authorizing officer shall require undergrounding of existing aerial powerline
installations, especially when the holder proposes those lines for upgrading,
replacement, or reconstruction, except where the environmental analysis clearly
indicates that aerial construction provides better protection for National Forest
resource and environmental values.
b. Powerlines Over 35 KV. Forest Service officers may authorize aerial
construction, except for those areas where the environmental analysis clearly
indicates unacceptable affects on National Forest resource and environmental values.
While it is technically feasible to underground electric powerlines over 35 KV,
construction costs and operational problems increase substantially. Consider
undergrounding only after a thorough assessment of the situation by the authorizing
officer.
3. High Hazard Clause. Do not include the high hazard clause with any undergrounding
authorization.
4. Memorandum of Understanding
Exhibit 01 provides a signed copy of a Memorandum of Understanding between the
Forest Service and Continental Telephone Company of California, which provides for
undergrounding of communication and power lines.
R5 SUPPLEMENT 2700-2011-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 6/2/2011
DURATION: This supplement is expires 5 years from the effective date unless superseded or removed earlier.
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2726.43 - Exhibit 01
SAMPLE
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
between
The United States Forest Service
and
Continental Telephone Company of California
For Conduct of Work by the Forest
Service and Company Necessary to
the Orderly Process of Undergrounding
Appropriate Powerlines and Communication Lines within the
California Region of the Forest Service
U.S. Forest Service
Region 5
San Francisco, California
1976
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DURATION: This supplement is expires 5 years from the effective date unless superseded or removed earlier.
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2726.43 - Exhibit 01-- Continued
B.
In deciding whether or not to permit overhead construction, the Forest
Service shall consider the following:
1.
Whether use of an existing utility corridor of an existing
transmission line by a proposed distribution line may cause less
impact on national forest values than undergrounding. Use of an
existing corridor within the meaning of the foregoing would
normally only occur if substantial widening of right-of-way for
existing facilities is not required.
2.
Whether underground installation may result in greater
environmental impacts than overhead installation due to land form or
resource constraints (slope, density of timber, damage to tree roots,
etc.).
3.
Whether there are soil types which cannot be readily revegetated, or
permanent scarring is likely to result, or abnormal excavation effort
and cost would be involved due to rock or other conditions.
4.
Whether tenure of the electric line is expected to be temporary.
5.
Whether an economic analysis of all related factors indicates an
adverse balance of costs over benefits. (This analysis will include
consideration of land and resource environmental values in addition
to the direct costs of construction, maintenance, reliability, etc.).
II. New Extensions and/or Trunk and Toll Facilities - Communication.
New communication line extensions in the National Forest which extend beyond the boundaries
of the National Forest shall be installed underground, except where overhead construction is
specifically permitted by the Forest Service and it is permissible under the Company's applicable
tariffs on file with and approved by the CPUC.
III. Replacement of Existing Overhead with Underground Distribution Facilities - Electric.
The Company will replace overhead with underground electric distribution facilities in
accordance with the following:
1.
All conversion will be accomplished in accordance with the Company's authorized
tariffs on file with CPUC.
R5 SUPPLEMENT 2700-2011-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 6/2/2011
DURATION: This supplement is expires 5 years from the effective date unless superseded or removed earlier.
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26.43 - Exhibit 01-- Continued
2.
The Company will forward to the Forest Service a listing by city and county of
those underground funds currently available from the Company, under the
Company's applicable tariffs, for conversion of overhead to underground. This
listing will be used as the basis for determining available funds by geographic area.
3.
Forest Supervisors will establish priorities for undergrounding lines or segments of
lines within their individual areas of responsibility, and forward a listing of
proposed projects and recommendations to the Regional Forester. Final priorities
for undergrounding projects will be determined by the Regional Forester, acting for
the Forest Service.
4.
The Company and the Regional Forester will establish a Joint Coordinating
Committee to determine a Conversion Master Plan using data developed in III.2
and III.3 above. The Company representative shall assist and advise the Regional
Forester's representatives as to feasibility, timing and estimated cost for proposed
underground projects.
5.
The Company will cooperate with the Forest Service in obtaining approval for
projects from appropriate cities or counties to accomplish undergrounding in the
priority established by the Conversion Master Plan.
6.
It shall be the responsibility of the Forest Service to enforce required customer
changes of customer-installed facilities on Forest Service permittees, contractors,
and licensees as necessary to receive underground service in accordance with the
Company's rules for underground service and the local city or county
undergrounding ordinance.
IV. Replacement of Existing Overhead with Underground Distribution and/or Trunk and
Toll Facilities - Communications.
The Company will replace overhead with underground distribution and/or trunk and toll facilities
in accordance with the following:
1.
Conversions will be accomplished in accordance with the applicable authorized
tariffs on file with the CPUC.
2.
The Company will underground its distribution and trunk and toll facilities at its
expense to the physical extent that the electric companies underground their
distribution facilities at their expense.
R5 SUPPLEMENT 2700-2011-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 6/2/2011
DURATION: This supplement is expires 5 years from the effective date unless superseded or removed earlier.
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26.43 - Exhibit 01--Continued
3.
The Company and the Regional Forester will establish a joint Coordinating
Committee to determine a Conversion Master Plan using data developed in the
manner provided in III.2 and III.3 above. The Company representatives shall assist
and advise the Regional Forester's representatives as to feasibility, timing and
estimate cost for proposed underground projects.
V. General Provision.
This Memorandum of Understanding shall remain in full force and effect for a period of five (5)
years from the date of execution by both parties hereto and shall continue thereafter until
terminated by either party hereto by giving thirty (30) days written notice of such termination to
the other party.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto, by their duty authorized officers, have executed
this agreement in duplicate on the respective dates indicated below.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF
AGRICULTURE, FOREST SERVICE
CONTINENTAL TELEPHONE COMPANY
OF CALIFORNIA
By /s/ Douglas Leisz
Regional Forester, Region 5
By /s/James L. Carroll
James L. Carroll
Title Vice President and
General Manager
Date October 14, 1976
Date October 6, 1976
(SEAL) ATTEST:
R5 SUPPLEMENT 2700-2011-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 6/2/2011
DURATION: This supplement is expires 5 years from the effective date unless superseded or removed earlier.
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2728 - COMMUNICATIONS
1. Objectives
a. To eliminate or mitigate long-term conflicts between communication lines and the
management of National Forest System lands and resources.
b. To eliminate identified fire and safety hazards.
2. Policy. The following direction applies, except for those utility companies who have
entered into an undergrounding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Forest
Service. Where these MOUs exist, Forest Service officers shall follow the agreed upon
direction. See exhibit 1, R-5 FSM 2726.43.
Place all new communication line installations (including telephone, telegraph, cable TV,
and the like), underground, except where the environmental analysis indicates that aerial
construction provides better protection for National Forest resource and environmental
values.
Require the undergrounding of existing communication line installations, especially when
the holder proposes upgrading, reconstruction, or replacement, except where an
environmental analysis clearly indicates aerial construction provides better protection for
National Forest values.