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FOREST SERVICE HANDBOOK
JUNEAU, ALASKA
FSH 1909.12 - LAND AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLANNING
HANDBOOK
R-10 Supplement No. 1909.12-98-1
Effective October 16, 1998
POSTING NOTICE. Supplements are numbered consecutively by Handbook
number and calendar year. Post by document name. Remove entire document and
replace with this supplement. Retain this transmittal as the first page of this
document. The last supplement to this Handbook was R-10 Supplement 1 to FSH
1909.12, chapter 5.
This supplement supersedes R-10 Supplement 1 to FSH 1909.12, chapter 5
Document Name
Superseded New
(Number of Pages)
5.1-5.7
11
0
1909.12,5
0
4
Digest:
5.1 - Removes obsolete section covering Forest Plan Implementation Process and
Exhibits 1 and 2.
5.2 - Removes obsolete text covering proposed project identification, reviews, and
analysis scheduling. Updates section covering development of study plans for all
projects.
5.3 - Adds direction on field verification/reconnaissance requirements prior to
issuing a draft environmental impact statement or environmental assessment.
5.5 - Removes obsolete section on budget development.
/s/ James T. Gladen for
JAMES A. CAPLAN
Acting Regional Forester
R-10 SUPPLEMENT 1909.12-98-1
EFFECTIVE 10/16/1998
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FSH 1909.12 - LAND AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
PLANNING HANDBOOK
R-10 SUPPLEMENT NO. 1909.12-98-1
EFFECTIVE 10/16/1998
CHAPTER 5 - FOREST PLAN IMPLEMENTATION
AND AMENDMENT PROCESS
5.2 - PROPOSED ACTIONS.
1. Study Plans. Study plans will be developed for all projects. Study plans
should include the following elements:
a. Title and signature page for line officer approval.
b. Project description and location; any known connected projects.
c. Purpose and need, generally a preliminary version.
d. Public and other agency involvement needs.
e. Project scope, including preliminary issues.
f. Preliminary data needs.
g. Estimated timeline for completing the project analysis.
h. Estimated resources needed for completing the analysis.
i. Maps, existing or needed.
j. Appendix, including any appropriate information supporting the
study plan (for example, line officer direction to team, data needs
assessment report, and so forth).
Initial study plans will be prepared as soon as practicable after a project is placed
on an implementation schedule; study plans will be prepared immediately for any
unscheduled projects as proposed. The identification of projects and project areas is
a very important precursor to the analysis and evaluation of projects. Projects will
be based on a consideration of foreseeable management program needs and related
public issues, management concerns, and resource opportunities. Study plans
should be updated as necessary.
5.3 - ANALYSIS AND EVALUATION. In addition to the 6 steps identified in the
parent text, all project level environmental analyses and decision documents must
be based on information obtained from field verification [or reconnaissance].
Field verification should be initiated as early in the NEPA process as practicable.
Enough field verification should be accomplished to ensure that 1) a proposed action
has in fact been identified before a Notice of Intent or scoping letter is issued, 2) the
proposed action has been identified in enough detail for the public to identify the
site-specific issues that it raises, and 3) the proposed action is feasible and could
actually be implemented.
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Field verification for Environmental Impact Statements (EISs) must be completed
prior to the notice of availability of the Draft EIS published in the Federal Register.
Field verification for the Environmental Assessments (EAs) must be completed
prior to the distribution of the EA for public comment, as required by 35 CFR
215.5.
The minimum level of information to be collected during field verification is found
in the Forest Plan Standards and Guidelines, and Records of Decision, for the
Tongass National Forest and the Chugach National Forest, and in other regulation,
direction and policy, which includes but is not limited to the following:
1. Watershed. FSM 2060 and R-10 Supplement to FSM 2520; FSH 2090;
Draft Watershed Analysis Handbook (8/97); TLMP Appendix J; R-10 Amendment to
FSH 2509.22.
2. Fish. FSH 2609.24, Aquatic Habitat Management Unit Handbook, and
the Tongass Timber Reform Act, Section 103.
3. Vegetation, Timber, and Silviculture. FSH 2409.17 and FSH 2409.26d.
4. Wildlife. FSM 2620, 2670, R-10 Supplements.
5. Subsistence. FSH 2609.25 and Federal Subsistence Regulations 36 CFR
242.
6. Logging and Transportation System Plan (Gates 1, 2, and 3). FSH
2409.18, R-10 Supplement.
7. Marine Environment and Log Transfer Facilities (LTF). Clean Water Act
Section 404(b)(1) and amendments of 1985.
8. Heritage Resources. 36 CFR 800 "Protection of Historic Properties";
"Programmatic Agreement among the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Alaska Region; the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation; and
the Alaska State Historic Preservation Officer regarding National Historic
Preservation Act, Section 106 Compliance in the Alaska Region of the Forest
Service, United States Department of Agriculture," dated July 28, 1995; and the
October 9, 1991, letter (file code 2360/1950) from the Chief - "Scheduling the
Evaluation of Effects on Cultural Resources in the NEPA Process."
9. Scenic Resource. FSM 2380; FSH 2309.22; Agriculture Handbook Number
701; WO March 10, 1997,letter (file code 2380); WO August 22, 1994, (file code
2380).
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10. Recreation Resource. FSM 2310, 1982 ROS Users Guide, WO letter
dated 4/30/91 (file code 2320/7150).
11. Minerals and Geology. Act of July 13, 1955 (69 Stat. 367), Federal Cave
Resource Protection Act of 1988.