In the name of greater efficiency, the U.S. Forest Service said on Wednesday that it would modernize its procedures for complying with the National Environmental Policy Act, the bedrock federal environmental protection law. “The updates would create a new suite of ‘categorical exclusions,’ ” it said, a classification that would exempt routine activities from “more extensive, time-consuming analysis under an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement.”
The proposal was scheduled to appear in the Federal Register today, with 60 days for public comment. It would be the first update since 2008 of Forest Service procedures for compliance with environmental rules.
“We have pored over 10 years of environmental data and have found that in many cases, we do redundant analyses, slowing down important work to protect communities, livelihoods, and resources,” said Forest Service Chief Vicki Christiansen.
The proposed categorical exclusions would be for restoration projects, roads and trails management, and recreation and facility management, as well as for special use authorizations that result in permits for outfitters and guides, community organizations, civic groups, and others who want to use national forests and grasslands. Categorical exclusions are granted for relatively limited areas. Acting Deputy Chief Chris French told the USDA’s radio service that restoration projects, which could include prescribed burns, would apply to a maximum of 7,300 acres.
The Forest Service oversees 154 national forests and 20 national grasslands covering 193 million acres, or 302,000 square miles.