§1612. Public participation

(a) Adequate notice and opportunity to comment

In exercising his authorities under this subchapter and other laws applicable to the Forest Service, the Secretary, by regulation, shall establish procedures, including public hearings where appropriate, to give the Federal, State, and local governments and the public adequate notice and an opportunity to comment upon the formulation of standards, criteria, and guidelines applicable to Forest Service programs.

(b) Advisory boards

In providing for public participation in the planning for and management of the National Forest System, the Secretary, pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (86 Stat. 770) and other applicable law, shall establish and consult such advisory boards as he deems necessary to secure full information and advice on the execution of his responsibilities. The membership of such boards shall be representative of a cross section of groups interested in the planning for and management of the National Forest System and the various types of use and enjoyment of the lands thereof.

(Pub. L. 93–378, §14, as added Pub. L. 94–588, §11, Oct. 22, 1976, 90 Stat. 2958 .)

References in Text

The Federal Advisory Committee Act, referred to in subsec. (b), is Pub. L. 92–463, Oct. 6, 1972, 86 Stat. 770 , as amended, which is set out in the Appendix to Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

Transfer of Functions

For transfer of certain enforcement functions of Secretary or other official in Department of Agriculture under this subchapter to Federal Inspector, Office of Federal Inspector for Alaska Natural Gas Transportation System, and subsequent transfer to Secretary of Energy, then to Federal Coordinator for Alaska Natural Gas Transportation Projects, see note set out under section 1601 of this title.

Forest Service Decisionmaking and Appeals Reform

Pub. L. 102–381, title III, §322, Oct. 5, 1992, 106 Stat. 1419 , which provided for the establishment of a notice and comment process for proposed actions of the Forest Service relating to certain land and resource management projects and required modification of the procedure for appeals of decisions concerning such projects, was repealed by Pub. L. 113–79, title VIII, §8006(a), Feb. 7, 2014, 128 Stat. 913 .