Draft 1995 RPA Program

SUMMARY: The Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act

(RPA) of 1974, as amended, directs the Secretary of Agriculture to

prepare a long-range recommended renewable natural resources program

every 5 years. The draft of the 1995 Program, which responds to the

renewable resource situation projected in the 1989 RPA Assessment and

the 1993 Update of the RPA Assessment, is now available to those who

wish to review and comment on it. Written comments will be used in

preparing the final 1995 RPA Program.

EFFECTIVE DATE: Comments must be received in writing by January 17,

1996.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to Director, Resources Program and

Assessment (1910), Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, P.O.

Box 96090, Washington, DC 20090-6090 or via FAX at 202/205-1546.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Copies of the 1995 Draft RPA Program may be requested by calling 202/

205-1235 or via FAX at 202/205-1546.

Information may also be requested by E-Mail (ASCII only) at fswa/

s=rpa/[email protected]. For information on electronic access

and viewing of the draft document, see the supplementary information

section of this notice.

Questions about the 1995 Draft Program may be addressed to Kathryn

P. Maloney, Director, Resources Program and Assessment, telephone: 202/

205-1235.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 1995 RPA Draft Program serves as a

strategic planning document that provides long-term guidance for future

Forest Service policies and programs. This long-term strategy describes

the agency's approach to achieving sustainability of ecosystems. This

strategic plan is composed of future actions for protecting ecosystems,

restoring ecosystems, providing multiple benefits from ecosystems, and

ensuring organizational effectiveness. Future agency actions and

associated costs are described for international and domestic

assistance, the management of the national forests and grasslands, and

research.

The Draft 1995 RPA Program has been developed in accordance with

the principles in the National Environmental Policy Act. Should the

Forest Service initiate any legislative proposals as a result of

guidance in the final 1995 RPA Program, the Forest Service will prepare

the appropriate environmental analyses and documentation specific to

the proposed legislation. Similarly, implementation of the Program

through the forest land and resource management planning process will

entail environmental analysis and documentation at appropriate decision

points.

During the 90-day comment period, the Forest Service will hold

regional public meetings in Missoula, Montana; Albuquerque, New Mexico;

Sacramento, California; Atlanta, Georgia; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and

Washington, DC. Additional meetings may be held at other locations and

will be announced through local/regional media. Additional information

regarding times and specific locations of meetings may be obtained by

calling 202/205-1235 (E-mail: fswa/s=rpa/[email protected].)

Electronic copies of the Draft 1995 Program may be obtained via the

World-wide Web at URL: http://www.fs.fed.us/land/RPA/welcome.htm.

After consideration of the public comment received on the Draft

1995 RPA Program, the President will present his statement of policy

and the Secretary will recommend a final 1995 RPA Program to the U.S.

Congress.

Dated: October 4, 1995.

David G. Unger,

Associate Chief.

[FR Doc. 95-25688 Filed 10-18-95; 8:45 am]

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