Notices. Notice of availability; reissuance of interim directive

301 words·~1 min read·/register/2000/03/22/00-7041

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BILLING CODE 3410-11-M DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Categorical Exclusion for Certain Ski Area Permit Actions AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of availability; reissuance of interim directive. SUMMARY: The Forest Service is reissuing an interim directive to guide its employees in complying with the National Environmental Policy Act when issuance of a ski area permit is a purely ministerial action and no changes are proposed in permitted activities or facilities.

The interim directive implements a provision of the Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management Act of 1996, which states that reissuance of a ski area permit for activities similar in nature and amount to the activities authorized under the previous permit shall not constitute a major Federal action. This interim directive, numbered ID 1909.15-2000-1, reissues without change the interim direction previously issued to Forest Service Handbook 1909.15, Environmental Policy and Procedures Handbook, in ID 1909.15-98-1, which was published in the **Federal Register** on September 9, 1998, and was issued effective September 24, 1998.

The proposed interim directive was previously published for notice and comment in the **Federal Register** on October 27, 1997 (62 FR 55571). DATES: Interim directive

(ID)1909.15-2000-1 is effective March 24, 2000, and expires September 24, 2001, unless the direction in the ID is incorporated in an amendment to Forest Service Handbook 1909.15 before the expiration date. ADDRESSES: Copies of interim directive 1909.15-2000-1 are available electronically from the Forest Service via the World Wide Web/Internet at http://www.fs.fed.us/im/directives/fsh/1909.15/id_1909.15_2000_1.txt or by contacting the Forest Service, USDA, Recreation, Heritage, and Wilderness Resources Management Staff (Mail Stop 1125), P. O. Box 96090, Washington, DC 20090-6090 (telephone 202-205-1706). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ken Karkula, Recreation, Heritage, and Wilderness Resources Management Staff (202-205-1426). Dated: March 16, 2000. Paul Brouha, Acting Deputy Chief for National Forest System. [FR Doc. 00-7041 Filed 3-21-00; 8:45 am]