Forest Service News Release

Contact: SM.FS.pressoffice@usda.gov

 


Forest Service publishes proposed rule to redefine, streamline guidance for employees


 

Changes to manual, handbooks to simplify direction, more quickly make management decisions

 

Washington, D.C., June 30, 2026—The U.S. Forest Service is inviting public comment on a proposed rule to modernize its directives system – the agency’s internal documentation that guides how employees carry out their work. The proposal would redefine the agency’s manual and handbooks to reduce procedural burdens, encourage innovation and return decision-making authority to employees closest to the land.

“Today, the Forest Service maintains more than 900 chapters of national guidance and thousands of additional regional and unit-level supplements,” said Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz. “Half of these directives are more than 20 years old, and many exceed 100 pages in length. By streamlining our directives, we can empower local decision-making and innovation so that employees make smart, informed decisions that benefit the land and the American people.”

Under the proposal:

- Forest Service Manuals codify the agency’s official policy, practices and procedures. The updates would provide the minimum mandatory direction necessary to ensure legal compliance, employee safety, and responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars.


- Forest Service Handbooks are guidance to implement policy and technical instructions. The updates would become non-binding guidance — practical advice to help employees do their jobs — eliminating inflexible mandates and prescriptive procedures.

This proposed rule is part of a larger effort to modernize the Forest Service directives system. The agency also intends to rescind most regional and unit-level directive supplements, creating more consistent expectations for employees, partners, visitors, and customers across all Forest Service units. National directives will also be revised to reflect the agency’s reorganization, with authorities delegated as close to the field level as possible.

The public comment period is open for 30 days. To view the proposed rule and submit comments, visit federalregister.gov

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