CFR > Title 36 - Parks, Forests, and Public Property > CHAPTER II—FOREST SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE > PART 216—INVOLVING THE PUBLIC IN THE FORMULATION OF FOREST SERVICE DIRECTIVES > 216.3—Applicability; relationship to other public participation opportunities.

216.3—Applicability; relationship to other public participation opportunities.

(a) The requirements described in this part do not apply to—
(1) Rules or regulations promulgated according to the requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. 553 ;
(2) Instructions, procedures, and other material issued in Forest Service Handbooks; and
(3) Proposed Manual directives which provide guidance and procedures on administrative support activities such as personnel matters, procurement, service contracting, and other routine business operations of the agency.
(b) This part does not supersede or replace the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act as set forth in 40 CFR part 1500 and chapter 1950 of the Forest Service Manual. The requirements described in this part do not apply where equivalent public notice and opportunity for comment on the contents of a proposed Manual directive are provided during compliance with NEPA procedures.
(c) The direction for management of many Forest Service programs is developed with public participation during land and resource management planning part 219, and other activities. The relevant results of such public participation shall be used in formulation of Forest Service Manual directives to avoid duplicating public participation efforts.
(d) In addition to the opportunity for formal public review and comment offered in this part, the public may informally review and comment on Manual material at other times.
(e) These regulations do not prevent informal consultation with selected Federal, State, and local governments and the public when such consultation is deemed appropriate in formulating Manual material.