New policy would give local forest managers more flexibility while reducing public review of internal guidance
Visitors to Arkansas’ national forests are unlikely to notice any immediate changes from a newly proposed U.S. Forest Service rule, but the proposal could eventually influence how trails, campgrounds and other recreation facilities are managed across the state.
The proposed rule, announced by the U.S. Forest Service on July 1, would change how the agency develops and updates its internal guidance for employees. While it does not alter regulations governing hiking, mountain biking, camping, hunting, fishing or other recreational activities, it could affect how quickly projects move forward and how much flexibility local forest managers have in making decisions…