Special Rules Applicable to Public Land Hearings and Appeals; Grazing Administration-Exclusive of Alaska, Administrative Remedies; Grazing Administration-Effect of Wildfire Management Decisions; Administration of Forest Management Decisions

The Office of Hearings and Appeals (OHA) is amending its existing regulations governing hearings and appeals to codify who has a right of appeal, to expedite its review of wildfire management decisions, and to simplify proof of service. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is adding regulations allowing BLM to make its wildfire management decisions effective immediately when BLM determines that vegetation, soil, or other resources on the public lands are at substantial risk of wildfire due to drought, fuels buildup, or other reasons, or at immediate risk of erosion or other damage due to wildfire, and to expedite review of those decisions. The amendments to both the OHA and BLM regulations are needed to clarify and expedite administrative review procedures.