Forest Service proposal would shrink public comment windows

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  • The Forest Service proposes shortening public comment and objection timelines.
  • The rule would revise how people challenge forest projects before approval.
  • Changes are tied to recent updates to federal environmental review rules.
  • Public comments on the proposal are due by March 9, 2026.

Tuesday, February 10, 2026 — The United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service released a proposed ruleOpens in a new tab. that would significantly change how the public can challenge forest management projects before they are approved. The proposal, released on February 5, updates regulations known as the Project-Level Predecisional Administrative Review Process, commonly referred to as the objection process. These rules govern how individuals, organizations, Tribes, and others may raise concerns about projects planned on national forest lands.

The proposed changes were published in the Federal RegisterOpens in a new tab. on February 6, 2026, and are open for public comment until March 9, 2026. The Forest Service describes the revisions as an effort to streamline project delivery and reduce delays, while still allowing public input.

What the Objection Process Does.

The objection process applies to projects that implement forest land and resource management plans. These include activities such as vegetation treatments, wildfire risk reduction, recreation improvements, infrastructure repairs, wildlife habitat work, and special-use permits. It is the final administrative step available to the public before a project decision becomes final.

Under current rules, members of the public must first submit written comments during an earlier comment period. Only those who commented are eligible to later file an objection after the Forest Service releases a draft decision document.

Shorter Timelines Under the Proposal.

One of the most significant changes in the proposed rule is the reduction of public comment and objection periods.

For projects requiring an environmental assessment, the public comment period would be reduced from 30 days to 10 days. For projects requiring a full environmental impact statement, the comment period would drop from 45 days to 20 days. Objection periods would be shortened, too, with 10 days to object to a draft finding of no significant impact and 20 days to object to a draft record of decision. Extensions would no longer be allowed.

The Forest Service explains that these changes reflect recent statutory limits on the length of environmental documents and are intended to prevent lengthy delays in project implementation.

Alignment With Updated Environmental Review Rules.

The proposal also reflects broader changes to federal environmental review procedures. In 2025, the Council on Environmental Quality rescinded its long-standing National Environmental Policy Act regulations, and the Department of Agriculture issued interim revisions to its own environmental review rules.

According to the Forest Service, the current objection process no longer aligns with these updated regulations. The proposed rule would eliminate inconsistencies and create a single, uniform objection process for all qualifying projects, including those carried out under the Healthy Forests Restoration Act.

Fewer Steps and More Digital Notices.

The proposed rule removes several procedural elements that the agency says are no longer necessary. The role of a separate reviewing officer would be eliminated, leaving responsibility with the Forest Service official overseeing the project. Required resolution meetings between objectors and the agency would also be removed.

In addition, legal notices would no longer be published in newspapers or the Federal Register. Instead, all notices, draft decisions, and objection responses would be posted on Forest Service or Department of Agriculture websites. The agency cites rising newspaper costs, reduced publication schedules, and changes in how the public accesses information as reasons for this shift.

Limits on Objections and Responses.

The proposal would also place page limits on objections. Objections to environmental assessments would be capped at 15 pages, while objections to environmental impact statements would be limited to 30 pages. Responses from the Forest Service would be limited to five pages and must be issued within 15 or 20 days, depending on the type of project.

The agency states that objections must be focused, issue-based, and tied to concerns previously raised during the comment period. Objections that simply restate earlier comments or lack specific recommendations could be set aside without full review.

Emergency Authority and Exemptions.

Certain projects would not be subject to the objection process at all. These include projects that receive no substantive public comments, projects categorically excluded from environmental review, and projects carried out under emergency authorities where immediate action is required to protect public safety or natural resources.

Projects approved directly by the Secretary of Agriculture or the Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment would also be exempt from the objection process.

Early Public Response.

As of February 9, 2026, only a small number of public commentsOpens in a new tab. had been submitted. Several commenters expressed concern that shorter comment periods would reduce meaningful public participation, particularly for communities, Tribes, and individuals who may not learn about proposed projects within a narrow window. Others voiced support for streamlining, noting the need for faster implementation of forest health and wildfire mitigation projects.

The Forest Service has stated that all timely comments will be considered before a final rule is adopted.

Comment Deadline.

The public comment period closes on March 9, 2026. After that date, the Forest Service may finalize the rule with or without changes. Once adopted, the revised process would shape how forest projects are reviewed and challenged across the country.

Because the proposal affects how and when the public can participate in decisions about national forest management, the comment deadline represents the primary opportunity for individuals, organizations, and Tribes to influence the final outcome.  Comments can be submitted at the Federal Register websiteOpens in a new tab..

 

Deborah

Since 1995, Deborah has owned and operated LegalTech LLC with a focus on water rights. Before moving to Arizona in 1986, she worked as a quality control analyst for Honeywell and in commercial real estate, both in Texas. She learned about Arizona's water rights from the late and great attorney Michael Brophy of Ryley, Carlock & Applewhite. Her side interests are writing (and reading), Wordpress programming and much more.

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