SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

In order to protect timber purchasers and the public from severe downturns in the wood products industry, the Forest Service has granted market-related contract term additions for timber sale contracts when a drastic reduction in wood prices has occurred. Applying regulations promulgated under the Federal Timber Contract Payment Modification Act (16 U.S.C. 618), the Chief of the Forest Service has determined the existence of a drastic reduction in prices by using BLS PPI indices for certain wood products. However, as of December 2003, BLS discontinued three of the four PPI indices contained in the previous iteration of this regulation: Hardwood Lumber (SIC 24211), Eastern Softwood Lumber (SIC 24213), and Western Softwood Lumber (SIC 24214). BLS also re-designated Wood Chips (SIC 21215) as (NAICS 3211135). Accordingly, in the interim final rule and request for comments, the Forest Service selected two replacement indices—Softwood Lumber (0811) and Hardwood Lumber (0812)—and adopted the re-designation of the Wood Chips index. The Forest Service made no other changes to 36 CFR 223.52.

Before selecting the foregoing replacement indices in the interim final rule, the Forest Service evaluated several possible replacements. For example, the Forest Service examined the Random Lengths indices and Western Wood Products Association indices. Additionally, the Forest Service examined certain regional indices. The Forest Service found that indices other than the replacement indices were inadequate for determining the existence of a drastic reduction in wood prices. For example, regional indices were unsuitable because of variance in their timing of publication, collection of information, and processing of data. Accordingly, the Forest Service selected the BLS Softwood Lumber (0811) and Hardwood Lumber (0812) indices because they represent the best-available replacement indices, which most closely replicate the historical results of the discontinued indices.

The three indices contained in this final rule are not seasonally adjusted. Each PPI is adjusted to a constant dollar base by dividing it by the PPI for All Commodities (00000000) to eliminate changes due to inflation and deflation.

As noted in the interim rule, the Forest Service adopted the replacement indices retroactively to January 2004. For purposes of this final rule, the indices shall have the same retroactive application.

The Forest Service received a total of twenty-six replies to the interim final rule. Nineteen were unresponsive because they did not address MRCTA procedures. Four were statements not requiring a response. Three were responsive to the interim rule and proposed changes. As noted in the Introduction, a detailed summary of Forest Service responses to public comments is available for review, as provided in the ADDRESSES section of this notice.

In response to the relevant comments, the Forest Service has made changes to the interim final rule, which are contained in this final rule. Based on public comments and its own analysis, the Forest Service changed the percentage decrease applied to the replacement indices, contained at 36 CFR 223.52(b)(ii)(2), from 15% to 11.5%. The percentage change in wood prices is used to balance the public interest in having a reasonable term on a timber sale contract and minimizing the risk of defaults on timber sale contracts. Setting the percent change in price too low could result in unnecessary contract term additions. Setting the percent change in price to high could result in contract defaults. The 15% decrease in the discontinued indices provided this balance for the last two decades. The new replacement indices are broader than the discontinued indices and less sensitive to changes in market conditions. Internal agency analysis compared the replacement indices to the discontinued indices for the years 1981 through 2003. The replacement indices only triggered a qualifying quarter about one third as often as the discontinued indices when a 15% decrease in wood prices was used. Changing the decrease in wood prices to 11.5% better tracks the historical results generated under the discontinued indices for the purpose of determining qualifying quarters and maintaining the balance between extending the term of a timber sale contract and the number of defaults on timber sale contracts. Because the Wood Chips index was merely re-designated, the Forest Service has retained the 15% value applied to that index. Additionally, in response to public comments, the Forest Service herein clarifies ambiguity as to the timing of qualifying quarters. A qualifying quarter must be a quarter that follows the date of the contract award. This change is consistent with language in timber sale contracts and with the Forest Service's previous application of this rule.

Regulatory Certifications

Regulatory Impact

This final rule has been reviewed under USDA procedures and Executive Order 12866 on Regulatory Planning and Review. It has been determined that this rule is not a significant regulatory action and is not subject to Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”) review. This rule will not have an annual effect of $100 million or more on the economy and will not adversely affect the economy, a sector of the economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public health or safety, or State, local or tribal governments or communities. This rule will not interfere with an action taken or planned by another agency nor raise new legal or policy issues. In short, little or no effect on the national economy will result from this regulatory action, which consists of necessary, technical changes to the regulation governing market-related contract term additions. Using the replacement indices and the modified formula contained in this final rule, the Forest Service will be able to determine whether a drastic decline in wood products prices has occurred. Finally, this action will not alter the ( printed page 3411) budgetary impact of entitlements, grants, user fees, or loan programs or the rights and obligations of recipients of such programs. Accordingly, this final rule is not subject to OMB review under Executive Order 12866.

Moreover, this final rule has been considered in light of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 610 et seq.), and it is hereby certified that this action will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities as defined by that act. As revised in this rule, the formula better corresponds to the historical performance of the discontinued indices and allows the Forest Service to grant market-related contract term additions to small and large purchasers when market conditions warrant. Refining the formula for determining when a drastic reduction in wood product prices has occurred will have the intended effect of allowing purchasers additional time to complete contracts when severe adverse conditions have occurred in the wood products market.

Unfunded Mandates Reform

Pursuant to Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1531-1538), which the President signed into law on March 22, 1995, the Forest Service has assessed the effects of this final rule on State, local, and tribal governments and the private sector. This rule does not compel the expenditure of $100 million or more by any State, local, or tribal government or anyone in the private sector. Therefore, a statement under section 202 of the act is not required.

Environmental Impact

This final rule concerns the extension of timber sale contracts when warranted by a drastic reduction in wood product prices, and, as such, has no direct effect upon the amount, location, or manner of timber offered for purchase. Section 31.1b of Forest Service Handbook 1909.15 (57 FR 43180; September 18, 1992) excludes from documentation in an environmental assessment or impact statement “rules, regulations, or policies to establish Service-wide administrative procedures, program processes, or instructions.” The Forest Service's assessment is that this rule falls within this category of actions and that no extraordinary circumstances exist which would require preparation of an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement.

Controlling Paperwork Burdens on the Public

This final rule does not contain any recordkeeping or reporting requirements or other information collection requirements as defined in 5 CFR part 1320 and, therefore, imposes no paperwork burden on the public. Accordingly, the review provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.) and implementing regulations at 5 CFR part 1320 do not apply.

Energy Effects

This final rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 13211, Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use. It has been determined that this rule does not constitute a significant energy action as defined in the Executive order.

Federalism

The agency has considered this final rule under the requirements of Executive Order 13132, Federalism. The agency has made an assessment that the rule conforms with the federalism principles set out in this Executive Order; would not impose any compliance costs on the States; and would not have substantial direct effects on the States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.

Consultation and Coordination With Indian Tribal Governments

This final rule does not have tribal implications as defined in Executive Order 13175, Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments, and, therefore, advance consultation with tribes is not required.

No Takings Implications

This final rule has been analyzed in accordance with the principles and criteria contained in Executive Order 12630, and it has been determined that the rule does not pose the risk of a taking of Constitutionally-protected private property.

Civil Justice Reform

This final rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform. The agency has not identified any State or local laws or regulations that are in conflict with this regulation or that would impede full implementation of this rule. In any event, after adoption of this final rule: (1) All State and local laws or regulations that conflict with this rule or that would impede full implementation would be preempted; (2) no retroactive effect would be given to this final rule, except as described herein; and (3) the final rule would not require the use of administrative proceedings before parties could file suit in court challenging its provisions.

Therefore, for the reasons set forth in the preamble, part 223 of Title 36 of the Code of Federal Regulations is amended as follows:

1. The Authority citation for part 223 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 90 Stat. 2958, 16 U.S.C. 472a; 98 Stat. 2213; 16 U.S.C. 618, 104 Stat. 714-726, 16 U.S.C. 620-620j, unless otherwise noted.

2. Revise § 223.52 (b)(2) to read as follows: