---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 1612"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "1612"
heading: "Public participation"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/1612"
units:
  - "Chapter 36 — Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning"
  - "Subchapter I — Planning"
---

# §1612. Public participation

- (a) **Adequate notice and opportunity to comment—** In exercising his authorities under this subchapter and other laws applicable to the Forest Service, the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1), by regulation, shall establish procedures, including public hearings where appropriate, to give the Federal, [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a), and local governments and the public adequate notice and an opportunity to comment upon the formulation of standards, criteria, and guidelines applicable to Forest Service programs.
- (b) **Advisory boards—** In providing for public participation in the planning for and management of the National Forest System, the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1), pursuant to [chapter 10](/usc/5/chptI/ch10.md) of title 5 and other applicable law, shall establish and consult such advisory boards as he deems necessary to secure full information and advice on the execution of his responsibilities. The membership of such boards shall be representative of a cross section of groups interested in the planning for and management of the National Forest System and the various types of use and enjoyment of the lands thereof.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 93–378, § 14, as added Pub. L. 94–588, § 11, Oct. 22, 1976, 90 Stat. 2958; amended Pub. L. 117–286, § 4(a)(114), Dec. 27, 2022, 136 Stat. 4318.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2022—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 117–286 substituted “chapter 10 of title 5” for “the Federal Advisory Committee Act (86 Stat. 770)”.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Forest Service Decisionmaking and Appeals Reform

Pub. L. 102–381, title III, § 322, Oct. 5, 1992, 106 Stat. 1419, which provided for the establishment of a notice and comment process for proposed actions of the Forest Service relating to certain land and resource management projects and required modification of the procedure for appeals of decisions concerning such projects, was repealed by Pub. L. 113–79, title VIII, § 8006(a), Feb. 7, 2014, 128 Stat. 913.

### Executive Documents

### Transfer of Functions

For transfer of certain enforcement functions of Secretary or other official in Department of Agriculture under this subchapter to Federal Inspector, Office of Federal Inspector for Alaska Natural Gas Transportation System, and subsequent transfer to Secretary of Energy, then to Federal Coordinator for Alaska Natural Gas Transportation Projects, see note set out under section 1601 of this title.