PUBUC INPUT IN THE REVISION PROCESS 



Will the public have an opportunity to comment on the proposed revised Federal 

 Manual? 



Yes. The proposed revised Federal Manual was published on August 14, 1991, in the 

 Federal Register for public comment. The public is invited to review and provide 

 technical comments on the proposed revisions. Written comments must be submitted 

 on or before October 15, 1991. Copies of the proposed revised Federal Manual are 

 also available through the Wetlands HotUne at (800) 832-7828. 



The revisions will be implemented only after the pubhc comments have been reviewed 

 and considered, and a final Federal Manual has been issued. We encourage interested 

 parties to conduct field tests of the proposed revised Federal Manual and provide 

 recommendations during the public comment period. In addition, an independent pemel 

 of experts will field test the proposed revised Federal Manual. The expert panel will 

 provide recommendations to the agencies to assist in developing necessary revisions to 

 the Federal Manual. 



Will there be public hearings held on the proposed revised Federal Manual? 



There are no public hearings scheduled. Specific detailed questions about the proposed 

 revised Federal Manual can be referred to individuals identified in the Preamble of the 

 Federal Register notice. 



Win the proposed revised Federal Manual undergo public comment in accordance with 

 the Administrative Procedure Act (APA)? 



The position that this Federal Manual is a technical guidance document which is not 

 required by law to go through Administrative Procedure Act (APA) legislative 

 rulemaking procedures has been upheld in court with respect to the 1989 wetlands 

 delineation Manual. However, the Federal Manual was published on August 14, 1991, 

 in the Federal Register, with a 60-day period for public review and comment. 



WiHi the Federal Manual be issued as a regulation? 



The agencies believe that it would be appropriate and in the public interest to include 

 parts of the final Federal Manual in the Code of Federal Regulations. When the 

 agencies determine what portions of the Federal Manual should be issued as a 

 regulation, they will provide notice of specific proposed regulatory language in the 

 Federal Register at least 30 days prior to the end of the public comment period. The 

 regulatory language will be subject to the Administrative Procedure Act rulemaking 

 process. 



