1550 Page 1 of FOREST SERVICE MANUAL WASHINGTON TITLE 1500 - EXTERNAL RELATIONS Amendment No. 1500-90-2 Effective June 21, 1990 POSTING NOTICE. Amendments to this title are numbered consecutively. Post by document name. Remove entire document and replace with this amendment. Retain this transmittal as the first page of this document. Superseded New Document Name (Number of Pages) 1550 8 34 Digest: This is a technical amendment, adding appropriate references in the chapter for exhibits that exist in paper copy only and reinstating those exhibits which were removed by Amendment No. 1500-90-1. NOTE: Pages 20 through 34 are in paper copy only. They are exhibits to be posted at the end of the chapter. To see copies of these exhibits, see your unit's Master Set of the Forest Service Manual. 1550 Exhibits (paper copy only) are listed below: 1559.11b Exhibit01 1559.12a Exhibit01 F. DALE ROBERTSON Chief FSM 1500 - EXTERNAL RELATIONS WO AMENDMENT 1500-90-2 EFFECTIVE 6/21/90 CHAPTER 1550 - INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS; INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL Contents 1551 UNITED NATIONS (UN) 1551.1 United Nations Development Program (UNDP) 1551.2 Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) 1551.3 United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) 1551.31 Authority and Responsibility 1551.32 FAO Forestry Department (FAO/FOD) 1551.33 Forest Service Involvement With FAO's Forestry Department (FOD) 1551.4 United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) 1551.5 International Labor Organization (ILO) 1551.6 International Telecommunication Union (ITU) 1551.7 International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) 1551.8 World Meteorological Organization (WMO) 1551.9 United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) 1552 INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURE AVIATION CENTRE (IAAC) 1553 ORGANIZATION FOR ECONOMIC COOPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT (OECD) 1554 INTERNATIONAL UNIT FOR CONSERVATION OF NATURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES (IUCN) 1555 INTERNATIONAL UNION OF FORESTRY RESEARCH ORGANIZATIONS (IUFRO) 1555.01 Forest Service Interest and Authority 1556 INTERNATIONAL BIOLOGICAL PROGRAM (IBP) 1556.01 Forest Service Interest and Authority 1557 ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES (OAS) 1559 INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS 1559.1 Agreements With Foreign Governments 1559.11 Canada 1559.11a Master Memorandum of Understanding - Environment Canada 1559.11b Reciprocal Fire Agreement 1559.12 Mexico 1559.12a Reciprocal Fire Agreement 1551 - UNITED NATIONS (UN). The United Nations is an organization of nations whose charter, ratified October 24, 1945, obligates it to maintain international peace and security and to achieve international cooperation in solving economic, social, cultural, and humanitarian problems. The UN has six principal organs: General Assembly, Security Council, Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), Trusteeship Council, International Court of Justice, and Secretariat. Much of the Work toward achieving UN objectives is conducted by subsidiary bodies of the six principal organs and by the various specialized agencies of the UN authorized by article 57 of the charter. Authority for U.S. participation is contained in the charter of the United Nations and Statue of the International Court of Justice, June 26, 1945, 59 Stat. 1031, TS 993. Forest Service interests in the United Nations are related to the activities of the UN subsidiary bodies and specialized agencies described in expansion of FSM 1551. For more complete description of the United Nations and its affiliated agencies, refer to Yearbook of International Organizations published annually by the Union of International Associations, Brussels 1, Belgium. 1551.1 - United Nations Development Program (UNDP). Established November 1965, through merge of the Expanded Program of Technical Assistance (EPTA) and the UN Special Fund (UNSF). The UNDP provides funds which make available international experts, specialized equipment, and contract services to: 1. Carry out preinvestment surveys and feasibility studies of natural resources. 2. Help establish local institutions for education and technical training. 3. Set up or improve facilities for applied scientific research. 4. Strengthen the administrative and institutional framework for development. Under the designation UNDP/Technical Assistance Advisory Projects, senior advisors are assigned to Government Agencies or administrators to provide policy advice and guidance on a person-to-person basis. Under the designation UNDP/Special Fund Development Project, teams of technical experts are assigned to a country to establish or strengthen institutions, conduct surveys, or accomplish other well-defined objectives in partnership with a designated, counterpart government agency. Both types of projects are administered for UNDP by the UN specialized agencies having the appropriate technical expertise. UNDP is the largest single source of financing for forestry projects administered in the developing countries by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). Forest Service personnel are recruited for employment on these projects (chapter 33, title 5, U.S.C.). Recipients of FAO and UNIDO fellowships are sent to the United States and other countries for forestry education and training, which the Forest Service helps to provide (FSM 1538). The Forest Service also is requested, on occasion, to review UNDP forestry project proposals so as to judge their feasibility and soundness and to identify any relationships they may have with the bilateral forestry programs of American forest industries, universities, and U.S. Government agencies. Authority for U.S. participation is UNDP activities is recorded in 22 U.S.C. 2221(a). 1551.2 - Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). This council is one of six main organs of the United Nations. Its regional commissions are: 1. Economic Commission for Africa (ECA). 2. Economic Commission for Europe (ECE). Two committees functioning under this commission are the Timber Committee and the Joint ECE/FAO Committee on Forest Working Techniques and Training of Forest Workers. 3. Economic Commission for Latin America (ECLA). 4. Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East (ECAFE). ECOSOC and its regional commissions make studies, reports, and recommendations on international economic, social, cultural, educational, and other related matters. In Europe, the ECE cooperates with FAO through their joint ECE/FAO Timber Committee to report currently about timber production and trade in Europe. Similiarly, the joint ECE/FAO/ILO Committee on Forest Working Techniques and Training of Forest Workers reports on the status of employment in the forestry sector in Europe and conducts regional training centers on logging techniques and on organization and mechanization of forest work. The Forest Service, exchanges information with the ECE/FAO Timber Committee about forest products trade and, as appropriate, participates in forestry meetings sponsored jointly by ECE and FAO. The authority under which agencies fo the U.S. Government contribute to the work of the ECOSOC and its regional commissions is the same as that under which the Government accepted membership in the United Nations and pledged support in carrying out its objectives. 1551.3 - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). FAO is an autonomous, independent organization in the UN family of specialized agencies established in 1945 to help nations increase and improve the output from farms, forests, and fisheries and raise levels of nutrition and standards of living. Its membership, in 1971, numbered 125 independent nations. FAO is headquartered in Rome, Italy, and has regional offices in Chile, Ghana, Egypt, Thailand, a liaison office for North America in Washington, D.C., and a liaison office with the United Nations in New York. It is governed by the FAO Conference in which each member nation has a single vote and which meets every other year to determine policy, program of work, budget, and scale of contributions from member nations. The FAO Council, consisting of one representative from each of 34 member nations, acts as the interim governing body, and meets two or three times a year. The council is advised by permanent committees on forestry, fisheries, agriculture, program, finance, commodity problems, and constitutional and legal matters. The FAO Secretariat is administered by a Director-General who is elected by the conference for a nonrenewable term of 6 years. It consists of six Departments (Agriculture, Economic and Social Affairs, Fisheries, Forestry, Development, and Administration and Finance) which are advised and assisted by technical commissions, committees, panels of experts, and other subsidiary bodies (see "Directory of FAO Statutory Bodies"). In December 1971, FAO employed 3,706 professional staff employees. Of these 1,287 (drawn from 93 nations) were in Rome headquarters, 142 were in regional and country offices, and 2,277 were experts working in field projects in 110 countries. As a part of its efforts to increase the production of food and fiber, FAO gives much attention to the social, economic, and environmental aspects of development. For programing and budgeting purposes its work is considered under six areas of concentration: reduction of waste; closing the protein gap; promotion of high-yielding varieties; earning and saving foreign exchange; better utilization of human resources; and, agricultural development planning. There are two major work programs - the regular program and the field program. Under the regular program FAO is charged with providing technical information and advice through meetings, training workshops and seminars, commissions, publications, special surveys and studies, and the use of expert consultants. It is funded by member nation contributions ($86 million for 1972-73 biennium) in amounts proportional to their net national product. The United States' share for 1972-73 represented 31.6 percent of the total. The regular program is supplemented by extrabudgetary activities sponsored by individual donor nations (Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Canada, etc.) as ajuncts of their bilateral foreign aid programs and financed under trust fund arrangements with FAO. The field program consists of preinvestment development projects in partnership with the recipient developing countries to conduct resource surveys, train personnel, conduct research, and build institutions. Field program activities represent about three-fourths of total FAO expenditures from all sources. Funds provided by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) (about $84 million to FAO in CY 1971) are a main source of support. Other sources of field program funding are trust funds from donor countries and special programs, such as Freedom From Hunger Campaign and the World Food Program. The regular program and UNDP jointly provide the technical support needed by the field program. 1551.31 - Authority and Responsibility. Public Law 79-174, July 31, 1945, (22 U.S.C. 279, 279a, b, c, & d) and the constitution of FAO signed October 16, 1945, 60 Stat. 1886, TIASI554 authorized the President to accept membership for the United States in FAO. President Truman's letter of March 30, 1946, to the Secretary of Agriculture, established a United States-FAO Interagency Committee with the Secretary of Agriculture or his nominee as chairman and agency administrators as members to coordinate the work of the various agencies of the United States Government on problems arising from U.S. participation in the Food and Agriculture Organization. The committee consists of representatives of U.S. Government agencies which have an interest in the work of FAO. Secretary of Agriculture Memorandum No. 1365, revised, of May 29, 1969, designated the Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for International Affairs and Commodity Programs to act for the Secretary as chairman of the U.S.-FAO Interagency Committee. The Director of USDA's International Organizations Staff (IOS), established July 11, 1963 (FSM 1548), under the direction of the Assistant Secretary for International Affairs and Commodity Programs, is designated as vice-chairman. The International Organizations Staff provides liaison and coordinating services essential in maintaining relationships with FAO and with the Department of State and other Departments of the Government to facilitate effective U.S. participation in FAO. This Staff takes the lead in preparing for FAO meetings, provides the Secretariat of the U.S.-FAO Interagency Committee, distributes FAO publications and documents, and maintains contact with citizen advisory groups interested in the work of FAO. The Forest Service as a unit in the Department of Agriculture shares the Secretary's responsibility. The Chief is the Forest Service representative on the FAO Interagency Committee and the Director, Division of International Forestry, is his alternate. 1551.32 - FAO Forestry Department (FAO/FOD). The Department is administered by an Assistant Director-General (ADG) of FAO. It consists of two technical Divisions, Forest Industries and Trade, and Forest Resources plus a Forestry Operations Service to service the field program and the office of the ADG. Professional staff assigned to headquarters totals about 50 and those assigned to technical advisory posts and field development projects number about 400. Professional forestry officers employed in the Regional FAO Offices are provided technical support by the Department. The Department receives program direction and technical advice from the Committee on Forestry of the FAO Council, its six Regional Forestry Commissions, and from other specialized subsidiary bodies. The work of the Department, though fully coordinated, is financed with funds from at least two major sources. Contributions from member nations of FAO support the collection, analysis, and dissemination of technical information and the technical backstopping, of field personnel under what is known as the regular program. Cooperative funds from UNDP and trust funds from other sources support the field program of advisory assistance and development projects conducted in the developing countries by FAO. In 1971 FAO/FOD administered about 80 such projects representing UNDP investments of about $34 million. 1551.33 - Forest Service Involvement With FAO's Forestry Department (FAO). The Forest Service cooperates with the Forestry Department of FAO by participating in: 1. FAO meetings and collaborating with other U.S. Government agencies in preparing position papers for such meetings. 2. Sessions of FAO's statutory bodies concerned with forestry, and in which the United States Government is a member. These are: a. International Poplar Commission. b. Asia-Pacific Forestry Commission. c. Latin American Forestry Commission. d. North American Forestry Commission. e. Committee on Wood-Based Panel Products. f. Committee on Forest Development in the Tropics. 3. Recruiting United States foresters and specialists in allied fields for positions in or administered by FAO. 4. Preparing special reports or studies on technical subjects as requested by the FAO/FOD. 5. Training FAO and UNDP Fellows in forestry and allied fields in the United States and Puerto Rico (FSM 1549). 1551.4 - United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). Established January 1, 1967, by the UN. UNIDO advises and assists Governments of developing countries in formulating industrial development programs (including forest industry), in building and strengthening industrial support institutions, and in preparing specific industrial projects, UNIDO acts as executing agency and as a participating agency for UNDP projects in developing countries. The Forest Service has occasional opportunity to participate in UNIDO meetings, to recruit U.S. foresters and specialists for positions with UNIDO, and to provide training opportunities in forestry and allied subjects for UNIDO Fellow. UNIDO is headquartered in Vienna, Austria. 1551.5 - International Labor Organization (ILO). Established in 1919, ILO because a specialized agency of the UN in 1946. It brings together representatives of government, labor, and management to improve working conditions through international conventions, to increase labor productivity, and to seek economic and social stability. ILO acts as executing agency and as a participating agency for UNDP projects. It cooperates with FAO in joint manpower surveys and forest worker training programs. The Forest Service cooperates with ILO's Committee on Occupational Health and Safety and participates occasionally in ILO/FAO meetings and in the training of ILO Fellows in forestry and related fields. Authority for U.S. participation in ILO is recorded in 48 Stat. 1182 (1952); Instrument for the Amendment of the Constitution of the International Labor Organization, August 2, 1948, 62 Stat. 3485, TIAS1868. 1551.6 - International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Founded in 1865, ITU is a specialized agency of the UN which coordinates and foster cooperation in all forms of international telecommunication. It allocates and registers frequencies for radio and television stations throughout the world. It is headquartered in Geneva. Responsibility for representing USDA in matters of telecommunication is delegated to the Chief Forest Service, by Secretary of Agriculture. The Forest Service represents USDA on the Interdepartmental Radio Advisory Committee (IRAC). The IRAC assists the Director of Telecommunication Management (DTM) in formulating advice to the Department of State on matters considered by ITU. Authority for U.S. participation in ITU is recorded in the International Telecommunication Convention 1965, entered into force for the United States, May 29, 1967, TIAS6267. 1551.7 - International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD). IBRD also known as the World Bank was established December 27, 1945, as a specialized agency of the UN, and is headquartered in Washington, D.C. It makes long-term loans to governments, or with a Government guarantee to nongovernmental development enterprises at conventional rates of interest for high priority, productive projects where capital is not obtainable from other sources on reasonable terms. It provides member countries with technical assistance on matters relating to their economic development and attempts to foster cooperation with and among other donors of financial and technical assistance. In 1964, the IBRD collaborated with FAO to identify and promote investment projects as well as to promote financial followup on UNDP/FAO development type projects in forestry, fisheries, and agriculture. It established the FAO/IBRD Cooperative Program, based at FAO headquarters, to utilize information from UNDP/FAO projects for the preparation and assessment of projects suitable for IBRD loans. The Forest Service draws on information from the FAO/IBRD Cooperative Program in order to advise AID and interested United States forest industries about investment and development assistance opportunities abroad. It also uses such information to advise foresters about employment and training opportunities in the countries assisted by FAO and IBRD. 1551.8 - World Meteorological Organization (WMO). Established April 4, 1951, WMO promotes international cooperation to improve weather and hydrologic forecasting services and make possible the rapid interchange of weather information. It promotes standardization of meteorologic and hydrologic observations and promotes the application of meteorology to aviation, shipping, agriculture, and forestry, and other human activities. It is headquartered in Geneva. The Forest Service, collaborates with WMO on matters related to forest hydrology, fire weather forecasting, remote sensing, and the use of interspace photography for agriculture and forestry purposes. Authority for U.S. participation evolves from the Convention of the World Meteorological Organization, October 11, 1947, 1 UST 281, TIAS2052. 1551.9 - United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). Established December 30, 1964, as a permanent body of the UN. UNCTAD promotes international trade with a view to accelerating economic development and facilitating trade between countries having different systems of economic and social organization. It is headquartered in Geneva. The Forest Service cooperates with Forestry Department of FAO and UNCTAD to improve and promote marketing of tropical woods and to create new media, such as Tropical Timber Bureaus, through which information about tropical wood products supplies and tropical wood markets can be more easily and more systematically disseminated. 1552 - INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURAL AVIATION CENTRE (IAAC). Established as an independent foundation in 1960. IAAC collects and disseminates information, supports scientific research, and encourages international cooperation to promote the use of aircraft in agriculture, horticulture, and forestry. It organizes international congresses and working parties and publishes a quarterly journal "Agricultural Aviation." Membership is open to national authorities or committees. USDA is the member participant in the U.S. The Agricultural Research Service and the Forest Service, through its Division of Fire Control, represents USDA in IAAC activities. IAAC is headquartered in the Hague, in the Netherlands. 1553 - ORGANIZATION FOR ECONOMIC COOPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT (OECD). Established September 30, 1961, OECD is an autonomous organization, mostly European, but in which most of the major industrial countries of the world are members. Its aim is to promote economic growth and expansion of world trade on a multilateral, nondiscriminatory basis. It is headquartered in Paris. United States participation is mainly in the agricultural and industrial activities of OECD. The State Department is the coordinating agency for the U.S. Authority for U.S. participation is based in the Convention on the Organization for Economic Development with Supplementary Protocols 1 and 2, 1961, TIAS4891. Forest Service interest is concentrated primarily in the OECD Scheme for Forest Reproductive Material moving in international trade. The objective of this program is to encourage the production and use of seeds, parts of plants and plants that have been collected, transported, processed, raised and distributed in a manner that insures their trueness to name, purity and high physical quality. OECD initiative in certification or control of the international movement of forest reproductive material is supported by FAO, IUFRO, and by the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA). Participation in the program is open on a voluntary basis to all member countries of OECD. The United States is a member. The Forest Service, USDA, accepted the responsibility to implement the OECD Forest Reproductive Materials program in the United States in cooperation with the official state seed certifying agencies. The Division of Cooperative Forestry, State and Private Forestry, represents the Forest Service. The legally authorized seed certifying agency in each State may participate in the OECD program upon negotiation of a memorandum of understanding with the Forest Service. Under the terms of the memorandum of understanding, the State agency accepts responsibility for determining that forest reproductive materials produced under the OECD program: 1. Comply with the requirements and procedures of the OECD program. 2. Meet the applicable productive standards of the Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies. 3. Are treated for germination and purity when requested or requested or required in accordance with the rules of the Association of Official Seed Analysis of America. Eighteen States have negotiated memoranda of understanding with the Forest Service for participation in the program. Further reference for participation and procedures are described in FSM 3200. Under authority granted in FSM 2474.72 the U.S. Forest Tree Seed Center administered by the S&PF Southeastern Area Office an the WO Division of Timber Management Research, service the exchange of seeds, pollens, and vegetative materials through the International Forest Tree Seed Exchange Program. The U.S. Forest Tree Seed Center functions as the National Center for handling foreign requests. 1554 - INTERNATIONAL UNION FOR CONSERVATION OF NATURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES (IUCN). Founded in 1948, IUCN is an independent, international body whose membership comprises governmental institutions (sovereign states, public services, departments, etc.) and nongovernmental organizations and associations concerned with the conservation of nature and natural resources. The Secretariat is in Morges, Switzerland, which is the seat of the union and center of its activities. The union promotes international cooperation in applying ecological concepts to the conservation and management of nature and natural resources and in preserving from disappearance all kinds of animals and plants, their habitats and other natural features of land and landscape. It has six commissions on Ecology. Education, National Parks, Legislation, and Survival Service for Rare Species, and Landscape Planning. Although IUCN is not a UN organization, it has consultative status with FAO and other UN specialized agencies. It consults with FAO's Forestry Department on the biological and ecological aspects of UNDP Projects and encourages the lesser developed countries to establish national parks and reserves and to conserve flora and fauna. The Forest Service is a corporate member of IUCN. It participates in the Union's General Assemblies, and Forest Service scientists and technicians contribute papers to IUCN technical sessions. In this way, the Forest Service promotes and supports action that will ensure the perpetuation of wild nature and natural resources in as many parts of the world as possible, both for their intrinsic cultural or scientific values and for their long-term economic and social values. 1555 - INTERNATIONAL UNION OF FORESTRY RESEARCH ORGANIZATIONS (IUFRO). The main objective of IUFRO, established in 1890, is to promote international cooperation in scientific studies embracing the whole field of research related to forestry, including forestry operations and forest products, IUFRO functions by: 1. Facilitating exchange of ideas among individual research workers. 2. Encouraging common programs of research and cooperation between member organizations. 3. Promoting dissemination and application of research results. 4. Cooperating with international organization; such as, FAO. 5. Promoting uniformity of forestry nomenclature and standardization of forestry data. 6. Conducting periodic meetings and excursions. Membership is open to organizations and individuals which conduct research in forestry and related subjects and which are accepted by the executive board. Individual memberships are in four classes; ordinary, associate, corresponding, and honorary. The Forest Service became a member of IUFRO in 1956 with approval of the Department of State. IUFRO functions through its Congress. International Council and Executive Board, and its Divisions, Subject Groups, and Project Groups. The Congress is the General Assembly of the members and is solely concerned with technical and scientific questions; it meets every 3 to 5 years. The International Council is the supreme authority responsible for regulating the affairs of the union. The Executive Board consists of President, Vice President, Divisional Coordinators, and nine to eleven other members. It carries out the decisions of the International Council. The scientific activity of IUFRO is conducted by its Divisions, Subject Groups, and Project Groups. Each Division represents a broad research field and is directed by a Divisional Coordinator who is a member of the Executive Board and represents the Subject Groups and Project Groups in his Division on the Board. The Divisions are: Division 1: Site and Silviculture. Division 2: Forest Plants and Forest Protection. Division 3: Forest Operations and Techniques. Division 4: Planning, Economics, Growth and Yield, Management and Policy. Division 5: Forest Products. Division 6: General Subjects (statistics, research organization, etc.). Subject groups are created within each Division to deal with problems that will be studied primarily by scientists from a particular research discipline or group of closely related disciplines. Subject groups are of a continuing nature. Project groups are created, within each subject group, to deal with a particular research problem and may consist of scientists from one or several research disciplines. Normally project groups are established for a specified period of time. Both subject groups and project groups are created and terminated by the executive board. 1555.01 - Forest Service, Interest and Authority. Membership in IUFRO places the Forest Service in close contact with forestry research in other countries. It facilitates exchanges of research information with other members of IUFRO, provides opportunity for correlating and coordinating research conducted in different countries and institutions, and enables the formulation of standard tests and procedures for application by research organizations on a world-wide basis. Forest Service scientists participate actively at all levels o IUFRO. Authority for payment of membership dues and contributions by the Forest Service to IUFRO is drawn from the McSweeney-McNary Forest Research Act (16 U.S.C. 581-581i) and made with consent of the Department of State as required by Public Law 809, September 21, 1950, section 2. Annual membership dues for all Forest Service research units are paid by the Washington Office (5 U.S.C. 5946 and 33 Comp. Gen. 126). 1556 - INTERNATIONAL BIOLOGICAL PROGRAM (IBP). The IBP is an international, interdisciplinary effort to increase and improve research related to the biological productivity and human welfare in a changing world environment. The IBP was organized in November 1963 by the International Union of Biological Science (IUBS). Its original 5-year operational phase began in July 1967 and in 1972 was extended for 2 years until July 1974. In the United States, IBP is sponsored by the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering. A National Committee and an Interagency Coordinating Committee oversee the program. The National Science Foundation is responsible for coordinating the involvement of more than eleven Federal agencies which support and conduct research directly related to the subjects of concern to the IBP. Forest Service scientists participate in research keyed to the analysis of ecosystems in the grassland biome, desert biome, deciduous forest biome, coniferous forest biome, and the tundra biome. The Forest Service helps to support the U.S. National Committee with funds contributed by McSweeney-McNary Forest Research Act appropriations (45 Stat. 699 as amended and supplemented, 16 U.S.C. 581-581i). Forest Service scientists serve on the Interagency Coordinating Committee and on committees of the various research programs. In addition, the Forest Service makes available experimental forest and range areas and research natural areas for cooperative use under IBP, and provides partial support for participation of State Agricultural Experiment Station and forestry school scientists in several IBP related projects. 1556.01 - Forest Service Interest and Authority. Public Law 91-438 (84 Stat. 889), October 7, 1970, expresses the support of the Congress and urges the support of Federal Departments and Agencies for the International Biological Program. The Congress authorizes and requests all Federal Departments and Agencies having functions or objectives which coincide with or are related to those of the International Biological Program to obligate or make appropriate transfer of funds to the program from moneys available for such functions or objectives and provide such other support as may be appropriate. 1557 - ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES (OAS). Established in 1890 to ensure peace and cooperation amongst member nations in the solution of mutual problems and in the promotion of economic social, and cultural development. Twenty-three Governments, including the United States are members. The general Secretariat is headquartered in Washington, D.C. It contains an Office of Regional Development which provides member countries and their institutions with technical assistance in the evaluation, planning, and development of natural resources. Such assistance is conveyed primarily through publications and training activities, Technical review, advice, and assistance of the Forest Service, USDA, is sometimes requested. OAS, in turn, provides the Forest Service, USDA, with current information about the status of forestry and forestry development in Latin America. On January 1 1965, an OAS-Special Development Assistance Fund (SDAF) was established to support technical assistance activities and projects in the various Latin American countries and supports many of the activities recommended by the Inter- American Committee of the Alliance for Progress. SDAF funds have been used, for example, for hydrological studies in the River Plate watershed, for rural development in Colombia, and for land and water use studies in Venezuela. The U.S. contributes to the SDAF. Current authority for U.S. participation rests in the Charter of the Organization of American States, April 30, 1948, 2 UST 2394, TIAS 2361; Resolution 14-M/64 of the Inter-American Economic and Social Council, December 11, 1964; P.L. 87-195, as amended, 22 U.S.C. 2221(a). 1559 - INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS. This section contains Service-wide agreements not covered in other chapter of this title. 1559.1 - Agreements With Foreign Governments 1559.11 - Canada 1559.11a - Master Memorandum of Understanding - Environment Canada No. 82- SMU-002 MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND ENVIRONMENT CANADA ON COOPERATION IN THE FIELD OF FORESTRY-RELATED PROGRAMS I. Identification of Parties This Memorandum of Understanding is entered into between the United States Department of Agriculture and Environment Canada. The lead agencies under the Memorandum of Understanding will be the Forest Service for the United States Department of Agriculture and the Canadian Forestry Service for Environment Canada. Recognizing the proprietorship and management responsibilities for forests and forest lands which rest with provincial, territorial and state governments, entities of these governments will be specifically included as signatories under supplements to this Memorandum of Understanding (para. VII) as appropriate and as mutually agreed upon in writing with respect to activities relating to these lands and forests. II. Purpose The purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding is to document certain agreements and understandings between the United States Department of Agriculture and Environment Canada to improve coordination of forestry-related programs undertaken in the two countries. This improved coordination is desirable (1) to enhance and maximize program capabilities in forestry in both countries; (2) to encourage joint efforts to resolve common problems; (3) to avoid unplanned duplication of effort; and (4) to help insure that the collection and analysis of data is compatible so that results can be compared and even pooled when desired. III. Background In this Memorandum, "forestry-related programs" refers to the ongoing activities of the two forestry agencies and their cooperators. Such programs include but are not limited to planning, conducting, reviewing and analyzing forestry activities related to the management and administration of forest lands, relationships with private landholders, matters associated with wood utilization, and related research and legislative support functions. IV. Authority The participation by the United States Department of Agriculture is authorized by the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977, Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Research Act of 1978, Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978, and the Reciprocal Fire Protection Agreement Act of May 27, 1955. The involvement by Environment Canada in this Memorandum of Understanding is authorized by the Forest Research and Development Act of 1970. V. Delegation A. The Secretary, United States Department of Agriculture, or such other person whose name and title shall be communicated in writing to the Minister, Environment Canada, shall administer this Memorandum of Understanding for the United States Department of Agriculture. B. The Minister, Environment Canada, or such other person whose name and title shall be communicated in writing to the Secretary, United States Department of Agriculture, shall administer this Memorandum of Understanding for Environment Canada. VI. Responsibilities of Parties The Secretary, United States Department of Agriculture, and the Minister, Environment Canada, agree that, subject to the availability of appropriated funds and personnel and in accordance with the laws and regulations of each country, the forestry agencies covered by this Memorandum of Understanding will, where mutually acceptable: A. Assist each other in planning forestry-related programs. 1. The agencies will identify program areas of mutual interest and concern, and will jointly plan program activities when mutually advantageous. 2. Periodically, the agencies will provide each other with resource documents and summary statements of program and budget emphasis and new and emerging areas of emphasis or concern. 3. Annually, the agencies will exchange summaries of current needs that are related to their resource management programs or to the programs of their cooperators. 4. The agencies will inform each other of significant public involvement activities that help identify user needs and help set agency priorities. 5. To the extent possible, the agencies will develop compatible standards, techniques and reporting systems so that results will be mutually useful. B. Assist each other in program operation to the extent practical and mutually desirable. 1. The agencies will cooperate in programs that are mutually advantageous, especially those in border situations between the two countries. 2. As mutually agreeable, each agency will include representatives of the other in reviews of programs of mutual interest. 3. The agencies will share staff, equipment and information in emergency situations such as fire or pest problems. Details will be spelled out in project agreements for the various technical fields and program areas. 4. At least annually, the agencies will prepare status summaries of programs known to be of interest to the other. C. Assist each other in communicating and sharing information. 1. As may be agreed upon, the agencies will share appropriate planning documents and program analyses that are produced in the normal course of business. 2. Agencies will explore opportunities to develop a compatible information data base, including inventories and program reporting. 3. Agencies will cooperate in efforts to disseminate planning and reporting documents to the public as appropriate and mutually agreed to. VII. Supplementation As needed to cover specific plans and programs, this Memorandum of Understanding may be supplemented by specific project agreements signed at the appropriate level for the agencies involved. VIII. Implementation Activities resulting from this Memorandum will be coordinated through the heads of the two forestry agencies or their designees. Responsibility for coordination meetings will rotate annually between the incumbents in these two positions. An annual plan will be developed by September 1 that describes cooperative activities and coordination needs for the next calendar year. A yearly report will be prepared and submitted to the Secretary and the Minister within two months after the end of the preceding calendar year. IX. Provisions A. Intellectual Property Should intellectual property rights arise out of cooperative activities under this Memorandum, each party will determine the allocation of these rights within its own country and the parties will agree on the allocation of rights in third countries, unless particular project agreements provide otherwise. B. Expenses Unless otherwise provided, delegations and individuals visiting either country in accordance with this Memorandum of Understanding will pay their own expenses. C. Claims The parties to the Memorandum of Understanding do hereby expressly agree that all claims occurring in consequence of the performance of the Memorandum of Understanding will be pursued in accordance with the laws relating to such claims under applicable laws of each country. D. Benefits No Member of Congress or no Member of the Senate or House of Commons shall be admitted to share in any part of this Memorandum of Understanding or to receive any benefit that may arise therefrom. X. Effective Date This memorandum shall enter into force upon signature and shall remain in force for five (5) years unless terminated earlier by either party upon ninety (90) days written notice to the other party. It may be modified or extended by mutual written agreement.one at Washington, D.C. this 25th day of June 1982 in duplicate, each in the English and French language both equally authentic. For the United States For Environment Canada Department of Agriculture /s/ /s/ Secretary, United States Minister, Environment Canada Department of Agriculture /s/ /s/ Chief, USDA Forest Service Assistant Deputy Minister Canadian Forestry Service 1559.11b - Reciprocal Fire Agreement. (See exhibit 01). SEE END OF THIS CHAPTER IN MASTER SET (PAPER COPY) FOR 1559.11b EXHIBIT 01 This exhibit is available only in paper. The paper copy version of this exhibit has not changed. This page has been modified so users can avoid receiving 12 blank pages when printing. 1559.12 - Mexico . 1559.12a - Reciprocal Fire Agreement. (See exhibit 01). SEE END OF THIS CHAPTER IN MASTER SET (PAPER COPY) FOR 1559.12a EXHIBIT 01 This exhibit is available only in paper. The paper copy version of this exhibit has not changed. This page has been modified so users can avoid receiving 3 blank pages when printing.