| FOREST SERVICE ACTION STRATEGY FOR STATE AND PRIVATE FORESTRY SERVICES ----- SUMMARY Connecting Forestry and People -- A Continuing Commitment |
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| The Forest Service manages 191 million acres of public forest and rangeland,
conducts world-class forestry and rangeland research, and provides assistance and
support to private, state, tribal and community forest landowners, who manage 490
million acres--more than two-thirds of the nation's forests. These nonfederal
forests significantly contribute to the quality of life for millions of Americans,
and are under increasing pressure to provide forest products, water, fish and
wildlife habitat, open space and recreation opportunities in a manner that can be
sustained. The Forest Service has a key role to play in sustainable forest
management so that these products and opportunities are available for generations
to come. This Action Strategy for State and Private Forestry (S&PF) Services supports the Forest Service Natural Resource Agenda and the mission of caring for the land and serving people. It incorporates recommendations from a number of listening sessions and recent studies including the President's Clean Water Initiative, the First Approximation Report for Sustainable Forest Management, and the National Research Council study titled, Forested Landscapes in Perspective: Prospects and Opportunities for Sustainable Management of America's Forests. The action strategy builds on longstanding cooperative research, federal and state forestry partnerships, and other strong relationships between governments. It promotes use of the best available science, application of laws and voluntary programs that assist private and other public landowners, and respect for private property rights and responsibilities. The possibility of forging a new model in facilitating strategic action and improving the delivery of S&PF services is real. Success can be achieved through new partnerships, and continued work with state forestry organizations and tribes, non-governmental groups, and private citizens. Thirteen issues emerged during the development of this action strategy. The first five issues listed are suggested priorities, and will require effective coordination among the Forest Service Deputy Chief areas to ensure needed improvement. The first issue, Sustainable Natural Resources and Communities, is the framework for this strategy, and by extension, for State and Private Forestry programs and the Forest Service overall. Such predominant emphasis on sustainability is consistent with the emphasis it is given in the Forest Service Natural Resource Agenda. Although other issues, such as the second one, Watershed Issues and Conditions, are subordinate to the overall sustainability issue and involve sustainability in themselves, they are listed separately for purposes of focusing actions and enabling practical follow-up and monitoring of progress. One of the recommendations in the action strategy is that the "Big 5" issues be managed by a Board of Deputy Chiefs. The Deputy Chief for State and Private Forestry is offering to lead this effort. This recommendation is made because of the many landowners associated with these issues. Each of the other issues would be examined by both Washington Office and field leadership to determine the specific actions necessary to improve performance. Full consideration should be given as to how to involve the interested public in the true spirit of collaborative stewardship. The discussions should also include emphasis on how personnel and finances will be utilized among the Deputy Areas. Forestry and agriculture share many goals. The Secretary of Agriculture has specifically recognized the need to integrate the United States Department of Agriculture programs and policies related to forestry, agriculture, and rural communities (Secretary's Memorandum 9500-6). Agroforestry, the identified blending of agricultural and forestry production and conservation practices, will be practiced to help design coordinated solutions to common problems. There is every intent to coordinate the management of the listed issues with other federal agencies and those in the Department of Agriculture, especially the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Priority Issues - "The Big 5"
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Other Issues: NON-NATIVE INVASIVE SPECIES: The introduction of non-native invasive species (weeds brought in from other countries) through international trade and travel is the single, greatest threat to the integrity and viability of forest and grassland ecosystems. Collaboration among Deputy Areas, the Forest Service Institutes of Tropical and Pacific Islands Forestry, the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and others will be intensified to improve the prevention, detection, and management of non-native invasive species in the United States and internationally. FIRE: The nation is experiencing larger and more damaging wildfires as a result of past policy and practices. Coupled with an increase in rural and wildland development, threats to property from wildfires and costs for suppression action will continue to grow. Emphasis will be on cooperative problem-solving among many landowners, including federal, state, tribal, and local governments, non-governmental groups and individual citizens. Of particular interest will be the wildland/urban interface (the forested areas in which people are building houses). Issues will include forest condition, stewardship, prescribed burning and fire management. ORGANIZATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS: Sustainable forest management requires an increasingly effective delivery of services on both federal and nonfederal lands. In addition to incorporating an all - lands approach in the Forest Service Strategic Plan under the Government Performance and Results Act of 1995 (GPRA), emphasis will be on engaging Forest Service employees regardless of program, location, or Deputy Area affiliation, to deliver a full range of services. PARTNERSHIPS: Strong, results-oriented partnerships--national, regional, and local--are fundamental to redeeming the leadership responsibilities of the Forest Service. Emphasis will be on maintaining and strengthening the Agency's partnership with State Forestry agencies, and thoughtfully expanding Agency partnerships that focus on new and non-traditional constituents, small-tract and/or minority landowners, and others. LANDOWNER ASSISTANCE AND OUTREACH: Increasing development pressures on the 70 percent of the nation's forests in nonfederal ownership increase the need for more focused assistance and outreach. Emphasis will be on creating new ways to reach nonfederal forest and tribal landowners in cooperation with State Foresters, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service, and others. ECONOMIC ACTION PROGRAMS/RURAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE: The local economies of nearly 70 percent of rural communities are highly dependent on their natural resource base and three-quarters are experiencing intense development pressure and population growth. The Forest Service has opportunities to assist communities as they undergo change. Work with other USDA agencies and others will focus on how to assist communities more effectively and help bridge rural and urban development in ways that are environmentally, economically and socially compatible. NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL FORESTRY: Global issues, international trade, and requests for technical assistance will continue to challenge America's forestry community. State and Private Forestry, National Forest System, and Research and Development Deputy Areas will continue to work with the international forestry staff to integrate programs nationally and internationally to address international issues and opportunities. NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION EDUCATION: The Forest Service will become more assertive in delivering information on the environment and natural resource management by rethinking the Agency role in conservation education, developing key natural resource messages, redesigning methods and materials to target specific audiences, and adopting means to educate people better. This Forest Service Action Strategy for State and Private Forestry Services builds on a long tradition of research and cooperative work, and the thoughtful input from hundreds of individuals and groups over the last six months. This is the beginning of a journey, not a final destination. And, as with all action plans, this one too will evolve and change in relation to the challenges we face in the years ahead. We expect this strategy to change often, as we become smarter and recognize positive opportunities for adjustment, through adaptive management. March 27, 1998
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