[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 177 (Tuesday, September 14, 2010)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 55710-55711]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-22819]
[[Page 55710]]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
36 CFR Part 200
RIN 0596-AC89
Enhancing Policies Relating to Partnerships
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Advance notice of proposed rule making; request for comment.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Forest Service is proposing to establish an internal
directive at Forest Service Handbook (FSH) 1509.14 that would enhance
policies related to partnerships. We invite public comment on assessing
what changes or additions are needed relating to the Agency's use of
partnership arrangements in carrying out our mission. These comments
will be considered in developing the proposed directive.
DATES: Comments must be received in writing by November 15, 2010.
ADDRESSES: Written comments concerning this notice should be addressed
to Forest Service, USDA, Attn: Director, National Partnership Office,
Joe Meade, Mailstop 1158, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC,
20250-1125.
Comments may also be sent via e-mail to [email protected], or by
the electronic process available at Federal e-Rulemaking portal at
http://www.regulations.gov.
All comments, including names and addresses when provided, are
placed in the record and are available for public inspection and
copying. The public may inspect comments received at 201 14th Street,
SW., Room 3NE, Washington, DC 20250. Visitors are encouraged to call
ahead 202-205-1055 to facilitate entrance into the building.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrea Bedell-Loucks, Deputy Director,
National Partnership Office, 202-205-8336 or [email protected].
Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD)
may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339, between 8
a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background and Need for the Proposed Directive
Strong partnerships are vital to the Forest Service's mission, and
by ensuring clear guidance on the use of such arrangements, the Forest
Service will be better able to promote their use.
Throughout its 100-year history, the Forest Service has utilized
partnership arrangements with States, Tribes, non-governmental
organizations, and others to help carry out the motto ``Caring for the
Land and Serving People.'' These arrangements are used in a variety of
ways to support Forest Service programs on Federal, State, Tribal and
private lands, including ecological restoration and enhancement,
interpretation and educational services, enhancement of recreation
opportunities, and wildlife habitat improvements. These programs
readily provide a spectrum of benefits to the Forest Service, its
partners, and the public and may include various instruments to
formalize relationships, including grants, contracts or ``mutual
benefit'' agreements.
A number of statutory authorities govern how and when the Forest
Service may work cooperatively with partners, such as the Cooperative
Funds Act, Cooperative Funds and Deposits Act, Cooperative Forestry
Assistance Act, Granger-Thye Act, Federal Grants and Cooperative
Agreements Act, and Public Law 105-277, Section 323 as amended by
Public Law 111-11, Section 3001, Watershed Restoration and Enhancement
Agreements. (For more background on the Forest Service's use of
partnership arrangements, readers are referred to the Partnership
Guide, http://www.partnershipresourcecenter.org/resources/partnership-guide/Partnership-Guide.pdf).
Establishing partnerships and utilizing them to their greatest
potential has not always been a simple matter for the Forest Service
and its partners. Challenges have resulted, in part, from the
multiplicity of partnership authorities, varying interpretation of
these authorities, and time-consuming processes for consummating
partnership agreements. To address such challenges, the Forest Service
has taken a number of steps in recent years, including creating an
internal task force, to identify barriers to partnership utilization,
establishing the National Partnership Office, and developing various
legislative proposals.
In 2007, the Forest Service embarked on an initiative to institute
needed modifications to Agency policy intended to reduce barriers to
partnership arrangements. An essential part of this initiative was the
review of a number of policy issues raised over the years by those
inside and outside the Forest Service that impede effective use of
partnerships. Based on that review, these issues fall into several
broad categories: Administrative processes; interpretation of legal
authorities; accountability and reporting; human resources and ethics;
and funding.
Public Input Requested On Policy Needs
The Forest Service is requesting public input with respect to
Agency policy. Our intent with the issuance of this notice is to
consider such input and, as appropriate, incorporate it in developing
this policy. Certain suggestions, whether due to legislative or other
limitations, may not be implemented through Agency policy, and we wish
for the public to understand that as well.
The Forest Service is especially interested in receiving input to
the following questions:
1. Purposes served by partnership arrangements: What should be the
purpose(s) of partnership arrangements between the Forest Service and
State, Tribal, non-governmental, or other organizations or individuals?
Where can or should partnerships have the greatest impact in the
future, and toward what ends?
2. Essential characteristics of partnerships: When the Forest
Service and a partner work together, what are the essential
characteristics that are needed in that relationship to lead to a
successful outcome? In what ways does Agency guidance regarding the
essential characteristics of the partnership relationship need
clarification?
3. Reaching new partners: As the Nation's demographics change, the
people served by the Forest Service are becoming increasingly diverse.
The Agency wants to reflect this diversity in its partnership
activities. We are interested in hearing from the public about: (a)
Which potential partners are under-represented and under-served; (b)
what kinds of work are these individuals or organizations involved in;
(c) how engaging these partners will be beneficial; and (d) how the
Forest Service can better access and communicate with under-represented
and under-served groups.
4. Partner recognition and sponsorship: Increasingly, non-
governmental organizations and individuals are expressing interest in
working with the Forest Service to improve the condition of our
environment, including our Nation's forests. The Forest Service is able
to work with many of these organizations directly, as well as
indirectly through established non-profits (for example, the National
Forest Foundation and others). As a Federal agency, there are
limitations on how we work with and recognize particular partners (for
[[Page 55711]]
example, signage, plaques, media and communication). What are the
appropriate ways the Forest Service should recognize our partners, both
non-profit and for-profit?
Conclusion
The Forest Service is considering how best to proceed with policy
development relating to partnership arrangements. Public input relating
to the questions listed above will be helpful in developing the
Agency's policy.
Dated: September 8, 2010.
Thomas L. Tidwell,
Chief, Forest Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-22819 Filed 9-13-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P