Forest Service Seeks Applicants for Forest Restoration Program Panel
Albuquerque (October 25, 2005) — The USDA Forest Service
is seeking applicants for the Collaborative Forest Restoration
Program Technical Advisory Panel. This 12-15-member panel will
evaluate proposals for federal grant funding to conduct forest
restoration treatments on public land and utilize small diameter
trees. Panel applications are due at the Forest Service by November
21, 2005.
“I am looking for panel members who are as committed as
I am to working collaboratively with other interests for the
health of public forest land in New Mexico,” stated Harv
Forsgren, Southwestern Regional Forester.
The panel will include: a New Mexico natural resources official;
at least two representatives from federal land management agencies;
at least one tribal and/or pueblo representative; at least two
independent scientists experienced in forest ecosystem restoration;
and equal representation from conservation, local communities,
and commodity interests.
The Panel will review project proposals for: wildfire threat
reduction; ecosystem restoration, including non-native tree species
reduction; reestablishment of historic fire regimes; reforestation;
small diameter tree use; and the creation of forest-related local
employment. The grant proposals must include a broad and diverse
group of stakeholders and may occur on federal, tribal, state,
county, or municipal forestland.
“Prospective members of this important panel should be
prepared to devote a substantial amount of their personal time
and energy during the two-year appointment,” Forsgren added.
Meetings will be held one to two times per year in Albuquerque.
Selected panel members will not receive compensation, however,
they may be reimbursed for travel and per diem costs. Panel selection
procedures and meetings will be conducted under the Federal Advisory
Committee Act.
Walter Dunn is the Designated Federal Official and will serve
as the point of contact for information on the nomination process
as well as for the Technical Advisory Panel. His phone number
is 505-842-3425.
Application materials and other information on the Collaborative
Forest Restoration Program can be found on the program website
at http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/spf/cfrp.
Completed application packets should be sent to the following
address:
Walter Dunn
Cooperative and International Forestry
USDA Forest Service
333 Broadway SE
Albuquerque, NM 87102
Fax (505) 842-3165
Background Information on Collaborative Forest Restoration Program
Title VI of Public Law 106-393 creates a mechanism for local
community collaboration with federal land managers by establishing
a cooperative forest restoration program in New Mexico. The law
provides cost-share grants to stakeholders for experimental forest
restoration projects to be designed through a collaborative process
(the Collaborative Forest Restoration Program).
Projects can occur on federal, tribal, state, county, or municipal
land and must address specified objectives. These objectives
include wildfire threat reduction; ecosystem restoration, including
non-native tree species reduction; reestablishment of historic
fire regimes; reforestation, including preservation of old trees;
small diameter tree use enhancement; creation of forest-related
local employment; and stakeholder diversity.
The law also provides that a review panel be formed to evaluate
the proposals for funding. The Secretary of Agriculture has charted
this panel under the Federal Advisory Committee Act. Panel nominees
will be evaluated based on their familiarity with forest management
issues in New Mexico, including:
- experience working with the government planning processes,
- knowledge
and understanding of the various cultures and communities
in New Mexico,
- ability to actively participate in diverse team settings;
- demonstrated skill in working toward mutually beneficial
solutions to complex issues
- respect and credibility in local communities; commitment
to attending Panel meetings, and
- their contribution to the balance and diversity of the Panel.
Equal opportunity practices, in line with USDA policies, shall
be followed in all membership appointments to the Panel. To ensure
that the recommendation of the Panel have taken into account
the needs of the diverse groups served by the Department, membership
shall include, to the extent practicable, individuals with demonstrated
ability to represent minorities, women, and persons with disabilities.
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