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Mission, Vision and Guiding Principles
Mission
The purpose of the USDA Forest Service Fisheries
and Aquatic Ecology Program is to:
- Protect aquatic ecosystems
and associated riparian and upland features.
- Restore degraded aquatic
ecosystems and recover threatened, endangered
or sensitive aquatic species.
- Enhance aquatic resource
user opportunities by increasing system productivity,
improving user access and/or associated amenities,
and providing environmental education and interpretation.
Without each of these elements, our program isn't
whole; however, the relative mix of any District,
Forest or Regional fisheries and aquatic ecology
program will be shaped by local issues, work force
skills and interests, and available funding.
Vision
The fisheries and aquatic ecology program is
an integral part of ecosystem management. The
health of aquatic ecosystems and associated dependent
biota serves as key indicators of the successful
implementation of ecosystem management. Healthy
aquatic ecosystems contribute significantly to
meet the social, economic and cultural needs of
the American public. Within this context our vision
encompasses:
Resource Conditions
- Aquatic ecosystem conditions and trends
are known, understood and documented.
- Watershed, riparian and community processes
defining aquatic ecosystem operate within
natural, sustainable ranges of variability.
- Viably requirements are exceeded for all
aquatic biological resources.
Appreciation, Enjoyment and Use
The needs and values of the various current and
future National Forest aquatic resource user groups
(i.e., recreational, commercial, subsistence,
non-consumptive) are understood and met to the
extent they are sustainable.
Public Education
- Is used to effectively communicate the interactions
within and between aquatic and terrestrial
ecosystems and highlight the values associated
with healthy, productive aquatic ecosystems.
- Communicate program accomplishments and
opportunities.
Partnerships
- Are characterized by honest open communication,
mutual respect, and productive, non-redundant
efforts
- Recognize and honor the co-management responsibilities
of other tribal, federal, state and local
management entities.
- Are used in every aspect of the program,
including: inventory, protection, improvement,
monitoring, reporting accomplishments and
marketing opportunities.
- Are institutionalized internally with recreation,
watershed, range, timber, minerals, engineering
and other programs.
- Are a high priority and focused on accomplishing
mutual objectives.
Our People
- Demonstrate the competence required of aquatic
scientist and are certified to practice aquatic
ecosystem management.
- Reflect the diversity of backgrounds and
interests of the publics we serve.
- Work within a supportive environment and
have the skills and resources they need to
effectively carry out our program mission.
- Are competitive for all types of position,
including staff and line positions.
Celebrating Success
- Innovation and success are highly-valued
parts of the program. Achievements are identified
and celebrated at all organizational levels,
providing vigor and enthusiasm within the
program.
Guiding Principles
To Accomplish our program and vision we:
- Take an ecological approach in caring for
aquatic environments and responding to the needs
of people.
- Maintain high professional and ethical standards.
- Value and treat others with respect.
- Are honest in our relationship with all those
we work with, both in the agency and with external
partners and customers.
- Use the best scientific knowledge in making
recommendations and in selecting technologies
to efficiently and effectively meet our mission.
- Follow laws, regulations, executive direction
and congressional intent.
- Are dedicated, creative and persistent in
meeting our mission and strive for quality and
excellence in everything we do.
- Openly express appreciation and regard those
contributing to accomplishment of our mission.
- Promote grass-roots participation in program
planning, implementation and evaluation and
form partnerships to achieve shared goals.
- Use information from inventories and monitoring
to continually adapt our program to meet changing
resource needs and opportunities.
- Are responsible and accountable for what we
do.
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