DEPARTMENTAL
REGULATION
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NUMBER: 1043-37 |
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SUBJECT: ADVISORY COMMITTEES TO THE PIECS |
DATE: June 5, 2008 |
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OPI: |
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1. PURPOSE
a. This regulation reestablishes the Provincial Advisory
Committees (PACs) to the Provincial Interagency Executive Committees (PIECs)
for 5 provinces, which are areas set up under the Northwest Forest Plan. The PIECs facilitate the successful implementation
of the Record of Decision for Amendments to the Forest Service and Bureau of
Land Management Planning Documents within the Range of the Northern Spotted Owl
(ROD) of April 13, 1994. They consist of
representatives of some or all of the following Federal agencies: the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management
(BLM), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Marine Fisheries Service,
Bureau of Indian Affairs, National Park Service, the Environmental Protection
Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Geological Survey
Biological Resources Division, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The purpose of the PACs is to advise the
PIECs on coordinating the implementation of the ROD. Each PAC provides advice regarding
implementation of a comprehensive ecosystem management strategy for Federal
land within a province (provinces are defined in the ROD at E19). The PACs provide advice and recommendations
to promote better integration of forest management activities between Federal
and non-Federal entities to ensure that such activities are complementary.
b. The
PACs advising the PIECs for the 5 provinces are as follows:
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
c. The PACs operate in the public interest in that they provide local
forums where Federal agencies, particularly those within the United States Department of Agriculture and United
States Department of the Interior, can
develop ways to better coordinate activities with non-Federal entities. The ROD provides direction to the Forest
Service and the BLM for developing an ecosystem management approach that is
consistent with statutory authority for land use planning, such as the Forest
Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act, the National Forest Management Act,
and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act.
(See the ROD, page 5.) Ecosystem
management at the province level requires improved coordination among
governmental entities responsible for land management decisions and the public
they serve.
2. SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS
a.
b. The
functions of the PACs cannot be completed in less than 2 years. In accordance with Departmental Regulations,
unless renewed, this regulation will terminate 2 years from the date of filing.
3. OFFICERS AND MEMBERSHIP
a. Each PAC will consist of no more than 29
members. Members will include:
(1)
One or more representatives of the Environmental Protection
Agency;
(2)
One or more representatives of the United States Fish and
Wildlife Service;
(3)
One or more representatives of the Forest Service;
(4)
One or more representatives of the BLM in each province where
lands administered by BLM occur in the province;
(5)
One or more representatives of the National Park Service in
each province where a national park occurs in the province;
(6)
One or more representatives of the National Marine Fisheries
Service;
(7)
One or more representatives of the Bureau of Indian Affairs;
(8)
Up to a maximum of three representatives of the government of
each State within whose boundaries all or a portion of the province is located
(the State agencies/departments to be represented will be determined by the
Federal officials described in Paragraphs 3a(1) through 3a(7));
(9)
One or more representatives of each county government within
whose boundaries all or a portion of the province is located, up to a maximum
of three county representatives;
(10)
One or more representatives of each tribal government whose
reservation, ceded land, or usual and accustomed areas are within all or a
portion of the province, up to a maximum of three tribal representatives;
(11)
Up to a maximum of two representatives of environmental
interests;
(12)
Up to a maximum of two representatives of different sectors
of the forest products industry;
(13)
Up to a maximum of two representatives of the recreation and
tourism sectors;
(14)
Three to five representatives of the following interests when
those interests are determined by the Federal officials described in Paragraphs
3a(1) through 3a(7) to be needed on the respective provincial committee: Fish,
wildlife, or forestry conservation organizations; special forest products
interests, mining interests, grazing interests, and commercial fishing or
charter fishing boat industry interests; and other interests that help achieve
the purpose of this charter;
(15)
Up to a total of three representatives from the following
Federal agencies when the jurisdiction or authority of those agencies are
determined by the Federal officials described in Paragraphs 3a(1)(a) through
3a(1)(g) to be needed on the respective provincial committee: Bureau of Reclamation, United States
Geological Survey National Biological Division, Forest Service Research, United
States Army Corps of Engineers, United States Geological Survey, Bonneville Power
Administration, Department of Defense, and Natural Resources Conservation
Service; and
(16)
Up to a maximum of three representatives representing the
public-at-large affected by the ROD for the Northwest Forest Plan and concerned
with the management of the national forests in the community.
The PACs may invite a representative of the State Community
Economic Revitalization Team, or its equivalent, to participate as an
ex-officio member. In the event a member
is unable to attend a meeting of a PAC or a meeting of one of its
subcommittees/working groups, that member may send a designee, or alternate, to
represent him or her at the meeting.
b. The Chairperson of each PAC will alternate annually
between the Forest Service representative and the BLM representative in
provinces where both agencies administer lands.
When the BLM is not represented on the PIEC, the Forest Service
representative will serve as Chairperson.
The Chairperson, or designated agency employee, will serve as the
Designated Federal Officer under Sections 10 (e) and (f) of the Federal
Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App).
c. Appointments to the PACs will be made by the
Regional Forester, Region 6, after recommendation(s) have been made by the PIEC
and consultation with the BLM State Director, Oregon State Office, when
appropriate (in provinces where the BLM administers land), and the Regional
Interagency Executive Committee. The
Regional Forester, Region 6, also shall consult with the Regional Forester,
Region 5, when appropriate. The BLM
State Director, Oregon State Office, shall consult with the BLM State Director,
California State Office, when appropriate.
d. Equal opportunity practices in line with USDA
policies will be followed in all appointments to the PACs. To ensure that the recommendations of the
PACs have taken into account the needs of the diverse groups served by the
Departments, membership should include, to the extent practicable, individuals
with demonstrated ability to represent minorities, women, and persons with
disabilities.
4. DUTIES
a. The PACs provide advice and recommendations
to the PIECs regarding the coordinated implementation of the ROD.
b. The PACs provide advice on provincial level analyses
and monitoring, provide a forum for information exchange, and encourage
complementary ecosystem management among Federal and non-Federal land managers.
c. Each PAC may create and operate subcommittees
or working groups recommended by its members and approved by the Secretary or
designated Federal officer. Working
groups or subcommittees may include individuals who are not members of a PAC
and may be community-based groups that would provide advice and recommendations
to a PAC on land management issues related to the Adaptive Management Areas or
other land-use classifications described in Attachment A of the ROD.
5. ESTIMATED ANNUAL OPERATING COSTS
a. Members or designees serve without pay, but
with reimbursement of travel and per diem expenses for attendance at PAC and/or
subcommittee or working group meetings. Travel and per diem expenses will be
submitted on vouchers signed by the Forest Service representative to the
b. Total cost of the PAC will not exceed
$650,000. These funds include $200,000
in annual operating cost and 6 staff years (approximately $450,000 in salary,
benefits, and support cost).
6. NUMBER AND FREQUENCY OF MEETINGS
a. The PACs will meet as often as is necessary
to complete their business.
b. Sixty percent of the members of each PAC
shall constitute a quorum.
7. REPORTS/SUPPORT
a. The PACs report to the PIECs.
b. Support for the PACs will be provided by the
Forest Service for the life of this charter.
-END-