These changes are:. Reduction in the number of members on a resource advisory committee for a quorum would alleviate a chronic issue of RACs in sparsely populated counties being unable to recruit adequate members for a quorum to meet. The Forest Service submitted the revised charter for signature by the Secretary of Agriculture to implement provisions codified in the Farm Bill.
Guidance has been issued to the field to incorporate Farm Bill changes into a new national charter. The team developed a detailed table outlining the necessary steps to correctly nominate, review, and select RAC candidates and coordinated with various staffs in the Washington Office and with employees in Region 1 and Region 3 to implement the pilot where the Regional Forester can sign the charter and membership to the resource advisory committee.
Timeframes The Forest Service submitted a revised charter which was signed by the Secretary of Agriculture, which changes the composition of a committee for a quorum from 15 to 9 members. The charter also was modified to combine committees. A total of 12 Resource Advisory Committee nomination packages in Montana have been approved.
A total of two of the four RACs in Arizona have a quorum and can meet. The remaining two committees will be submitting nomination packages to the Regional Forester for approval.
Summary of Legislation The Forest Service is implementing two pieces of legislation pertaining to Tribes simultaneously:. The purpose of section is to promote biomass energy production by establishing Tribal Biomass Demonstration Projects with Federally recognized Indian Tribes [Section b ], and Alaska Native Biomass Demonstration Projects with Federally recognized Indian Tribes, Alaska Native villages or regional or village corporations, and tribal organizations section c.
The Act directs demonstration projects to promote biomass energy production, including biofuel, heat, and electricity generation, but does not define these terms. These projects occur within the larger scope of developing Indian energy programs. For Tribal Biomass Demonstration Projects under section b , the Act allows use of stewardship contracts or similar agreements excluding direct service contracts with an Indian Tribe.
Section c authorizes agreement or contract with Indian Tribes, Alaska Native villages or regional or village corporations, and Tribal organizations for Alaska Native Biomass Demonstration Projects. The Agriculture Improvement Act of the Farm Bill authorizes the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out demonstration projects by which Federally recognized Indian Tribes or Tribal organizations may contract to perform administrative, management, and other functions of programs of the Tribal Forest Protection Act of 25 U.
The contract or project shall be entered into under, and in accordance with, section b 2 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act 25 U. The agency signed the first tribal agreement with the Tulalip Tribe in Washington state on Wednesday, September 16, Summary of Legislation The Agriculture Improvement Act of the Farm Bill provided provisions for the agency regarding the management and operations of communications uses on National Forest System lands.
The Forest Service will also update the manual and handbook regarding this new rule. Timeframes The Forest Service published a final rule implementing this authority on April 8, The agency promulgated a Forest Service directive to implement the rule with the draft directive published n the Federal Register on June 4, for public notice and comment for 30 days.
A final directive is proposed for publication on the Forest Service website by September 30, A final directive was published on the Forest Service website on October 13, Summary of Legislation The Farm Bill authorized the Secretary of Agriculture to appoint an intern directly to a position with the Department of Agriculture, Forest Service for which the candidate meets Office of Personnel Management qualification standards.
The intern must complete a rigorous internship with a land managing agency, such as the Forest Service Resource Assistant Program The intern must have earned an undergraduate or graduate degree from an accredited institution of higher education. Timeframes The Forest Service has developed policy and guidance to implement this section utilizing direct hire authority.
A letter was issued to the field describing the procedures and criteria. Additional information regarding this hiring authority is located on the Forest Service website for the Resource Assistants Program. The Forest Service will publish a draft directive to implement this authority in October for 30 days in the Federal Register. A final directive will be published by January Water Source Protection Program Section Watershed Condition Framework Section Summary of Legislation This section amends the Small Tracts Act of to provide the Forest Service two new categories of eligible conveyances: Establishment of a a conveyance category for cemeteries, landfills, and sewer treatment plants currently permitted to operate on National Forest System land Establishment of a conveyance category for parcels 40 acres or less that are isolated, inaccessible, or have lost National Forest System character The section also modifies an existing conveyance category for parcels ten acres or less.
The rule create two new categories of lands eligible for conveyance outside of the National Forest System under the Small Tracts Act: Parcels 40 acres or less that are physically isolated, inaccessible, or have lost National Forest System character. Parcels of ten acres or less that are not eligible for conveyance under previous eligibility conditions and are encroached on by a permanent habitable improvement for which there is no evidence that the encroachment was intentional or negligent.
The final rule is proposed for publication before September 30, Good Neighbor Authority Section There was also discussion on tribal woody biomass projects authorized by Public Law amending the Tribal Forest Protection Act. You may view the recording at the U. Forest Service's Tribal Relations page. The objective of the meeting was to outline the steps necessary to get the report completed, through clearance and to Congress by the December 21 deadline.
Hemp : On February 27, , AMS issued a Notice to Trade stating that USDA had begun the process of gathering information to initiate rulemaking to implement a program for the commercial production of hemp. AMS also stated that under the Farm Bill tribes and institutions of higher education could continue operating under authorities of the until 12 months after USDA establishes the plan and regulations required under the Farm Bill.
The first of these speaks to questions raised concerning provisions pertaining to the interstate transportation of hemp and who may obtain a license to produce hemp. The second NTT clarifies avenues for Tribal participation under authorities in the Farm Bill to grow industrial hemp for research purposes during the growing season.
The first meeting will take place in June Applications are being accepted through August 19, , for partners to carry out activities as part of these pilot projects in select areas of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Texas.
The first listening session was on July 31, in Jackson, Mississippi. The second was on August 14, in Washington. Watch the recording below or on YouTube. Read our latest news:.
Key Changes.
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