[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]



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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.

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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

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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