March 29, 2013
Dear Members of the Forest Resource Coordinating Committee,
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF
CONSERVATION DISTRICTS
509 CAPITOL CT. NE
WASHINGTON, DC 20002
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF
STATE FORESTERS
444 NORTH CAPITOL STREET, NW
SUITE 540
WASHINGTON DC 20001
USDA FOREST SERVICE
WASHINGTON OFFICE
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20250
On behalf of the national Joint Forestry Team (JFT), we thank you for your
commitment to forest conservation and service on the Forest Resource
Coordinating Committee (FRCC). We focus on many of the same issues related
to forestry conservation and landowner assistance, and look forward to working
on many of these issues together.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the National Association of
Conservation Districts (NACD), the National Association of State Foresters
(NASF), the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and the U.S. Forest
Service (USFS), signed in 2008, established the interagency JFT. The purpose of
the JFT is to strengthen cooperation among the Parties, resulting in coordinated
interagency delivery of forestry-related conservation assistance to private
landowners in order to enhance, protect, and conserve America’s private
working lands—forest land, cropland, pasture, and rangeland.
Since our establishment in 2008, the Joint Forestry Team has successfully
accomplished the following:
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USDA NATURAL RESOURCES
CONSERVATION SERVICE
P.O. BOX 2890
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20013
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Identified and worked to address many of the challenges associated
with delivering forestry programs and conservation assistance to private
landowners.
Provided input to the USFS during the updating process of the Forest
Stewardship Program Standards and guidelines based on the 2008 Farm
Bill.
Developed a strategy to integrate NRCS and USFS planning and
accomplishment databases to allow for sharing of relevant information
and to streamline landowner participation in NRCS and state forestry
financial assistance programs.
Served as an example to help establish state level JFT style agreements.
Created the 2 Chiefs Award to recognize partnership efforts toward
improvements in delivering forestry programs and services.
The Team recently met in Washington, DC to evaluate the original MOU, set to
expire in September, and to work on drafting an update. We also began drafting
our work plan for 2013. One of our main items is to establish a strong working
relationship with you, the Forest Resource Coordinating Committee. As you are
charged with conserving and managing working forest landscapes, protecting
forests from threats, and most similar to the JFT mission and charge, enhancing
public benefits from private forests, we see a natural nexus between our two
groups. It is our hope that as you establish your work plan and identify entities
and organizations you are looking to work with, you will consider the JFT as one.
The JFT is eager to provide the FRCC with regular updates of our
accomplishments and ongoing tasks. It is our fervent hope that the FRCC is
likewise willing to open such lines of communication with us.
In addition to establishing a strong working relationship with the FRCC, some of
the other items we have identified in 2013 include:
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NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF
CONSERVATION DISTRICTS
509 CAPITOL CT. NE
WASHINGTON, DC 20002
•
•
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF
STATE FORESTERS
444 NORTH CAPITOL STREET, NW
SUITE 540
WASHINGTON DC 20001
Review the Guiding Principles document between NRCS and USFS,
Gain a better understanding of resources and opportunities available to
address emergency and disasters that impact forestry,
Encourage outreach to tribes and tribal organizations such as the
Intertribal Timber Council, and
Coordinate communications, both internally and externally, to expand
the Team’s message.
Again, thank you for your commitment to these important issues and we look
forward to working with you to advance our common missions. For questions or
issues for the JFT, please direct them to JFT staff member Mark Truax with
NACD at 202.547.6223 or mark-truax@nacdnet.org.
Yours in Conservation,
USDA FOREST SERVICE
WASHINGTON OFFICE
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20250
USDA NATURAL RESOURCES
CONSERVATION SERVICE
P.O. BOX 2890
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20013
Johnny Sundstrom, National Association of Conservation Districts
Joint Forestry Team Chair
CC:
Honorable Tom Vilsack, Secretary of Agriculture
Mr. Tom Tidwell, Chief, U.S. Forest Service
Mr. Jason Weller, Acting Chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service
Mr. Earl Garber, President, National Association of Conservation Districts
Mr. Randy Dye, President, National Association of State Foresters
Mr. Jim Hubbard, Deputy Chief, State and Private Forestry, U.S. Forest Service