National Advisory Committee for National Forest System Land Management Planning Rule

[lobsterdmb]

National Advisory Committee for Implementation of the National Forest System Land Management Planning Rule


Please note, nominations need to be submitted by 2/21/12. The committee will have not more than 21 members including a rep from the outdoor recreation, OHV or commercial recreation interests.

http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011...2011-33535.pdf

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 250 (Thursday, December 29, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 81911-81912]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service

National Advisory Committee for Implementation of the National
Forest System Land Management Planning Rule

AGENCY: USDA Forest Service.

ACTION: Notice of intent to establish an advisory committee and call
for nominations.

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SUMMARY: The Secretary of Agriculture intends to establish the National
Advisory Committee for Implementation of the National Forest System
Land Management Planning Rule (Committee). In accordance with
provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), the Committee
is being established to provide advice and recommendations on the
implementation of the National Forest System Land Management Planning
Rule (Planning Rule). The Committee is necessary and in the public
interest. Therefore, the Secretary of Agriculture is seeking
nominations for individuals to be considered as committee members. The
public is invited to submit nominations for membership.

DATES: Written nominations must be received by February 13, 2012.
Nominations must contain a completed application packet that includes
the nominee's name, resume, and completed form AD-755 (Advisory
Committee Membership Background Information). The form AD-755 may be
obtained from Forest Service contact person or from the following Web
site: http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_...rdb5203568.pdf. The package must be sent to the address below.

ADDRESSES: Send nominations and applications to Angela Gee, USDA Forest
Service, National Forest System, Mail Stop 1106, 201 14th Street SW.,
Washington, DC 20025 by express mail or overnight courier service. If
sent via the U.S. Postal Service, they must be sent to the following
address: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National
Forest System, Mail Stop 1106, 1400 Independence Avenue SW.,
Washington, DC 20250-1106.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tony Tooke, U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Forest Service, National Forest System, Ecosystem
Management Coordination; telephone: (202) 205-0830, fax: (202) 205-
1758, or email: ttooke@fs.fed.us. Individuals who use telecommunication
devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay
Service (FIRS) at 1-(800) 877-8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern
Standard Time, Monday through Friday.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

In accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee
Act (FACA), as amended (5 U.S.C. App. 2) and with the concurrence of
the General Services Administration (GSA), the Secretary of Agriculture
intends to establish the National Advisory Committee for Implementation
of the National Forest System Land Management Planning Rule. The
Committee will be a discretionary advisory committee. The Committee
will operate under the provisions of FACA and will report to the
Secretary of Agriculture through the Chief of the Forest Service.
The purpose of the Committee is to provide advice and
recommendations on implementation of the planning rule. The Committee
will be asked to perform the following duties or other requests made by
the Secretary of Agriculture or the Chief of the Forest Service:
1. Review the content of and provide recommendations on directives
related to implementation of the planning rule;
2. Offer recommendations on implementation of the planning rule,
based on lessons learned and best practices from on-going or completed
assessments, revisions, and monitoring strategies;
3. Offer recommendations on new best practices that could be
implemented based on lessons learned;
4. Offer recommendations for consistent interpretation of the rule
where ambiguities cause difficulty in implementation of the rule;
5. Offer recommendations for effective ongoing monitoring and
evaluation, including broadscale monitoring, for implementation of the
planning rule;
6. Offer recommendations on how to foster an effective ongoing
collaborative framework to ensure engagement of Federal, State, local
and Tribal governments; private organizations and affected interests;
the scientific community; and other stakeholders; and
7. Offer recommendations for integrating the land management
planning process with landscape scale restoration activities through
implementation of the planning rule.

Advisory Committee Organization

This Committee will be comprised of not more than 21 members who
provide balanced and broad representation within each of the following
three categories of interests:
1. Up to 7 members who represent one or more of the following:
a. Represent the affected public at-large
b. Hold State-elected office (or designee)
c. Hold county or local elected office
d. Represent American Indian Tribes
e. Represent Youth
2. Up to 7 members who represent one or more of the following:
a. National, regional, or local environmental organizations
b. Conservation organizations or watershed associations
c. Dispersed recreation interests
d. Archaeological or historical interests
e. Scientific Community
3. Up to 7 members who represent one or more of the following:
a. Timber Industry
b. Grazing or other land use permit holders or other private forest
landowners
c. Energy and mineral development
d. Commercial or recreational hunting and fishing interests
e. Developed outdoor recreation, off-highway vehicle users, or
commercial recreation interests
No individual who is currently registered as a Federal lobbyist is
elegible to serve as a member of the Committee.
The Committee will meet three to four times annually or as often as
necessary and at such times as designated by the Designated Federal
Official (DFO).
The appointment of members to the Committee will be made by the
Secretary of Agriculture. Any individual or organization may nominate
one or more qualified persons to serve on the National Advisory
Committee for Implementation of the Planning Rule. Individuals may also
nominate themselves. To be considered for membership, nominees must
submit a:
1. Resume describing qualifications for membership to the
Committee;
2. Cover letter with a rationale for serving on the committee and
what you can contribute; and
3. Complete form AD-755, Advisory Committee Membership Background
Information.
Letters of recommendation are welcome. The form AD-755 may be
obtained from Forest Service contact person or from the following Web
site: http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/

[[Page 81912]]

FSE--DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5203568.pdf. All nominations will be vetted by
USDA. The Secretary of Agriculture will appoint committee members to
the National Advisory Committee for Implementation of the National
Forest System Land Management Planning Rule from the list of qualified
applicants.
Members of the Committee will serve without compensation, but may
be reimbursed for travel expenses while performing duties on behalf of
the Committee, subject to approval by the DFO.
Equal opportunity practices in accordance with U.S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA) policies will be followed in all appointments to the
committee. To ensure that the recommendations of the Committee have
taken into account the needs of the diverse groups served by USDA,
membership shall include to the extent possible, individuals with
demonstrated ability to represent minorities, women, and persons with
disabilities.

Dated: December 23, 2011.
Pearlie S. Reed,
Assistant Secretary of Administration.
[FR Doc. 2011-33535 Filed 12-27-11; 11:15 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P

__________________________________

Federal Register
Vol. 77, No. 3
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Forest Service

NOTICES
Request for Nominations: National Advisory Committee for Implementation of the National Forest System Land Management Planning Rule; Correction
472 [2011–33823] [TEXT] [PDF]

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service

National Advisory Committee for Implementation of the National
Forest System Land Management Planning Rule; Correction

AGENCY: USDA Forest Service.

ACTION: Notice; correction.
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SUMMARY: The Forest Service published a notice in the Federal Register on December 29, 2011, concerning the intent to establish an advisory committee and call for nominations. The document contained incorrect dates. The published document contained a due date for nominations of February 13, 2012. The correction is February 21, 2012.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tony Tooke, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Forest System, Ecosystem Management Coordination; telephone: (202) 205-0830, fax: (202) 205-1758, or email: ttooke@fs.fed.us. Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1 (800) 877-8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday.

Correction

In the Federal Register of December 29, 2011, in FR doc. 2011-33535, on page 81911, in the first column, correct the ``Dates'' caption to read:
Written nominations must be received by February 21, 2012.
Nominations must contain a completed application packet that includes the nominee's name, resume, and completed form AD-755 (Advisory Committee Membership Background Information). The form AD-755 may be obtained from Forest Service contact person or from the following Web site: http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_...rdb5203568.pdf . The package must be sent to the address below.

Dated: December 30, 2011.
Pearlie S. Reed,
Assistant Secretary of Administration.
[FR Doc. 2011-33823 Filed 1-4-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P

[old_man]

They meet several times a year. That is fine....WHERE?
I would be interested and could take the time off of work, but I can't foot the bill on the travel.

[lobsterdmb]

Originally Posted by old_man

They meet several times a year. That is fine....WHERE?
I would be interested and could take the time off of work, but I can't foot the bill on the travel.

It states "Members of the Committee will serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for travel expenses while performing duties on behalf of the Committee, subject to approval by the DFO." I am assuming they are most likely meeting in DC but one never knows.

[jeepinjp]

Hey as an FYI,,all of the national groups are backing one person please read the following: as the NJ partner for NOHVCC and current VP of BRC I can tell you Russ is the guy...

For some reason I am having issues with attachments,there is a boiler plate word doc to use...I will keep trying...

His name is Russ Ehnes from Montana and the current Executive Director of NOHVCC



Below is a note from Duane Taylor with MIC. In it, he explains there is 1 OHV seat open for a new Forest Service Planning Rule advisory committee. With only 1 seat open, the national groups have put forth 1 candidate, Russ. They have written 1 support letter for his appointment. It is effective because it is signed by all of the national OHV groups. It is attached for your reference. Paraphrasing Tom Crimmins, there won’t be a vote, but people will be counting. In order to have the OHV seat given to a person whom we want to represent us, it is necessary that we send in as many letters of support as possible.

Duane has made that easy by starting a letter for us. It is attached as the word file. Simply put in your own thoughts, sign it, and mail it in. Be sure to send this notice to all of the clubs and associations in your state, asking them to also create and send in their version of the support letter. The more support letters for Russ, the greater the chance he will get the appointment. We only have a couple of weeks to get the word out and the letters rolling in, so please be sure to act on this right away.

As always, we appreciate your assistance and support!

Karen Umphress
NOHVCC


Please Take a Few Minutes to Support Russ Ehnes’ Nomination to (Once Again) Serve OHVers!

Russ Ehnes has been nominated to represent the motorized recreation community on the National Advisory Committee for Implementation of the National Forest System Land Management Planning Rule. As you know, Forest Planning impacts all areas of Forest management and it is imperative that OHV recreationists have our voice heard on the implementation of the new rule. The Forest Service has released its Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement on the proposed rule, and the news is all bad. As a result, it is critical that motorized recreationists coalesce behind a strong candidate to serve on the Advisory Committee.

10 national OHV groups have already signed a letter of support for Russ (attached). As a NOHVCC Partner or Associate Partner, as a club leader, or as an individual rider, please consider sending a letter to the Forest Service supporting Russ. We cannot have too much support!

We all know Russ and understand the kind of experience and expertise he would bring to the Advisory Committee. Let’s all do our part to make sure he is appointed.

Also attached is a draft framework for a support letter. Please feel free to use it as a guide/starting point, but we encourage you to speak with your own voice in letting the Forest Service know that the OHV community is behind Russ.

Letters of support must be received by the Forest Service no later than February 13, 2012.

The address to send letters (U.S. Postal Service only) is:

Angela M. Gee
USDA Forest Service
National Forest System
Mail Stop 1106
1400 Independence Avenue SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-1106

Thank you!
Duane Taylor
Director of Federal Affairs
Motorcycle Industry Council


Letter from National Groups:

January 24, 2012
Angela M. Gee
USDA Forest Service
National Forest System
Mail Stop 1106
1400 Independence Avenue SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-1106
Dear Ms. Gee:
As representatives of national motorized recreation organizations, the undersigned are pleased to submit this letter of recommendation in support of the nomination of Russ Ehnes to serve as a member of the National Advisory Committee for Implementation of the National Forest System Land Management Planning Rule.
As Executive Director of the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council, Mr. Ehnes has extensive experience in constructively participating in myriad Forest processes, including planning. Forest Plans set the framework for all management decisions on Forests and Mr. Ehnes, representing NOHVCC, has been engaged across the spectrum of decision making on Forests all across the country. He has not only been actively involved individually, but also in getting key OHV organizations and enthusiasts involved through the creation of clubs, workshops and the development tools for recreationists.
Mr. Ehnes is an ideal representative for OHV enthusiasts and the recreation community at large because he is an involved enthusiast and volunteer himself. He has served as President of the Montana Trail Vehicle Riders Association and is a founder of the Great Falls Trail Bike Riders Association that boasts more than 900 members. While Mr. Ehnes is a tireless proponent of sustainable access for off-highway vehicles, his advocacy goes much farther. He understands the importance of maintaining the necessary balance between numerous competing interests with a collaborative, rather than adversarial approach and the need to manage the nation’s precious natural resources to sustain their health, diversity and productivity to meet the needs of present and future generations.
Mr. Ehnes also has vast practical experience working with public land managers to develop and conduct Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Management Workshops throughout the country in partnership with state and federal agencies as well as a long history of cooperative efforts with the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management through Memoranda of Understanding and Assistance Agreements. Additionally, he was instrumental in building a partnership with Marshall University, the Nick J. Rahall, II Appalachian Transportation Institute and NOHVCC to develop an Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation and Travel Management curriculum which has resulted in a four-course major offered through Marshall University.
As a life-long Montana resident, he is intimately familiar with a number of our National Forests and the issues surrounding Forest planning. His innovative leadership and proven ability and expertise in the fields of conservation, education, collaboration, land management and volunteer service, both professionally and personally, qualify him as an unparalleled candidate for membership on the Advisory Committee.
Thank you for your consideration of this recommendation and of Mr. Ehnes’ nomination.
• 1152 15th Street NW • Suite 800 • Washington, DC 20005 • PH: (202) 336-5116 •
Sincerely,
Larry Smith
Executive Director
Americans for Responsible Recreational Access
Greg Mumm
Executive Director
BlueRibbon Coalition
Dan Kleen
President
National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council
Paul Vitrano
Executive Vice President
Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association
Kathy Van Kleeck
Senior Vice President
Government Relations
Specialty Vehicle Institute of America
Wayne Allard
Vice President
Government Relations
American Motorcyclist Association
Duane Taylor
Director, Federal Affairs
Motorcycle Industry Council
Fred Wiley
Executive Director
Off-Road Business Association
Stuart D. Gosswein
Sr. Director
Federal Government Affairs
Specialty Equipment Market Association
Carla Boucher
Legislative Advocate
United Four Wheel Drive Associations


boiler plate:



January 24, 2012

Angela M. Gee
USDA Forest Service
National Forest System
Mail Stop 1106
1400 Independence Avenue SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-1106

Dear Ms. Gee:

As a rider and as a National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council (NOHVCC) (State Partner, Associate Partner etc., as appropriate) and as (President, Treasurer, member etc., as appropriate) of INSERT CLUB OR ASSOCIATION NAME I write in support of the nomination of Russ Ehnes to serve on the National Advisory Committee for Implementation of the National Forest System Land Management Planning Rule.

I know that Russ would be an outstanding representative of motorized recreationists and that he has the experience and expertise to provide valuable insight and perspective on implementation of the planning rule. Russ is committed to bringing diverse groups together to collaboratively resolve issues and has a decades-long history of exhibiting leadership in advocating for safe and responsible recreation. Further, Russ has an extensive background and experience in engaging in Forest processes, both as an advocate for sustainable access in his home state of Montana and nationwide as he serves as Executive Director of NOHVCC.

Thank you for your consideration.

Respectfully Submitted: