Improving Environmental Analysis and Decision Making Forest Service
Environmental Analysis and Decision Making 2 Forest Service Change Efforts Ensuring a Safe and Rewarding Workplace Reducing the Costs/Risk of Fire Suppression Environmental Analysis and Decision Making Forest Products Modernization
Environmental Analysis and Decision Making 3 “we have seen firsthand how cumbersome, time-consuming, and expensive USFS processes can be compared with other agencies” Forest Service’s Largest Stewardship Partner
Environmental Analysis and Decision Making 4 “We believe the primary problems with – and solutions to – the Forest Service’s NEPA process lie not with the agency’s regulations and procedures but with operational and organizational culture issues that can be addressed within the scope of the agency’s existing authority . “ Coalition of Environmental Groups
Environmental Analysis and Decision Making 5 We e encourage y you t to r return t to t the C Council o on Environmental Qua uality’s ( s (CEQ) gui uidel elines es ( (40 C 40 CFR FR 150 500-1508) 508) a as a a starting ng point r po rather er t tha han n the he F Forest S Ser ervice e Manu nuals. s. …t …the USFS ha has a added dded oner nerous det s detail to its e s envi vironmen ental ana nalyses ses. T Thi his s ha has added dded y years t to pl planning pr process sses a es and nd result lted in len engthy an analy lyses t that ar are d diffic icult f for t the e public lic t to o understand. Gov overnor or B Bulloc ock - Monta tana
Environmental Analysis and Decision Making 6 Our Goal The goal of the Environmental Analysis and Decision Making effort is to: • Increase the diversity, health, resilience, and productivity of our national forests and grasslands. • Make High Quality Decisions based on Science and Public Engagement • Reduce the time and cost of project analysis and decision making. • Increase the scale of analysis and accomplish more work on-the-ground.
Environmental Analysis and Decision Making 7 EADM
Environmental Analysis and Decision Making 8 Our Commitment The Forest Service will follow all laws, regulations, and policies to deliver scientific-based, high-quality environmental analysis that leads to sound land management decisions and honors our stewardship responsibilities. The agency is committed to working with employees at all levels of the Forest Service, along with engaging the public, our partners, and tribes .
Environmental Analysis and Decision Making 9 Special Use Permit Backlog More than 6,000 special use permits impacting more than 7000 businesses Fire and Disease Risk More than 80 million acres at risk from fire and disease. Restoration Watersheds, Habitats, and Infrastructure are declining
Environmental Analysis and Decision Making 10 Workforce Non-fire workforce at lowest capacity in years.
Environmental Analysis and Decision Making 11 1600 Average Days to Decision 1400 1373 1337 1200 1243 1115 1106 1000 1004 957 920 800 Days 878 870 840 817 730 600 633 626 594 573 565 546 538 536 527 522 400 478 200 206 200 197 194 192 190 185 187 183 177 171 169 0 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Fiscal Year
Environmental Analysis and Decision Making 12 Improve Examine and Train Our Efficiency Reform Forest through Employees Service Policy Technology
Environmental Analysis and Decision Making 13 Improve Change the Consultation Develop New Way with Performance We Do Standards Other Business Agencies
Environmental Analysis and Decision Making 14 Experience and skill of experts in across all agency levels. Challenging employees to innovate. Collective learning opportunities with partners and tribes.
Environmental Analysis and Decision Making 15 • Performance Standards Across Agency • Quarterly Check ins with Chief by Cadres • Comprehensive, national environmental analysis and decision making improvements by 2019.
Environmental Analysis and Decision Making 16 Get Involved Partner R Round ndtables: https://nff.wildapricot.org/page-1693922 FS EADM website: https://www.fs.fed.us/managing-land/eadm
17 Chris French, Associate Deputy Chief National Forest System, USDA Forest Service phone: 202-205-1523, email: cfrench@fs.fed.us Glenn Casamassa, Associate Deputy Chief National Forest System, USDA Forest Service phone: 202-205-1523, email: gcasamassa@fs.fed.us Jeanne Higgins, National Policy Reform Lead National Forest System, USDA Forest Service phone: 202-205-1523, email: jmhiggins@fs.fed.us USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender . March 2018
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