|
Late in 2007 three forests, the Colville in Washington State, the Allegheny
in Pennsylvania and the Shasta-Trinity in California, began implementation of a
new Proof of Concept business model. It should be looked
upon as being another "demonstration program" -- perhaps similar to the
"Recreation Fee Demonstration Program."
Pasted below is a short statement from the Forest Service announcing this
program for the Colville NF and providing links to relevant documentation. Below
that is an article from the Colville newspaper.
I've reviewed these materials and concluded that the "Proof of Concept"
concept is worthy of careful monitoring by the conservation community.
There is, I suppose, the possibility of true benefits accruing from this
experimental new business model. Then again, there is the possibility that it
is an attempt to revisit the kind of local control characteristic of the
Reagan-era Sagebrush Rebellion. That's what it looks like to me.
Have a look at this ... and see what you think of it.
Scott
"A major benefit of this pilot project is that
Colville
National Forest will have a stable budget, with
many
exciting grant and partnership opportunities. Proof of
Concept
is considered an innovative approach to public
lands management and it was
with some pride that Rick
Brazell told us that Colville was expressly
chosen because
of its strong partnership with community and a high
level
of community involvement."
--- begin quoted ---
Colville National Forest is one of three forests in the nation that will
implement a new business model called Proof of Concept, beginning on October
1st. Proof of Concept describes a trial period used to verify that a concept or
theory is feasible. The concept behind this model suggests that through
collaboration with the public and a predictable budget, the agency can increase
managed outcomes while decreasing overall costs. Unless otherwise noted these
are Adobe PDF documents with file sizes in parentheses.
BY DANI BULL - S-E Staff Reporter
Colville National Forest, along with the Shasta-Trinity National Forest
in Northern California and the Allegheny Forest in Northwestern Pennsylvania,
are participating in a new “Proof of Concept” business model for 2008 that will
continue for the next 10 years.
The trial was scheduled to begin Oct. 1. The trial is based on a
business model embracing collaboration with the public and a five-year
“predictable budget.” The objective for the forest agencies is to increase
productivity while decreasing overall costs.
“Proof of Concept is the actual trial period used to ascertain if the
program will be feasible or not,” Don Gonzalez, Ecosystem Planning and
Monitoring staff member with the Colville National Forest explained.
“The objectives of the Proof of Concept model allows for greater public
involvement,” added Gonzalez. “Long-term collaboration versus current one-year
contract limits, due to yearly budget fluctuations, will create a more flexible
and economically viable forest department budget.”
Stable five-year budget benefits the program
There are multiple benefits expected from the new business model.
“The stable five-year budget should, in theory, increase stewardship
contracts and partnerships along with predictable work opportunities for
community members and contractors,” Gonzalez explained. “The changes should
promote better collaboration while increasing program efficiency and decreasing
overall costs.”
The new business model was formed because the Forest Service has been
experiencing increasing program requirements that continue to exceed budget
allocations and workforce capacities.
The business model that was designed is expected to accomplish forest
projects and required objectives with improved efficiency. Increasing management
flexibility with longer-term goals is more likely obtainable with five-year
fixed budget parameters, Gonzales said.
“Public input, including past partnerships and previous collaboration
efforts and workshops, will be used in the setting of program goals by
management,” Gonzales explained. “Local interest will enhance the decisions
and improve outcomes. The outline will highlight five-year goals with yearly
flexibility for adapting those goals and continuing in an ongoing five-year goal
outline.”
Long-term accomplishments
“The National Strategic Plan, the Forest Plan and the law are parameters
the plan must follow as well. Including the public in the evaluations and
yearly reviews with public meetings will assist managers in monitoring the
plan,” said Gonzalez.
The model will be monitored and evaluated by the Regional Forester and
the Washington office. Progress toward long-term goals will be reviewed with
the mission of the Forest Service of “caring for the land and serving the
people,” according to Gonzalez.
The proof of concept process began for the Colville National Forest with
CNF representatives meeting county commissioners from Stevens, Ferry and Pend
Oreille Counties.
The categories discussed included noxious weed reduction and control,
grazing management, wild land urban interface fuels reductions, commercial
forest products management, wildfire prevention and control, timber stand
improvements, wildlife and fisheries habitat improvements, recreation services
and heritage management and lands, minerals and infrastructure management.
Outlines of what each category consisted of were given to participants
with CNF levels currently budgeted to that particular category.
“Colville Forest Supervisor, Rick Brazell, analyzed the input from the
public meetings, commissioners, tribal representatives and made recommendations
for the budget based on that input,” said Gonzalez.
|
- Land management 
