97- SMU - 017

I. PURPOSE:

The purpose of this SMU is to establish a general framework of cooperation between the USDA Forest Service, U.S. Skiing, and NSAA. in partnership to achieve the common goals of managing and promoting active participation in alpine recreation and sports by ail people in a manner that emphasizes;

1. public/private partnerships in developing recreational facilities;
2. multiple use public land management:
3. sustainable communities;
4. viable local economies; and
5. ecosystem health.

II. STATEMENT OF MUTUAL BENEFITS AND INTERESTS:

The partners are committed to providing developed and dispersed recreational opportunities which help to improve the quality of life and healthy interaction with the natural environment. The National Forest provides settings for the majority of alpine recreation facilities in the United States which are available and used by the American and International publics. The USDA Forest Service is a world-wide conservation leader with the responsibility to increase public appreciation and knowledge of the natural environment and its value in providing alpine recreational opportunities. It also has the responsibility to manage multiple activities on national forests for the benefit of the American people in an environmentally sustainable manner.

U.S. Skiing is the National Governing Body for the sports of skiing and snowboarding in the United States. It manages all aspects of competitive skiing and snowboarding: youth and junior development programs, national and Olympic teams, and disabled skiers. U.S. Skiing, one of the largest sports organizations in the Olympic family, is a non-profit, privately funded entity. Recognizing that many of the competitive venues for the member athletes are located on the national forests and at NSAA member resorts, the focus of this framework for cooperation (SMU) is:

1. to recognize the importance of public, private partnerships in developing alpine recreation venues;
2. to raise the public's awareness of the environment;
3. to emphasize the relationship between nature, conservation, recreation, and the individual: and
4. to promote universal access to National Forest System (NFS) recreational facilities and opportunities.
 
NSAA represents most of the ski area resorts permitted to operate on NFS lands. These resorts provide some of the world's premier alpine recreation opportunities. NSAA and its members have long been advocates of sound resource conservation and land stewardship and are committed to the unique public/private partnership the alpine resort industry has with the USDA Forest Service. NSAA shares the agency's objectives of increasing public awareness of environmental responsibility and the role public land, recreation, especially alpine recreation, play in improving one's quality of life.
 
The partners share mutual interests and a common focus in natural resource Conservation education, multiple use NFS management, universal access to recreational opportunities and facilities, public awareness and appreciation of nature and the environment, and in encouraging young people to benefit from participation in alpine recreation. They embrace the Olympic ideals of linking sport, culture, and the environment and they create public/private partnerships to benefit people, communities, and society.
 
In consideration of these stated premises, the parties agree as follows:
 
Ill. U.S. SKIING WILL:
 

1. Enhance member awareness of nature, the environment, and wildlands by incorporating conservation education into existing programs.

2. Collaborate with USDA Forest Service and NSAA to raise public awareness of multiple use land management goals and natural resource conservation principles and an appreciation for the role wildlands play in sustaining ecosystems and enhancing quality of life.

3. Support relationships between the USDA Forest Service and NSAA, who through public/private partnerships create most of the competition venues for U.S. Skiing.

4. Pursue activities that foster a positive environmental image for the organization and member athletes: promote that image through this partnership program.

5. Cooperate with the organizing committees of upcoming world-class events, including the 99 World Alpine Championships and the 2002 Winter Olympic Games, by advocating a strong environmental ethic and by promoting the athletes demonstrating a positive environmental image.

6. Advocate the importance of maintaining healthy natural environments through such means as, public service announcements, public appearances, proclamations, and printed material.

7. Promote awareness and exposure of national forest recreation facilities and opportunities. pointing out the benefits for people, communities, and society.

8. Consider involvement with the partners in future cooperative ventures that fall within the purview of mutual benefits and interests.

9. Receive written approval by the USDA Forest Service prior to dissemination of written material or press releases that describe or involve any aspect of the USDA Forest Service or this SMU.
 

1. Represent their member ski areas in supporting the efforts of this partnership in developing and implementing strategies that advocate the linkage between quality of life and healthy environments.

2. Look for opportunities to inform, educate, and encourage ski areas to sustain healthy ecosystems and to communicate these accomplishments to the public.

3. Encourage collaboration between NSAA, U.S. Skiing, and the USDA Forest Service to promote an environmental ethic throughout the alpine resort industry.

4. Raise public awareness of how collaborative efforts between the USDA Forest Service, member resorts, and communities can contribute to sustaining community values and ecosystem health, while providing premier developed and dispersed alpine recreation opportunities on public lands.

5. Continue to encourage members to provide programs and facilities that are accessible and available to all ages, abilities, and cultures and to highlight the availability of these opportunities.

6. Consider involvement with the partners in future cooperative ventures that fall within the purview of mutual benefits and interests.

7. Encourage the organizing committees of upcoming alpine competitions, such as, the 99 World Alpine Championships and the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. to send a message to the world by integrating a strong environmental ethic into the events.

8. Advocate to the alpine resort industry the relationship between healthy environments, quality of life, and alpine recreation.

9. Promote awareness and exposure of national forest recreation facilities and opportunities, pointing out the benefits to people, communities, and society.

10. Receive written approval by the USDA Forest Service prior to dissemination of written material or press releases that describe or involve any aspect of the USDA Forest Service or this SMU.

1. Look for opportunities to share with the public how this partnership contributes to the mutually shared goals of sustaining viable communities and healthy ecosystems while providing recreational opportunities and public enjoyment of the national forests.

2. Where opportunities arise, communicate to the public how collaborative efforts between the USDA Forest Service, alpine resorts, and communities, provide premier alpine recreation opportunities through public/private partnerships, and how these opportunities contribute to sustaining community values and maintaining ecosystem health.

3. Encourage the organizing committees of upcoming alpine competitions, such as, the 99 World Alpine Championships and the 2002 Winter Olympic Games, to send a message to the world by integrating a strong environmental ethic into the events.

4. Provide technical assistance to the partners in building environmental awareness and natural resource conservation education programs.

5. Cooperate with the partners to provide land management technical expertise or any other appropriate support at venues located on the national forests and elsewhere, as requested.

6. Provide expertise to the partners that will help provide facilities and programs accessible to people of all ages, abilities, and cultures.

7. As appropriate, work with other agencies, local governments, community leaders, or organizations, such as the National Forest Foundation, the Salt Lake Olympic Organizing Committee, and the Vail Valley Foundation, to improve communication, understanding. and support of the this partnership.

 
VI. IT IS MUTUALLY AGREED AND UNDERSTOOD BY AND BETWEEN THE PARTIES THAT:
 

1. Meetings will be held, at least, annually to discuss, identify, and coordinate the various proposed activities outlined in this SMU. or to discuss, identify, and coordinate future opportunities that fall within the area of common benefits and interests.

2. In collaborative activities and programs, the partners will recognize the cooperative efforts by displaying each other's logos in an appropriate manner that is approved by the principle contacts.

3. This agreement is neither a fiscal nor a funds obligation document. Any endeavor involving reimbursement or contribution of funds between the parties to this agreement will be handled in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and procedures including those for Government procurement and printing. Such endeavors will be outlined in separate agreements that shall be made in writing by representatives of the parties and shall be independently authorized by appropriate statutory authority. This agreement does not provide such authority. Specifically, this agreement does not establish authority for noncompetitive award to the cooperator of any contract or other agreement. Any contract or agreement for training or other service must fully comply with all applicable requirements for competition.

4. This agreement in no way restricts the USDA Forest Service or any of the other partners from participating in similar activities with other public or private agencies, organizations, or individuals.

5. Pursuant to Section 22, Title 41, United States Code, no member of, or Delegate to Congress shall be admitted to any share or part of this agreement, or any benefits that may arise therefrom.

6. Modifications within the scope of this agreement shall be made by issuance of an executed modification, signed by all partners, prior to any changes being performed.

7. Any partner, in writing, may terminate their obligation in this agreement at any time before the date of expiration.

8. This agreement is executed as of the last date shown below and remain in effect until December 31, 2002, at which time it is subject to review, renewal, or expiration.

9. The principle contacts for this agreement are:

Tom Kelly
Vice President for Media and Public Relations
U.S. Skiing
1500 Kearns Boulevard, Building F
Park City, Utah 84060
(801) 647-2010

Sam Anderson
Director of Environmental Affairs
National Ski Areas Association
133 South Van Gordon, Suite 300
Lakewood, Colorado 80228
(303) 986-1111

Ed Ryberg
National Winter Sports Partnership Coordinator
USDA Forest Service
740 Simms Street
Golden, Colorado 80401
(303) 275-5060

This document was prepared by Wild Wilderness. To learn more about ongoing industry-backed congressional efforts to motorize, commercialize, and privatize America's public lands, contact:

Scott Silver, Executive Director,
Wild Wilderness
248 NW Wilmington Avenue,  Bend  OR 97701
Phone (541) 385-5261    E-mail: ssilver@wildwilderness.org