Appendix V

 

Protocol for determining level of NEWFC support for a project

Background/Context: C-9 of NEWFCÕs MOU with the Colville National Forest (CNF) states the following:

 

ÒProvide the Forest Service with a written statement articulating the level of support the Coalition has for a project prior to signing decision document.Ó

 

The objective of the provision of a written statement is prevent later misunderstandings between the CNF and NEWFC regarding actions that may be taken, both publicly and privately in response to the approval or disapproval of a project.

 

The objective of this draft NEWFC protocol is to foster a clear understanding of the implications of various levels of support NEWFC may ultimately determine for a given project.

 

What this protocol does NOT attempt to do is address how the coalition will conduct internal processes leading to a final determination regarding support for a project. It is assumed that the NEWFC will make every effort to achieve full consensus, and that a project may be voted on, tabled, and revisited any number of times before the attempt to reach consensus is superceded by a popular vote.

 

Board Vote

Support Level

 

Member commitment

Consensus w/o Reservation

 

(All members vote for approval without recorded reservations)

High

No members (or organizations represented by members) will appeal/litigate or support outside challenges. All members will express support for the project* and work to resolve any issues raised later by non-coalition entities if the opportunity arises.

 

Consensus w/ Reservation

 

(All members vote for approval but some have their reservations recorded in meeting minutes)

 

Medium

No members (or organizations represented by members) will appeal/litigate or support outside challenges. Members who had reservations recorded may express those reservations* if the opportunity arises; however, all members agree that any statements expressing reservations about the decision will not be directed at the collaborative process itself.

 

No Consensus, but majority-vote approval

 

(Some members have such strong reservations that they vote against approval; reasons are recorded in minutes)

 

Low

Members (or organizations represented by members) reserve right to appeal/litigate or support outside challenges. Members who voted against approval reserve the right to express their reasons for voting against approval* and may actively pursue opportunities to do so; however, all members agree that any statements expressing reservations about the decision will not be directed at the collaborative process itself.

 

Majority vote disapproval

None

Coalition will inform CNF that the coalition does not support the project and recommend the CNF drop the proposal. All members reserve the right to express their reasons for voting recommendation to drop the proposal* and may actively pursue opportunities to do so; however, all members agree that any statements expressing reservations about the decision will not be directed at the collaborative process itself.

* in media or elsewhere

Produce by David Heflick

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NORTHEAST WASHINGTON

FORESTRY COALITION

www.NEWCommunityForestry.org

Lloyd McGee - President

 

Appendix VI

 

 

                                                                                    August 20, 2005

 

Ranger Sherri Schwenke

Three Rivers District, CNF

255 West 11th

Kettle Falls, WA 99141

509-738-7700

 

Dear Ranger Schwenke,

 

Greetings. We wish to inform you that the board of the Northeast Washington Forestry Coalition has determined a consensus without reservation level of support for the Bangs WUI project.

 

As you know, the NEWFC board has developed a tiered level-of-support protocol based upon the degree of consensus among board regarding approval of a project on which NEWFC has been collaborating with the CNF. Attached is an explanation of the protocol, which describes the various levels of support that may be determined for a project as well as the implications of each level of support.

 

We wish to emphasize that our level of support for this project is based on review of the projectÕs current (and presumably final) unit boundaries, prescriptions, and other parameters. If the CNF makes any substantive changes to the proposal, we ask that NEWFC be made aware of the changes. After considering the changes, NEWFC will submit an updated level-of-support document for the project.

 

We thank you for the spirit of collaboration you have demonstrated throughout the review and development of this project.

 

                                                            Sincerely,

 

 

 

                                                            Lloyd McGee – President

                                                            NEW Forestry Coalition