Jim Doran, Facilitator

doran@mymethow.com

STEWARDSHIP AUTHORITY: Hitting the Mark

Stewardship Authority has moved from “Pilot” authority to a ten-year program. Much has been learned from the pilots but most of those lessons have remained extremely localized. The innovative nature of stewardship contracting requires that US Forest Service contracting officers, timber sale officers, procurement and ecology officers receive intensive training on the use of these authorities. Private contractors, similarly, need to become familiar with how these authorities operate.

The US Forest Service is conducting “training the trainers” sessions and will require officers to attend seminars on stewardship contracting. The Regional offices will also have a “hot-line” available for questions. Other instructional materials, such as field trips will be available to FS officers.

The Problem: Local US Forest Service contracting, procurement, timber sales and ecology officers are unfamiliar with Stewardship Authority and the contracting devises allowed under this authority and will, naturally, defer to known devises and resist changes. Similarly, local private contractors, operators and mill owners are unfamiliar with these authorities and, therefore, will either not participate in stewardship projects or will substantially raise their prices to meet the perceived risk.

The Solution: Hands on guidance is needed at the local level from experienced officers and contractors to encourage the implementation of Stewardship Authority at the District and Forest level. Local community collaboration models also need to be brought to local communities to encourage and facilitate the support of stewardship projects.

The Request: This memo is a request that a “Stewardship Team” be formally created to serve Region VI. Such a “Stewardship Team” will consist of both Forest Service officers and private contractors that have had successful experiences within the Pilot Projects. In addition, the “Stewardship Team” will include an experienced project manager, a community collaboration component and a business advisor. All five positions may be ad hoc and the positions changeable depending upon the location and nature of the stewardship project to be served. An appropriation of $300,000 is needed to adequately fund this Team for fiscal year 2004.

The purpose of the Stewardship Team is to provide ground level and hands on training to contracting officers, private contractors, and community members. The goal is to assist the contracting officers and private contractors in the development and use of stewardship contracts for at least the initial stewardship project within the particular District or Forest. The team would be available for later consultations, if needed.

Funding: The Forest Service personnel engaged by the Stewardship Team will be paid through their normal salaries, per diem and travel vouchers. The private team members will be compensated for their travel costs and time through an appropriation of $300,000 for fiscal year 2004 that will be made available at the Regional level for these purposes. This funding will be administered by the Colville Community Forestry Coalition in full cooperation with the Regional Forester, Region 6, together with Sustainable Northwest and their educational program regarding Stewardship Contracting within Region 6.

Dated: May 21, 2003

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Jim Doran – Coordinator

Colville Community Forestry Coalition