IAC Charter

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20250

DEPARTMENTAL REGULATION	NUMBER: 1043-36
SUBJECT: INTERGOVERNMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE	DATE: April 18, 2005
SUBJECT: INTERGOVERNMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE	OPI: Forest Service

1	PURPOSE
	a	This regulation renews the Intergovernmental Advisory Committee (Advisory Committee) to the Regional Interagency Executive Committee (RIEC). The RIEC consists of the Pacific Northwest Federal regional heads of the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Marine Fisheries Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, National Park Service, Environmental Protection Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Forest Service Research and Development, Environmental Protection Agency Research, and U.S. Geological Survey Biological Resources Division. The RIEC facilitates the successful implementation of the Record of Decision (ROD) for Amendments to the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management Planning Documents Within the Range of the Northern Spotted Owl of April 13, 1994. The purpose of the Advisory Committee is to advise the RIEC on intergovernmental coordination regarding the implementation of the ROD. The Advisory Committee provides advice and recommendations to facilitate integration of forest management activities among Federal and non-Federal governmental entities to ensure that such activities are complementary.
	b	This Advisory Committee functions in the public interest in connection with the duties and responsibilities of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and of the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI). The ROD provides direction to the Forest Service and the BLM for implementing an ecosystem management approach that is consistent with statutory authority for land use planning, such as the Forest Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act, the National Forest Management Act, and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act. (See the ROD, page 5.) Ecosystem management requires improved coordination among Federal, State, local, and tribal governments because ecosystems cross political boundaries. Thus, it is necessary to coordinate the advice and recommendations of the governmental entities encompassed by the ecosystem in order to achieve an ecosystem management approach. Under the National Forest Management Act, 16 U.S.C. § 1604 (a), and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act, 43 U.S.C.§ 1712 (b) and (c)(9), the Forest Servcie and BLM are required by Congress to coordinate their land management planning with State and local governments and Indian Tribes. Further, under Section 6 of the Endangered Species Act, 16 U.S.C. § 1535, the Secretary of the Interior is directed to cooperate to the maximum extent possible with the States, and under 43 C.F.R. Part 24, the Secretary of the Interior's stated policy is to foster intergovernmental cooperation in the preservation, use, and management of fish and wildlife resources. Compliance with these statutory and regulatory requirements is facilitated by using the Advisory Committee to obtain the views of State, local, and tribal governments. The Advisory Committee also promotes an exchange of views on ecosystem management among the land management agencies of the Federal, State, local and tribal governments in the range of the northern spotted owl.
2	SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS
	a	Department Regulation 1043-36, dated March 28, 2003, is hereby superseded.
	b	This regulation will expire 2 years from the date of filing.
3	OFFICERS AND MEMBERSHIP
	a	The Advisory Committee will consist of 21 members. Members will include: (1) One representative of the government of the State of Washington; (2) One representative of the government of the State of Oregon; (3) One representative of the government of the State of California; (4) Three representatives of tribal governments; (5) One representative of the BLM; (6) One representative of the Bureau of Indian Affairs; (7) One representative of the Environmental Protection Agency; (8) One representative of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; (9) One representative of the Forest Service; (10) One representative of the National Park Service; (11) One representative of the National Marine Fisheries Service; (12) One representative of the Natural Resource Conservation Service; (13) One representative of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; (14) One representative of the governments of affected counties in Washington; (15) One representative of the governments of affected counties in Oregon; (16) One representative of the governments of affected counties in California; (17) One representative of Forest Service Research and Development; (18) One representative of the Environmental Protection Agency Research; and (19) One representative of the U.S. Geological Survey Biological Resources Division. In the event a member is unable to attend a meeting of the Advisory Committee or a meeting of one of its subcommittees or working groups, that member may send a designee to represent him or her at the meeting.
	b	The Chairperson of the Advisory Committee will alternate annually between the Forest Service and the BLM. The Executive Director of the Regional Ecosystem Office will serve as the Designated Federal Officer under Sections 10(e) and (f) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.).
	c	Appointments to the Advisory Committee will be made by the Secretary of Agriculture after consultation with the Secretary of the Interior.
	d	Equal opportunity practices in line with USDA policies will be followed in all appointments to the Advisory Committee. To ensure that the recommendations of the Advisory Committee have taken into account the needs of the diverse groups served by the USDA and DOI, membership should include, to the extent practicable, individuals with demonstrated ability to represent minorities, women, and persons with disabilities
4	DUTIES
	a	The Advisory Committee provides advice and recommendations to the RIEC regarding the coordinated implementation of the ROD.
	b	The Advisory Committee may create and operate subcommittees or working groups recommended by its members and approved by the Secretary or Designated Federal Officer. If appropriate, these working groups or subcommittees may include representatives of nongovernmental organizations that have an interest in the implementation of the ROD.
5	ESTIMATED ANNUAL OPERATING COSTS
	a	Members or their designees serve without pay, but with reimbursement of travel and per diem expenses for attendance at Advisory Committee and/or subcommittee or working group meetings called by the Chairperson of the Advisory Committee. Travel and per diem expenses will be submitted on vouchers signed by the Forest Service representative to the RIEC.
	b	Annual operating costs are estimated to be $49,000 and three-quarters staff year of support.
6	NUMBER AND FREQUENCY OF MEETINGS
	a	The Advisory Committee will meet as often as is necessary to complete its business.
	b	Thirteen members of the Advisory Committee shall constitute a quorum.
7	REPORTS/SUPPORT
	a	The Advisory Committee reports to the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior through the RIEC.
	b	Support for the Advisory Committee will be provided by the Forest Service for the life of this charter.

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