§2113 Federal, State, and Local Coordination and Cooperation

Summary

Creates a federal Forest Resource Coordinating Committee to coordinate nonindustrial private forestry work inside the Department of Agriculture and with states and private groups. The committee includes the Chief of the Forest Service, the Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Director of the Farm Service Agency, the Director of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, and other nonfederal members the Secretary appoints for 3-year terms (initial terms are staggered). The appointed group must include at least three State foresters and representatives from state fish and wildlife agencies, private forest owners, the forest industry, conservation groups, land‑grant universities, private forestry consultants, and a State Technical Committee, plus any others the Secretary thinks appropriate. The Forest Service Chief is the chair. The committee must guide and coordinate USDA actions and work with states and the private sector to address national forestry priorities (with a focus on nonindustrial private forest land), clarify each agency’s role, advise on how funds should be used (including the competitive funds set aside by section 2109a), help with required reports, and meet at least once a year. Federal members get no extra pay. Nonfederal members are unpaid but may be reimbursed for reasonable expenses. Requires a State Forest Stewardship Coordinating Committee in each State, led by the State forester or their designee. Each State committee should include federal agency reps plus appointed local reps from local government, consulting foresters, environmental and conservation groups, the forest products industry, forest landowners, land trusts (if used in the State), the State fish and wildlife agency, and the State Technical Committee, among others. Appointed members serve 3-year staggered terms and may be reappointed. Existing similar State committees can be used to avoid duplication if they include landowners and the public. State committees must advise on priorities, coordination, the State assessment and strategy under section 2101a, and lands to prioritize for the Forest Legacy Program under section 2103c. State committees do not end, and nothing forces a State official to act.