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[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 109 (Tuesday, June 9, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27278-27279]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-13380]

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service

Merger of Northeastern Area and Eastern Region

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice; request for public comment.

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SUMMARY: The USDA Forest Service, Executive Leadership Team (ELT) 
proposes to merge the management of the Northeastern Area with the 
Eastern Region. The desire to obtain organizational consistency across 
the country has prompted the ELT to combine the two units. This step 
will enable a more cohesive forest management program to be developed 
and deployed. One lead organizational unit will provide a powerful, 
effective suite of Forest Service programs to help improve people's 
lives and sustain the natural resources in the region.

DATES: Comments on the improved delivery of State and Private services 
consistent with the newly merged organization must be received in 
writing by July 9, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to USDA, Forest Service, Attention: 
Deputy Chief for State and Private Forestry, 1400 Independence Avenue, 
SW., Mailstop 1109, Washington, DC 20250-1109. Comments may also be 
sent via e-mail to [email protected]. If comments are sent electronically, 
the public is requested not to send duplicate comments by regular mail. 
Please confine comments to issues pertinent to the delivery of services 
under the proposed merger.
    All comments, including names and addresses when provided, are 
placed in the record and are available for public inspection and 
copying. The public may inspect comments received at the Office of the 
Deputy Chief, State and Private Forestry, 1400 Independence Avenue, 
SW., Washington, DC. Visitors are encouraged to call (202) 205-1657 to 
facilitate entry to the building.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kent Connaughton, Regional Forester, 
Eastern Region at [email protected] or by phone at 414-297-3765.
    Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) 
may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339

[[Page 27279]]

between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through 
Friday.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The leaders of the Forest Service see 
benefit in merging the Northeastern Area with the Eastern Region under 
the leadership of one Regional Forester. The merger of the two units 
will improve forest management and enhance technology transfer through 
unified leadership. This decision by the ELT will:
     Integrate existing programs--management, discovery and 
applications--to address ecosystem to landscape-level questions from a 
suite of contemporary conservation issues.
     Augment the transfer of science developed by the Northern 
Research Station.
     Deliver to the constituents of the Northeast and Midwest a 
broader suite of programs.
     Enhance capabilities that allow national level concerns to 
be addressed, including climate change; using wood for energy; land 
restoration; destructive invasive species; and urban natural resources 
stewardship.
     Improve the agency structure in the twenty-state region 
and overall operating efficiencies.
     Move to a unified Eastern Region, led by a Regional 
Forester.
    Both units currently have strong programs. Combining the strengths 
of current resources will provide a powerful way to serve the people in 
the region and contribute to national priorities.
    Both units will continue to build on their collective strengths and 
will strive to develop a model approach for effective forest management 
and science-based technology transfer. This is important as the Agency 
continues to seek ways to maximize the effectiveness of Forest Service 
programs. The potential to help address national stewardship issues 
will be profound. Specifically, actions that we envision include:
     Landscape-level stewardship within a wide range of land 
ownerships.
     More cohesive and integrated projects and programs that 
build on current capacity. The Climate Change Program is a prominent 
example. Work in the control and management of destructive invasive 
species is another example. Urban natural resources stewardship offers 
still another great opportunity.
     A suite of business operation practices that more 
effectively serve all the twenty states through one organizational 
mission.
     A single executive team organized and located in a way 
that best facilitates an integrated Landscape Science vision and works 
in harmony with the Combined Eastern Leadership Team (CELT).
     The Agency leadership will avoid any activity that creates 
inefficiencies and runs contrary to the mission of the Forest Service. 
Accordingly, we will strive to minimize the movement of current 
employees and move towards a unified Eastern Region as quickly as 
practicable. We will proceed at a pace that affords the best possible 
program to be implemented and addresses the needs of the people we 
serve.
     Begin the formal process of combining two organizational 
units.

    Dated: June 2, 2009.
Hank Kashdan,
Associate Chief, U.S. Forest Service.
[FR Doc. E9-13380 Filed 6-8-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P
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