The Office of Wildland Fire, an agency within the Department of the Interior, has published the attached FEDERAL REGISTER notice announcing three upcoming tribal consultation sessions to obtain input on the following:
1) The Interior Fire Program Assessment 2012
2) Potential options being considered as a result of the Interior Fire Program Assessment 2012
As directed by Congress, the Department had an assessment completed on its multiple wildland fire programs in order to identify cost effective, efficient methods of providing comprehensive fire management services and to reduce duplicative and overlapping administrative management structures of the Bureau of Land Management, Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, and Bureau of Indian Affairs. The Forest Service, which also has a large wildland fire program and is part of the Department of Agriculture, was consulted as part of the Assessment.
The Department is approaching the Assessment in three phases:
1) Identify opportunities for improvement
2) Develop restructuring recommendations
3) Develop an implementation plan
As explained in the attached summary document prepared for the consultations, phase 1 has been completed. As part of developing the recommendations (phase 2), input will be sought on the possible options by which the Department can achieve management improvements and efficiencies. A number of alternatives have been identified thus far in the areas of management, administration, program and operations. Following consultation, the Department hopes to complete its implementation plan (phase 3) by October 17, 2012.
The consultation sessions will be held as follows:
August 27, 2012 Albuquerque, NM
August 28, 2012 Airway Heights, WA
August 31, 2012 Bloomington, MN
Detailed information on the meeting times and places is contained in the attached notice. Written comments must be submitted electronically via IFPA12@ios.doi.gov, and are due by 5 p.m., September 12, 2012.
Please let us know if we may provide additional information or be of assistance regarding the Interior Fire Program Assessment consultations.
