Partnership Resource Center - RESOURCES FOR PARTNERSHIPS

On these pages, you’ll find examples of various partnership scenarios and the tools used to accomplish these projects. This resource was developed with both our Forest Service employees and partners in mind. “Implementation Tools” is a compilation of existing legislation (authorities), and appropriate administrative forms (instruments) or agreements used by the Forest Service to implement projects on National Forest lands or with our partnering adjacent communities.

It can be complicated and confusing to piece together the right authority and instrument based on a particular project situation. Using the five key questions below will help you frame your thoughts and focus you in the right direction to get your projects underway with partners. To simplify the process, we’ve developed a color diagram that summarizes each treatment category, such as Hazardous Fuels, on one page. Or you may need more detail and wish to follow the outline format. Whether your particular project requires a contract, agreement or grant, you will find templates and examples when you arrive at your final decision point. Either format will help you determine which are the appropriate tools to utilize. If you have some familiarity with these issues, you may choose to go directly to the Quick Picks.

Step 1 - Identify the treatment to be accomplished. As you refine your project idea, you need to work in conjunction with your local resource specialist and grants and agreements specialist. To obtain assistance, contact your Regional Partnership Coordinator.

Step 2 - Work through the Tool Selection Guide relating to the project or treatment. Keep these 5 questions in mind:

What do you want to do?
Whose land or property are you treating? i.e. NFS, tribal, private, state or other federal lands
Who will accomplish the project? Agency employees, contract, community volunteers or NGOs
Who benefits from the treatment? i.e. Agency, community, NGOs, tribes, private, state, etc
What authorities exist to allow the work to be accomplished such as HFI/HFRA, Wyden Amendment, Stewardship Contracting etc.? And what instruments will you use to implement and/or fund your project? i.e. cost share, interagency agreement, collection agreement, MOU, volunteer agreement, stewardship contract, county RAC, service contract, etc.?

Step 3 - Find the specific tool or instrument to accomplish the treatment or project(s). i.e. grant, agreement, contract, etc.

There are two guides available for selecting an appropriate implementation tool. The graphic choice pulls up a PDF colored diagram illustrating all of the treatments on one page. Different types of treatments are highlighted in colors relating to the 5 questions described above. The text outline format prompts the user with the same information, while providing more details than the graphic.

At the end, both formats include references to authorities, instruments (either contracts, agreements, or grants), templates, instrument examples, as well as contact information.

QUICK PICKS

IMPLEMENTATION TOOLS