Stewardship Contracts

» White Mountain AZ Stewardship Contract

Stewardship Contracts are legal collaborations of the US Forest Service or Federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM) with communities, local and state agencies, education, environmental and service organizations and businesses to manage federal lands.

"Public Law 108-7 granted the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Forest Service ten-year authority to enter into stewardship contracts or agreements to achieve agency land management objectives and meet community needs.

Some of the features of the authorizing legislation includes allowing USFS & BLM to apply the value of timber or other forest products removed as an offset against the cost of services received, apply excess receipts from a project to other authorized stewardship projects, select contracts and agreements on a "best value" basis, and award a contract or agreement up to ten years which may stimulate long term investment in the local community.

Stewardship contracts may be used for treatments to improve, maintain, or restore forest or rangeland health; restore or maintain water quality; improve fish and wildlife habitat; and reduce hazardous fuels that pose risks to communities and ecosystem values." Courtesy: US Forest Service: About Stewardship Contracting

See the Western Collaboration Assistance Network (WestCAN) for organizational services for collaborative groups wishing to participate in stewardship of public lands.

In this category you will find examples of USFS and BLM Stewardship Contracts on forests with natural, social, and economic conditions similar to the Sierra.