The Forest Service Budget Process Montana Counties Forest
The Forest Service Budget Process Montana Counties Forest Summit October 2016 Kate Walker Budget Director
Objectives n n n Overview of FS budget process Illustrate constant interaction between agency and “other players”. Discuss current Budget Trends Government-wide n Forest Service – Montana Forests n
The Budget Process Overview First, the Players… Congress Appropriation Committees Subcommittee on Interior, Environment & Related agencies President OMB Dept. of Agriculture Forest Service Legislative Branch Executive Branch
Forest Service Appropriation Interior, Environment, and other related Agencies Appropriations Act n Title III Account Level Appropriations – Purpose, Time, Amount n FS Administrative Provisions n n Title IV n General Provisions
Continuing Resolution n n A continuing resolution is a type of appropriations legislation. An appropriations bill is a bill that appropriates (gives to, sets aside for) money to specific federal government departments, agencies, and programs. We have a CR until December 8, 2016
USDA accounts for only 2% of Federal Discretionary Appropriations Agriculture. Interior 2% 1% Other Departments 42% Defense 55%
Within USDA, the Forest Service accounts for 20% of Discretionary Appropriations Food and Nutrition Service 31% Composition of 2012 Budget Agriculture 2% Other USDA 49% Forest Service 20% Interior 1% Other Departments 34% Defense 55%
FY 2016 National Budget Summary �Total Discretionary Request = �-$130 M from FY 2015 Enacted �+$46 M from FY 2014 Enacted $4. 9 billion
Allocation to the Regions n n Based on historic trends Based on capacity to produce outputs and outcomes on the landscape
Forest Service Strategic Plan FY 2015 -2020 n To meet the challenges ahead, in FY 2017 the Forest Service will focus on the three strategic goals in our Strategic Plan for FY 2015‒ 2020: (1) sustaining our Nation’s forests and grasslands; (2) delivering benefits to the public; and (3) applying knowledge globally.
Chief’s Budget Themes for FY 2016 n n n Restoring Resilient Landscapes – Provide restoration treatments and infrastructure needed to protect and restore healthy, resilient landscapes to provide abundant and clean drinking water; resist damage from fire, insects and diseases; sustain productive capacity to support economic opportunities for rural communities. We are committed to building thriving communities across the Nation by reconnecting people with the outdoors, providing jobs and benefits through outdoor recreation and forest products, grazing and other uses of forests and grasslands. Our approach to managing wildland fire is integral to our goals of landscape-scale restoration. We strive to maximize our response capabilities and to support community efforts to reduce threat of wildfire and increase ecosystem resilience. 12
Chief’s Budget Themes for FY 2016 n n Promoting Safety – Continue to explore our safety culture and history comparing ourselves to highreliability organizations that also work in high-risk environments, and working to change our safety culture accordingly. Building a Diverse and Inclusive Workforce – Part of inclusiveness is making our workforce look more like the face of America. Strive to become an employer of choice for all Americans. We are committed to treating everyone fairly and with respect, giving everyone in our workforce the opportunity to contribute and succeed. 13
Allocation within the Region n Based on 3 year data call with capacity to accomplish targets and outcomes Built from the “ground up” Based on Regional Forester Priorities
Projects determined at the Forest or Grassland n n Based on landscape needs Prioritized Program of Work
FY 08 -FY 16 Budgets All Montana Forests
FY 08 -FY 16 Secure Rural Schools Budgets
FY 08 -FY 15 Timber Volume Sold (in CCF) – All MT Forests
FY 08 -FY 15 Road Decommissioning (in Miles) for all MT Forests
FY 08 -FY 15 Stream Habitat Enhanced (in Miles) for all MT Forests
FY 12 -FY 15 Watersheds Restored Annually (in Acres) for all MT Forests
Fire Transfer Occurs when we use up our fire appropriations – national appropriations are: Preparedness $1, 081 M Suppression $811 M Congress often pays us back – used for priority work in the agency
Suppression CAP Adjustment n n n FS – only agency required to pay for natural disasters out of its budget Current wildfire strategy is unsustainable Suppression costs exceed 10 -year average most years Fund extraordinary fires once suppression funding is expended Funding will be in an emergency account similar to FEMA Fire Cap funding will be outside of FS discretionary funding
Questions?
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