US Agriculture Department Secretary Tom Vilsack announced on August 12 the selection of Dan Dessecker, Ruffed Grouse Society (RGS) director of conservation policy, to the National Advisory Committee for Implementation of the National Forest System Land Management Planning Rule, a group of 21 members that will provide guidance and recommendations to the Secretary of Agriculture and the Chief of the US Forest Service on management of America’s national forests.
Dessecker was selected to represent the interests of commercial and recreational hunters and anglers on the Committee. “Members of the Planning Rule Advisory Committee help us strengthen ecological, social, economic and cultural sustainability objectives,” said Vilsack. “The rule will allow the creation of management plans that will protect and restore National Forest System lands in order to sustain communities and protect natural resources.”
The selection demonstrates the value of relationships between RGS professionals and those who craft policies that affect forest wildlife management on our public forest lands.
“The Ruffed Grouse Society is very pleased to be able to continue to represent the interests of hunters and anglers as we work with the US Forest Service to help guide fish and wildlife conservation on our nation’s national forests,” said RGS President and CEO John Eichinger.
Dessecker was previously selected to the initial Planning Rule FACA Advisory Committee in 2012 that presented its first set of recommendations for the implementation of the 2012 Planning Rule to USDA Deputy Undersecretary for Natural Resources and Environment Robert Bonnie and Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell in November 2013. These recommendations were intended to deepen collaboration in forest planning, as well as a focus on adaptive management, monitoring, wilderness, climate change, intergovernmental relations, species protection and water resources.
The committee is comprised of members with diverse backgrounds, who represent the full range of public interests in management of National Forest System lands and geographically diverse locations and communities. The current committee’s membership expired in June 2014.
Established in 1961, the Ruffed Grouse Society is North America’s foremost conservation organization dedicated to preserving our sporting traditions by creating healthy forest habitat for ruffed grouse, American woodcock and other wildlife. RGS works with landowners and government agencies to develop critical habitat utilizing scientific management practices.
