Tree Farm Inspection Backlog Elimination Strategy – Reminder
A previous edition of Sightline outlined the two phases of the backlog elimination strategy for the American Tree Farm System.
Phase One was completed December 31, 2003. All ATFS properties that had not been reinspected in ten or more years were decertified and the properties were removed from the ATFS system.
We are now in Phase Two of the backlog elimination strategy. Phase Two identifies all properties last inspected 6 to 10 years ago and suspends their ATFS Certification, but they are not removed from the system. These properties are in “probationary” status until receiving recertification or reaching year 10 without reinspection, whichever comes first. The hope is that these properties will get reinspected and recertified before reaching year 10.
As outlined in the National Operating Committee letter of Spring 2003, the backlog elimination strategy includes:
- Phase 1: As of December 31, 2003, all Tree Farms that were last inspected ten or more years ago will be decertified and removed from our system. In other words, we will decertify the record of every Tree Farm that was last inspected prior to December 31, 1993 unless a completed 004 form is received by the end of this year. Therefore, state committees have the remainder of 2003 to reinspect, approve and submit completed 004 forms on these properties to the national office. A list of affected Tree Farms will be sent to state committees shortly.
- Phase 2: As of December 31, 2004, all certifications will be suspended on Tree Farms that were last inspected 6 or more years prior to that date. In other words, when we reach the end of 2004, properties that were last inspected prior to December 31, 1998 will no longer be deemed Certified by the American Tree Farm System. Rather than remove these Tree Farmers from our system entirely, they will be moved to an inactive “member” status and retained in the database for communications purposes for up to 5 years, after which time they will be removed from the program if not recertified.
The backlog elimination strategy is an ongoing, annual process. It will suspend certification on properties between 6 and 10 years since last inspection and decertify properties that have not been recertified in more than 10 years. Many state Tree Farm programs have successfully reached these landowners whose inspection has lapsed.
