Backlog Elimination Strategy Phase 2: Properties Not Inspected in 6-9 years
Eliminating the reinspection backlog has been a priority for state Tree Farm committees in recent years.There are no longer any Tree Farms in ATFS that have not been inspected in more than 10 years. These properties were removed from the system at the beginning of the year(Phase One). Phase Two of the backlog elimination strategy is underway.
As of December 31, 2004, all certifications were suspended on Tree Farms that were last inspected six (6) or more years ago.These properties, last inspected prior to December 31, 1998,are no longer deemed Certified by ATFS. Rather than remove these Tree Farmers from ATFS entirely, they will move to an inactive “Member” status and retained in the database for communications purposes for up to five (5) years.
Member status Tree Farmers will have up to five (5) years tocontact their respective state committee and arrange for aninspection visit before they are entirely removed from the system,when their overdue status reaches 10 years. Tree Farms notinspected in six (6) or more years will remain in the Membercategory until either a successful recertification occurs or theinspection is 10 years overdue, whichever comes first. Forexample, if a Tree Farm was seven (7) years overdue forreinspection at the end of 2004, the farm is now in Memberstatus for three years, at the end of the three years the TreeFarm will be deleted if no reinspection occurs.
Every year the National Office will delete Tree Farms that havereached the 10 year overdue point. Additionally, the NationalOffice will continue to move Tree Farms that have not beeninspected in at least six (6) years out of Certified status andinto Member status.It is the National Operating Committee’s hope that the backlogelimination strategy will ease the burden of your state TreeFarm program, allowing you to focus more energy and attentionon what we do best – outreach to America’s family forestowners so we can inform and educte them about the benefits of sustainable forestry.
