An important note from the ATFS National Operating Committee
For the past three years the National Operating Committee
(NOC) has closely monitored the increasing backlog of reinspections occurring
within many states. Reasons for the
backlog are not lost on the NOC – significant downsizing in the forest
industry, severe cuts in state forestry agency personnel and shifting
priorities – all have contributed to our current situation.
The NOC is very proud of your accomplishments to date. The pace of inspections and reinspections is up. In fact, this year TF inspectors completed 12,000 visits to Tree Farms – about twenty percent of the total number in ATFS. At the same time, the NOC is deeply sensitive to the continuing burden being shouldered by many state committees. Several state committee leaders have told us the backlog is demoralizing for volunteers and a hindrance to one of the most important goals of ATFS – “getting more good forestry on more acres and keeping it there.” Just as important, a continuing backlog threatens to undermine the credibility of Tree Farm’s certification system.
Taking all this into consideration, the NOC has recommended a radical change in strategy. By unanimous vote, the NOC has approved the following steps to eliminate the reinspection backlog.
- 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 delete 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.
We are aware of the implications this change in policy brings to ATFS, but the NOC firmly believes that removing this burden from state Tree Farm programs will allow inspectors to focus more energy and attention on what ATFS does best – outreach to America’s family forest owners to inform and educate them about the benefits of sustainable forestry.
Of course there are questions. State committee leaders have additional information and may be able to answer questions. However, please don’t hesitate to contact the national office if you have any questions or comments. Answers to several of the more important questions are below.
How will Tree Farmers be notified about their potential suspension?
The national office will shortly notify Tree Farmers (by first-class mail to the address of record) whose property has not been reinspected in the past 10 or more years. This notification will serve to inform these landowners of their impending certification suspension. The notification will include a self-addressed card that they can mail to their state Tree Farm committee if they wish to be reinspected. If a reinspection is not completed, approved, and submitted to the national office by December 31, 2003, these landowners will be Decertified and removed from the system.
What will happen to the Tree Farm signs that might be on the property of suspended Tree Farmers?
It was not until 2001 that Tree Farm signs contained the word “Certified.” Prior to that, Tree Farms signs carried the word “Member.” Tree Farmers moved to inactive member status will still be allowed to display these older signs. We will work to develop an approach to deal with situations where the newly designed sign is displayed on a Tree Farm that has been moved to inactive status.
Won’t this fundamentally alter the Tree Farm program?
We’re confident it won’t. The crux of Tree Farm remains outreach and education. By removing the burden of trying to contact folks who’ve long been out of touch, we hope all volunteers will be able to devote even more time to working with new landowners and active Tree Farmers.
