Good Neighbor Authority Policy Guidance

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20240
http://www.blm.gov

August 28, 2014

In Reply Refer To:

1212, 1510, 1511, 5000, 5200, 5920 (220) P 

EMS TRANSMISSION 09/15/2014

Instruction Memorandum No. 2014-139

Expires:  09/30/2015                                                                                     

To:              All Washington Office and Field Office Officials

From:          Assistant Director, Resources and Planning                                                               

Subject:      Good Neighbor Authority Policy Guidance

Program Areas:  Forest and Woodland Management, Fuels Management, Soil, Water, and Air, Wildlife, Fisheries and Riparian Management, and Procurement and Acquisition.                                                                                                                 

Purpose:  This Instruction Memorandum (IM) issues policy guidance on the use of the Good Neighbor Authority (GNA) which was authorized in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014 PL 113-76 and the Agricultural Act of 2014 PL 113-79.  Implementation of  GNA is outlined in the attached guidance which includes the roles and responsibilities of BLM managers and personnel and the cooperating state agency.  In general, GNA is implemented through BLM’s existing contracting and agreement processes and delegations.  Use of GNA is at the discretion of the field office.     

Policy/Action:  GNA authorizes the BLM to enter into an agreement or contract (including sole source) with a state government to implement qualifying projects.

In order for a project to qualify as a GNA project, the following criteria must be met.

1. The project consists of Authorized Restoration Services which include: treatment of insect and disease infected trees, hazardous fuels reduction, or any other activities to restore or improve forest, rangeland, and watershed health, including fish and wildlife habitat.

2. The project does not include construction, reconstruction, repair, or restoration of paved or permanent roads, parking areas, public buildings, or public works. 

3. The project does not include public lands that have the following designations: National Wilderness Preservation System, where removal of vegetation is prohibited or restricted by Act of Congress or Presidential Proclamation including the applicable implementation plan, or Wilderness Study Areas.

4. The BLM provides or approves all silviculture prescriptions and marking guidelines for timber sold.

5. NEPA decisions remain the responsibility of the BLM and cannot be delegated to the state.

Good Neighbor projects are characterized as having used at least one of the following authorities.

1. A sole source contract with a state government agency.

2. A contract or agreement where a state government official is serving as an agent in providing agreed upon services necessary to facilitate the performance of Authorized Restoration Services.

3. A contract or agreement with a state that excludes Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) subcontracting clauses, which would allow each state to subcontract utilizing their respective contracting procedures.

Use Exhibit 2, Good Neighbor Authority Checklist, in the attached guidance to ensure a project is within policy.

Time Frame:  Effective upon issuance.

Budget Impact:  Budget impact is minimal since use of the authority is decided based on increasing efficiency of certain treatments.

Background:  GNA was first authorized as a pilot authority for the US Forest Service and the State of Colorado in 2000 (PL 106-291).  The BLM was later granted the same authority through PL 108-447. The purpose was to facilitate cooperation between state and federal land managers on watershed restoration and protection projects where mixed ownership existed and conditions were such that efficiency would be gained by allowing the state to implement treatments across federal, state, and private land.

Manual/Handbooks Sections Affected:  None.

Coordination:  This IM was coordinated with Forest, Rangeland, Riparian, and Plant Conservation (WO-220) and Procurement/ Acquisition (WO-855).

Contact:  Additional information is available by contacting Wade Salverson, Stewardship/Biomass Forester (WO-220), at 202-912-7247, or Kathy Radigan, Public Domain Forester (WO-220) at 202-912-7433.

Signed by:                                                       Authenticated by:

Edwin L. Roberson                                         Robert M. Williams

Assistant Director                                           Division of IRM Governance,WO-860

Resources and Planning

1 Attachment

      1 – Good Neighbor Guidance (29 pp)