WFMM Emergency Memo

United States
Department of
Agriculture
1400 Independence
Avenue, SW
Stop 0540
Washington, DC
20250-0540

DATE:
TO:

Danielle Y. Jones
Desk Officer
Office of Management and Budget

THROUGH: Levi Harrell
Departmental Clearance Officer
Office of the Chief Information Officer
FROM:

Angela Coleman
Associate Chief
Forest Service

SUBJECT:

Request for Emergency Approval for a New Information Collection
Request (ICR)-- Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission
Nomination

ANGELA
COLEMAN

Digitally signed by
ANGELA COLEMAN
Date: 2022.02.16
16:31:55 -05'00'

The Forest Service (FS) is requesting emergency clearance and review through 5 CFR
1320.13 for a new information collection for the Wildland Fire Mitigation and
Management Commission Nomination. The United States Department of Agriculture
(USDA), United States Department of Interior (DOI) and Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) collaboratively established the Wildland Fire Mitigation
and Management Commission in December 2021 as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure
Law.
Title II, H.R. 3684, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act outlines the commission’s
purpose and membership structure. The Commission is tasked with providing a report to
Congress on recommendations to improve Federal policies on prevention, mitigation,
suppression, and management of wildland fires and the subsequent rehabilitation of
affected lands in the United States. The Commission will terminate 180 days after the
group submits the mandated report to Congress.
The Agency cannot reasonably comply with the normal clearance procedures due to the
time restraints surrounding the selection and make-up of the Commission. Title II states
that appointments to the Commission should be made within 60 days of enactment of the
Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Act. This gave USDA, DOI, and FEMA until
January 15 to appoint members to the Commission. Upon approval of this emergency
collection, a survey will be sent to public asking for their interest and credentials in being
a part of this Commission. Once those are received the Secretary for USDA has 30 days
to select the non-federal members of the Commission. The use of normal clearance
procedures is reasonable likely to prevent or disrupt the collection of information or is
reasonably likely to cause a statutory or court ordered deadline to be missed.
USDA is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer

Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission Nomination

2

WFMM MEMBERSHIP
The WFMM will be comprised of Thirty (30) members approved by the Secretary of
Agriculture (or designee) where each will serve a 2-year term. WFMM memberships will
be balanced in terms of the points of view represented and functions to be performed. The
WFMM shall include representation from the following interest areas:
(1) Twelve (12) Federal employees;
(a) Three (3) Co-Chairs: Secretary of Agriculture, Secretary of Interior, and the
Administrator of Federal Emergency Management Agency;
(b) Nine (9) named members;
(2) Eighteen (18) Non-Federal individuals;
(a) Five (5) minimum from high-risk State, Local, or Tribal Governments;
(i) At least one (1) State Hazzard Mitigation Officer;
(ii) State department of natural resources or agriculture or similar State
agency;
(iii) State Department of Energy or similar State Agency;
(iv) County Government;
(v) Municipal Government;
(3) Five minimum from a specialized group (non-governmental Agency);
(a) Public utility industry;
(b) Property development industry;
(c) Indian tribal government;
(d) Wildland firefighter;
(e) 501(c)(3) organization with expertise in forest management and
environmental conservation;
(4) Eight (8) possible non-Federal discretionary;
(a) Two (2) Private industry; and
(b) Six (6) any non-Federal groups.
Nomination and Application Information
The appointment of members to the WFMM will be made by the Secretary of Agriculture
(or designee). The public is invited to submit nominations for membership on the
WFMM, either as a self-nomination or a nomination of any qualified and interested
person. Any individual or organization may nominate one or more qualified persons to
represent the interest areas listed above. To be considered for membership, nominees
must:
1. Be a resident of the State in which the WFMM has jurisdiction;
2. Complete the Membership Application for Wildland Fire Mitigation and
Management Commission; and

Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission Nomination

3

3. Complete Form AD-755, Advisory Committee or Research and Promotion
Background Information.
Nominations and completed applications for WFMM will be sent to Natural Resources
and Environment (NRE). All nominations will be vetted by the Agency.
We are requesting emergency approval of this new information collection package by
Thursday, February 24. We will not seek a renewal past the six-month emergency
approval.
If there are any questions or concerns, please call Cori Lopez at 202-924-4458 or
Erin Swiader at 406-360-4102.