benchmark

Executive Summary Benchmarking Study of USDA Forest Service Fisheries and Aquatic Ecology Programs March 15, 2001 Conducted in partial fulfillment of graduation requirements for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Graduate School Leadership Development Academy Executive Potential Program 2001 (EPP) by: Nanci Bowers, U.S. Department of the Navy Doug Davis, U.S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs Jim Gardner, U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration Mark Hudy, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Sharon Marchant, U.S. Department of Energy Franz Stuppard, General Services Administration LeaAnne Thorne, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - 1 - Executive Summary Purpose and need Increased emphasis on ecosystem management and accountability by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service and other federal land management agencies has led to the development of a series of strategic plans such as the Clean Water Action Plan and internal USDA Forest Service strategies such as the National Resources Agenda and the USDA Forest Service strategic plans (as required by the Government Performance and Results Act). The goals and objectives within these strategies have placed a significant challenge on managers seeking to implement these strategies because the agency is decentralized with each administrative national forest or grassland unit having a ...