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The Locally Led Work
Group (LLWG) is one part of the locally led process.
The purpose of the LLWG is to facilitate the USDA
portion of the locally led process, provide advice to
NRCS concerning the implementation of conservation
programs in accordance with the Federal Advisory
Committee Act and serve as a subset of the State
Technical Committee. The Federal Advisory Committee Act
(FACA) prohibits non-government individuals from
spending federal dollars or providing advice in a formal
decision-making process related to the expenditure of
such funds. Membership of the LLWG is limited to
Federal, State, county, tribal or local government
representatives.
North Cook County
Soil & Water Conservation District’s Role:
◘ Assemble
& Convene the LLWG in accordance with FACA.
◘ Acquire
input, in the form of conservation needs assessment,
from community stakeholders.
◘ Develop
a District-wide conservation needs assessment using
submitted assessments
from community stakeholders.
◘ Identify
priority resource concerns that can be addressed by USDA
programs.
◘ Make
program policy recommendations based on information
gathered.
◘ Establish
local USDA conservation program delivery priorities.
◘ Identify,
as appropriate, high priority areas that need USDA
assistance.
◘ Forward
final recommendations to USDA-NRCS State
Conservationist.
In the coming weeks
the North Cook Co. SWCD will be making contact with
local stakeholders to invite their participation in this
important process. In light of rising transportation
cost and in the interest of time the North Cook Co. SWCD
(District) board has decided to utilize a survey process
to facilitate the collection of local conservation
needs. In accordance with FACA the District will begin
the process by inviting all 60 municipal Mayors /
Managers within the District to participate. Others to
follow may include, but are not limited to, Townships
within the District, Cook County, the Forest Preserve
District of Cook County and some area park district
boards.
The District is
hopeful that many local stakeholders will let their
concerns and needs be know by choosing to participate in
this essential needs assessment via the survey process.
For further
explanation please see the Locally Led Work Group Fact
Sheet created by NRCS Montana or contact the North Cook
Co. SWCD office at 847-468-0071. |