The State Technical Advisory Committee (STAC) is a group composed of agricultural producers, owners/operators of nonindustrial private forest land, federal and state agency representatives, and other professionals who provide information, analysis, and recommendations to officials of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) on implementing and establishing priorities and criteria for natural resources conservation activities and programs. The STAC has no implementation or enforcement authority, but USDA gives strong consideration to the STAC’s recommendations.
The Washington STAC, which is chaired by the state conservationist, provides input to programs and initiatives, as well as annually reviews whether Local Working Groups are addressing state priorities and criteria for ranking program applications.
There is currently one subcommittee of the STAC, which has a purpose of reviewing and providing input to Natural Resources Conservation Service’s conservation practice standards and specifications, which are contained in the Field Office Technical Guide.
Washington State Technical Advisory Committee and Tribal Conservation Advisory Council (WATCAC) meetings are conducted via teleconference/webinar (unless otherwise specified) from 9:30 am until 3:00 pm on the following dates:
October 23, 2019: WATCAC (teleconference)
October 24, 2019: STAC (teleconference)
January 16, 2020 (Face-to-Face, Spokane, WA, Redwood Plaza).
March 25, 2020: WATCAC (teleconference)
March 26, 2020: STAC (teleconference)
July 22, 2020: WATCAC (face to face, location TBD somewhere on the West Side)
July 23, 2020: STAC (Face to Face, location TBD somewhere on the West Side)
View STACmeeting materials. Meeting materials include meeting agenda, meeting minutes, presentations and handouts.
Who is the STAC? The STAC is currently composed of representatives of the following organizations. As of November 2010, agencies and organizations were contacted to formally designate representatives to the STAC.
There is currently one STAC subcommitteethat provides recommendations to the STAC on technical aspects of conservation practice standards. The State Conservationist can convene or appoint subcommittees to address a variety of issues including natural resource priorities and criteria for conservation activities and outreach.
Local Working Groups (LWGs) are subcommittees to the STAC. There are ten LWGs across the state, as well as a statewide Tribal Local Working Group. Each LWG covers multiple Conservation District and County jurisdictions.
How can I be involved in the Washington State Technical Advisory Committee?
Meetings of the STAC are open to the public and will be given the opportunity to address the committee and present their opinions and recommendations. Meeting information is posted on this web site. Presenters are encouraged to provide written comments to the committee, but are not required to do so. Written comments or suggestions can be submitted to Nick Vira via email at nick.vira@wa.usda.gov. Individuals or groups wanting to become a member of the STAC may submit a request to the state conservationist explaining their interest and outlining their credentials for becoming a member. Decisions of the state conservationist concerning membership on the STAC are final and cannot be appealed. Requests can be sent to Roylene Comes At Night.
Where can I get more information on the Washington State Technical Advisory Committee?
Policy governing the STAC and LWGs is available here.
Contact
Nick Vira
State Partnership Liaison
Natural Resources Conservation Service
1835 Black Lake Blvd. SW, Suite D
Olympia, WA 98512-5607
Phone: 360.704.7758
Email: nick.vira@usda.gov
