Northern Arizona University

Responsibilites of the Council

• Prepare guidelines for participating in the CESU Network
  
• Assist individual CESU's in developing agreements and subsequent modifications
  
• Maintain networks for communication and data sharing among CESU's
  
• Pursue additional funding sources for the CESU Network
  
• Develop a comprehensive strategic plan for the growth and development of the CESU Network
  
• Produce annual reports summarizing CESU Network activities

This is an extraordinary time for federal resource management, environmental, and research agencies.  There is growing demand for scientific research and expertise. Rigorous science and responsive technical assistance are increasingly necessary for sound management and policy decisions.  Ecosystem-based management and the demands of long-term stewardship are extending the inventory of scientific information required to manage federal resources.  Complex environmental issues that transcend boundaries make it essential for agencies to work together, and the responsibilities of federal agencies to share resources and expertise is expanding. New laws, such as the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA), have emphasized the need for data collection, research, and technical assistance.

At the same time, there has been significant organizational change throughout the federal government. Bureaus such as the National Park Service (NPS) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) have recently undergone reorganization.  The evolution of the National Biological Service into the Biological Resources Division (BRD) of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has altered how science is delivered to Department of the Interior (DOI) resource managers. Other agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are also undergoing changes in how their research and technical assistance is conducted and delivered. Interagency and interdepartmental cooperation is essential to these new organizational approaches.

In addition, the basic relationship between the federal government and the scientific community is shifting. The fiscal limits imposed by the federal budget are long-term, and support of science throughout the government will continue to be constrained. There is increased demand for usable knowledge and research applied to the national interest. Federal agencies must husband their science resources in creative ways that limit cost and magnify value to managers, scientist, congress, and the public. Universities, private research institutions, and the broader scientific community face similar pressures and must respond and adapt to this new environment for science.

Back to CESU Network