Number: 1984-10
WHEREAS, the Office of Management and Budget has implemented procedures designed to greatly increase the role of the private sector in the performance of government functions through low bid service contracting; and
WHEREAS, natural resources management on public lands has been identified as a contractable item by certain government agencies, particularly within the Department of the Army; and
WHEREAS, unless a clearly defined policy is prepared which includes all natural resources management as inherent in-house government functions, and therefore exempt from contracting activities, it is likely additional natural resources management functions will be assumed by private contractors; and
WHEREAS, many of the private contractors have no demonstrated interest in professional natural resources management and function primarily with a profit motive over a short term contract period; and
WHEREAS, the Nation’s public natural resources must be managed on a professional long-term basis by individuals directly employed by the government in the same manner as other inherent in-house government functions which involve planning, technical or specialized management, administration and fiscal matters;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation, in annual meeting assembled March 15-18, 1984, in Atlanta, Georgia, hereby expresses its support for the retention of natural resources management on public lands as an inherent government function with government employees; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation calls on all government agencies to retain the management of public natural resources as functions to be accomplished with government professional employees; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation supports any Congressional action consistent with the resolution.