§2.Wildfire Science and Technology Advisory Board
This section establishes a permanent Wildfire Science and Technology Advisory Board under the Secretary of the Interior to (1) coordinate federal operationalization of wildfire research by identifying applications, prioritizing projects, facilitating transitions, connecting entities, providing feedback, and partnering with private sector and research centers; (2) encourage wildfire researchers and agencies to incorporate disciplines such as public health, meteorological science, and predictive modeling, plus consideration of built and natural fire-prone environments; and (3) disseminate research findings, best practices, and resources via newsletters, online portals, webinars, and workshops.
The Board comprises designees from 18 federal entities—including the Departments of the Interior, Agriculture, Commerce, Homeland Security, Interior bureaus (Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service), Forest Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Institute of Standards and Technology, U.S. Geological Survey, Office of Science and Technology Policy, National Science Foundation, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Environmental Protection Agency—plus not more than 18 non-federal members appointed by the Secretary of the Interior from state, local, and tribal governments; fire departments; private-sector entities (e.g., codes organizations, prescribed fire associations); researchers in wildfire, forest health, or ecological restoration; public health experts; meteorological scientists; and predictive modeling experts.
Non-federal members serve 2-year terms without compensation but receive travel expenses and per diem. The chairperson rotates annually among designees of the Secretaries of the Interior, Agriculture, and Commerce (with option to designate another). The Board may appoint staff paid up to level V of the Executive Schedule ($172,100 in CY2024) and detail federal employees without reimbursement.