History - R. Max Peterson, 11th Chief, 1979-1987

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Max Peterson was the first non forester (first engineer) chief named to head the Forest Service. He served during a time of increasing turmoil and criticism of the Forest Service. Major concerns during his era were the establishment of regulations for implementing the National Forest Management Act of 1976, dealing with the aftermath of the RARE II decision, the "timber depression" and housing slump of the early 1980s, rapidly rising concern about the use of herbicides and pesticides on the national forests, various wilderness bills before Congress, growing concern about old growth logging, below cost sales (especially in Alaska), and threatened and endangered species. In addition, funding was reduced for the agency, which resulted in substantial reduction in the number of Forest Service employees. Public trust of the Forest Service to effectively manage the national forests fell to record lows just at the time when it was needed most.

R. Max Peterson wrote: The public's sudden interest in environmental and resource issues in the 1960's and 1970's is well known to all of you. The national forests were of particular interest and concern for several reasons. National forests are located in 44 states and within a 1 day drive of 90 percent of the U.S. population. They provide more outdoor recreation, more hunting and fishing, more timber harvest, more hydroelectric power, and more wilderness than any other public or private land system. In addition, they are a source of high quality water and a number of important and strategic minerals, and provide significant domestic livestock grazing. In short, the resources of these lands are wanted by a large number of diverse users who see them as critical to meeting their future needs. Many also see their own desired use as either exclusive of other potential users or at least incompatible with them. In any language, that spells controversy.