http://www.fs.fed.us/ US Forest Service news and other information en-us WASHINGTON, Dec. 28, 2005-Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns announced today the USDA is responding quickly to calls for assistance with the wildfires currently burning in Texas and Oklahoma. Ed Loyd 2005-12-28 WASHINGTON, Dec. 21, 2005-Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today announced that more than $380 million will be distributed to 41 states and Puerto Rico for improvements to public schools and roads. Heidi Valetkevitch 2005-12-21 http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2005/releases/12/hank-kashdan.shtml WASHINGTON, Dec. 21, 2005-USDA Forest Service Chief Dale Bosworth today announced the selection of Hank Kashdan as deputy chief for business operations. Press Office 2005-12-21 WASHINGTON, Dec. 20, 2005-U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service today announced $150,000 in financial assistance to the State of Idaho for developing a petition to the Secretary of Agriculture regarding the management of inventoried roadless areas in the state. Dan Jiron 2005-12-20 http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2005/releases/12/oil-gas-proposal.shtml WASHINGTON, Dec. 12, 2005-U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service today announced a proposal to improve the environmental review process for oil and gas exploration and development projects under federal lease in national forests and grasslands. Public comments are being invited on the proposal for 60 days. Press Office 2005-12-12 WASHINGTON, Nov. 17, 2005-The departments of the Interior, Commerce, and Agriculture announced today new Interim Final Rules to improve licensing procedures for hydropower while protecting threatened and endangered fish species, water quality, and federal and tribal resources. The rules mark the first time that the three departments have established joint procedures for dispute resolution regarding hydropower licensing. Press Office 2005-11-17 http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2005/releases/11/hubbard.shtml WASHINGTON, Nov. 15, 2005-U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service Chief Dale Bosworth today announced the selection of Jim Hubbard as deputy chief for state and private forestry. Press Office 2005-11-15 http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2005/releases/11/road-safety.shtml WASHINGTON, Nov. 15, 2005-The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service was recognized today by the Roadway Safety Foundation and the Federal Highway Administration for an innovative road safety project implemented after a major outbreak of wildfires in Montana. Press Office 2005-11-15 http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2005/releases/11/travel-management.shtml WASHINGTON, Nov. 2, 2005-U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service today announced a new regulation for recreational motor vehicle use in national forests and grasslands which will forge a sustainable system of routes and areas designated for motorized use in the future. Press Office 2005-11-02 http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2005/releases/10/conservation-program.shtml WASHINGTON, Oct. 12, 2005-Students across the world can now experience America's rain forests without ever stepping outside their classrooms-thanks to an interactive conservation education program developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, the Prince William Network and a host of other partners. Press Office 2005-10-12 http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2005/releases/10/two-positions.shtml WASHINGTON, Oct. 4, 2005-U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service Chief Dale Bosworth recently announced two personnel selections for the national headquarters. Kathy Burgers will head the human resources management staff and Sam Foster will lead the resource valuation and use research staff. Press Office 2005-10-04 http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2005/releases/10/dave-cleaves.shtml WASHINGTON, Oct. 4, 2005-U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service Chief Dale Bosworth recently selected Dave Cleaves to lead the agency's Rocky Mountain Research Station (Fort Collins, Colo.). Cleaves is currently the director of the resource valuation and use research staff here in the national headquarters. Press Office 2005-10-04 WASHINGTON Sept. 22, 2005-Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today said USDA has deployed personnel and resources to assist the efforts by federal, state and local authorities in preparation prior to Hurricane Rita's landfall. Terri Teuber 2005-09-22 http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2005/releases/09/public-lands-day.shtml WASHINGTON, Sept. 22, 2005-In recognition of the 12th annual National Public Lands Day, U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service will waive day-use fees at hundreds of its recreation sites nationwide on Sat., Sept. 24th. In addition, volunteers can participate in more than 600 restoration projects occurring this weekend across public lands. Press Office 2005-09-22 WASHINGTON, Sept. 16, 2005-Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today announced the selection of members to the Roadless Area Conservation National Advisory Committee. This committee will provide advice and recommendations on implementing the state petitions for Inventoried Roadless Area Management Rule adopted by USDA in May of 2005. Dan Jiron 2005-09-16 WASHINGTON, Sept. 15, 2005-Scientists from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service today reported that Hurricane Katrina damaged or destroyed approximately 19 billion board feet of timber spread over five million acres in Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana. Dan Jiron 2005-09-15 WASHINGTON, Sept. 8, 2005-U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service today announced $115,000 in assistance to the State of Colorado for developing a petition to the Secretary of Agriculture to protect inventoried roadless areas in the state. Ed Loyd 2005-09-08 WASHINGTON, Sept. 5, 2005-Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today issued two directives to further meet the food and housing needs of Hurricane Katrina survivors. Ed Loyd 2005-09-05 Washington, Sept.3, 2005-The USDA Forest Service is taking another step to assist survivors of Hurricane Katrina by temporarily rescinding the fee requirement for campgrounds and the 14-day stay limit for camping on some National Forest System lands in the Southern Region. Daniel Jiron 2005-09-03 WASHINGTON, Sept. 2, 2005-Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today announced that USDA has deployed personnel and resources to assist the efforts by federal, state and local authorities in response to Hurricane Katrina. Ed Loyd 2005-09-02 ST. LOUIS, Mo., Aug. 29, 2005-Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today announced USDA accomplishments and initiatives during a keynote address at the White House Conference on Cooperative Conservation that will help to set the course for a new era of conservation in the 21st century. Heidi Valetkevitch 2005-08-29 http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2005/releases/08/corbin-newman.shtml WASHINGTON, Aug. 26, 2005-U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service Chief Dale Bosworth today announced the appointment of Corbin Newman as director of forest management. Joe Walsh 2005-08-26 http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2005/releases/08/grazing-permit.shtml WASHINGTON, Aug. 16, 2005-U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service today released for public comment new direction for grazing permit administration. Chapters 10 and 20 in the grazing permit administration handbook, issued previously on July 19, 2005, are being withdrawn. Press Office 2005-08-16 http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2005/releases/07/zimmermann-director.shtml WASHINGTON, July 29, 2005-U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service Chief Dale Bosworth today appointed Anne Zimmermann as the director of the agency's office for watershed, fish, wildlife, air and rare plants. Zimmermann is currently the deputy director of the office and has served as its acting director for the past year. Press Office 2005-07-29 http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2005/releases/07/southern-region.shtml WASHINGTON, July 25, 2005-U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service Chief Dale Bosworth today selected Charles (Chuck) Myers to lead the Southern Region as its regional forester in Atlanta, Ga. The Southern Region encompasses 13 states and Puerto Rico, and covers more than 12.6 million acres. Press Office 2005-07-25 http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2005/releases/07/lei-director.shtml WASHINGTON, July 20, 2005-U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service Chief Dale Bosworth today selected John Twiss to head the agency's law enforcement and investigations branch. Press Office 2005-07-20 WASHINGTON, Thurs., June 23, 2005-U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service is featured this year as part of the Smithsonian Institution's 39th annual Folklife Festival, showcasing Forest Service occupational culture and heritage during its centennial year and highlighting the many unique contributions the Forest Service and its more than 30,000 employees have made to the nation. Heidi Valetkevitch 2005-06-23 http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2005/releases/06/recreation-fee.shtml WASHINGTON, June 9, 2005-U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service today announced significant adjustments to its recreation fee sites nationwide, removing hundreds of day use sites from the fee program, which will result in a higher quality recreation experience for the American public. Press Office 2005-06-02 WASHINGTON, June 2, 2005-Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today announced $4.4 million in grants to 20 small enterprises in 12 states to develop innovative uses for woody biomass in national forests as sources of renewable energy and new products. Heidi Valetkevitch 2005-06-02 WASHINGTON, May 26, 2005-Federal firefighting agency leaders today said they have a sufficient mix of aerial resources to meet this fire season. This announcement follows preliminary results of a study on P2V airtankers, which showed that they could be used in the upcoming fire season. Ed Loyd 2005-05-26 http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2005/releases/05/research-program.shtml WASHINGTON, May 26, 2005-U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service Chief Dale Bosworth today appointed Dr. Deanna J. Stouder as the national director of wildlife, fish, watershed and air research. Press Office 2005-05-25 CASTLE ROCK, Wash., May 18, 2005-Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today announced $863,114 in federal grants to 13 organizations for Urban and Community Forestry. The organizations will match those funds with an additional $1,001,533. Willette Squire 2005-05-18 WASHINGTON, May 5, 2005-Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today announced a final rule that invites input from state governors in the conservation and management direction for inventoried roadless areas within national forests. Dan Jiron 2005-05-05 http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2005/releases/05/headquarters-positions.shtml WASHINGTON, May 2, 2005-U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service Chief Dale Bosworth today announced the selections for two national leadership positions at its headquarters office here. Kent Connaughton has been selected as associate deputy chief of state and private forestry and Greg Smith has been named as director of the lands staff. Press Office 2005-05-01 http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2005/releases/05/weingardt.shtml WASHINGTON, May 2, 2005-U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service Chief Dale Bosworth today announced Bernie Weingardt as regional forester of the agency's Pacific Southwest Region after Jack Blackwell's announcement to retire 40 years after starting work with the Forest Service. Press Office 2005-05-01 WASHINGTON, April 29, 2005-Agriculture Under Secretary Mark Rey joined American Forests this Arbor Day to announce a reforestation partnership between the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service and American Forests, a not-for-profit organization, supported by Coleman Natural Foods. Heidi Valetkevitch 2005-04-29 ELLENDALE, Minn., April 22, 2005-Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today announced that more than 830,000 acres of wetlands have been restored, created, protected and improved through the cooperative conservation efforts of federal and state governments, private landowners and nongovernmental organizations since President Bush announced his Wetlands Initiative on Earth Day one year ago. Ed Loyd 2005-04-22 http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2005/releases/04/forest-management.shtml WASHINGTON, April 6, 2005-U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service Chief Dale Bosworth today announced the appointment of Charles (Chuck) Myers as director of forest management. Press Office 2005-04-06 http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2005/releases/03/planning-directives.shtml WASHINGTON, March 17, 2005-The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service today issued the proposed administrative policy for implementing its new planning regulation, which governs the 155 national forests and 20 grasslands. The public will have 90 days to comment on the policy. Press Office 2005-03-17 http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2005/releases/03/helicopter-statement.shtml A helicopter flight carrying two Forest Service employees and a pilot under contract with the agency yesterday afternoon crashed in southeast Texas. Charles Edgar, fire management officer on the Sabine National Forest, John Greeno, Bald Mountain heliport manager with the Mi-Wok Ranger District on the Stanislaus National Forest in California, and Jose Victor Gonzalez, a pilot with the Brainerd Company in Minnesota, all perished in the crash. The Forest Service employees were conducting a prescribed burning operation in the Sabine National Forest. Press Office 2005-03-11 http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2005/releases/03/aircraft-accident.shtml KALISPELL, MONT., Mar. 9, 2005-The Forest Service today released its report into the Sept. 20 crash of a Forest Service-chartered aircraft in which three people died and two survived. The agency will implement several administrative changes recommended by the accident investigation team to prevent a similar tragedy from occurring. Ed Nesselroad 2005-03-09 http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2005/releases/02/international-bottled-water.shtml BERKELEY SPRINGS, W.Va., Feb. 25, 2005-U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service and the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) today unveiled a new educational conservation tool to promote awareness of the importance of healthy watersheds, and other essential information about clean water sources. Press Office 2005-02-25 http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2005/releases/02/holtrop.shtml WASHINGTON, Feb. 23, 2005-U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service Chief Dale Bosworth today announced the appointment of Joel Holtrop as deputy chief of the National Forest System. Holtrop, currently serving as deputy chief of State and Private Forestry, will replace Tom Thompson, who is retiring next month after 37 years with the service. Press Office 2005-02-23 ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., Feb. 16, 2005-The U.S. Departments of Agriculture and the Interior and the National Association of State Foresters have announced the winners of the third-annual National Fire Plan awards. Ed Loyd 2005-02-16 President Bush continued to build on the legacy of cooperative conservation established in his first term by supporting programs in the 2006 budget that promote partnerships with the American people to conserve our nation's land and water, wildlife and other natural resources. Ed Loyd 2005-02-09 http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2005/releases/02/grazing-fee.shtml WASHINGTON, Feb. 7, 2005-The grazing fee for Western public lands administered by the Agriculture Department's Forest Service and the Interior Department's Bureau of Land Management will be $1.79 per animal unit month (AUM) in 2005, up from $1.43 in 2004. The newly adjusted fee, which takes effect March 1, applies to more than 18,000 grazing permits and leases administered by the BLM and more than 8,000 permits administered by the Forest Service. Press Office 2005-02-07 WASHINGTON, Feb. 3, 2005-Agriculture Under Secretary Mark Rey and Interior Assistant Secretary Lynn Scarlett today announced that President Bush is including more than $867 million in the fiscal year 2006 budget to continue implementation of his Healthy Forests Initiative. Rebecca Aus 2005-02-03 WASHINGTON, January 19, 2005-Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman today announced the selection of five new members to USDA's National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council (NUCFAC). Their terms begin immediately and will continue until Dec. 31, 2007. Alisa Harrison 2005-01-19 http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2005/releases/01/centennial.shtml WASHINGTON, Jan. 3, 2005-U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service today launched its 100th year of service caring for the nation's forests and grasslands with a historic Centennial Congress. More than 500 delegates are expected to attend the four-day summit, which aims to initiate a national dialogue on the critical challenges facing America's forests. Press Office 2005-01-03