The committee of
scientists that was convened by Agriculture
Secretary Dan Glickman in December 1997, unveiled
its report March 15, during a media roundtable.
Forest Service Chief Mike Dombeck and Jim Lyons,
the USDA undersecretary for natural resources and
environment, presided. The committee was
tasked to recommend ways the Forest Service can
better manage its forests and grasslands.
The scientists said in their report that
sustainability--the preservation of plants,
animals and habitats-- should be the first
priority in managing Forest Service natural
resources. They also recommended more
partnerships with outside groups such as
industry, recreation, environmental as well as
other government agencies, in making management
decisions.
Many of these recommendations are already
Forest Service policy. However, the Forest
Service intends to use the scientists' report as
a framework for new forest planning regulations
which are expected to be proposed this summer.
On March 16, the scientists unveiled its
report during a roundtable discussion with Forest
Service constituent groups. Then on March 17, the
scientists presented the report in another
roundtable forum with Forest Service employees.
All of the meetings were held in Washington, D.C.
Along with doing extensive research, the group
of 13 scientists held forums in each region of
the country, gathering information from Forest
Service employees, tribal representatives,
members of state and local governments, other
federal agencies and the public.
