The forest service's roads policy: assuring wildlife habitat quality

摘要

Three years ago there was a dialogue that the USDA Forest Service had lost sight of its mission. The dialogue was present at congressional hearings and within the organization about the fact that the Service had somehow lost its way. I've got to tell you, I never once believed that. We were caught in the middle of a significant social debate. The Forest Service was the wrestling mat for the debate over resource management. This agency has been at the forefront of our natural resource management debate for a long time. We have crafted the natural resources agenda, and I want to thank the leadership of the Forest Service who developed the agenda with me over time. That agenda re-affirmed our focus on ecosystem-based management toward our multiple use mission. It re-affirmed our commitment to our roots, our commitment to caring for the land, our commitment for serving people, our commitment for sustainability, and our commitment to conservation. This natural resources agenda has four elements: watershed health and restoration; sustainable forest and grassland ecosystem management; roads; and recreation. I no longer hear concerns about a confused mission. There may be those that disagree with the direction, but I hope we have eliminated much of theconfusion.