Introduction
USDA Forest Service
The Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, provides leadership in the management, protection, and use of the Nation's forests and rangelands. The agency takes an ecological approach to the implementation of multiple-use management, providing sustained yields of renewable resources such as water, forage, wildlife, wood, and recreation. The Forest Service has embraced ecosystem management as its operating philosophy and is committed to the preservation of wilderness, biodiversity, and landscape beauty as well as the protection of the basic resources of soil, water, and air quality.
The Forest Service is responsible for the 191.8-million-acre National Forest System, with its 155 national forests and 20 grasslands in 44 States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. Also, the agency works with State land management organizations to help private landowners apply good natural resource management practices on their lands. The International Forestry program of the Forest Service enables the agency to share and receive technical expertise and managerial skills with other nations. The Research and Development (R&D) program of the Forest Service provides the best scientific information and management tools to maintain and restore ecosystem health and enhance productivity on all of America's forests for the long term. The R&D mission also includes a leadership role in international conservation by disseminating state-of-the-art knowledge and technology.
Key laws guiding Forest Service programs and activities are:
 | Organic Administration Act of 1897. |
| Clarke-McNary Act of 1924. |
| McSweeny-McNary Act of 1928. |
| Multiple-Use Sustained Yield Act of 1960. |
| The Wilderness Act of 1964. |
| National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. |
| Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act (RPA) of 1974, as amended. |
| National Forest Management Act (NFMA) of 1976. |
| Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Research Act of 1978, as amended. |
| Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978. |
| Chief Financial Officer's Act of 1990. |
| Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (Farm Bill). |
| International Forestry Cooperation Act of 1990. |
| Government Performance and Results Act of 1993. |
| Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996. |
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape,e tc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD).
To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice or TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
