1998 Report of the Forest Service

Chief's Message

America's public land legacy is the envy of the world. These hundreds of millions of acres of land and water are the source of opportunity for unparalleled outdoor recreation, drinking water, vast expanses of wildlife habitat, and environmentally responsible economic activity. As land stewards, Forest Service employees throughout the Nation work hand-in-hand with a wide variety of partners to sustain the health, productivity and diversity of these valuable resources.

About half way through the fiscal year, in March 1998, I introduced the agency's natural resource agenda. Resource specialists and managers throughout the agency responded enthusiastically and began to implement the concepts and principles of this vision within the existing framework. In future years we will continue to make more direct links between agenda priorities, budgets, and accomplishments.

Our natural resource agenda helps us focus on the spirit of the Forest Service mission, "Caring for the Land and Serving People." This includes an emphasis on watershed protection and restoration, sustainable forest management, improved management of the National Forest road system, and recreation. The first section of this report sets the stage by summarizing the existing situation, and describing how we intend to manage for healthy, diverse, and productive lands and waters.

Along with other agencies throughout the Federal Government, the Forest Service is striving to become more accountable for what we do, and how we do it. In the past year we continued to make progress in improving our financial and business operations, which in turn contributes to better resource management.

The Government Performance and Results Act is the mechanism by which we are implementing the natural resource agenda in an efficient, effective, and customer-service- driven manner. Our progress in implementing a variety of resource restoration and enhancement activities is described in the report.

In all we do, our effectiveness is improved by working in a collaborative manner with all who care about the Forest Service and its many programs and services. I commit to each of you who use and care about these lands that our guiding principle will be to protect and enhance this land legacy for future generations. Let us know how we are doing.

MIKE DOMBECK

Chief