Multiple Use Sustained Yield Act of 1960

[abercrombie]

Sent in to the Ab account by Gizmo:

Multiple Use Sustained Yield Act of 1960:

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

That 16 U.S.C.528, it is the policy of the Congress that the national forests are established and shall be administered for outdoor recreation, range, timber, watershed, and wildlife and fish purposes. The purposes of this Act are declared to be supplemental to, but not in derogation of, the purposes for which the national forests were established as set forth in the Act of June 4, 1897 (16 U.S.C. 475).

Ref:

Forest Reserve Act of 1891

Land Revision Act of 1891

16 U.S.C. 475: Watershed Management Act

[forkinthetrail]

if one studies the history and mandates of the United States Forest Service, and as others suggest - "follow the money," it is really quite simple to see why the agency is in this conundrum. Timber was king. Timber receipts from the sale of BILLIONS of board feet annually not only added 75% of its profit to the US Treasury, but also 25% to local counties and schools.

When the FS was forced out of the timber business beginning in the early 1980's - the "profits" went to lawsuits fighting in the courts with the enviro-attorneys - until the timber attorney's fought back - bottom line: no timber got sold and the government federal deficit increased because somehow these lawsuits had to be paid for. Where at once the Forest Service provided a net income to the Treasury, now we are a liability reliant on the fickle finger of the federal budget. This Was and IS the paradigm shift that changed the culture of the Forest Service.

I would rather see the Forest Service fulfill its mission to maintain the integral ecology of the planet and ensure that these primary sinks of oxygen, water and clean air remain. FS is not a WUI machine. Let fire go to a federal, or contemporary fire service and let the forest service manage and administer the public trust.

We saw the culture change in the 1980's and it is here again in the 2010's. Get used to it. The solution is not in the past but the future. Give fire to those that want it and use fire only in the forests the way that nature intended it. The earth is more adaptable than its species. People and animals may not survive, but the forests will - with or without protection from fire - with or without fire protection from people.

Sorry, I'm just looking ahead.....

[arff]

forkinthetrail,

Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it.

- George Santayana


A responsible fire program is one of the best ways to manage lands and forests. Even the American Indians knew responsible use of fire would lead to better forest and grasslands.
Those who would shun and reject or at least reduce the ability's and response of FIRE would also be the first to lay responsibility on FIRE for not meeting the needs of the Forest.

[abercrombie]

from theysaid:

Regarding Founding Legislation and History of the Forest Service's Traditional Role: Forest Service at a Glance

<snip>
After World War II, the Forest Service worked with Congress to provide lumber for the rapidly growing home market. During the 1950s, timber management became an area of emphasis for the agency. Timber production increased through the 1960s and 1970s. In 1960, Congress passed the Multiple-Use Sustained-Yield Act. This act gave recreation, fish, wildlife, water, wilderness, and grazing priority, along with timber management, conservation and protection, and Forest Service resource planning.<snip>

Lobotomy