Conflict in Our National Forests The War between Science and Politics
by Robert W. Schramek
The conflict in the title refers to both the contest between the competing philosophies of pro-active management of our forests versus preservation of public lands; and the undue influence of political pressure from succeeding administrations in closing management options to our Forest officials. The Forest Service has been under siege by special interests who favor preservation of our forests. At question is the basic purpose of National Forest Management: Should these lands be preserved as wilderness and wildlife preserves, or should they be managed to continue to produce renewable resources for the use of our citizens? Or can we find a suitable balance between these extremes to keep forest ecosystems healthy while protecting fragile areas of the forest, and still provide a flow of renewable natural resource commodities? What management policies will best serve all of our people, while providing a sustainable flow of benefits to all?
Each change to a new president and his administration has resulted in policies changing the answers to this pressing question. The political pressure has consistently trumped the professional forest managers’ plans, and this has usually been to the disadvantage of the taxpayer and citizen-owner of our public forests.
The author reviews the history and the changing role of political influence in the past management of our National Forests over the past half century from his personal experiences. He concludes by offering ways to bring our National Forests back into pro-active management to better serve our citizens and the economy of our nation.