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Fee Programs

Not minding the forests

By J. Robb Brady - Idaho Falls Post-Register; Nov. 2, 2000

The U.S. Forest Service thinks it must cover its costs by forging recreation partnerships with corporations. That's understandable, given how Congress has shortchanged the agency. But it threatens to give corporations and manufacturing groups too great a say in management of the forests - while transforming the Forest Service into mere overseers. That could lead to neglect of a national resource. It puts private commercial groups in a position to influence how national forests are managed in the future.

In a recent memo to regional supervisors, Forest Service Chief Mike Dombeck outlined the agenda this way: Keep building recreation fees under the four-year-old recreation fee demonstration project. And find ways to install new franchises or concessions "from the private sector." The Forest Service already has identified "trade association partners."

Forest Service staffs are being cut in almost all the national forests.

"Congress and the administration have identified the need to reduce the size and scope of government," Dombeck wrote. "How we manage the forests has shifted. We must effectively utilize our employees as program administrators and adjust to leaner government."

Unfortunately, this "leaner" approach leaves less time for Forest Service staff to get out into the field. Compounding this problem are the nation's environmental laws. While they have broad support, they create a blizzard of paperwork - which again forces Forest Service staff members to spend more time at their desks.

Hence, the need to come up with more resources - from the private sector.

Where could this lead? Will we see national forest campgrounds operated by the National Motor Home or Vehicle Trailer Manufacturers Associations?

Will we see the Forest Service bargaining with the National Ski Resort Owners Association and extending the association's clout over the nation's ski mountains?

Will national forest trailheads have trail signs sponsored by Suzuki Trail Cycle Manufacturers or the Head Cross Country Ski Co.?

Will there be a shadow corporate government calling too many management shots on the national forests?

The Forest Service thinks this is not going to happen. But no one is sure how the Forest Service will operate its new agenda to establish corporate recreation partners over the nation.

For seven years, Congress has been downsizing federal land management agencies. That's created a new set of problems on the national forests.

Turning to corporate interests for help does not augur well for sustaining America's treasured national forests. They belong to the people, not corporations.