203 



ment agencies will be amended without the public input required by NEPA, 

 FLPMA, and other federal statutes. 



Let me remind this committee that FLPMA specifically requires that there be 

 "meaningful participation" by local groups in the development of Federal Land Man- 

 agement plans. That means more than holding a few "token" public meetings. 



Is has also been reported to me that in a couple of the public meetings, federal 

 officials have lead local groups into believing that they should accept what the re- 

 sults of this project are going to be even if it hurts them economically, or if they 

 face the possibility of having all access to public resources cut off. In other words, 

 "this way or the hi-way." It is this type of intimidation that this committee needs 

 to scope further. In fact, I do not see Jack Ward Thomas, or Steve Mealy on the 

 witness list today — but I hope we can get them here before us sometime soon so 

 we can ask them about these t3T)e of incidents. 



Mr. Chairman, my third concern has to do with the massive expenditures of this 

 project, both in terms of direct discretionary spending and economic and social costs. 

 The agencies have already spent over $30 million in unauthorized taxpayer dollars 

 to fund this project — and Like many of the "biological assessments" we are seeing 

 in the northwest, only have a mountain of paper to show for their efforts. In addi- 

 tion, money has been ciphened away from other on the ground management prac- 

 tices of the BLM and Forest Service to pay for this undertaking, causing the agen- 

 cies to fall short in carrying out their regular missions. 



As for the economic and social costs — if this project were allowed to come to a 

 record of decision, and the various range and forest plans were to be amended, we 

 would certainly see a dramatic reduction in traditional resource activities in logging, 

 grazing, and mining. This will have a devastating impact on the economies and live- 

 lihoods who depend on these traditional activities. In addition, because private prop- 

 erty is spread out throughout our public lands in the west much like a checker- 

 board, this project will have an effect on the usage of private property, and could 

 drive down further the value of private land. 



Finally, Mr. Chairman, we must take a hard look at the feasibility of applying 

 a "one size" fit for an area roughly the size of Texas that contains numerous forests 

 and terrains. Again, we are getting away from the absolute necessity of tailoring 

 land management plans according to the specific biological and economical needs of 

 a particular area. It makes one wonder whether this project really has anjrthing to 

 do with sound science, but more to do with a single-minded vision held by an elite 

 few of how we manage our resources. 



As you see, Mr. Chairman, there are a number of issues that we need to examine 

 just on ICBEMP alone. I am looking forward to the chance of addressing many of 

 them at this hearing. I strongly believe that Congress needs to assert itself once 

 again in this and other issues. How we manage our resources is so vital for the eco- 

 nomic and social need especially for those in the west, that it needs to be left up 

 to those who are accountable for their decisions — and that is the people chosen rep- 

 resentatives of Congress, not unselected bureaucrats. 



Mr. Hansen. I agree with the gentlelady. I know of no one who 

 takes a more active part in the Forest Service management than 

 Mr. Merger and yourself and I compliment both of you. 



Mr. Herger, would you like to join us on the dais? You have other 

 things to do, but if you would like to join us, you would be welcome. 



Mr. Herger. I would appreciate that very much, Mr. Chairman. 

 Thank you. 



Mr. Hansen. Thank you. 



Mr. David Unger, Associate Chief, Forest Service, U.S. Depart- 

 ment of Agriculture. 



Would you like to introduce the people that are with you? Mr. 

 Unger, we appreciate for the record knowing who they are and 

 what they do. 



