38 



had many town meetings out there. We are building upon all of the 

 efforts that have led us to this point. You know, people are de- 

 manding that government act, and I think you are doing a good 

 job. I like your testimony here, and I think you are moving along, 

 and I think you are meeting the expectations of the American peo- 

 ple. We have got a lot of work to do, as you know. I have got com- 

 munities in crisis because of this backlog, and I'm trying to deal 

 with that, and I'm willing to take the heat on it. I just woke up 

 to this this morning, and I thought, "My goodness, what imbeliev- 

 able timing." 



But I think my time has expired. I want to invite both the BLM 

 and the Forest Service to work with me further on the development 

 of H.R. 229. We are not there yet, but things are changing rapidly, 

 and I certainly invite you to do that. Chief, and Mr. Penfold and 

 the BLM. 



Mr. Vento. I just want to ask a few more questions myself. I was 

 brief in my questions, but if others have a question, just let me 

 know as we are in the process here. 



Chief, your statement on movement from a plantation-like treat- 

 ment is music to my ears and I think really serves as a signal to 

 a changed attitude with regard to implementation of something 

 called new forestry, which I know came out last year, and it is very 

 encouraging to recognize that. 



Of course, given this particular posture — and hopefully Congress 

 will be supportive of it — I think we have a potential to avoid a lot 

 of the proDlems and put the Forest Service and the BLM back in 

 charge of managing the forests. Obviously, all of us want to try to 

 define and refine what ecosystem management is, which is difficult 

 to do, but I certainly support that particular thrust myself, and I 

 think the majority does in the House and Senate. 



Today, as I said, I need the base numbers. We need that in terms 

 of focusing. You pointed out. Chief, that you have 429,000 acres 

 that could use pre-commercial thinning, and other types of work 

 would even be expanded over that in terms of watershed restora- 

 tion and so forth, would they not? 



Mr. Robertson. Yes, they would. 



Mr. Vento. I have got some numbers here in terms opportuni- 

 ties, but could you give us numbers in terms of acreage with regard 

 to some of those activities as well at some point, if not today? 



Mr. Robertson. Yes, we would be happy to do that. 



[The information follows:] 



