16 



FACIUTIES MAINTENANCE 



The R^on's Fire, Administrative, and Other (FA&O) facilities continue to dete- 

 riorate. There is a backlog of projects that will require several years of maintenance 

 to bring to standard. In addition, the recent enactment of the Americans with Dis- 

 abiUties Act has placed high emphasis on accessibility to all buildings. 



The Forest Service wbuld provide basic maintenance and correct some of the 

 major accessibility deficiencies in existing Forest Service buildings, primarily offices, 

 and other locations where the public is served. 



RECREATION CONSTRUCTION 



The Pacific Northwest Region has identified a large number of ma^or recreation 

 reconstruction projects, including the need to meet the accessibility guidelines of the 

 Americans with Disabilities Act. 



The Forest Service is placing emphasis on mtgor rehabilitation of sites that have 

 deteriorated over time due to heavy use and deferred maintenance. Water and 

 sewer systems which do not meet environmental standards will be replaced and ac- 

 cess within developed recreation sites will be improved and upgraded. Facilities will 

 be reconstructed to bring them up to the Land and Water Conservation Fund stand- 

 ards for user fee collections. Existing facilities will be rehabilitated to protect the 

 health and safety of forest visitors and past capital investment will be preserved. 



The Forest Service is also helping to support the rural economic development in 

 those communities most affected by the changes in the management of National 

 Forests. In the last three years, we have taken a very proactive approach in reach- 

 ing out to the commimities in the Pacific Northwest. We are committed to assisting 

 these communities to diversify their economy. We have seen many successes during 

 the short time frame and will continue to assist these communities in their revital- 

 ization efforts. 



The Forest Service has identified a larger amount of work needed to enhance and 

 protect the Nation's natural resources and infrastructure. We can make major con- 

 tributions to help distressed communities in the Pacific Northwest. The people of 

 the Pacific Northwest would benefit from the jobs which could be provided on the 

 National Forests. There would be a reduction in the accumulating backlogs, and res- 

 toration and rehabilitation work would be accomplished. The infrastructure that 

 supports our National Forest System programs would be improved. It has been 

 through such programs in the past that we have been able to maintain support fa- 

 cilities as well as contribute toward improving the aualitv of our Nation's resources. 



Mr. Chairman, this concludes my prepared remarks. I'll be glad to respond to any 

 questions you or members of the Subcommittee may have. 



Mr. Vento. We will withhold our questions until we hear from 

 the other witnesses. Thank you, Chief, for summarizing your state- 

 ment. 



We invite Mike Penfold to make his statement at this time. 



STATEMENT OF MICHAEL PENFOLD 



Mr. Penfold. Yes, Mr. Chairman. We are pleased to be here, 

 and I can say that we have the same kind of opportunities on the 

 public lands as Chief Robertson discussed. I will be happy to sum- 

 marize our remarks and concentrate on the forest development pro- 

 gram for ^ust a few minutes. 



We believe as do the 18 western Oregon counties that share the 

 receipts from these lands with the Federal Government that these 

 forests are healthy and productive. A lot of work needs to be done 

 in some areas. The key factors contributing to this have been good 

 stewardship and public investment. The O&C Act provides for 75 

 percent of the receipts to go to the counties. However, in 1952 the 

 counties returned 25 percent of the receipts, amounting to over $1 

 billion, to the Federal Government to be reinvested in development 

 and management of these lands. 



We consider the reforestation and forest development programs 

 to be of the highest priority, and are proud of the success that we 



