Ill 



6 



that may be part of the National Park System, State Park 

 System, or other o*raerships and stressing cooperative 

 management efforts, this bill would segregate out and prescribe 

 management for a portion of two National Forests. 



We have already initiated two inportajit scientific efforts that 

 when con?5leted, will greatly add to our knowledge of ecosystems 

 in the Sierras; the Sierra Nevada Ecosystem Project smd the 

 California Spotted Owl Environmental In5)act Statement. The 

 information from these efforts is essential in developing 

 successful management strategies on an ecosystem-wide basis. 



The Sierra Nevada Ecosystem Project is a con^irehensive 

 ecosystem study by ain independent panel of scientists, 

 integrating state-of -the-science knowledge on the biological, 

 physical, arid socio-economic environment. It will be used to 

 develop management strategies to maintain ecosystem health ajid 

 sustainability, while providing resources to meet human needs. 



The California Spotted Owl EIS process was initiated in March 

 1993. Alternatives are being analyzed for managing California 

 Spotted Owl habitat on 10 forests in the Sierran Province, 

 including the Sequoia cund Sierra National Forests. A draft EIS 

 is expected to be availa±)le for public review and comment this 

 Slimmer. We believe the findings from these two in^ortaint 

 efforts need to be considered before long-term strategies are 

 implemented. 



