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At the Sequoia Syrt^josivun held in Visalia in 1992, attended by 

 scientists, professional resource managers, and others 

 concerned with protecting the groves, there was consensus among 

 professionals and scientists that management is the best course 

 if the groves are to be perpetuated. Some combination of 

 silvicultural treatments, prescribed fire, and other measures 

 could best ensure survival emd long term viability of giant 

 sequoia. 



The risk to the groves from severe wildfire is the concern most 

 often mentioned by scientists and professionals who favor 

 active management. Although fire effects differ widely, 

 periodic burning is em essential ecological process in 

 fire -adapted ecosystems such as the mixed conifer and giant 

 sequoia forests found within the lands affected by H.R. 2153. 



Excluding or greatly reducing natural fire within the sequoia 

 groves and surrounding mixed conifer forests has had two 

 undesirable effects. The first is unnaturally high fuel 

 accumulations. The natural fire regime of frequent, 

 low- intensity fires removed fuels and understory vegetation 

 with little risk to the larger trees. Current unnaturally high 

 fuel accvimulations can lead to intense wildfires that are 

 extremely difficult to control, with potentially disastrous 

 consequences for the sequoias and unacceptable risks to people 

 and property. 



