178 



have already been proven by established research to be some of the worst 

 steps to take when considering the health of our forests. 



In addition to the biological information regarding the Sequoia National 

 Forest, we also take exception to the mandated steps suggested in areas of 

 recreation and how such steps will affect private property and how the public 

 enjoys and uses our public lands. In fact, though the largest users of the 

 National Forest are recreationists, the nine-member panel that recommends the 

 management of this preserve lacks anyone representing recreation. 



The bill also ignores the input and interaction of the general public, 

 though the area in question is designated as public lands. It overturns models 

 of community cooperation when it tosses aside the 1990 Mediated Land 

 Management Plan. This plan was signed and endorsed by such groups as the 

 Sierra Club, The Wilderness Society, Save-the-Redwoods League and 18 

 other groups. 



Even the Forest Service is mandated by Congress through the Land 

 Management Act and the Environmental Policy Act to allow for community 

 interaction when determining how it will manage the forest. HR2153 ignores 

 that mandate and ultimately places the entire fate of our forests in the hands of 

 one man, the Secretary of Agriculture. Though we may currently trust Mr. 

 Espy's decisions, it is a dangerous thing to put forest management directions in 

 the hands of any one man. 



It is interesting to note that the scientific field, the 

 National Forest and .Park Services, and environmental 

 groups are all supporting "ecosystem" management. 

 Yet, this bill attempts to break up the ecosystem and 

 have one small pocket of the Sierra Nevadas managed 

 by a small group of men. To quote the National Wildlife 

 Federation from their February, 1994 issue, "It's the 

 Ecosystem, stupid." 



PRESIDENTIAL SUMMARY 



This past summer at the Forest Conference in Portland, Oregon, 

 President Clinton listed five principles that should guide the work involved in 

 managing our forests and balancing the issues of timber and environment. He 

 stated them as follows: 



"First, we must never forget the human and economic dimensions of 

 these problems. Where sound management policies can preserve the health of 

 forest lands, sales should go forward. Where this requirement cannot be met, 

 we need to do our best to offer new economic opportunities for year-round, 

 high-wage, high-skill jobs. 



