8 



Mr. Unger. I am not familiar with that particular situation, but 

 we know that throughout many parts of the country there are situ- 

 ations regarding a fire hazard that have resulted from exclusion of 

 fire in the past or where there has been encroachment of develop- 

 ment on what we call the urban wildland from the interface where 

 there are fire hazards introduced into that environment through 

 that kind of development. And we feel that we need to address both 

 those kinds of situations — forest health situations, as well as the 

 social and economic implications of that kind of development. 



Mr. Allard. I would suspect that there will be a report coming 

 out as to what is appropriate. I would like to have included as a 

 part of the committee record, if you would, an assessment as to 

 whether salvage operations would play a role after the fire, and 

 what sort of things that we could have done before the fire that 

 would have made it easier to control or maybe improved the for- 

 est's health. I would appreciate you making that a part of the com- 

 mittee record. 



Mr. Unger. We will certainly work with the regional forester and 

 provide that to you. 



Mr. Allard. Thank you. 



Mr. Hansen. I thank the gentleman. Mr. Unger, Jack Ward 

 Thomas recently went out West I notice, and I understand part of 

 the reason for the trip was on salvage sales. Can you tell us any- 

 thing you found out? 



Mr. Unger. He hasn't made a specific report to the staff or a 

 written report. I know that he was pleased with much of the 

 progress that he saw in responding to the requirements of the law 

 and the requirements of the Administration in carrying out the 

 law, but he has made no specific report. 



Mr. Hansen. We would appreciate it if you would mention to the 

 chief that we would be very appreciative to know what he found 

 out regarding that because it has been a very big issue with us and 

 this particular committee and the Full Committse and the Con- 

 gress. Over a year ago, the Administration stated with great con- 

 viction that Congress receive the Forest Service recommendation to 

 Congress for environmental law reform by June of 1995. I know it 

 was delivered to the Secretary, but what is holding it up? 



Mr. Unger. I can only say, Mr. Chairman, that the Secretary is 

 continuing to review the draft that we provided to him. 



Mr. Hansen. So he has had one year and one month to review 

 it. Is that right? 



Mr. Unger. I believe that is correct. 



Mr. Hansen. Mighty slow. I know that is not your responsibility, 

 but we are finding that unbelievable. We have been waiting to see 

 what the hangup would be. Now, Mr. Unger, I have a letter or a 

 thing by Mr. Hugh Thompson, a man I have great respect for — 

 your forester on the Dixie. And this is two purchasers of national 

 forest timber sale. 



Some years ago, Jim Matson and I, we bounced around the Dixie 

 for a day in a couple of vans with — he was then, as I recall, with 

 Kaibab Industries, and we had the Steve brothers with us who did 

 Escalante Sawmills and others. I drove about the Dixie, and from 

 that time until this time I have been on it numerous times. 



