The nation has made a great deal of progress over the past several decades In 

 production of resources and enhancennent of productivity. Past performance clearly 

 Indicates that U.S. resources are resilient and renewable and responsive to manage- 

 ment. Their resilience and renewablllty account for the management opportunities we 

 have today to Increase their products and uses as will as their contribution to the 

 environment. 



As our Nation continues to grow In the coming decades, Americans' perspectives on 

 natural resources will change In terms of problems, opportunities, and the appropriate 

 mix of management inputs to manage the country's renewable resources. Increas- 

 ingly, international dimensions of U.S. forestry will be part of the framework for identi- 

 fying problems and opportunities, and pursuing them. This Is why periodic assess- 

 ment of the renewable resource situation Is so Important In providing the factual basis 

 for the 1995 RPA. 



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