Public Involvement 



GOAL 



The public is informed about current forest health 

 conditions and the role of pests and wildfire in forest 

 ecosystems, and accepts and supports measures need- 

 ed to restore and protect forests. 



RATIONALE 



Pest epidemics, wildfire, and other disturbances are among the 

 most significant ecological factors affecting forest ecosystems, yet 

 their roles in forest ecosystem dynamics usually receive little atten- 

 tion until after serious problems exist. Then, harvesting, pre- 

 scribed fire, and other management practices necessary to correct 

 or prevent conditions favorable to pest outbreaks and wildfire 

 often elicit strong negative public reactions. Public involvement is 

 highly desirable and needs to be fostered. 



The Forest Semce has been in a reactive mode with respect to pro- 

 viding information on forest health conditions and issues. In the 

 absence of information provided by the Forest Service, various 

 media sources have, at times, provided incomplete information to 

 the public on forest health conditions and issues. 



ACTIONS 



The following actions will be taken to increase the involvement of 

 the public in forest health issues: 



• Encourage an active role by the public in considering 

 resource managemettt alternatives for forests threatened 

 by pests and wildfire. Develop and implement mea- 

 sures to facilitate greater public involvement in 

 planning processes. These measures should empha- 

 size that the Forest Service intends to make forest 

 health considerations an integral part of considering 

 alternatives for resource management and that the 

 public has an active role in this planning process. 



• Provide timely and accurate information on forest health 

 issues and conditions to the public. Develop a forest 

 health communications plan to facilitate early, accu- 

 rate information dissemination on forest health issues 

 and conditions, and encourage public involvement. 



• Initiate an annual forest health report. Prepare an 

 annual national report on effects of pests and wild- 

 fire on achieving resource management objectives, 

 and what corrective measures are being carried out. 



Healthy Forests for A merica 's Fu ture — A Strategic Plan 4 1 



