Northern Region. The pubhcation discusses the ecolog)' of pon- 

 derosa pine, lodgepole pine, and western white pine, particularly 

 the role of forest pests and wildfire and influence of management 

 practices. 



RESOURCE MANAGEMENT 



Decision support systems for integrated pest management were 

 developed and are being demonstrated on several national 

 forests. 



An economic analysis conducted in 1988 examined the efficiency 

 of incremental additions to Forest Pest Management program ac- 

 tivities. The results led to the addition of Forest Pest 

 Management staff to support resource managers. A second eco- 

 nomic analysis was completed in 1992. It examined the efficiency 

 of the overall program and identified opportunities to enhance 

 efficiency by shifting expenditines among program acti\'ities. 



PEST SUPPRESSION 



Starting in fiscal year 1993, Congress has pro\aded an Emergency 

 Pest Suppression Fund similar to the Forest Senice Emergency 

 Firefighting Fund. The new fund could enable rapid response to 

 unforeseen circumstances such as those associated \sith pest infes- 

 tations and drought, or introduced pests. 



Suppression continued to provide protection of high-value re- 

 sources where management objectives are threatened. All sup- 

 pression projects met the Forest Sen'ice's criteria of being 

 biologically sound, economically efficient, and en\ironmentally 

 acceptable. 



ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS 



Programmatic NEPA documents have been completed, or are in 

 progress, for pest management in most National Forest System 

 seed orchards and nurseries. 



An interdisciplinary team has been established to prepare a new 

 Environmental Impact Statement for national gypsy moth man- 

 agement and eradication programs. The Forest Service and the 

 USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Semce are jointly 

 conducting the en\dronmental analysis. 



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