I would like to recognize the many Forest Service employees who continue doing the right things on the land in maintaining and restoring our watersheds as I accept your award. I spoke earlier today with the Northwest Forestry Association. Conventional wisdom has it that the Chief of the Forest Service shouldn't visit with the Northwest Forestry Association and the Pacific Rivers Council on the same day - that the sides are too polarized to allow for meaningful conversation.
Conventional wisdom is right unfortunately - the debate is too contentious today.
We won't change that, however, until we agree to stop looking for ways to disagree. That was my message to the Northwest Forestry Association this afternoon and it is my message to you folks tonight. I'd like to tell you about the Forest Service natural resource agenda. This agenda charts a course for the Forest Service into the 21st Century. A course that is based on sound science and reflective of what the American people are demanding increasingly from their forests - a course that we believe is in the best interests of the land and of the communities who care about, and depend, on it.