I
103D CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. R. 4009
To authorize a study of the equity of Forest Service funding allocations
among the nine regions of the National Forest System.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
MARCH 10, 1994
Mr. RICHARDSON (for himself, Mr. SKEEN, Mr. SCHIFF, Mr. STUMP, Mr.
KOLBE, Mr. KYL, Mr. PASTOR, and Ms. ENGLISH of Arizona) introduced
the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture
A BILL
To authorize a study of the equity of Forest Service funding
allocations among the nine regions of the National Forest
System.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Forest Service Equity
Study Act of 1994’’.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) Data supplied by the Forest Service indi-
cates that some of the regions of the National For-
est System receive more funding on a per unit basis
than other regions for recreation management, wild-
life and fish management, road maintenance, and
other activities.
(2) The ecological integrity of some of the re-
gions is compromised by the funding disparity be-
tween regions.
(3) The funding levels of the Forest Service for
the various regions should be equitable, and signifi-
cant disparities in funding should be eliminated.
(4) The funding methodology and practices of
the Forest Service should support the policy goals of
the National Forest System, particularly ecosystem
management.
(5) The regional funding methodology and prac-
tices of the Forest Service should reflect the diverse
needs of the national forests.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
As used in this Act:
(1) The term ‘‘funding’’ means the annual fis-
cal year allocation received by each region.
(2) The term ‘‘region’’ means one of the nine
regions into which the Forest Service divides the
United States for purposes of planning and imple-
menting activities in the National Forest System.
(3) The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Secretary
of Agriculture.
(4) The term ‘‘unit’’ refers to measures of use
or activity in the National Forest System, includ-
ing—
(A) visitor days;
(B) nontimber acreage;
(C) miles maintained;
(D) animal unit months;
(E) people at one time (PAOT) days; and
(F) any other measure of use or activity
commonly associated with the regions.
SEC. 4. STUDY OF THE EQUITY OF FUNDING ALLOCATIONS
AMONG REGIONS OF THE NATIONAL FOREST
SYSTEM.
(a) AUTHORIZATION TO CONDUCT STUDY.—During
the one-year period beginning on the date of the enact-
ment of this Act, the Secretary shall conduct a study ex-
amining the system by which the Forest Service allocates
funding to each region of the National Forest System.
(b) SUBJECT OF STUDY.—As part of the study under
subsection (a), the Secretary shall—
(1) analyze the methodology and rationale be-
hind funding decisions regarding the regions that
were made prior to the date the study is conducted;
(2) examine the equity of allocations among re-
gions, taking into account the unit burdens of each
region; and
(3) examine the relationships between funding
allocations, Forest Service goals, and the diverse
needs of the regions based on ecological factors, such
as threatened, endangered, and sensitive species, for-
est health, rangeland and watershed conditions, and
public demand for multiple use services.
(c) CONTRACT.—The Secretary may enter into a con-
tract with an independent entity to carry out the study
under subsection (a).
(d) REPORT.—Upon completion of the study under
subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit a report to Con-
gress that includes the following:
(1) The results of the study.
(2) Recommendations for changes and improve-
ments in the system by which the Forest Service al-
locates funding among the regions to ensure equi-
table funding for each region and to eliminate fund-
ing disparities among regions.
(3) Recommendations for changes in funding
patterns among the regions to reflect Forest Service
goals and regional needs.
(4) An assessment of whether the recommended
changes can be implemented administratively or will
require congressional action.
(5) A plan for implementation of the rec-
ommended changes.
SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums
as are necessary to carry out this Act.
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