Date: 1992-08-06
Speaker: DAVE JOLLY (republican)
Chamber: S

Rlegiosial Forester. Soutkuwetem~ Regoxu USDAForet Service. Albuquerque. NM. DzEA MR. JOLLY: The encloeed. "Findings and Recommendations of the Arisona Blue Ribbon Task Force." in our report to you In response to our charter of March 28. 1901. It is the culmination of the process of information gathering. discussion. and analysis as we listened to what the people of Arizona had to say about the management of their National Forests. The Task Force has confirmed that there are major public concerns about Implementation of National Forest Land Management Plans (LMPs). These concerns are centered around whether or not an acceptable balance between resource values and uses Is being achieved on Arizonas National Forests and whether the values and uses being Implemented are the same as those envisioned during the creation of the LMs. There e Impressions that the rural economy of Arizona is threatened and that the overall health of Arizonas diverse natural resources Is declining. A myriad of contributing factors are thought to be the causes. Including human presence and Intervention in forest ecosystems. years of fire control. the publics Intolerance of multipleuses other than their own. and an Increasing population that causes an even greater demand for valuable renewable resources. The accumulation of all these factors and impressions has Intensified public scrutiny of Forest Service land management activities. The result of the groups lengthy and unique proces in a report that captures Important Insights about both public and employee attitudes and perceptions toward the Forest Service. It offers an array of Information: perceptions. criticism. reinforcement general reoommendations and specific mggestions for change. Words alone cannot adequately describe the depth of concern. intensity of feeling. and the amount of frustration we encountered as we listened to dozens of people from all oorners of the state. Our discussions were often spirited as we reached new levels of understanding and commitment to our task. and found common ground on which to bae our final recommendations We offer our report as a guide and as a challenge. It Is our hope that you will embrace the recommendations and move wholeheartedly ahead. along with the governor. your cooperators here in Arizona and top offlcials In Washington. D.C.. to turn our ideas into reality--wlth firmness. profesionallam. and credibility. We offer our cooperation as you review the report and make decisions about what to do next. and stand ready to respond to any questions you may have. Thank you for the opportunity to serve on the Arizona Blue Ribbon Task Force. Sincerely. Arizona Blue Ribbon Task Force Betty Drake. Private Consultant. Scottsdale. AZ. Lawrence D. GarreMt Dean. School of Forestry. Northern Arizona University. Flostaff. AZ Dexter Gill. Director. NavaJo Nation Forestry Department. Window Rook. AZ. M. Jean Hassell. Arizona State Lands Commissioner. Phoenix. AZ. Charles Huggins. SecretaryTreasurer. Arisona State AFLCIO. Phoenix. AZ. James L. Kimball. Forest Supervisor. Tonto National Forest. Phoenix. AZ (Chairman). Kathy J. Nelson. Mothers for Clean Water. Temp. AZ. David W. Ogilvie. Jr.. Silver City. NM. A. Lynn Enger. Morenci. AZ. MerrI Sba" Retired Professor. Arizona State University. Pine. AZ Duane L. Shroufe. Director. Arizona Game and Fish Department Phoenix. AZ. Pete Shumway. Chairman. Navajo County Board of Supervisors. Taylor. AZ Dennis Silva. Mayor. Town of Springerville. Springerville. AZ. James S. Whitney. Retired. Scottsdale. AZ. Elizabeth Woodin. Arizona Game and Fish Commission. Tucson. AZ. Karen Yarnell. Flagstaff. AZ. APPEAL SYsEmi: "FULL RoounsALoNo