Better Data Needed To Determine the Extent to Which Herbicides Should Be Used on Forest Lands
CED-81-46
Published: Apr 17, 1981. Publicly Released: Apr 27, 1981.
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Highlights
Vegetation management programs and practices on forest lands managed by the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) were reviewed. The main areas of discussion were the use of herbicides, the controversy over herbicides, the controversy's effect on forest land managers, and the need for both agencies to take actions that would provide better information for making vegetation management decisions.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Agriculture | The Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior should instruct the Chief of the Forest Service and the Director of BLM, respectively, to gather more comprehensive and complete cost data on their site preparation and release projects. |
Closed – Implemented
Please call 202/512-6100 for information.
|
| Department of the Interior | The Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior should instruct the Chief of the Forest Service and the Director of BLM, respectively, to gather more comprehensive and complete cost data on their site preparation and release projects. |
Closed – Implemented
Please call 202/512-6100 for information.
|
| Department of Agriculture | The Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior should instruct the Chief of the Forest Service and the Director of BLM, respectively, to ensure that: (1) those forests and districts relying heavily on herbicides increase the use of nonherbicide methods; and (2) adequate site-specific pretreatment and posttreatment information is gathered and evaluated. The Secretaries should also instruct the agency heads to develop more objective criteria for determining the need for release. |
Closed – Not Implemented
In October 1984, GAO was advised by the Service and BLM that they are currently precluded from using herbicides due to a ruling by the 9th Circuit Court. The Service and BLM appealed the matter to the U.S. Supreme Court; however, the Court opted not to hear the case.
|
| Department of the Interior | The Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior should instruct the Chief of the Forest Service and the Director of BLM, respectively, to ensure that: (1) those forests and districts relying heavily on herbicides increase the use of nonherbicide methods; and (2) adequate site-specific pretreatment and posttreatment information is gathered and evaluated. The Secretaries should also instruct the agency heads to develop more objective criteria for determining the need for release. |
Closed – Not Implemented
In October 1984, GAO was advised by the Service and BLM that they are currently precluded from using herbicides due to a ruling by the 9th Circuit Court. The Service and BLM appealed this matter to the U.S. Supreme Court; however, the Court opted not to hear the case.
|
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