Skip to main content

Tongass National Forest: Contractual Modification Requirements of the Tongass Timber Reform Act

RCED-91-133 Published: Mar 28, 1991. Publicly Released: Mar 28, 1991.
Jump To:
Skip to Highlights

Highlights

Pursuant to a legislative requirement, GAO reviewed the Department of Agriculture's compliance with the Tongass Timber Reform Act, focusing on the implementation of modifications to two long-term timber sale contracts to eliminate the contractors' competitive advantage over independent short-term contractors.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of Agriculture The Secretary of Agriculture should direct the Chief, Forest Service, to make the contract modifications in purchaser road credits necessary to preclude the carrying forward of certain credits from one offering to another.
Closed – Not Implemented
The Forest Service does not agree with the recommendation, maintaining that the changes GAO suggests are not required by the statute.
Department of Agriculture The Secretary of Agriculture should direct the Chief, Forest Service, to add to the study required by section 301(e) a detailed description of the manner in which the Service will implement each requirement of section 301(c). In addition, the Secretary of Agriculture should include in the study an assessment of how the implementation actions would achieve the objectives of the act.
Closed – Not Implemented
The Forest Service does not agree with the recommendation. The Forest Service issued the report required by section 301(e) on May 8, 1992. The report did not include additions recommended by GAO.

Full Report

Office of Public Affairs

Topics

Contract modificationsEnvironment evaluationForest conservationForest managementLand managementNational forestsRenewable natural resourcesTimber salesPublic roads or highwaysEnvironmental assessment