Forest Service: Better Reporting Needed on Reforestation and Timber Stand Improvement
RCED-91-71
Published: Mar 15, 1991. Publicly Released: Apr 17, 1991.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO analyzed the reliability of the Forest Service reporting on national forest land: (1) needing reforestation or timber stand improvement; and (2) where reforestation or timber stand improvement activities have been successful.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Agriculture | The Secretary of Agriculture should direct the Chief, Forest Service, to ensure that the additional guidance the Service is currently preparing on reforestation and timber stand improvement needs instructs the regions to: (1) identify and report all reforestation needs resulting from forest fires or other natural disasters on a more consistent and timely basis; (2) identify and report all timber stand improvement needs on a more consistent and timely basis; and (3) report all timber stand improvement work planned for the coming year. |
The Forest Service incorporated the recommendation in its Renewable Resource Uses for Knutson-Vandenburg (K-V) Fund Handbook--2409.19, effective August 24, 1992.
|
| Department of Agriculture | The Secretary of Agriculture should direct the Chief, Forest Service, to improve guidance on the certification of reforestation achievements and permit forest technicians to certify those achievements. |
The Forest Service incorporated the recommendation in its Renewable Resource Uses for Knutson-Vandenburg (K-V) Fund Handbook--2409.19, effective August 24, 1992.
|
| Department of Agriculture | The Secretary of Agriculture should direct the Chief, Forest Service, to improve guidance on the certification of timber stand improvement achievements and, in doing so, accept approvals of timber stand improvement contract payments as certification of successful timber stand improvement achievements. |
The Forest Service incorporated the recommendation in its Renewable Resource Uses for Knutson-Vandenburg (K-V) Fund Handbook--2409.19, effective August 24, 1992.
|
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Topics
Agency reportsCongressional oversightForest conservationForest firesForest managementNational forestsNatural disastersReporting requirementsWoodReforestation