August 28, 2000

Web Editors' Note: This letter was sent to the following:

Dear XXXX:

I am writing to ask that you consider supporting an increase for the Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program of $8 million for a total of $39.6 million in the FY 2001 Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill. As you know, the Forest Service has developed a business plan to improve the FIA program in response to the Agriculture Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (the Farm Bill’s research title). The strategic plan calls for periodic increases of $8 million through 2003, to fully implement Congress’ goals for the program.

The revised FIA program has great potential to provide numerous users the kind of information necessary to make strategic decisions about the natural resources of this nation. Federal and State forestry and agricultural agencies, private industry, consultants, researchers, universities, environmental organizations, media, and the congressional research service rely on data from the FIA program. Consistent information about the forest conditions across all ownerships in the United States is becoming increasingly important as we continue to improve our commitments for sustaining forest resources and plant and animal life well into the future.

Policy decisions require reliable information. The FIA program provides a national standard for the collection of relevant data needed in informed decision-making. Members of the environmental community support the FIA program because it gives everyone reliable data to work with as we evaluate wants, needs and national, state and local trends in land conditions and uses. Arguing about whose numbers to use does not improve our policy decisions, starting with the same baseline and discussing how we want these resources managed is far more productive. The FIA program gathers the scientific information necessary to improve informed policy decisions. The program is the baseline data used to determine where hazardous fuels have built to levels that can fuel intense wildfires like we are currently seeing throughout the West. The data will give us a much more accurate picture when we gather it more frequently, unfortunately the current rate of collection is unacceptable. For example, the last inventory in the state of Kentucky was over 10 years ago. Originally the national forest inventory was conducted every 10 years. This may have been acceptable in the past just, as the national census was only needed every ten years. Rapid changes in the environment and our economy necessitate the change to the FIA program.

Once again, I ask that you help improve Senate support of the FIA program, and that during the upcoming conference discussions on the Fiscal 2001 Interior Appropriations Bill you will encourage full funding for the FIA program at $39.6 million. Thank you for your continued support of the environment, economy and professional forestry.

Sincerely,

Richard A. Wilcox

Policy Chairman

Kentucky – Tennessee Society of American Foresters

1080 Iroquois Drive

Mt. Sterling, KY 40353