Number: 1991-03
WHEREAS, the ecologically balanced and sustainable management of our nation’s forests is a high priority for the National Wildlife Federation and its affiliates; and
WHEREAS, 1991 marks the 100th Anniversary of the origin of the National Forest System and the initiation of the new Forest Legacy Program established by the 1990 Farm Bill; and
WHEREAS, the 191-million-acre National Forest System is a biologically diverse national resource capable of providing multiple benefits to the American public; and
WHEREAS, the National Forest System is subject to growing public concern over its management due to changing lifestyles, economic factors, public awareness and development pressures; and
WHEREAS, increasing importance is being placed on non-commodity forest values by a growing number of Americans, yet in many respects the Forest Service management priorities, guided in part by Congressional appropriations, have been slow to shift away from a dominance by commodity production; and
WHEREAS, the National Forest System is uniquely capable of providing numerous forest benefits which private forest lands cannot or likely will not provide, including dispersed recreation, wilderness, critical fish and wildlife habitat, mature and old growth forests;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation in annual meeting assembled March 21-24, 1991, in Memphis, Tennessee, calls upon the Administration and the Congress to protect the ancient forest ecosystem of the Pacific Northwest and to conserve the fish, wildlife, plant and other species that inhabit this irreplaceable ecosystem; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Federation celebrates the Centennial of the National Forest System and calls upon the Administration and the Congress to guide the next century of forest management to meet the evolving needs of the American public by recognizing the unique values of all National Forests and by restoring and sustaining forest ecosystem health and productivity; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation encourages the Forest Service and the Congress to respond to public concern by protecting long-term ecological interests in balance with other commodity activities on National Forests and to encourage an aggressive management approach for restoring and maintaining the health and productivity of forest ecosystems, to aid fish and wildlife habitat and to promote other non-commodity forest benefits including a diverse set of recreational opportunities; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Federation urges the Congress and the Administration to provide U. S. Forest Service funding for aggressive implementation of the new Forest Legacy Program to protect otherwise valuable, unprotected forest lands and ecosystems.