Forest Service Management Reorganization

                                            Release No. 0194.98
Statement
                               of
           U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman
          On Forest Service Management Reorganization
                          April 28, 1998
     "The Forest Service has been an important part of the USDA family for
over 90 years.  It is the largest agency in the Department of Agriculture and
its employees have done a remarkable job in serving the American people and
maintaining a bountiful national forest system.

     "For many years, however, the Forest Service has suffered from serious
accountability and financial management problems.  We know this from our own
internal USDA work, as well as from other sources including the General
Accounting Office, our Office of the Inspector General, and from the Congress.
These problems can no longer be tolerated.  This situation makes it difficult
for our field personnel to offer the kind of service the American public
deserves.

     "We've been working closely with Forest Service Chief Mike Dombeck on a
series of steps to address these problems.  Today, Chief Mike Dombeck and I
are announcing a number of actions we are taking that are designed to improve
the management of the Forest Service.  While the Chief will provide the
details, there are essentially three things we are determined to help the
Forest Service accomplish:

          Put an organization in place with clear accountability for both
          program and management objectives; 

          Make sure the Forest Service has the resources it needs to address
          the substance of the management problems; and 

          Fill key leadership positions.  

     "We must all work together, on the same team, with the same message --
and the same mission -- so the Forest Service can address its problems and
continue to serve vigorously the American people in the 21st Century. 

     "Working together, we can get this job done."

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