A dream career begins…

The year was 1979. I was happy to be back in Wyoming working full-time for the Forest Service. Having recently graduated from a natural resources college at a land-grant university, I knew the agency was in the throes of adapting to newly enacted environmental laws. Unbeknownst to me was the magnitude of the change taking place. More on that in a bit.

I was hired as a zone hydrologist for the Hayden and Brush Creek Ranger Districts of the Medicine Bow National Forest. Most days however went to project work on the Hayden. Stationed in Encampment, a faraway ranching and logging community of 400 people, I was living in an area rich in history. Much of that history is on display at the Grand Encampment Museum, a visit worth making if you are ever in the area.

Working on a remote ranger district was very rewarding for many reasons: camaraderie with fellow workers and their families, implementing and completing projects across vast acreage, building friendships with local townsfolk, working and playing in the great outdoors.

My experience was analogous, if you are old enough to remember, to the Lassie TV episodes that aired between 1964 and 1970. These were the episodes where Lassie moved from a farm to a Forest Service ranger station. While growing up in Ohio I remember my family sitting down on Sunday evenings to watch those episodes. Engrossed in each and every one, I had no idea I would someday actually be living the “Lassie-like” lifestyle.

…shortly after Congress reacts to public sentiment with a suite of environmental laws…

Those early years of my career coincided with the early years of new Federal environmental laws. These laws were passed by Congress during the 1960’s and early 1970’s. Congress wrote these laws in response to growing public concern over air and water pollution and sustainability of natural resources.

Several of the many new environmental laws directly influence the management of National Forests. The most notable are the:

• Wilderness Act
• National Environmental Policy Act
• Clean Air Act
• Endangered Species Act
• National Forest Management Act
• Multiple Use Sustained Yield Act
• Clean Water Act.

With so many new laws to meet, the Forest Service was in the throes of major adaptation.

During my career decision-makers held me accountable for ensuring they were in compliance with both the Clean Water and Clean Air Acts. These decision-makers held me accountable to the other Acts as well, especially the National Forest Management Act and National Environmental Policy Act.

…new environmental laws déjà vu…

While these numerous new environmental laws direct modern-day management, having such law was not new to the Forest Service. The overarching piece of legislation that drives national forest management is the Organic Administration Act of 1897. This Act, passed by Congress 120 years ago, also in response to public sentiment, resulted in the creation of National Forests.

The Act states  “No national forest shall be established, except to improve and protect the forest within the boundaries, or for the purpose of securing favorable conditions of water flows, and to furnish a continuous supply of timber for the use and necessities of citizens of the United States…”. This  Act was written by Congress because of concerns with how lands in the public domain were being abused, mostly from excessive logging, grazing, and mining.

In a nutshell, national forests were originally established because of their importance as water towers. Subsequent laws, particularly the National Forest Management Act, only reemphasized this importance.

In my opinion, we’ve lost sight of the “water towers” ecosystem service. Current day critics of national forest management are either not aware of the legislative history or they have, for various reasons, including political gain, forgotten. It would behoove all of us to take the time to reflect on how and why our national treasures, OUR national forests, came to exist.

…but National Forests are valuable for other reasons too…

The Organic Act clearly identifies water as one of two most valuable resources provided by national forests. Some of the other Acts clearly indicate national forests are to be managed for multiple uses. Gifford Pinchot, the principal player behind the creation of national forests, captured this multiple use concept with a glorious phrase. He stated national forests are to be managed for “the greatest good for the greatest number in the long run“.

Pinchot’s multiple use concept was paraphrased into five key words: wood, water, recreation, wildlife, and range. The Multiple Use Sustained Yield Act codified Pinchot’s concept. It was the first law to apply these five major uses of national forests in one law equally, with no use greater than any other. Internally we called them “The Five W’s: Wood, Water, Wecreation, Wildlife and Wange“.

…in summary…

The Forest Service is rich in history. This history had its roots in our country recognizing the importance of watersheds and watershed management. That importance was re-recognized shortly before I started my career.

During my first several years I witnessed first hand the changes the agency had to endure in response to a full suite of new laws enacted by our Congress. New laws created at the insistence of our citizenry.

No matter how stressful being a public servant was during those times, I, as a civil servant hydrologist, always fell back on the Organic Act. Back knowing the lands I was helping to manage were set aside for “favorable conditions of water flows“. Back knowing our forefathers had such insight.

Without doubt, the late 1970’s through the 1980’s were trying times for the Forest Service. But so were the years of Gifford Pinchot as he worked tirelessly in creating the Forest Service. Trying times continue today, for many reasons.

Our national treasures have endured. We have the wisdom, I can only hope, to ensure they continue to do so.

For a much better appreciation and understanding of Forest Service history and environmental laws I encourage you to take the time to watch The Greatest Good – A Forest Service Centennial Film. A trailer that previews the video is also available.

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