A SHIFT IN VALUES - NON-COMMODITY RESOURCE-MANAGEMENT AND THE FOREST SERVICE

Quantitative indicators of change for non-commodity resource managemen t were examined, to assess whether the United States Department of Agr iculture Forest Service has been changing its on-the-ground management practices to give more emphasis to non-commodity resources. Specifica lly, data on recreation management and on wildlife and fish habitat ma nagement were analyzed to determine whether any shifts in the agency's management priorities had occurred. All data examined indicate that t he Forest Service has been increasing its activities in non-commodity resource management over historic levels. When viewed in context with other recent studies suggesting that the Forest Service is moving away from traditional commodity production, the results of this study prov ide evidence that a significant shift has occurred, or presently is oc curring, in Forest Service management practices.