NEUTRAL BYSTANDER, INTRUSIVE MICROMANAGER, OR USEFUL CATALYST - THE ROLE OF CONGRESS IN EFFECTING CHANGE WITHIN THE FOREST-SERVICE

An analysis of Forest Service-related legislative activity found that increasingly Congress is becoming involved in agency activities and de cisionmaking. Congress's growing scrutiny and management of the Forest Service is indicated by rising trends in requests for agency testimon y at congressional hearings, in the number of Forest Service-related b ills and amendments introduced in Congress, and in the amount of Fores t Service-related legislation enacted. Anecdotal evidence of direct po litical pressure imposed upon agency personnel by congressional member s also indicates that much congressional influence occurs outside of t hese legislative activities. An examination of activities such as thes e and directives attached to annual appropriation bills also shows tha t not all congressional actions are productive in fostering positive a gency change. The results of this study indicate the likelihood that C ongress has been playing a major role in instigating change within the agency.