CHANGING FOREST SERVICE VALUES AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS FOR LAND MANAGEMENT DECISIONS AFFECTING RESOURCE-DEPENDENT COMMUNITIES

Employees of the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Forest Service (USFS) are frequently confronted with difficult trade-off decisions in establ ishing multiple-use priorities that affect rural communities economica lly dependent on national forests. Although such decisions are often t ied to laws and agency policies, in many cases they may also reflect t he value orientations of USFS personnel. This study utilizes survey da ta collected from a nationwide sample of USFS employees to examine val ue orientations and management priorities across the different levels of USFS line officers. Results indicate sharp differences between esta blished ongoing management practices and the directions these officers believe the agency should be moving, with greater emphasis given to n oncommodity uses such as recreation and wildlife rather than timber.