ANN ARBOR— Julia M. Wondolleck, associate professor in
the School of Natural Resources and Environment at the
University of Michigan, is one of 13 scientists who served on the U.S.

Department of Agriculture’s Committee of Scientists, a panel charged with the task of examining how national forests are managed. The group recently released its report to mixed reviews.

Dan Glickman, Department of Agriculture secretary and
U-M alumnus, formed the committee in December 1997 to provide advice on the Forest Service’s land and resource management planning process. Its recommendations will help guide the Department of Agriculture’s revision of the regulations that govern management of more than 191 million acres of public land, including 150 million acres of national forest and grasslands that are scheduled for plan revisions within the next five years.Wondolleck was selected for the committee based on her
extensive work on environmental policy.

The committee’s recommendations include an emphasis on protection and sustainability of biodiversity in national forests and grasslands, involvement of local communities and interest groups in land and resource planning, and a stronger connection between scientists and managers while developing land management practices.

“The decision-making process must be scientifically
sound,” said Wondolleck. “It also has to be a collaborative process.That’s the only way to make sound, acceptable decisions.”

The Committee of Scientists traveled to towns and
cities around the country to hear from Forest Service employees, as well as representatives from tribal, local, and state governments, and members of the public. They also took “field trips” to national forests and grasslands.

The committee’s recommendations received both praise
and criticism from environmental experts, according to the
Journal of Forestry.

“I think the public response to the report will help
strengthen it. The debate will act as a check for the
scientific study, and the scientific study will help balance the debate,” said Wondolleck. “Everyone is in favor of the sustainability.The question is ‘How do we get there?’

“The committee’s recommendations are available for public review and comment through Jan. 4 at http://www.fs.fed.us/forum/nepa/rule/.