• FIA Blue Ribbon Panel
  American Pulp & Paper Association
  

The intense interest in FIA data has raised questions about inventory methods and policies. In early 1991 the American Forest Council (AFC) Forest Resources Research Committee discussed many of these FIA issues with Forest Service Chief Dale Robenson. The AFC committee suggested, and Chief Robertson agreed, forming a panel of high-level leaders from the full forestry community, including federal and state agencies, industry, academia, environmental organizations, and other user groups. Their mission would be to develop a national vision and strategy, as well as goals and objectives, for meeting the present and future needs for forest resource inventory information.

The panel would be asked to evaluate the current Forest Service FIA program and:

• determine the future needs of all user groups;
• identify how FIA can better serve the public and the various user groups; identify the scientifically valid uses of FIA data;
• assist in increasing public recognition that FIA data are basic information needed by society as a  whole; and
• generate Congressional and Administration funding support for FIA programs.