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The FY 2004 President’s budget request of $4.8 billion for the Forest Service includes uncontrollable costs of $96.5 million and program increases totaling $24.4 million above the FY 2003 President’s Budget.

In FY 2004, the Forest Service will focus on programs that make tangible contributions toward achieving healthy forests. Improving the health of America’s forests will take place through the removal of excess materials from National Forest System land; prevention, and suppression of invasive species on Federal and private lands; assisting States and private landowners maintain healthy forests by encouraging stewardship and maintaining the integrity of environmentally sensitive lands; and by increasing the number of grazing allotments operating under up-to-date decision notices. To ensure that the public gets the most value for their tax dollars, the Forest Service would provide more funding at the field level and continue to improve its accountability.

Presidential Management Initiatives provide national guidance, and Forest Service Initiatives would continue to explore and implement ways in which to streamline operations in order to cut costs, reduce bureaucracy and improve customer service. Financial initiatives will focus on reducing indirect costs and streamlining accounting practices to reduce expenditures. Competitive sourcing of commercial activities would continue to increase. Expanding electronic government would use digital technologies to transform government operations.

Finally, several legislative proposals of the Administration would include authorizing emergency fuels reduction projects in priority areas of Federal forests outside of wilderness areas, expanding or clarifying the agency’s authorities to work more efficiently and effectively with non-Federal entities, and improving the agency’s ability to work with a wide variety of partners and optimizing the use of limited Federal funds.