Land & Resource Management
An important part of the Forest Service mission is "protecting and managing the national forests and grasslands so they best demonstrate the sustainable multiple-use management concept." In other words, the Forest Service is charged with managing natural resources in a way that best serves the multiple needs of a growing nation. The agency was established to ensure a renewable supply of timber and a steady source of clean water and minerals.
The Eastern Region of the USDA Forest Service provides timber for people, plant and wildlife habitat, and recreation opportunities. The Forest Service does not "own" the natural resources. Instead, the agency serves as caretaker for the real owners, ... the people of the United States.