ABSTRACT

The wildland-urban interface is well known to present special challenges to the managers of natural resource lands in close proximity to large urban areas. These challenges are particularly acute as they are faced by an agency such as the USDA Forest Service—an organization characterized by a "culture" that is anything but urban in orientation. Favoring the management of things over people, has long been a quality shared among Forest Service personnel. In a 1989 study of recreation policy on several southern California national forests, Dennis found budgeting to be the issue that raised the most consternation among respondents. This finding would be expected considering General Accounting Office testimony that estimated a backlog of at least $644 million in maintenance and reconstruction of Forest Service recreation facilities nationwide. In the United States does the Forest Service serve a greater number of diverse recreational visitors than on the four southern California national forests.