ABSTRACT
Forest Health Monitoring (FHM) is a multiagency national program to monitor, assess, and report on the long-term status, changes, and trends in forest ecosystem health in the U.S. The program was initiated in 1990 in response to a legislative mandate and public concern over the nation’s forests (Heggem et al., 1993). The Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Research Act of 1978 (92 Stat. 353, as amended; 16 U.S.C. 1600, 1641–1648), per the 1988 amendment, directed the Forest Service to establish a 10-year program to monitor long-term trends in the health and productivity of domestic forests (USDA [U.S. Department of Agriculture] Forest Service, 1997). The program initially was designed and implemented jointly with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) as part of its Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (EMAP) (Palmer et al., 1991). FHM is managed by the USDA Forest Service in cooperation with other agencies and organizations. The primary partner is State Forestry or Agriculture in each state; other partners include the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service; U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management and the National Parks Service; the Department of Defense; the USEPA; and various universities. The National Association of State Foresters provides essential program support, guidance, and assistance.
