U.S. Forest Service History > People > Chiefs >F. Dale Robertson
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F. Dale Robertson (born 1940)
12th Chief of the Forest Service, 1987-1993
F. Dale Robertson was born in Bald Knob, Arkansas, on August
17, 1940. He joined the Forest Service in 1961 after receiving a degree
in forestry from the University of Arkansas. His early assignments were
in the South. After moving to the Washington Office, he completed a masters
degree in public administration from the American University in Washington,
D.C. in 1970. Shortly afterward, he was reassigned to the Pacific Northwest,
returning in 1980 to the Washington Office. After the resignation of Max
Peterson in January of 1987, Dale Robertson was appointed chief of the Forest
Service. Soon after his appointment as chief, Robertson had to face
a public which was wary of anything the Forest Service had to say or proposed
to do. Especially troubling was growing controversy about the harvest of
old growth (ancient forest) trees in the Pacific Northwest and the protection
of several species of animals and plants that fell under the protection
of the Endangered Species Act of 1973. He appointed several task forces
to consider all options, but when the decisions were made they did not satisfy
everyone. Several new resource programs were developed under Roberston's
leadership, including the highly successful "Rise to the Future," a program
designed to enhance the production of fish on the national forests. Robertson
also led efforts by the Forest Service to find new and creative ways to
manage the national forests, especially by emphasizing the non-commodity
(non-timber) resources, new forestry, new perspectives, and ecosystem management.
Robertson and George Leonard (Associate Chief) were reassigned in November
1993 to the Department of Agriculture by the new Clinton administration
for not advancing changes fast enough in the Forest Service. F.
Dale Robertson wrote: "Here are what I perceive as our strengths:
First, our basic mission of "caring for the land and serving people" is
very important. Our mission is a winner and naturally attracts strong public
support. Second, I truly believe we have the best group of people ever put
together in one large organization. We're the best at what we do. We know
our jobs and do them well. Third, we collectively have more knowledge about
the management of natural resources than any other organization. No one
can match our capability, knowledge, and know-how. Fourth, we have a strong
organization with a rich culture and good core values. Fifth, we are rich
in land and resources. Even though the national forests and grasslands
represent only about 8-1/2 percent of the United States, in many ways they
are the 50 percent lands:
- We have 50 percent of the nation's big game animals;
- 50 percent of the coldwater fisheries;
- 50 percent of anadromous fish spawning grounds along the West coast;
- 50 percent of the nation's standing softwood sawtimber;
- More than 50 percent of the precipitation in the West;
- 43 percent of the federal market share in outdoor recreation;
- About 80 percent of the Wilderness;
- More than 50 percent of the wild and scenic rivers in the lower 48 states;
- In the grazing and business, we don't come anywhere close to the 50 percent, but we still play an important role in meeting the nation's needs.
Updated: November 1, 2004