Water

Water is the single most important commodity produced from California's forests. In addition to providing irrigation and power, and serving domestic and industrial uses, water provides habitat for commercial and sport fishery and the basis for a multimillion-dollar recreation industry.

One of the original legislative mandates of the Forest Service is the maintenance of water quality. Long-term maintenance of water quality requires healthy forests, and certain land management activities may adversely affect water quality.

An important role of station scientists is to consider cumulative effects resulting from such activities and to provide a level of understanding from which sound land management and restoration decisions can be made.