Economic efficiency in forest service program development

Abstract

This report analyzes the procedures used in three regions of the Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, for selecting the projects that constitute their annual program budget. Personnel at the Southwest (R-3), Pacific Southwest (R-5), and Southern (R-8) Regions were interviewed during September and October 1982. Of special concern was the extent to which analytical methods are used that include an explicit and formal consideration of the relative costs and benefits of alternative program allocations. Current program development and budget processes were found to allow only limited discretion for efficient allocation of funds in many program areas. Contributing factors include both internal policy and practices that unnecessarily limit programing discretion and external commitments beyond the ready control of the agency. Where discretion does exist to develop annual regional programs with greater regard to economic efficiency, regions and program areas varied widely in the extent to which the opportunities are exercised. Deficiencies in internal policy direction, in the availability and consistency of project data, and in composition of planning staff are seen as contributing factors. A conceptual framework is developed that is designed to elaborate regional program alternatives that maximize the net benefits of program budget expenditures subject to regional targets and spending limits.

Citation

Hrubes, Robert J. 1984. Economic efficiency in forest service program development. Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-75. Berkeley, CA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Forest and Range Experiment Station. 9 p.