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Abstract
One of the traditional roles that prescribed fire has played in the fire management arena is reduction of hazardous fuel buildups under controlled, well-defined environmental conditions. However, our ability to use this tool effectively is blocked by many barriers. The preceding panel discussion about the causes of limited success in implementing prescribed burning programs addressed some of the barriers encountered by various types of governmental agencies. This panel discussion focussed on three specific barriers to implementing fuel management programs incorporating prescribed burning. Mr. Kenneth Blonski of the USDA Forest Service described organizational barriers to implementation. Although the specific examples are linked to the Forest Service, many of the same barriers exist in other organizations. Ms. Anita Ruud of the U.S. Office of the General Counsel described legal barriers, particularly those related to liability issues. Federal disaster assistance programs are viewed by some as disincentives to proactive hazard reduction programs. Mr. William Patterson addressed this issue and described new Federal assistance programs. The following three papers summarize the comments of the panel.
Parent Publication
Citation
Blonski, Kenneth S. 1995. Organizational barriers. In: Weise, David R.; Martin, Robert E., technical coordinators. The Biswell symposium: fire issues and solutions in urban interface and wildland ecosystems; February 15-17, 1994; Walnut Creek, California. Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-158. Albany, CA: Pacific Southwest Research Station, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture; p. 44
