Bosworth Takes Over Chief Slot - Dale N. Bosworth appointed chief of U.S. Forest Service - Brief Article

American Forests, Summer, 2001

Dale N. Bosworth, regional forester for the Forest Service's Northern Region, took over as chief of the U.S. Forest Service in April. A 35-year Forest Service employee, he was last based in Missoula, Montana, overseeing 25 million acres in 12 national forests and four grasslands across northern Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, and part of South Dakota. His new job puts him in charge of 30,000 employees and a $4.6 billion budget.

He said he was looking forward to the challenge. One of the first big issues facing him is how to deal with the "road-less rule" set up by the Clinton administration. Bosworth will need to lead the Bush administration's commitment to uphold the rule's protections for 60 million acres of national forest while proposing amendments to address concerns by western states and local interests.

In May he told the Associated Press that he didn't want to see the national forests end up being either roaded or wilderness with nothing in between.

Over the years, Bosworth, 57, has served in a number of positions, including, forester, district ranger, and forest supervisor. For two years, beginning in 1990, he served at the Forest Service's national headquarters in Washington.