National trends in the use of Forest Service administrative appeals

Using publicly available electronic records, we compiled a database to compare administrative appeals of USDA Forest Service projects. The database contains 3,736 appeals decided nationwide from January 1997 through September 2002. The data show that the appeals process is used by a wide variety of interests, including individuals, tribes, and businesses as well as environmental groups, to challenge a wide range of projects, including development, recreation, and grazing as well as fuels reduction. The agency denied in full 54.6 percent of all appeals filed. The database provides a tool for informing the debate over appeals of Forest Service decisions but also opens up new lines of inquiry.