New U.S. Forest Service Chief Named:

Here's a rare "good news" message from me.

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- Dale Bosworth, a career U.S. Forest Service employee who worked his way up from ranger to regional forester, has been named chief of the U.S. Forest Service by the Bush administration, the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) reported.

Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman, whose department oversees the Forest Service, made the announcement April 12.

Edward Moreland, AMA vice president for government relations, said Bosworth is known as a man of integrity who has been a friend of responsible off-highway recreation and multiple uses of forest land during his 30-year career.

"We're looking forward to an open dialogue with the new Forest Service chief," Moreland added.

Bosworth most recently served as regional forester for the Forest Service's Northern Region, which includes northern Idaho, northeastern Washington, Montana, North Dakota and northwestern South Dakota. Bosworth also has served as regional forester in the Intermountain Region that primarily includes southern Idaho, western Wyoming, Utah and Nevada, and deputy regional forester in the Pacific Southwest region, which covers California, Hawaii, Guam and the Trust Territories in the Pacific.

A second-generation forester and Forest Service employee, Bosworth also has worked as a forest supervisor and district ranger. He earned his bachelor's degree in forestry from the University of Idaho in 1966.

He succeeds Mike Dombeck, who retired as Forest Service chief March 31.

The U.S. Forest Service manages public lands in the national forests and grasslands. The agency has more than 30,000 employees and a budget of $4.6 billion. It manages about 191 million acres of public land nationwide, an area equal to the state of Texas.

The American Motorcyclist Association is a 270,000-member non-profit organization. Established in 1924, the Association's purpose is to pursue, protect and promote the interests of motorcyclists, while serving the needs of its members. For more information, visit the AMA website at www.AMADirectlink.com.