GRASS cannot be used by the U.S. Forest Service?

[BAKERWL at UWYO.EDU]

I have recently been attempting to help our nearby forest with some
analyses using the r.le programs in GRASS.  The Forest itself wants
to install GRASS and use the r.le programs.  However, the Forest
asked the Regional Office for permission to install GRASS on their
HP workstation, and apparently they do not want GRASS to be installed,
worrying about possible complications regarding their Project 615
purchase of GIS equipment.  

I find it hard to accept that our government will not accept free
software needed to accomplish their mission, but I'm sure there
are legal uncertainties.

I have two questions.  First, are there people out there in U.S.
Forest Service offices who are openly using GRASS?  Second, is
this a legitimate concern on the part of the Forest Service?

It seems shortsighted to me that skilled people in the Forest
Service may be discouraged from using much of the free and quite
useful software available on the net!

	Bill Baker
	bakerwl at uwyo.edu