48 AisrisruAL eepoets of department op agriculture. 



is used as in the remainder of the United States, and nearly three 

 times as much as in the Eastern States. 



Of the existing 1,800,000 water horsepower in the Western States, 

 50 per cent is in plants constructed in whole or in part on the Forests 

 and operated under permit from the department. Plants under 

 construction will develop about 200,000 additional horsepower, while 

 over 1,000,000 more is under permit for future construction. The 

 chief obstacle to further immediate water-power expansion is the 

 lack of market, for plants in operation in the West now have a 

 surplus of power of which they can not dispose. 



Mining development. — The National Forests are open to prospect- 

 ing and the initiation of mineral locations just as is the open public 

 domain. "WTien a mineral claim comes up for patent it is examined 

 on the ground to discover whether the terms of the mining laws 

 have been complied with. This examination is designed to prevent 

 fraud, and no one with a valid claim need fear it. 



The existence of the Forests gives certain advantages to the miner. 

 It is not on the great private timber tracts in the western mountains 

 that the miner is prospecting. It is only on the Forests and other 

 public lands open to mineral locations, if he makes a discovery, that 

 he can get title merely through conscientious compliance with the 

 mining laws. Many mines to-day are securing their timber from the 

 Forests, and because of its protection and continued production a 

 steady supply at reasonable rates is assured. 



Recreational uses. — The National Forests are used also for health 

 and recreation. They embrace the high, rugged mountains of the 

 West, the scenery of which is unsurpassed. These great areas are open 

 to the whole Nation. Already more than one and one-half million 

 people visit them annually for recreation, and this number is increas- 

 ing rapidly as roads and trails are built, making new points accessi- 

 ble. The lands bordering on the hundreds of lakes and streams in the 

 Forests offer attractive sites for camps and for permanent summer 

 residences. Authority now exists to grant term leases for the erec- 

 tion of summer homes, hotels, and similar buildings, and large num- 

 bers will take advantage of this privilege. Public ownership has pro- 

 tected the natural beauty of these areas. Their recreational value has 

 been maintained and increased through road and trail construction 

 and through intelligent study of the needs of the public. 



