52 ANNTTAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OP AGEICTJLTTJEE. 



and 40,000 to 50,000 feet over considerable areas is common. The 

 timber is accessible, of excellent quality, comparatively easy to log, 

 and close to water transportation. The presence of available water 

 power will facilitate the development of wood-using industries. 

 While the Chugach Forest has less favorable conditions for timber 

 growth and a less heavy stand than the Tongass, nevertheless in it 

 there is a large amount of merchantable Sitka spruce and hemlock, 

 which will have an increasing importance for railroad construction, 

 mining, and other industrial purposes. Large areas have an average 

 stand of 15,000 to 20,000 board feet to the acre; and the best run as 

 high as 50,000 feet. The volume of timber on the two Forests is esti- 

 mated to be between sixty and eighty billion board feet, about one- 

 eighth of the total estimated quantity on all the Forests, 



In accordance with the general principle of organization adopted 

 for all the Forests, but to a greater degree than elsewhere because 

 of their remoteness, the administration of the Alaska Forests is de- 

 centralized to permit the prompt transaction of business and ready 

 response to the needs of the public. Aside from matters pertaining 

 to the alienation of land, about 98 per cent of the business of the two 

 Alaskan Forests is handled by the local force. 



Approximately 40,000,000 feet of timber are cut annually under 

 sales. Settlers secure free, without permits, the timber needed for 

 personal use. IVIining locations are made as on the public domain. 

 Agricultural land is classified and placed at the disposal of settlers. 

 Every encouragement is given to the use of lands for miscellaneous 

 purposes. In some places there is an increasing use of land for can- 

 neries, stores, and other enterprises. As a rule these localities are 

 not yet in a position to incorporate as towns and to take advan- 

 tage of the town-site laws. It would be a public benefit if authority 

 were granted to permit the sale of such lands after examination and 

 classification by the department. Definite provision, however, should 

 be made against alienation of those which are chiefly valuable for 

 water-power sites or are needed for handling the timber resources 

 or for other public purposes. 



The Alaska National Forests are designed to serve the same broad 

 public purposes as the Forests in the States. It is the aim to ad- 

 minister them in a spirit of service to the people who are struggling 

 to build up communities and homes and to establish industries. 



