174 ANNUAL EEPOETS OF DEPAETMENT OF AGEICULTUEE. 



acreage now covered by intensive reconnaissance is 6,460,572 acres. 

 Eeconnaissance by members of the local force was undertaken on 

 33 Forests. A total of 830,690 acres was thus examined and mapped 

 during the year, making a grand total to date of approximately 

 1,850,000 acres. In addition, the entire Tonto Forest and a portion 

 of the Prescott Forest were covered by extensive reconnaissance for 

 the purpose of adjusting important administrative difficulties. 



GAME PRESERVATION. 



The number of game animals of all kinds within the Forests is 

 rapidly increasing, due almost entirely to the protection afforded 

 them by Forest officers and an increased desire on the part of the 

 settler to comply with the State game laws. Owing to the location 

 of the National Forests the habitat of a very large portion of the 

 big game animals of the country is now within their borders. Wild 

 life is essentially a forest product, and as such is properly an object 

 of the forester's care. The various Western States have come to 

 realize the value of their game animals and are making increased 

 efforts to protect them. The Forest Service is cooperating in game 

 protection under definitely agreed plans with the States of Arizona, 

 New Mexico, California, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, 

 Montana, and South Dakota. 



The Wyoming legislature, at its last session, increased the area 

 of game preserves and changed the boundaries of several to make 

 them more practicable. The California legislature established a 

 number of game preserves, and the game department is seriously 

 considering a further extension of their boundaries. 



The Forest Service, in cooperation with the Biological Survey and 

 local stockmen, transported during the past winter two carloads of 

 elk from Gardner, Mont., to Colorado, one carload being liberated 

 within the boundaries of the Roclcy Mountain National Park and 

 the other upon the Sopris National Forest. Reports on the various 

 plants of elk within the National Forests made during the past few 

 years by the Forest Service and the Biological Survey indicate that 

 the work has been very successful, and each herd is showing a big 

 increase. 



The buffalo herd upon the Wichita National Forest showed an in- 

 crease of 12 head during the past year, and the herd now numbers 60. 

 There is also a good increase in the elk herd within this preserve. 



USE OF THE FORESTS FOR WATER-POWER DEVELOPMENT. 



Twelve new power projects began operation under permit on the 

 National Forests, with an output capacity at minimum stream dis- 

 charge of 75,000 horsepower. This is an increase for the year of 

 about 28 per cent. The total amount under both preliminary and 

 final permit increased 94,000 horsepower, or 9 per cent; while 26 

 projects, with an output capacity of 96,000 horsepower, were in 

 process of construction. 



Rentals paid during the year for the use of National Forest lands 

 for power purposes amounted to $89,000, 



New legislation permitting the Government to grant a more secure 

 tenure for the lands used, through the issuance of 50-year leases, 

 would, without doubt, make the financing of power developments 



