290 AMERICAN FORESTRY 



PURCHASE OF LAND UNDER THE WEEKS LAW IN THE SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN 



AND WHITE MOUNTAINS 



GENERAL INFORMATION 



The act of Congress approved March 1, 1911 (Public, No. 435), created a National 

 Forest Reservation Commission and authorizes the acquisition of lands on the watersheds 

 of navigable streams for the purpose of conserving their navigability. The Secretary of 

 Agriculture is authorized and directed to examine, locate, and recommend to the Com- 

 mission for purchase such lands as In his judgment may be necessary to the regulation 

 of the flow of navigable streams, and he is authorized to purchase, in the name of the 

 United States, such lands as have been approved for purchase by the National Forest 

 Reservation Commission at the price or prices fixed by said Commission. The full text 

 of the law is to be found on page 7. 



The general purpose of this law is to secure the maintenance of a perpetual growth 

 of forest on the watersheds of navigable streams where such growth will materially aid 

 in preventing floods, in improving low waters, in preventing erosion of steep slopes and 

 the silting up of the river channels, and thereby improve the flow of water for navigation. 



While the improvement of the flow of navigable streams is the fundamental purpose, 

 other benefits incidental in character but nevertheless important will be kept in view. 

 Among these are (1) protection against disastrous erosion of the soil on mountain slopes 

 and against the destruction of the soil and soil cover by forest fires; (2) preservation 

 of water powers, since, like navigation, they depend for their value upon the evenness 

 of streamflow; (3) preservation of the purity and regularity of flow of the mountain 

 streams, with a view to their use for the water supply of towns and cities; (4) preserva- 

 tion of a timber supply to meet the needs of the industries of the country; (5) preser- 

 vation of the beauty and attractiveness of the uplands for the recreation and pleasure 

 of the people. 



Aside from its application to the watersheds of navigable streams, the law is not 

 restricted to particular regions, except that lands may be purchased only in the States 

 whose legislatures have consented to the acquisition of such land by the United States 

 for the purpose of preserving the navigability of navigable streams. The States which 

 have passed such legislation and in which purchases are now contemplated are: Maine, 

 New Hampshire, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, South 

 Carolina, and Georgia. 



The sources of the navigable streams which have their origin in the Rocky Mountains 

 or the mountains nearer the Pacific coast are already to a large extent protected by 

 national forests. The Appalachian Mountains, including the White Mountains, are for 

 the most part without such protection. Because of their altitude, steepness, and lack of 

 protection they are in a class by themselves in their need for the action authorized 

 under this law. 



The first lands to be examined for purchase will therefore be in this region. The 

 area needing protection in the Appalachians is very large. It is far larger than can 

 be purchased with the funds appropriated under this law. Much difference exists, how- 

 ever, in the character of the lands in different parts of the region. Mountains are 

 higher, slopes steeper, rainfall heavier, and the soil more easily washed in some sections 

 than in others. 



Careful examinations made during the past 10 years in practically all parts of the 

 Appalachian region have proven that the conditions which affect streamflow to an 

 extreme extent are to be found in relatively limited areas. These areas are scattered 

 more or less widely. By careful selection of the tracts it will be possible to do much tor 

 the permanent improvement of the watersheds by the purchase of only a part of the 

 mountainous region. 



Within these areas not all, and in some cases not a very large proportion, of the 

 land will be needed by the Government for the purpose in view. Just what lands should 

 be purchased will be determined in every case as a result of a careful examination. 



Some of the important areas are already known, and the purpose of this circular 

 is to invite proposals for the sale of lands within them. A list of such areas is to be 

 found on page 4, and a blank form and an official envelope to be used in making proposal 

 for sale accompany this circular. Additional copies of the blank may be had upon appli- 

 cation to the Forester, Forest Service, Washington, D. C. The blank should be accurately 

 and fully filled out and mailed, securely sealed in the envelope. If possible, a map 

 showing the boundaries of the tract should be submitted with the proposal for sale. 

 It the proposal is satisfactory, the Secretary of Agriculture will expect the owner to 

 execute to him an option on the land tor a reasonable length of time. 



Lands of the following classes will be considered tor purchase when they lie within 

 a designated area: (1) Timbered lands, including both land and timber; or the land, 

 with the timber reserved to the owner under rules of cutting to be agreed upon at a 



