FOREST SERVICE. 529 



OTHER SPECIAL USES. 



At the close of the fiscal year there were in effect 13,810 permits 

 authorizing the occupancy of small tracts of forest lands for a variety 

 of purposes. The greater number of these permits are obtained in 

 connection with other uses of forest resources. Thus stockmen ob- 

 tain them for pastures for stock which can not be allowed to run on 

 the open range, as well as for cabins, corrals, water tanks, and dipping 

 vats used in caring for range stock; agricultural settlers require the 

 use of small areas for irrigating reservoirs and conduits; and lumber 

 operators secure suitable sites for mills and camps. With the con- 

 struction of new roads and trails the forests are visited more and 

 more for recreation purposes, and in consequence the demand is grow- 

 ing rapidly for sites on which summer camps, cottages, and hotels may 

 be located. In some of the most accessible and desirable localities 

 the land has been divided into suitable lots of from 1 to 5 acres to 

 accommodate as many visitors as possible. The regulations of the 

 depaitment for handling this class of business seem to be entirely 

 satisfactory. Permits are issued promptly and on conditions with 

 which permittees willingly comply. 



Some objection is heard to the fact that the permit is revocable in 

 the discretion of the department. If occupancy of lots wanted for 

 summer camps, cottages, and hotels for a period of years could be 

 authorized, more substantial buildings than are now being erected 

 would probably be put up. 



PERMANENT IMPROVEMENTS. 



The permanent improvement work on the national forests, includ- 

 ing cooperative improvements, carried onward the plans which, as 

 explained in previous reports, have been worked out for the orderly 

 equipment of each forest with the facilities demanded for its protec- 

 tion and development. The main effort in 1912 continued to be the 

 pushing forward, to the utmost extent permitted by the funds avail- 

 able, or construction work upon a primary S5^stem of trails, telephone 

 lines, and lookout stations which will facilitate protection from fire. 

 The result was to bring the total of construction since this work began 

 up to 13,435 miles of trail, 11,182 miles of telephone line, and 2G5 

 lookout stations. There were constructed 190 houses, 186 bams, 328 

 other buildings, 243 miles of administrative fence, and 53 miles of 

 stock fence. 



In cooperation with counties, associations, and individuals there 

 were built 85 miles of road, 153 miles of trail, 219 miles of fire line, 

 3G8 miles of telephone line, G5 miles of telegraph line, 32 miles of 

 fence, 33 bridges, 3 corrals, 6 water improvement projects, 7 miles 

 of stock driveway, and 22 stock tanks and dipping vats. 



The following table compares the accomplishment in the more im- 

 portant lines of improvement work for 1012 and 1011. In consider- 

 mg the table it must be borne in mind that the appropriation for 

 permanent improvements for the fiscal year 1912 was $500,000 as 

 against $275,000 for 1911. The liighest percentages of increased 

 construction were for trails and telephone lines. 



70481°— AGE 1912 34 



