REPORT OF THE FORESTER. 173 



cerned, and where there is a problem of correlating the support of the 

 game with the use of the Forest ranges for domestic stock. The 

 Federal Government furnishes the forage for the game, which is under 

 the control of the States. 



One of the most complex problems resulting from this unfortunate 

 dual jurisdiction is the protection and administration of the great elk 

 herds in the Yellowstone region. Here there are involved the Yel- 

 lowstone National Park, in which the game is wholly under Federal 

 jurisdiction, and a number of National Forests, on which the game is 

 regarded as under the authority of three States, each having game 

 laws different from the others and established without any considera- 

 tion of the problems of administering the resources of the Federal 

 property. Several State game preserves have been superimposed on 

 the National Forests, adding to the complexity of the situation. 

 There is no underlying plan of administration applying to the elk 

 herds as a whole. On about 2,000,000 acres of the National Forest 

 lands in this region grazing by domestic stock is either entirely pro- 

 hibited or greatly restricted to provide range for the elk. The 

 Government is expending very considerable sums in connection with 

 the Bureau of Biological Survey ranch, which raises hay to feed the 

 elk in unusually severe winters. Thus the Federal Government is 

 spending large sums to support elk herds over which it has no direct 

 jurisdiction and which at the present time are not being efficiently 

 administered, and probably are being reduced in numbers. This 

 difficult situation is being studied by the Forest Service in coopera- 

 tion with the Bureau of Biological Survey and the officers of the 

 National Park Service. A thorough investigation of the facts has 

 been made on the ground and is nearly completed. The purpose of 

 this investigation is not merely to get the facts, but to lay the founda- 

 tion for correlating the interests of the States and Federal Govern- 

 ment in a way which will result in an administration of the elk in the 

 Yellowstone region under a comprehensive plan. Such a plan of 

 cooperation would result in large benefits, not only in securing a 

 proper handling of the game, but also in increased direct returns to 

 the States and local communities. 



Similar difficulties due to the dual jurisdiction over game matters 

 occur also in other parts of the National Forests. The Forest Service is 

 endeavoring to forward the cooperative plan of administration in 

 the various National Forest regions. It is believed, however, that 

 effective results will not be secured until it is possible to segregate 

 portions of the Forests as Federal game sanctuaries which will serve 

 as centers for the breeding of wild life to restock the surrounding 

 country. These sanctuaries can be so located and so administered 

 that the administration of the game may be coordinated with the use 

 of the Forest ranges for domestic stock. They will serve to build 

 up an important resource and will not conflict with the develop- 

 ment of other resources. Legislation looking to this end has been 

 recommended and is pending. 



USE OF THE FORESTS FOR WATER-POWER DEVELOPMENT. 



Twenty new power projects began operation, as against 12 in 

 1915. This was an increase of 18£ per cent. The estimated average 

 output capacity at minimum discharge for the plants in operation 

 decreased from 2,420 horsepower to 2,070 horsepower. Develop- 



