News and Notes. 773 



been entered into or condemnation proceedings begun on 257,228 

 acres. 



These lands are situated in eight separate purchase areas in the 

 States of New Hampshire, Virginia, Tennessee, North Carohna 

 and Georgia. Eighteen such areas including 6,383,000 acres have 

 been designated, situated in the above named States and in the 

 States of Maryland, West Virginia and South Carolina. All of 

 them lie on the watersheds of important navigable streams and 

 they include a large proportion of the most mountainous areas 

 in the Appalachian region. At the present time purchases are 

 being considered only within these areas, in which lands aggre- 

 gating 2,102,330 acres had been offered for the consideration of 

 the Government prior to June 30, 1912. 



It is not expected to buy all of the lands included in the Pur- 

 chase Areas in any case, usually not more than from 50 to 75 per 

 cent, is likely to be recommended for purchase. Compact bodies 

 of land containing from 25 to 50 thousand acres or more and from 

 25 to 100 miles apart are being assembled within the Purchase 

 Areas. They will be located with reference to their strategic 

 importance in controlling the fire problem and in furthering con- 

 servative cutting throughout the region. 



Under the law, the Geological Survey is required to pass upon 

 the lands considered for purchase and no purchase can be made 

 until a favorable report has been made by the Survey showing 

 that the control of the lands is important for the protection of a 

 navigable stream. The Survey has made rapid progress with its 

 work completing examinations and reports prior to June 30, 1912, 

 on 2,629,800 acres. All the reports rendered thus far are favor- 

 able. 



The Forest Service has been designated as the Bureau to receive 

 proposals of land and to examine and value lands for purchase. 

 The Commission considers land only on the recommendation of 

 the Forest Service. Prior to June 30, 1912, the Forest Service 

 had examined 840,453 acres. These examinations resulted in 

 recommendations upon which the Commission has approved the 

 acquisition of 287,698 acres. Negotiations are in progress for 

 large areas of other lands which have been examined and further 

 examinations are being made at this time. 



All lands on which condemnation proceedings have been insti- 



