THE NATIONAL FOREST MANUAL 



GRAZING. 



The Secretary of Agriculture has authority to permit, regulate, or 

 prohibit grazing in the National Forests. Under his direction the 

 Forest Service will allow the use of the forage crop as fully as the 

 proper care and protection of the forests and the water supply permit. 

 The cattle and sheep which are grazed in the National Forests bear 

 an important relation to the supply of beef and mutton in this 

 country, and every effort will be made by Forest officers to promote 

 the fullest possible use of the grazing resources. The utilization of 

 forage grasses and plants also reduces the fire danger and helps to 

 protect the Forests. In new National Forests, where the live-stock 

 industry is of special importance, full grazing privileges will be given 

 at first, and if reduction in number is afterwards found necessary 

 stockmen will be given ample opportunity to adjust their business 

 to the new conditions. Every effort will be made to distribute the 

 stock satisfactorily on the range, in order to secure greater harmony 

 among the users of the Forests, to reduce the waste of forage by tramp- 

 ing in unnecessary movement of stock, and to obtain a more perma- 

 nent, judicious, and profitable use of the range. 



The leading objects of the grazing regulations are: 



The protection and conservative use of all National Forest land 

 adapted for grazing. 



The permanent good of the live-stock industry through proper care 

 and improvement of the grazing lands. 



The protection of the settler and home builder against unfair com- 

 petition in the use of the range. 



It is expected that the stock owners will earnestly cooperate in 

 carrying out the regulations. 



Permits will be issued to graze a certain, number of live stock in 

 each National Forest, or part thereof, so long as no damage is done by 

 such stock. A reduction will be made from the number of stock 

 grazed during the previous season if, owing to the number grazed 

 or the method of handling the stock, damage is being done to the 

 Forest, and in extreme cases all stock will be excluded. 



Cattle and horses will usually be allowed to graze in all National 

 Forests. Sheep and goats will be allowed to graze in National 

 Forests or in parts thereof where the conditions warrant, but will be 

 restricted to the areas and grazing periods fixed by the Forest Service. 



Permits will usually be granted for one year, but where all contro- 

 versies have been settled and proper numbers of stock are allowed, 

 the Secretary of Agriculture will authorize the approval of applications 

 for periods of not more than five years, with the understanding that 

 all permits are terminable at any time and that the renewal of permits 

 will be within his discretion. 



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