THE NATIONAL FOREST MANUAL. 



FOREST PLANS. 



The object of the Forest plan is to systematize and control the 

 management of each Forest upon a definite basis 

 which shall represent the cumulative experience and 

 information which the Service has acquired. 



Three different kinds of plans, differing only in scope and intensity, 

 will be used in developing the management of the 

 respective Forests, namely: Preliminary plans, work- 

 ing plans, and annual plans. 



A preliminary plan is simply a systematic statement, prepared 



from the best information now available, of the 



resources of the Forest, the conditions governing 



their use and development, and the administrative measures to be 



followed in their management. 



A working plan is a similar statement, more complete and final in 

 character, based upon thorough investigation and 

 accurate data, and including a definite scheme of 

 management devised for a period of years. 



The annual plan is covered by the various periodic estimates and 



reports called for by the administrative sections of 



the Manual. It constitutes a periodic revision of the 



preliminary or working plan, together with the specific application of 



these plans to the business of the Forest for the ensuing year. 



Ground to be cov- The subjects to be covered in all forest plans 

 ed - are: 



1. General administration. 



2. Silvicultural management. 



3. Grazing management. 



4. Permanent improvements. 



5. Forest protection. 



6. Uses of Forest land, including settlements, special uses, 



water power, and administrative sites. 



The forest plan should coordinate the various lines of work in each 

 unit. It should provide for the most efficient admin- 

 work rdination f istration and the best use of the Forest resources pos- 

 sible at the least practicable cost. 



Each forest plan will provide for the management of a whole admin- 

 istrative unit or Forest. No plan should include 

 p ian ea covered by more than one Forest. Where conditions in adjacent 

 Forests are similar, or the Forests supply the same 

 markets, these facts will be considered, particularly in the location of 

 cutting areas and limitation of the annual cut. Such considerations 

 will also be necessary in grazing and protection. 



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