14 - 



to the subdividing of these forestlands. 



The percentage of the 3.14 million acres of small private commercial forest 

 lands managed for timber production is not known. Private lands are 

 usually at lower elevations, are readily accessible, and most have been 

 previously logged (Schweitzer, Benson and McConne, 1975). Small farms. 

 ranches and individual residences with small acreages may account for a 

 considerable portion of these lands. Recent studies assessing landowner 

 objectives in the United States show that less than 10 percent of individuals 

 polled expressed an interest in wood or fiber production or in making 

 investments necessary to increase production of forestlands (Jones and 

 Paxton, 1977). 



Many of the logged stands (especially those harvested in the late 1800's 

 and early 1900' s) currently support saw timber; however, most of these 

 stands have not been intensively managed. Road systems are generally 

 well developed in logged stands and on smaller private tracts. 



3. State forest lands 



The State of Montana controls about three percent of the commercial 

 forest land in Montana (421,000 acres). These lands are administered by 

 the Forestry Division of the Department of Natural Resources and Con- 

 servation, although decisions regarding state lands are made by the Board 

 of Land Commissioners. The state originally controlled sections 16 and 

 36 in each township. Land exchanges, however, have resulted in consoli- 

 dation of state forest lands into contiguous blocks. West of the 

 Continental Divide about 200,000 acres are grouped into seven state forests 

 (Bolle, et.al., 1966). 



