248 EMERGENCY CONSERVATION WORK 



and transport forest products and to make these forests accessible 

 for recreational purposes has been of vast importance. Forest roads 

 and trails assist in the system of fire prevention and control. More 

 than 50,000 miles of these highways have been built, and many thou- 

 sands of foot and horse trails have been constructed. 



6. The reduction or control of soil erosion by building dams, plant- 

 ing trees and other plants, and similar methods. Over 1,000,000 dams 

 have been built, thus benefiting over 1,500,000 acres. In the Tennes- 

 see River Valley and along the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers, and in 

 many other sections of the country, the control of serious erosion in 

 both our agricultural and forested districts is of great importance. 



7. The improvement of conditions for wild animals, birds, and 

 fish. Over 3000 fish dams have been built. Provisions for our wild 

 life have been a recognized part of the program. 



8. Rodent control. This is conducted principally in National For- 

 est areas in the West to improve grazing conditions. Over 10,000,000 

 acres have been treated in this way. Ground squirrels, gophers, and 

 other rodents have done a tremendous amount of damage on many 

 grazing areas in the West. 



In addition, many roads and trails have been landscaped; many 

 corrals and forest structures, such as rangers' cabins, tool houses for 

 fire protection, and lookout cabins, have been built; many springs 

 have been developed to assist the grazing of sheep and cattle; six air- 

 plane landing fields have been constructed; and even coal mine fires 

 have been combated. 



