U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 



FOREST SERVICE. 



HENBY S. GBAVES, Forester. 



INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING TERM OCCUPANCY 



PERMITS. 



ACT MARCH 4, 1915. 



APRIL 22, 1915. 



The act of March 4, 1915, authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture, 

 upon such terms as he may deem proper, to allow the occupancy of 

 National Forest lands for any period not exceeding 30 years win TO 

 the lands are to be used for summer homes, hotels, stores, or other 

 structures needed for recreation or public convenience, but no person 

 maybe allowed to use more than 5 acres. The purpose of the ad 

 is to make the National Forests more available than hitherto for 

 recreation uses. Prior to its enactment National Forest lands could 

 be occupied for the various purposes mentioned in the new law, but 

 only /under permits which were revocable at the discretion of the 

 department. 



Users of National Forest lands have expressed an unwillingness to 

 make substantial improvements where they are to occupy lands under 

 a permit subject to revocation at any time. Where, however, inex- 

 pensive structures are contemplated no difficulty has been expe- 

 rienced in meeting the wants of users by granting such a permit.. It 

 is expected, therefore, that in the future, as in the past, the needs of 

 persons who do not expect to occupy the land for more than a few 

 years will be met by the ordinary special-use permit. But where 

 prospective permittees contemplate the erection of structures involv- 

 ing expenditures valued at a considerable amount, and therefore 

 expect to occupy the land for several years, they should be given the 

 right to occupy for a definite period under the new law, if th< 

 desire. 



The amount of land which any person may be allowed to u- 

 limited to 5 acres. For ordinary summer-home uses it is beli< 

 that an area considerably less than this amount will be sufficiec 

 meet the needs of most persons, since such area will be large enough 

 to include all structures which it is probable will b< I. Ordi- 



narily 1 acre, or even -uld suflice. Great care should be 



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