A NATIONAL PLAN FOR AMERICAN FORESTRY 1073 



protection cannot be suddenly organized and made effective over 

 large areas until the landowners themselves want their lands pro- 

 tected and are ready to pay for part of it either directly or out of 

 funds raised by taxation. It can be successful only under enthusiastic 

 local cooperation. 



There is amply reason to be encouraged over results thus far accom- 

 plished, and the cooperative system embodied in the Clarke-McNary 

 law is here particularly well adapted to the great variety of conditions 

 encountered. 



PACIFIC COAST 



Federal cooperation in fire protection in the Pacific coast region has 

 meant better protection than would have been practicable without it. 

 It has meant increased funds from the States and from private owners. 

 It has tended to sustain the interest of owners in their deforested land 

 and to make the financing of far-reaching programs appear practicable. 

 It has considerably advanced legislation and plans. To make these 

 gains secure by some guarantee of continuity in the protection thus 

 far attained is the purpose to which the Forest Service is bending its 

 energies. 



In California there has been a marked increase in State and county 

 funds in recent years, as from $73,000 in 1921 to $505,000 in 1931. 

 This was accompanied by an increase in Federal funds from $23,000 

 to $148,000. The State forestry department has beenjapidly ex- 

 panded and the work greatly increased. Federal cooperation has here 

 been a strong stimulus and also has helped greatly through partici- 

 pation in plans and in making available the experience on the national 

 forests. The financial help and moral support of the Federal Govern- 

 ment has been effective in sustaining the State's efforts in protecting 

 large areas which may later come into public ownership. Meanwhile, 

 the public has a special stake in safeguarding its investment by the 

 continuance of this work. 



The region is characterized by a real need for an appreciation of 

 Federal cooperation. Even though local financial support of the 

 work is comparatively large, the part played by Federal cooperation 

 is vital. 



NORTH ROCKY MOUNTAIN 



Federal cooperation in the north Rocky Mountain region had an 

 important influence upon the passage of advanced pieces of forestry 

 legislation, including provisions for compulsory participation in the 

 protection of their forest properties and slash disposal by the private 

 owners. 



Federal cooperation has increased the numerical strength of the 

 protective organizations and has improved performance, especially 

 through close contact of associations and national forest officers. 

 Improved practice has resulted from contact with activities on the 

 national forests. The lumber industry has gained a better under- 

 standing of the aims and objects of forestry and has recognized the 

 practicability of some of its phases to its own problem. 



Federal aid has not prevented the breaking down of protection on 

 about 150,000 acres in one instance in Idaho. The question naturally 

 arises, Could the Federal cooperation have been so handled as to have 

 prevented this? Possibly this cooperation came too late, or the funds 



