1158 A NATIONAL PLAN FOR AMERICAN FORESTRY 



The greatest probabilities of early exploitation are of course, in 

 zone 1, but under the stress of inescapable fixed charges operations 

 also are conducted in zone 2, the stump age absorbing the operating 

 deficits. Zone 3 is largely safeguarded against early exploitation by 

 the large margin of loss per thousand board feet. However, new de- 

 velopments such as new transportation facilities may modify the 

 classification by throwing areas into zone 1 or zone 2. Moreover, 

 since all of the land is subject to all costs of private ownership a 

 given tract of timber even though it is not subject to profitable op- 

 eration may by the burdens of its ownership compel the liquidation 

 of more accessible stumpage to meet current costs. 



In the circumstances described, public acquisition of heavily 

 timbered lands, rather than being detrimental to private forestry, is 

 one of the most practicable means by which private forestry can be 

 placed upon a sound and stable foundation. Since the power of 

 eminent domain is rarely exercised in forest acquisition programs 

 and considerations allowed are held strictly to current market prices, 

 the public would acquire only those lands which private agencies were 

 indisposed or unable to carry until the utilization of their timber 

 values was dictated by sound economic considerations. The policy 

 therefore would be one of relief to private forestry rather than one 

 of negation. Considering the nature and location of existing and 

 proposed public forests, the public programs of acquisition largely 

 would involve timbered lands in zone 3, the zone within which private 

 operation is, and for some time will be, least practicable. Relieved of 

 the burden of zone 3 properties, private operators would be in a far 

 better position to manage their zone 1 and zone 2 holdings in con- 

 formity with good forest practices and sound economic principles. 



PUBLIC AGENCIES ENGAGED IN THE ACQUISITION OF 



FOREST LANDS 



Municipal acquisition of forest lands ordinarily is motivated by 

 one or both of two purposes : The protection of the municipal water- 

 shed or the provision of areas within which the citizens can engage in 

 various forms of outdoor recreation. In few cases is the municipally 

 owned forest regarded primarily as a source of timber supply or of 

 income from the sale of timber products; although frequently, as 



E roved in European countries, it has large potentialities along those 

 nes.^ In recent years, notably in New England, there has been a 

 growing interest in "town forests" with increased emphasis upon 

 revenue production. While the movement seems destined to grow 

 in scope and importance as time goes on, it has not thus far attained 

 large dimensions nor gained general recognition. 



Similarly, in the instances where forest lands have been purchased 

 by counties, or secured through exchanges of other county lands or 

 resources, the element of public recreation has been prominent and 

 though designated as forests the lands largely perform the functions 

 of parks. Since tax-delinquent lands in many States revest in the 

 county, only the heavily populated counties containing lands of high 

 value and little subject to tax reversion hitherto have found it neces- 

 sary to make appreciable purchases of forest lands to promote their 

 programs. In few instances have the possibilities of well-managed 

 forest lands as sources of permanent county income received construe- 



