1324 A NATIONAL PLAN FOR AMERICAN FORESTRY 



which this program is carried out, as well as unpredictable economic 

 conditions and other variable factors, will determine the rate at 

 which such returns can be realized both in time and amount. 



RETURNS FROM GRAZING 



The forage resource is now more completely used than any other 

 revenue-producing resource on the national forests. Unlike the 

 timber, which for the most part is sold to the highest bidder, the 

 grazing has been so far administered to stabilize the grazing industry, 

 giving preference to the small farmer and grazier. This policy has 

 been justified in numerous localities to preserve the value of small 

 ranch properties dependent for summer forage on the forest ranges. 

 Under the present system and scale of charges the average return 

 for the 5-year period 1925 to 1929, inclusive, was $1,626,388, exclusive 

 of Alaska. The acquisition program when carried out will add mate- 

 rially to these re turns. Careful appraisal of ranges on existing 

 national forests indicates that the actual normal commercial value of 

 the forage is far in excess of the present rates charged. The future 

 returns from grazing will be contingent on the economic position 

 which the industry dependent on the national forests may eventually 

 attain and the public policies which may be developed regarding 

 disposal and charges for grazing use. It seems logical to expect an 

 increase in demand for use of these resources as the population in- 

 creases. Grazing with a fair charge for privileges may yield as 

 much as $4,000,000 annually in the course of time. 



SPECIAL USES 



These include all present revenues from occupancy of forest lands 

 other than timber and grazing use. The average revenues from 1925 

 to 1929 were $370,000. These revenues may be expected to show a 

 gradual increase. It is reasonable to assume that within 20 to 40 

 years they may grow to six times the present income or approximately 

 $2,000,000. 



OTHER SOURCES OF REVENUES, NOW USED WITHOUT CHARGES 



RECREATIONAL USES 



The recreation program proposes a withdrawal of some accessible 

 timber areas from commercial use, and a considerable acreage classed 

 as poor and inaccessible commercial timber forests, and their reserva- 

 tion primarily for recreational use. In addition, a large acreage of 

 noncommercial timberland and nonforested land would be made 

 especially available for recreation, including wild-life conservation. 

 All these areas will require outlay for protection against fire, insects, 

 and disease. The administration and protection of such areas costs 

 considerable sums. To this must be added costs for maintaining and 

 increasing the fish and game supply, development and care of camping 

 sites, and the construction of roads and trails. It has been the policy 

 to make no charge for these se'rvices in the past. It is not unreason- 

 able to suppose that eventually consideration must be given to the 

 possibility of offsetting the cost of providing the special facilities 

 required by .the recreationist through reasonable charges. 



As shown in the section, "The Forest for Kecreation" (table 1), 

 the number of visitors to national forests has steadily increased and 



