1600 A NATIONAL PLAN FOR AMERICAN FORESTRY 



Both have certain responsibilities, arising from local public needs. 

 It is assumed that local government should accept its obligations to the 

 full extent of its legal authority and financial ability, but that usually 

 a large degree of responsibility for the local forestry program will rest 

 upon State government. Unless specifically explained otherwise, 

 therefore, the term "State' 7 as used here will refer to the combined 

 public agencies within the State. 



RESPONSIBILITY OF THE STATE 



The forestry responsibility of the State is divided into three major 

 fields: 



(1) State-aid activities to promote and encourage private forestry; 

 (2) research in forestry and related problems; (3) acquisition and ad- 

 ministration of forest lands. 



State-aid activities consist of participation in the protection of pri- 

 vately owned forests; production and distribution of trees for forest 

 planting; projects of forestry extension and education; enactment and 

 enforcement of legislation; and general advisory services. 



State research in forestry and related problems includes coordinated 

 investigations calculated to supply much of the information needed 

 as a basis for local forestry measures. Research contributes to State- 

 aid activities as well as to State forest management. 



When a State adopts a program of forest ownership it assumes 

 financial responsibility for forest-land acquisition and administration, 

 and responsibility for permanently managing its lands in the best 

 interests of the public. Such management includes intensive silvi- 

 cultural practice for sustained timber production; protection against 

 forest fire and other injury; reforestation, where necessary; and satis- 

 factory measures to safeguard watershed, wild-life, recreational, and 

 other forest values. 



In setting up the State forestry program which follows, allowance 

 has been made for the greatest expansion of private forestry that can 

 reasonably be expected. Due consideration has been given to the 

 economic requirements and limitations of the local forest situation, 

 and to State ability to accept further financial or other obligations. 

 Federal participation has been assumed to the extent that the private 

 and State programs leave forestry obligations unprovided for. There- 

 fore this program outlines the greatest participation that can be ex- 

 pected from the States, and at the same tune the least responsibility 

 that can be considered their share. 



This section summarizes conclusions stated in greater detail in the 

 program sections of the report. 



THE STATE FORESTRY PROGRAM 

 THE ORGANIZATION NECESSARY 



In 42 States legal provision has been made for forestry activities of 

 one kind or another, yet in relatively few has progress been commen- 

 sirate with the forestry problems. Failure in achievement has been 

 caused either by inadequate funds, insufficient authority, unstable 

 policy or organization, or political restrictions or by a combination of 

 these circumstances, all of which reflect lack of intelligent interest on 

 the part of the public. 



