1606 A NATIONAL PLAN FOB AMERICAN FORESTRY 



REFORESTATION ON STATE FORESTS 



The reforestation program suggested in this report calls for planting 

 some 13 million acres of State-owned forest land within the next 20 

 years. This estimate is based chiefly on the proposed State acquisi- 

 tion of lands upon which erosion control and watershed protection 

 are highly important. Planting cannot proceed at a satisfactory rate 

 until the supplies of planting stock annually available are greatly 

 enlarged. This phase of the work should be carried forward rapidly 

 in the immediate future. 



To plant 13 million acres in 20 years means annual planting of 

 650,000 acres. This would require approximately 650 million trees 

 yearly. 



It is estimated that the expense of growing the trees and planting 

 them on State forest lands will average $7.60 per acre. The expense 

 of planting 10 percent of the total area of State forests to be acquired, 

 or approximately 10 million acres, is carried in the $2 per acre capital 

 investment. To plant the remaining 3 million acres estimated to 

 require planting will necessitate an expenditure of $1,140,000 annually 

 throughout the 20-year period. 



NEEDED LEGISLATION 



The development of the State forestry recommended in this pro- 

 gram is dependent to a great extent upon legislative action. Spe- 

 cifically, legislation is needed for the following purposes: 



1. To provide for the establishment of a strong, efficient forestry 

 organization in each State, with ample provision for permanence, 

 stability of policy, adequate financial support, necessary authority, 

 and freedom from political interference. Where such an organiza- 

 tion does not now exist, its establishment is the first essential of the 

 State's forestry program. 



2. To provide authority and funds for the proposed State land- 

 acquisition program. 



3. To provide authority for permanent State or local ownership 

 of tax-reverted forest and submarginal agricultural lands suitable for 

 State or local management and administration for forestry purposes. 



4. To provide authority for consolidation, management, and admin- 

 istration of State-owned forest land, such as grant and tax-reverted 

 land, suitable for these purposes. 



5. To provide authority for land exchange to facilitate consolida- 

 tion and administration of State-owned forest land. 



6. To provide the authority and funds necessary for State organiza- 

 tion and direction of State-wide forest-fire control, including reasonable 

 safeguards for the legitimate use of fire in the woods and provisions 

 for the punishment of carelessness, neglect, or arson. 



7. To provide the authority for organization, the funds, and the 

 regulations necessary for the protection of forests against damage 

 from insects, diseases, acts of trespass, and other injury. In some 

 instances public interest may require the regulation of certain phases 

 of the management of private forest lands. 



