FOKEST KESEEVES IN IDAHO. 55 



exhausted, ^Yhen it will be of great value, and it ought to be pre- 

 served. 



Xo part of the proposed addition is safe from fire. The area of 

 the forests which is untouched by fire is becoming smaller each year, 

 and from its position can not be expected to escape much longer un- 

 less it receives protection. In the northern portion of the addition 

 are two areas of commercial timber, separated by the South Fork of 

 the Clearwater, which have been but slightly injured by fire. Both 

 possess the conditions which give rise to the most destructive fires, 

 and strict regulations are needed if they are to be saved. 



Taken as a whole, the area possesses but few resources or industries 

 Avhich will be influenced in any way by its inclusion in the reserve. 

 T am aware of the fact that the local sentiment surrounding this ter- 

 ritory is generally adverse to the proposed addition. I think this is 

 owing to a misunderstanding. The only class which will be aifected 

 at all by including this area in a reservation are the cattle owners who 

 use the range, and they will be benefited. Cattle grazing has no- 

 where wrought any injury to the forests, and even where sod is 

 formed, reproduction universally follows cattle raising. Cattle and 

 stock grazing will always be allowed on the proposed addition. 

 Three times the number of cattle which now graze in this region can 

 safely be permitted there, and the local cattlemen will be protected 

 and preference given to them over outside cattlemen. Sheep do not 

 range in this section to speak of now, but provision also can be made 

 for them without disturbing the cattle ranges, as some portions of 

 the forest reserve are suitable for sheep grazing, l:>ut not for cattle 

 grazing. The district is well supplied with roads and trails, but the 

 Department Avill take it upon itself to improve old trails and to con- 

 struct new ones between such points, for instance, as Meadow, on 

 Meadow Creek, to Corral Hill. Also from Adams down Slate Creek 

 to Freedom, or at any rate a trail which will connect Adams with 

 the trail from Little Slate Creek to John Day's. 



The land to be reserved in the proposed addition is nearly all pub- 

 lic and unsurve^^ed. It is divided as follows : 



Acres. 



Homestead entry or patent 1.320 



Timber and stone patent 240 



School land 1. 920 



Public land 4(U. 9.">T 



Senator Heyburn protests against this reserve in the following 

 language : 



As to the addition to the Bitter Root Reserve, which inelndes the towns of 

 Xewsome and Florence, there is absolutely nothing to be said in favor of it. 

 Like the Bitter Root Forest Reserve, it is at the head of streams flowing into 

 regions where irrigation is not needed and where the complaint is " too mucli 

 water " rather than not enough. The town of Florence, which was settled in 

 1862, and which, with its immediate surroundings, has produced over .$100,000,000 

 in gold, is still a flourishing and producing country and is built up with schools, 

 churches, public institutions, and homes. A statement of these facts should 

 in itself be sufficient to make the consideration of the creation of a forest 

 reserve impossible. 



I have already discussed the town of Xewsome in a former protest. It is a 

 growing and prosperous town on the State wagon road. The country lying 

 between these two points contains some timber, but it is worth infinitely more 

 for home-making and agricultural purposes. 



