60 FOREST RESERVES IN IDAHO. 



capacity of the range, which is realized too Lite to prevent permanent 

 injury. Upon forest reserves the aim is to allow all the grazing, 

 either of sheep or cattle, which will not decrease the next year's su])- 

 ply, and to allot it on an equitable basis. The settler is protected 

 first of all, and others considered according to their rights or prior- 

 ity and location. 



These, then, are the j^resent objects of forest reserves. ^Yh.at valid 

 objection can be urged against them? Whether it is successful 

 depends upon the administration of the reserves and upon the coop- 

 eration of the citizens of Idaho. On February 1, 1905, the adminis- 

 tration was transferred to the Department of Agriculture, and the 

 Poorest Service of that Department has nearly completed a revision of 

 the regulations upon an entirely new policy. Control from Washing- 

 ton will be reduced and much more authority given to the local offi- 

 cers. Being on the ground and familiar Avith local conditions, they 

 will be able to do business promptly, without delay of correspondence 

 and red tape. The present policy is based upon the use of the 

 reserves by the people, Avitli only such restrictions as are necessary to 

 insure the fullest use. 



The regulations provide for free use by settlers and prospectors of 

 all the material they need. Large consumers can purchase as freely 

 and as cheaply as from private speculators, although they must not 

 destroy the growth which will provide a second crop. The mining 

 laws apply exactly as they do on outside reserves. Private enterprises, 

 like reservoirs, ditches, telephone lines, stores, and summer resorts, are 

 allowed upon application. Grazing is regulated only so far as neces- 

 sary to prevent destruction of the range or unfair competition. Bet- 

 ter pay will be given forest officers and better men secured for the 

 service. 



Forest reserves not only do not hinder development, but they actu- 

 ally assist it in many ways. For example, outside of them there is 

 usually no legitimate way to get timber except by buying the land, 

 Avhich can not be done unless it is surveyed. Cutting on unsurveyed 

 land is usually trespass, punishable by fine or imprisonment. On a 

 reserve timber may be obtained anywhere for any purpose. To 

 secure any legal right of way on the public domain requires compli- 

 ance with cumbersome laws calling for expensive plats and survey- 

 and necessitating long delays. The new regulations for forest 

 reserves allow^ permits for all small projects, with no red tape or wait- 

 ing. On the public domain no one can legally operate a store, hotel, 

 or any other establishment unless he can establish a claim to the land. 

 If it is not agricultural land, or if he has used his homestead right, he 

 usually has no way except to locate a mineral claim, regardless of 

 whether he can hold it as such legally. He is always at the mercy 

 of the claim jumi^er. On a reserve he has only to secure a permit to 

 occupy the land for the desired purpose and the Government protects 

 him. 



A very important aid to the public which is to be provided under 

 the present management will be the active building and opening of 

 roads and trails. The lack of trails and bridges is a great inconven- 

 ience throughout nearly all mountain regions in Idaho, and the forest 

 service expects to devote much time and money to this purpose. 



These conditions should remove most of the objections which have 

 been made against either existing or proposed reserves in Idaho. No 



