Land Use Planning (Cont.) 



Another problem is the harvesting of timber. Shall we use the clear- 

 cut method where all timber is taken from a given square and all slash 

 burned and the trees replanted, or shall we use selected cutting, where 

 only trees of a certain diameter are harvested, and the other trees are 

 allowed to mature? 



Application of multiple use is of major concern to many people who seek 

 the benefits of public land today. Is there land that will actually 

 lend itself to multiple use to the satisfaction of environmentalists, 

 ecologists, industrialists, recreationalists, and agricultural interests? 



Planning for the good use of land is not a new problem, and by the same 

 token is not one unique to a particular area. It is something that 

 affects all parts of the world. For the past ten years soil conserva- 

 tionists have traveled overseas , anywhere from two weeks to two years 

 or more at a time, to aid other nations in meeting conservation chal- 

 lenges. A tribal chieftain in far-off Nigeria had this to say, "I 

 conceive that land belongs to a vast family of which many are dead, 

 few are living, and countless numbers are unborn." 



Much has been done in land use planning, but much is left to be done. 



All people must come to an understanding about our land and their 



personal responsibility to it. The answers are in cooperation, educa- 

 tion, and legislation. 



Much legislation has been enacted, and undoubtedly much more will be 

 necessary. To have any effective legislation on land use planning, 

 voters must be informed. 



We must make more coordinated use of the various federal agencies which 

 deal in land use planning. As the Nigerian chieftain said, "... the 

 land belongs to a vast family..." a family where no one is too old, no 

 one is too young, and every bit of effort is important. 



Young people in 4-H clubs, for years, have been teaching the impoitance 

 of good land use. Even the youngest members have been an example to 

 members in the community. The Boy Scouts have launched a program called 

 SOAR, Save Our American Resources. This program was such a success the 

 Girl Scouts are joining the project this year. 4-H, Scouts, FFA, and 

 FHA are all examples of young people getting involved. 



The vision and dedication of the men who early saw the need for land 

 planning and pioneered so many programs here in the United States and in 

 other parts of the world have turned us around on a path of conservation 

 chaos and have led us down the road to better living today, and hopefully 

 better land use for generations to come. It is everyone's problem. It 

 is everyone's responsibility. 



Emily Dickinson, in her poem, "We Never Know How High," said 

 "We never know how high we are 

 Till we are called to rise; 

 And then if we are true to plan. 

 Our statures touch the skies..." 



The need for land use planning is now apparent, and the test is to see 

 if we can rise and solve the problem. 



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