PROTECTION OF THE NATIONAL FORESTS. 77 



the United States, or used by the United States in the administration of the 

 Hational Forests. (Issued August 5, 1911, to take effect September 1, 1911; 

 paragraph (d) being aii amendment of December 11, 1911, and paragraph (e) 

 an amendment of August 6, 1912.) 



WHAT CONSTITUTES OCCUPANCY TRESPASS. 



The use of the National Forest land without permit for any purpose for 

 which special-use permits are required constitutes occupancy trespass. Travel- 

 ing, temporary camping r hunting, surveying, or prospecting may be carried on 

 without permit, and camp wood and forage for stock used in connection with 

 such projects may be taken free of charge. 



Since the United States has all the civil rights and remedies for trespass 

 possessed by private individuals, it may bring action to recover damages result- 

 ing from trespass or breach of contract. 



ACTION TO STOP TRESPASS. 



If the trespasser is engaged in constructing any building or other structure 

 on National Forest land, he will be notified by a written order to suspend 

 work. In aggravated cases it is within the authority of a ranger to seize im- 

 provements constructed on National Forest land. 



PROPERTY TRESPASS. 



The unauthorized appropriation, damage, or destruction of property of the 

 United States used in the administration of the National Forests constitutes 

 a trespass. 



RECOVERY OF FOREST SERVICE PROPERTY. 



Forest officers may, without special instructions, seize Forest Service prop- 

 erty wrongfully taken wherever it is found. Seizure may be made when it 

 can be done peaceably, and whenever necessary to prevent the Government 

 property from being sold, damaged, destroyed, or removed beyond recovery. 



BOUNDARY MARKS. 



Destroying, defacing, changing, or moving any corner, meander post, monu- 

 ment, or bench mark, or cutting down any blazed line or witness tree on any 

 Government line or survey is prohibited by specific act of Congress, providing 

 a penalty of fine or imprisonment, or both. 



The instructions require that the boundary lines of every Forest and the 

 boundaries of private lands within the Forests shall be located and marked 

 for the information of the public in order to prevent trespass and to simplify 

 the administration of the Forest. 



In timber the boundary lines are marked by blazes and Forest Service 

 boundary posters. Boundary posters with the proper description are placed at 

 all corners and at intersections with trails, roads, and streams, and ridges. 

 The posters face outward from the Forest. In parks where there is no timber 

 upon which the notices can be tacked posts are set. Stone monuments are often 

 used and also printed and stenciled signs giving needful information. 



Many thousands of miles of the most necessary parts of Forest boundary 

 have been thus located and marked. The remaining portions will be marked as 

 necessity arises, and as money and men become available. 



SETTLEMENT OF TRESPASS CASES. 



REGULATION T-5. The district foresters are authorized to settle all cases of 

 innocent or unintentional civil trespasses where the total value of the Forest 

 products injured, taken, or destroyed is not in excess of $100. (Issued August 

 5, 1911, to take effect September 1, 1911.) 



REGULATION T-6. Settlement of all innocent or unintentional civil trespasses 

 where the total value of the Forest products injured, taken, or destroyed is in 

 excess of $100 will be effected by the Secretary of Agriculture. All willful civil 

 trespasses, or those involving injury to the lands of the United States, separate 

 and apart from the taking, injury, or destruction of Forest products, and all 



