PROTECTION OF THE NATIONAL FORESTS. 79 



IMPORTANCE OF PROTECTION. 



Undoubtedly the greatest value of the mountain ranges of the West, most of 

 which are within National Forests, lies in their influence upon the regularity of 

 the water supply. In many of the States the mountains afford the only water 

 supply for domestic use, for irrigation, and for the development of power. The 

 future development of the entire region, therefore, will depend upon the amount 

 of water and the manner in which it flows from the mountains. 



The vegetative covering has a very decided influence on run-off. For this 

 reason Congress made the preservation of conditions favorable to stream flow 

 one of the principal objects in the establishment and administration of the 

 National Forests. 



COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS. 



To insure the sufficiency and purity of the water supply of a municipality or 

 of an irrigation district, or to prevent floods and snowslides, the use of water- 

 sheds for grazing, timber, special uses, or settlement will be specially restricted 

 by the Secretary when such restriction is necessary. Applications for such 

 restrictions should be made to the forest supervisor by city authorities or by 

 petition of associations of interested citizens. The supervisor will submit a 

 complete report upon application, paying particular attention to the need and 

 reasonableness of the restrictive measures requested, and the effect which the 

 proposed restrictions will have upon established industries. 



The watersheds tributary to many of the larger western cities and towns are 

 under special protection by the Forest Service. Under Regulation T-4 (D) it is 

 possible to maintain such sanitary control of them as will greatly reduce the 

 danger of typhoid and other enteric diseases. 



STIPULATIONS IN PERMITS AND CONTRACTS. 



It is the duty of every Forest officer before granting a permit for any use of 

 the National Forests to consider its effect on the water supply, and when 

 necessary to incorporate in the permit or contract stipulations which will afford 

 protection from possible injury. 



PROTECTION OF GAME, FISH, AND BIRDS. 



REGULATION G-30. All Forest officers will cooperate with State or Terri- 

 torial officials, so far as they can without undue interference with their regular 

 Forest work, to enforce local laws for the protection of birds, fish, and game. 

 When properly authorized to do so they will act without additional pay as 

 deputy game wardens with full power to enforce local laws, but may not 

 accept any fees or rewards or parts of fines on account of the enforcement of 

 State game laws. Forest officers and employees may, however, accept any 

 bounties voluntarily offered by any State or county or any association or in- 

 dividual for the destruction of predatory wild animals. (Issued April 25, 

 1913, to take effect May 1. 1913.) 



Wild game adds materially to the enjoyment of the National Forests by the 

 public, and the preservation of game animals, birds, and fish is a public 

 duty. This duty, however, rests primarily with the State. It is incumbent 

 upon the Forest Service, under the act of May 23, 1908, to render all reason- 

 able assistance in the protection of game within the National Forests, but 

 the Service must be governed in its enforcement of the game laws by the 

 attitude of the State officials. Furthermore, such assistance must be sub- 

 ordinated to the regular protective and administrative work of the Forest 

 Service. 



GAME AND BIRD REFUGES. 



Four different classes of game and bird refuges may be included within 

 the National Forests : National game refuges, or areas in which the killing 

 of game animals is prohibited by acts of Congress; national bird refuges, or 

 areas in which the killing of birds is prohibited by acts of Congress; State 

 game preserves, or areas in which the killing of game is prohibited by the 

 legislature of the State or Territory; and protected areas, or areas closed to 



