150 OUR NATIONAL FORESTS 



PROTECTION AGAINST TRESPASS^ FOREST INSECTS, 

 EROSION, AND OTHER AGENCIES 



While the protection of the Forest resources from 

 fire is probably the most important phase of forest 

 protection, it is not the only one by any means. 

 The National Forest force also protects the Forest 

 resources from trespass, from insect damages, and 

 from tree diseases. Also water supply for domestic 

 use, for irrigation, waterpower, and navigation 

 must be protected, and the public health must be 

 safeguarded against the pollution of the streams 

 emerging from the Forests. It is also the duty of 

 Forest officers, in cooperation with the state au- 

 thorities, to protect game, fish, and birds from il- 

 legal practices. 



Trespass. The Act of June 4, 1897, authorizes 

 the Secretary of Agriculture to make rules and 

 regulations for the occupancy, use and protection of 

 the National Forests, and provides that any viola- 

 tion of such rules and regulations shall be punish- 

 able by a fine or imprisonment or both. This and 

 later acts provide for fines or imprisonment for all 

 violations of the regulations governing National 

 Forests. The violation of these regulations consti- 



