20 THE USE BOOK. 



their water supply. If the authorities of any such 

 town have . determined by investigation that the de- 

 crease of the water supply is caused by overgrazing, 

 excessive cutting, or fire, they are invited to apply to 

 the Forest Service for assistance after consulting with 

 the supervisor. 



The supervisor on receipt of requests of this nature will imme- 

 diately report to the Forester, in detail, covering the following 

 points: 



Location and area of the watershed. 



Distance from the reserve line of the intake of the city supply. 



Description of the forest, including species, density, reproduc- 

 tion, soil, slope, and ground cover. 



Definite recommendations as to steps the Forest Service should 

 take to improve or protect the watershed by planting, trail build- 

 ing, extra fire patrol, closing to stock, or prohibiting the sale of 

 timber. 



CLAIMS AND BIGHTS. 

 I. IN GENERAL. 



Questions involving title to unperfected valid claims 

 are entirely within the jurisdiction of the Secretary of 

 the Interior. A valid claim is defined as one initiated 

 in good faith under some act of Congress and con- 

 tinued by use consistent with the character of the 

 claim and necessary for its actual development. 



REG. 1. Persons having valid claims under the public- 

 land laws or legal titles to lands within forest reserves 

 are free to occupy and enjoy their holdings, but must not 

 interfere with the purposes for which the reserves are 

 created, and must not cut timber or make use of forest- 

 reserve land without a permit, except within the limits 

 and for the actual development of their claims. Any 

 other use will constitute trespass. (Pp. 91 and 191.) 



