lO DEPARTMENTAL EEPOKTS. 



promptly begun in the summer and fall of 1906, but before it could 

 proceed far winter interrupted the -work. Before spring came a 

 large number of applications had accumulated. Under the super- 

 vision of the chief inspectors in the different districts the field work 

 was pushed as rapidly as possible by experienced men. These ex- 

 -aminers, almost without exception, were western men, thoroughly 

 ^familiar with local conditions. The examiners were accompanied 

 by tTie applicants whenever this was possible. Detailed surveys were 

 made of areas for listing which were not covered by the public-land 

 surveys. A full report was made upon each tract; it considered 

 markets, transportation facilities, topography, soil, cover, and eco- 

 nomic possibilities. 



Applicants with prior rights are permitted to occupy lands chiefly 

 valuable for agriculture and not needed for administrative use, 

 pending the formal listing of the lands. Settlers already occupying 

 lands in good faith are not required to apply for permission to con- 

 tinue their occupancy and use. The only restrictions are that the 

 land must be chiefly valuable for agriculture and not needed for ad- 

 ministratiA^e use, and that the interests of any previous applicant 

 for the same land must not be injuriously affected. 



CLAIMS. 



Although lands included within National F'orests are withdrawn 

 from all forms or entry or filing, except under the mining laws and 

 the agricultural settlement act of June 11, 1906, many claims are valid 

 because initiated prior to the creation of the National Forest. All 

 alleged claims must be examined and reported upon in order that the 

 Commissioner of the General Land Office may be informed if there 

 appears to be reason why patent should not issue. 



Three geologists detailed by the Geological Survey assisted the 

 forest supervisors in examining mining claims. 



Reports on 2,473 claims inside National Forest boundaries were 

 received from examiners. Of this number 1,093 mining, 705 home- 

 stead, 50 desert land, 42 timber and stone, and 29 miscellaneous claims 

 were transmitted to the General Land Office for final action ; 200 min- 

 ing, 100 homestead, 10 desert land, and 29 timber and stone claims 

 were held for further report, and 215 required no action. 



The General Land Office ordered 91 hearings on recommendations 

 of the Forest Service that claims be rejected. 



SPECIAL USES. 



The business of special uses was approximately double that of the 

 preceding year; Applications were received for 1,763 permits, and 

 100 applications for rights of Avay amounting to easements were 

 referred to the Forest Service by the Department of the Interior for 

 recommendation. Of the permits applied for, 1,668 were issued, 50 

 were refused, and 45 were received too late to be acted upon before 

 the close of the year. 



STATUS. 



There were obtained from the General Land Office records relating 

 to tracts of land concerning which information was needed, and data 



