12 FOREST LAWS OF AUSTRIA. 



[ Translation of the General Forest Law of Austria in force since January i, iSS3- J 



CHAPTER I. 



CULTIVATION OF FORESTS. 



Sec. I. Forests are distinguished as {a) State or Imperial forests under the control of the 

 State authorities, {b) Common forests, belonging to city and country communities, (ir) Private 

 forests, belonging either to private individuals, or to corporations, or to orders, monasteries, 

 benefices or prebends. 



Sec. 2, No forest can be withdravi^n from cultivation and used for other purposes 

 except by consent. This consent can only be granted with reference to State forests by the 

 proper authority, and if questions of strategy or military defense arise the concurrence of the 

 Ministry of War is required. 



With reference to common and private forests the consent of the district authorities is 

 required, and all parties interested are to be heard on the application, and in case of conflict 

 of interests the matter is to be submitted to the proper civil judge. 



The arbitrary use of forests for other purposes is punished by a fine of five florins per joch. 

 [ I joch^l.42 acres.] 



The area thus converted to improper use must be replanted within a certain time, to be 

 fixed by experts.- In case of default the fine is again imposed. 



Sec. 3. Newly-cleared tracts of State or common forests must be replanted within five 

 years. A longer time may be allowed for the replanting of private forests, according to cir- 

 cumstances, and in pursuance of the provisions of section 20. 



Sec. 4. No forest should be devastated ; that is, so treated that the cultivation is either 

 jeopardized or made impossible. If the cultivation has only been jeopardized a fine will be 

 imposed in accordance with section 2, and the replanting is to be enforced. If, however, 

 cultivation has been impossible, a fine up to 10 florins per joch will be imposed. 



Sec. 5. A cultivation which exposes neighboring forests to injury from winds is prohibited. 

 A strip of woods at least 20 Vienna Ivlafter wide must be left, when such danger exists, along 

 the margin of the neighboring woods until the same is in full growth. In the meantime this 

 wind-cloak can only be thinned. 



Sec. 6. On sandy soil and on steep mountain slopes the timber can only be cut in narrow 

 strips or thinned out, and must be immediately replaced. The woods upon the summits of 

 mountains must only be thinned. 



Sec. 7. On the shores of large rivers or lakes, if the shores are not composed of rocks, 

 and on tlie slopes of mountains, where landslides are possible, great care is to be exercised 

 and roots can only be dug if the fissure is immediately repaired. 



Sec. 8. Violations of sections 5, 6, and 7 are punished with a fine of from 20 to 200 

 florins. Damage accruing to others to be paid by offender. 



Sec. 9. Provides for cultivation of common forests, and for limitation and official control 

 of grazing and other privileges and uses. 



Sec. 10. Grazing is not permitted in young timber, where it might injure the growth, and 

 no more cattle are to be driven into any woods than can find sufficient food within the area. 

 Herdsmen must be employed, and the cattle shall graze together, and not isolated, as much as 

 possilile. The driving of cattle to the place of grazing to be done with due regard to the 

 preservation of the forest; if necessary a circuitous route is to be taken. 



