FIFTH NATIONAI< CONSERVATION CONGRESS 301 



NEW YORK 



NEW YORK State has approximately 7,500,000 acres of wild land in 

 addition to 4,300,000 acres included in farm wood-lots. Of this amount 

 1,651,553 acres are included in the State-owned forest preserve. 



It is estimated that there is some 41,710,000,000 feet of merchantable timber 

 within the State, valued at $125,000,000.00. 



The history of forest fire legislation began in 1778, when the first law for 

 forest protection was enacted, but it was not until the passage of the forest fire 

 law of 1885, that an effective fire protective organization was made possible. 



Since the establishment of the Forest Commission in 1885, numerous re- 

 organizations have taken place, each adding in some degree to the power of 

 the fire protective system. The law of that year provided for a superintendent 

 the department, but it was not until 1909 that important changes were made in 

 of forests to be the operating chief of the department, divided the State forest 

 preserve into five districts, each in charge of a district ranger, and provided for 

 a force of rangers. At present the State employs 70 rangers. 



The old system of town fire wardens in the forest preserve counties was 

 superseded by this State organization. In the other towns of the State the town 

 supervisor still remains ex-officio fire warden, but the present law renders him 

 personally liable for damages in all cases when he fails to perform his duties 

 properly. He may employ patrolmen when necessary when authorized to do so 

 by the town board. 



The revised law made provision for the construction of mountain lookout 

 stations and telephone lines. Such work has been carried on each season since 

 its authorization and New York is now best equipped with lookout stations of 

 any State. 



The act of 1909, required as a forest protection measure that all limbs be 

 lopped from the tops of coniferous trees left after logging carried on within 

 the forest preserve. This was the first legislation in the East compelling operators 

 to dispose of their slash. 



New York State secures assistance from the Federal Government under the 

 Weeks law. 



Unless otherwise directed by the Commission, railroads operated within the 

 forest preserve are required to maintain a patrol of their rights-of-way from 

 April first to November first. Outside of the forest preserve a patrol system must 

 be established as the Commission may direct. 



Inspectors are employed by the State to enforce the regulations effecting 

 the use of spark arresters and other equipment used by railroads to prevent the 

 setting of fires. Frequent inspections are made to see that these devices are 

 properly installed and kept in repair and in case of defective equipment inspectors 

 have authority to order the withdrawal from service of any locomotive. On 

 those lines using oil-burning locomotives, no fires whatever have been reported. 



The State appropriation for fire protection the past year was $100,000.00. 



