SURVEYS OF FOREST RESEEVEg. 31 



Appendix A. \/ , — 



PLAN FOR THE SURVEY OF THE FOREST RESERVES. 



All surveys to Ije confined to the forest reserves that are suspended \>j Congres- 

 sional actiou until March 1, 1898, with the exception of surveys during the winter 

 months on the San Jacinto or San Bernardino reserves, California. 



The surveys of the reserves may he divided into: First, topographic and subdi- 

 visional surveys ; second, forestry surveys. 



Method of making the topographic and suidivisional surveys. — The topographic surveys 

 will be made in the same manner as the other topographic surveys of the United 

 States Geological Survey. The base for the topographic work will be triangulation 

 and spirit-level lines, except in the higher and more rugged mountain portions, 

 where there are no roads or trails. In such areas the best practicable methods are 

 to be employed to secure elevations and distances. The subdivisional surveys to be 

 made in the same manner as in the survey of the Indian Territory. The laud subdi- 

 vision surveys are not to be extended over the higher and more rugged mountains, 

 the classification of areas there to depend upon the natural features, as shown by 

 the topographic map. 



The purposes of these surveys are: (a) The preparing of topographic maps upon 

 the scale of 2 miles to the inch, with contour intervals of 100 feet, to serve as base 

 maps for the representation of forestry details, agricultural and mineral lands, etc. ; 

 (6) the establishment of bench marks indicating elevation above sea level ; (c) the 

 subdivision of the reserves by running township lines (unless this has heretofore 

 been done by the General Land Office), for the purpose of designating tracts of 

 land; ((?) the demarcation, by means of section lines, of tracts which are more valu- 

 able for agriculture and minerals than for their timber, it being understood that the 

 land subdivision surveys shall be limited to township exteriors, except in oases 

 where more than the area of one-fourth of a township is taken up by agricultural 

 or mineral lands or by settlements, in which latter eveut the townships shall be sub- 

 divided into sections over such portions as include agricultural or mineral lands or 

 settlements. While the ultimate decision regarding the status of such lands rests 

 with the Secretary of the Interior, tentative decisions, for the purpose of deciding 

 whether or not such tracts should be surveyed, shall be made by the chief of party; 

 (e) the mapping by the topographer in charge of each party of the outline of all 

 wooded and forest areas. 



Out of the appropriation of $150,000, made for the survey of the forest reserves, 

 $128,000 will be allotted to the topographic and subdivisional surveys, and the fol- 

 lowing work will be undertaken under the charge of Mr. E. M. Douglas, chief of 

 the Rocky Mountain section of topography : 



BLACK HILLS, SOUTH DAKOTA. 



It is proposed to run such additional township lines as may be necessary to com- 

 plete the township surveys over the whole area, and to subdivide such townships as 

 may be found to include agricultural or mineral lands. Also to completely revise 

 the maps of this timber reserve, to run such level lines, and set such corner posts as 

 may be needed to comply with the existing law. Amount allotted, $14,000. 



BIG HORN RESERVE, WYOMING. 



It is proposed to continue the township surveys of this area and to extend trian- 

 gulation as needed for topographic surveys, to continue the topographic surveys of 

 the whole area, and to run such level lines and set such corner posts as are required. 

 Amount allotted, $14,300. 



TETON RESERVE, WYOMING. 



This, like the Big Horn Reserve, is mainly an area of high mountains in which 

 snow falls in October. It is proposed to extend triangulation from the vicinity of 

 Hart Mountain (Sheridan Base) southwestward across the reserve east of the Park, 

 and over the whole of the Teton Reserve. Also, to resurvey all valley areas and, if 

 the existing maps of mountain areas are found to be defective, to correct or resurvey 

 them ; and to run level lines and add bench marks, as required by law. Amount 

 allotted, $10,000. 



UINTA RESERVE, UTAH. 



It is proposed to extend triangulation from the Coast Survey base over this whole 

 area. It is also proposed to do such exterior work as can be done by one party dur- 

 ing the season, which it is thought will include about two-thirds of this reserve. 



