44 FOURTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE 



Line as necessity may require and the interests of the State warrant, the 

 proceeds received by sale or exchange to be applied to acquiring land within 

 the Blue Line. 



Second — It would also seem reasonable that the Constitution should 

 be amended in such a way that the Commission may lease small tracts of 

 land under strict regulations and forfeiture clauses for permanent cottage 

 and camp sites. In that way a very large annual revenue may be obtained, 

 many more people would visit and enjoy the forests, and each one invest- 

 ing money for such purpose would necessarily become an interested forest 

 protector. 



Third — If the Constitution was amended in a way to allow a well- 

 defined good road system of a few main highways to be built through the 

 forest reserve on plans to be approved by this Department, to the end that 

 the forest may be more accessible, that more of our people may visit the 

 Adirondack and Catskill regions and have a chance to see and enjoy their 

 great beauty, it would be beneficial in many ways. The roads would be 

 fire breaks, and furnish a quicker and better way to reach many sections 

 now inaccessible and difficult to protect. 



Fourth - - If the Constitution does not now admit of removing dead 

 and down timber and to abate threatening conditions to lessen the danger 

 from fire, it should be amended to allow the State itselj, from time to time, 

 to do so. 



Fifth — In view of the physical conditions and the facts elicited by 

 the Water Storage Commission, it would seem that the Constitution should 

 be amended to allow the construction of water storage reservoirs under 

 State control and regulation within the Adirondack and Catskill counties, 

 and that a general State policy of water storage should be adopted. This 

 suggestion is made by this Department, not because it is directly charged 

 with water conservation, but for the reason that water conservation is 

 intimately connected with and affected by forest conservation. 



Sixth — In relation to forest fires, I offer the suggestions in the form 

 of resolutions adopted by a conference of forty men, who represented nearly 

 all the business interests of the Forest Preserve counties, and among whom 

 were eminent lawyers, members of the last constitutional convention, and 

 men of broad experience from many sections of the State. The conference 



