INTRODUCTION 



The fact that the people of the State of ISew York are the 

 owners of a vast forest area larger than the State of Delaware, 

 but that on the other hand, they do not possess accurate informa- 

 tion in regard to the forests thereon or the value of the property, 

 is of striking significance. This Commission has during the past 

 year attempted to examine the lands and compile data as to the 

 resources of this great estate. 



Creation. — This large tract of land commonly called the Forest 

 Preserve is a result of several State laws. The beginning was 

 made when a statute passed in 1883, prohibited the further sale 

 of lands within certain counties situated in the Adirondack and 

 Catskill regions. Two years later the Forest Preserve (includ- 

 ing these lands) together with a Forest Commission, for ad- 

 ministrative purposes, was created. The act of 1883 automatically 

 withdrew from sale approximately 800,000 acres of land, the 

 major portion of which had once been sold by the State, later 

 partially lumbered, and permitted by the owners to revert to the 

 State for non-payment of taxes. The Preserve has subsequently 

 been increased by other sales for taxes, direct purchases, appro- 

 priation and through foreclosure of mortgages given by United 

 States Loan Commissioners. The area now approximates 1,800,- 

 000 acres of both land and water. 



Inventory. — There has never been a thorough examination of 

 these lands in order to secure competent data as to the quantity 

 of timber or other property thereon. In 1902* an examination 

 was made to ascertain the general character of the lands alone. 

 In 1908 data was compiled for the National Conservation Con- 

 gress and it was then estimated that the total stumpage of the 

 entire State was 16,060,000,000 ft. B. M. Other recent estimates 

 placed the stumpage on State lands at approximately 12,000,- 

 000,000 ft. B. M. These are the only previous attempts to use 

 figures as a measure of these materials. 



The fact that the State is the owner of such a large property; 

 that there has been much discussion by the people as to its use; 



* See Eighth Annual Report of Forest, Fish and Game Commission. 



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