MANAGEMENT PLANS THE NATIONAL FOKESTS 55 



(E) STATUS AND LAND EXCHANGE 



There are approximately 24,055 acres of privately owned lands widely scat- 

 tered throughout the circle and within the forest boundary. Many of these 

 holdings are unoccupied, but some are used to a limited extent for farming and 

 gazing. They are so scattered that little attention need be given them at this 

 time in connection with the management of the timber resource. It is estimated 

 that approximately 15,000 acres of these private holdings will eventually be 

 acquired, largely through tripartite exchanges. This will be slow, but some 

 progress is already being made in accordance with a definite plan. 



In addition, there are 46,000 acres of private lands within the circle and 

 outside the forest boundary. These are made up of numerous small holdings, 

 and although principally forested, are used to a limited extent for farming and 

 grazing. They are mostly cut over and about 75 per cent now support thrifty 

 immature stands. The balance is natural grass or cultivated land. 



There are no mineral values in the area and very few mining claims. 



3. ECONOMIC SITUATION 



(A) POPULATION 



The total population of the area, including the towns of Woodland Park and 

 Divide, is about 500. Approximately 150 of these people live on the widely 

 scattered private holdings. Woodland Park is 20 miles northwest of Colorado 

 Springs, which has a population of 30,000. 



(B) TRANSPORTATION 



The Midland Terminal Railway, a short line extending from Colorado Springs 

 to Cripple Creek, taps the southern portion of the circle. From Woodland Park 

 via this road it is 20 miles to Colorado Springs and 30 miles to the Cripple Creek 

 mining district. 



As a whole, the circle is well provided with roads suitable for motor trans- 

 portation, which radiate in a fairly satisfactory manner from Woodland Park. 

 The Pikes Peak-Ocean-to-Ocean Highway parallels the railroad across the area. 

 Extending north from Woodland Park is a good county road to West Creek, 

 near the northern limits of the circle, with feeders satisfactory for motor truck 

 use. Easterly from Woodland Park are the Mount Herman and Bald Mountain 

 roads, also suitable for motor trucks. The northwestern portion of the area is 

 crossed by the Lake George-West Creek Road, while the Divide Transfer Road 

 skirts along the southwest side. 



(0) LOCAL INDUSTRIES 



There are few purely local wood-using industries at present. The town of 

 Woodlawn Park is supported largely by ranching, farming, logging, and tourist 

 travel. The head-lettuce industry has been receiving considerable attention in 

 the locality during recent years and has to have crates. 



Such timber business as is being conducted is in a chaotic state, each operator 

 working with no definite plan. About a score are so engaged part time, supply- 

 ing ties to the Midland Termnal Railway, lumber for local demands, mine 

 props for the Cripple Creek district, and coal props for the regional mines. 

 This situation has existed for the last 40 years and cutting has been widely 

 scattered. Even until recent years Forest Service sales have been unsystematic, 

 in that the location of cutting areas has been largely governed by the desires 

 of the operators. 



In the past there have been 15 to 20 small operators purchasing timber in 

 amounts of $100 or less. These operators have so cut the price of timber 

 products that the timber business at present shows little or no profit. 



It is the responsibility of the Forest Service in the interest of the community 

 and of good forest practice to stabilize and extend the timber business at 

 Woodland Park in order that this activity may be well organized and may be 

 operated at the highest speed consistent with the supply of raw material and 

 permanency. Woodland Park is the logical center around which such a business 

 should be developed. Most of the railroad ties for the Midland Terminal are 

 now delivered at that point. 



