GOVERNMENT FOEEST WOEK IX UTAH 



NATIONAL-FOREST POLICY 



THE FORESTS ARE FOR USE 



The national forests are administered to make them of the most 

 use possible to the most people, but especially to the local farmer 

 and settler. They are, first of all, to enable the citizens of the West 

 to build and maintain homes. This policy was laid down by the 

 Secretary of Agriculture in a letter to the Forester dated February 

 1, 1905, in which he said : 



In the administration of the National Forests it must he clearly borne in 

 mind that all land is to be devoted to its most productive use for the permanent 

 good of the whole people, and not for the temporary benefit of individuals or 

 companies. All the re- 

 sources of the National 

 Forests are for use, and 

 this must be brought about 

 in a thoroughly prompt 

 and businesslike manner 

 under such restrictions 

 only as will insure the 

 permanence of these re- 

 sources. You will see to 

 it that the water, wood, 

 and forage of the forests 

 are conserved and wisely 

 used for the benefit of the 

 home builder first of all, 

 upon whom depends The 

 best permanent use of 

 lands and resources alike. 

 * * * In the manage- 

 ment of each forest local 

 questions will be decided 

 upon local grounds ; the 

 dominant industry will be 

 considered first, but with 

 as little restriction to 

 minor industries as may 

 be possible. Sudden 



changes in industrial con- 

 ditions will be avoided by 

 gradual adjustment after 

 due notice, and where con- 

 conflicting interests must 

 be reconciled the question 

 will always be decided 

 from the standpoint of the 

 greatest good to the great- 

 est number in the long run. 



Figure 



-Location of the national forests in Utah, 



A brief statement of some of the principal activities within the 

 national forests of Utah will indicate how the above-stated policy 

 is being carried out. 



AGRICULTURAL LAND 



At the time the national forests were created, boundaries were 

 drawn to exclude, so far as practicable, all land chiefly valuable for 

 agriculture. It was impossible to exclude all such land, however, 

 and the act of June 11, 1906, was passed to provide for entry and 

 settlement of agricultural tracts within the forests. All land within 



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