of range reseeding, and in some localities, a reduc- 
tion of big-game population. 
A third aspect is safeguarding and improving wa- 
tershed values. Closer attention to this in all 
phases of management, a vigorous amplification of 
upstream flood and erosion control measures, and 
acceleration of watershed surveys authorized in the 
1944 Flood Control Act, will go far toward attain- 
ing this objective. 
Fourth is national-forest recreation. Recrea- 
tional use of the national forests has greatly in- 
creased, and this upward trend is likely to continue 
indefinitely. Facilities are inadequate. Needed 
is a large amount of too-long-delayed maintenance, 
together with expansion of existing improvements. 
Fifth is a considerably stepped-up program of 
wildlife management. ‘The aim, on the one hand, 
should be to increase and stabilize the yield of the 
wildlife resources in recognition of the great public 
demand for good hunting and fishing; on the other, 
to avoid overstocking. Especially important in the 
long run are measures to maintain and improve 
wildlife habitat. 
Sixth is intensified fire protection mainly through 
more effective fire prevention, establishment of a 
well-trained standby force, greater mechanization 
of fire fighting, and more use of aircraft. Similarly, 
protection against forest insects and diseases should 
be strengthened by better provision for detecting 
impending epidemics and for prompt control. 
The expansion of forest research covered earlier 
in this section would be of large benefit in the 
development and intensified management of the 
national forests. 
National-forest development and management 
are based on organic legislation which, generally 
speaking, is adequate. However, experience has 
revealed a number of points on which new legisla- 
tion is needed to facilitate good administration. 
These were embodied in H. R. 2028 (80th Cong.). 
The needed action outlined in the preceding 
pages is directed toward making the timber re- 
sources of the United States contribute their full. 
potential to a prosperous national economy. Com- 
mensurate with this country’s growing responsibility 
in world affairs, the Forest Service also recognizes 
the need to encourage international cooperation in 
forestry. For example, it aims to give all possible 
assistance in the forestry work of the United Na- 
tions Food and Agriculture Organization. It also 
will continue to work with the Pan American Union 
on inter-American forestry matters, and to supply 
information and advice to other countries seeking 
to improve their forests. 
The time is already late. If the action outlined, 
and the efforts of all public and private forest land- 
owners and agencies, were immediately effective in 
full, it would still require many years to achieve 
the proposed goals. The farther depletion and 
deterioration extend, the more difficult and costly 
the job of adequate forest restoration. ‘The situa- 
tion calls for broad-gage and farsighted action. 
12 Miscellaneous Publication 668, U. S. Department of Agriculture 
