NATIONAL FORESTS IN A CHANGING WORLD 



Eapid change in the United States is everywhere evident. High- 

 way construction, housing developments, and expanding urban areas 

 are prevalent throughout the land. The two foremost economic in- 

 dicators of these and other changes are population and gross national 

 product. 



In the 16 years since the end of World War II population in the 

 United States has increased 32 percent. An estimate of 332 million 

 persons by the end of the century is nearly double the 1960 census. 

 The heavy impact of presently large eastern populations on National 

 Forests east of the Mississippi River will be greatly increased by this 

 growth. Furthermore, in the West, where most National Forests 

 and Grasslands are located, population is expected to triple in the 

 last 40 years of the 20th century. In the same 40 years, gross na- 

 tional product is expected to increase about 4 times. 



Another indicator of special significance from the standpoint of 

 recreational impact on the National Forests is the increase in leisure 



2,000 



1,000 



1920 '30 '40 '50 



Recreation use is increasing at a faster rate than either population or gross national product. 



619691 0—61—2 



