Program for the 



NATIONAL FORESTS 



There are presented herein long-range objectives and a short-term 

 conservation program for the national forests and associated lands. 

 The long-range objectives are related to the year 2000 and the short- 

 term program to what needs to be done in the next 10 to 15 years toward 

 meeting current needs and attaining long-range objectives. 



This program has been developed after much study. The Depart- 

 ment of Agriculture has recently completed an exhaustive study of the 

 U.S. timber situation entitled "Timber Resources for America's Fu- 

 ture." "Operation Outdoors" is a 5-year recreation program for the 

 national forests. Research needs are based in part on the findings of a 

 Departmental Committee on Research Evaluation. The Forest Service 

 has long maintained a project work inventory for the national forests. 

 These and other studies are the background for the objectives and 

 program herein developed. 



The statutory authorities under which the national forests and 

 associated lands are administered, and under which research is con- 

 ducted, are generally adequate to permit carrying out the program 

 subsequently outlined. Additional legislation which would be helpful 

 in carrying out the program will be recommended as needed, particu- 

 larly legislation to facilitate development of an adequate road system. 



THE NATIONAL-FOREST SYSTEM 



The national forests of the United States are invaluable national 

 assets. These Federal properties, consisting of forest and range lands 

 and high mountain watersheds, occur in 39 States and Puerto Rico. 

 There are 181 million acres of national- forest land grouped into 148 

 national forests. Eighty-seven percent of national-forest land occurs 

 in the West. 



Of the land area of the continental United States, 1 acre out of every 

 12 is in national forest. In the West it is about 1 acre out of every 

 5. Every citizen owns a share of the national-forest system. It might 

 be said that every man, woman, and child in the United States owns 

 1 acre of national-forest land. 



