NATIONAL FOREST ADMINISTRATION is the largest of the three major 
fields and it employs the most people, including a large number of engineers. 
The National Forests contain many resources of great value—timber, water, 
forage, recreation, fish and game—and subsurface values like coal and other 
minerals. All of these are available for appropriate use by people. Forest 
Service Engineers contribute importantly in the planning and development of 
physical improvements and facilitating services needed in the conservation 
and proper use of these resources and values. General administration of all 
Forest Service activities in all branches is exercised by the Chief and his 
staff headquartered in Washington, D.C. This central office is made up of a 
number of functional and operating divisions. One, headed by the Director 
of the Division of Engineering or Chief Engineer, is responsible for standards, 
policies, and practices in engineering activities. The division functions through 
similarly constituted branches in 10 regional offices which, in turn, exercise 
their responsibilities through engineers on the various National Forest units, 
usually directed by a Forest Engineer. 
RESEARCH is another field. Large numbers of people representing many 
sciences and skills are employed in it. Research activities in which engineers 
are employed include the hydrologic features of watershed management, 
equipment development and modification, wood technology, materials of 
construction, soil stabilization, cartographic procedures, forest fire behavior. 
COOPERATION with other agencies concerned with land use and with the 
owners of timberlands is the third. This cooperation is mostly related to forest 
management and protection. Engineering services are required in connection 
with equipment use and the development or maintenance of logging roads. 
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