the traditional summer recreation activities, skiing and 

 other winter sports are highly popular pursuits (fig. 3) . 

 The recreation industry' has brought new wealth to 

 many economically distressed communities. It now 

 ranks as one of the chief sources of income for the peo- 

 ple of the State. In. 1949 this industry provided jobs 

 for at least 5,000 persons, and the total expenditures 

 of vacationists in New Hampshire have been estimated 

 at $70 to $80 million annually {6).^ Of course it is 



"For 1952, the New Hampshire State Planning and De- 

 velopment Commission estimated that vacationists in the 

 State spent $138 million (5). 



impossible to say what part of this can be attributed to 

 the forests. But without them, this industry- would not 

 be anywhere near as large as it is now. 



Forest recreation, including hunting and fishing, 

 and other uses of the forest land — especially timber 

 growing and water supply — sometimes conflict wdth 

 each other. Unsightly slash areas may mar the enjoy- 

 ment of nearby picnic spots. Forest properties may 

 be posted against hunting because some hunters are 

 careless with fire. The problem is how to resolve these 

 conflicts so that the forest may ser\-e people's needs for 

 recreation, water, and wood as efficiently as possible. 



Figure 3. — Forests help to 

 make possible a recreation 

 industry that has brought 

 new wealth to many com- 

 munities. 



i 



Forest Resource Report No. 8, U. S. Department of Agriculturt 



