Continuation of past trends in irrigation 
will lead to competition for water from 
instream flows. Drawdown of water for 
irrigation will adversely affect fish and 
many forms of wildlife. Research could 
improve measures of valuation for 
water, fish, and wildlife so that 
policymakers can come to reasoned 
decisions about the allocation of water 
use in the best interests of society. 
Range Forage 
Much of the increase in forage needed 
to meet demands will come from 
private lands, and these lands will be 
managed more intensively. Research to 
improve systems of range management 
and develop lower cost, more efficient 
methods of improving ranges can lead 
to increased forage production on all 
ownerships. 
The primary resource management 
implication of the range forage 
assessment is for technical assistance 
that could lead to the following results 
on private lands: (1) rehabilitation of 
range by seeding desirable species and 
controlling undesirable plants and 
shrubs, (2) construction of needed 
livestock control and handling 
facilities, such as fences (fig. 53), 
(3) development of additional water 
supplies, (4) improvement of grazing 
systems and livestock management 
practices, and (5) decreased erosion. 
Responses of private landowners to 
markets may lead to some of these 
results even in the absence of publicly 
provided assistance. 
We project that supplies of range 
forage from national forests will 
increase little in the future, and 
therefore there will not be increases in 
seasonal supplies of feed for domestic 
animals. Research could develop 
feeding systems that take care of 
increased numbers of animals in 
56 
Figure 53—Increased fencing is associated with higher productivity of private rangeland. 
traditional ranching areas without 
reliance on increased seasonal forage 
from national forests. 
Outdoor Recreation 
The Assessment analyses of outdoor 
recreation show that demands for most 
recreation activities are expected to 
grow, but the rates of growth differ by 
activity (fig. 54). We project that 
recreationists’ primary future demand 
will be for opportunities near where 
they live. Therefore, recreation sites 
near population centers will receive 
most of the pressure arising out of 
these increased demands (fig. 55). The 
Assessment also shows that demands 
for some activities, such as dispersed 
recreation, can be met primarily 
through changes in management 
emphasis. Other demands, such as 
downhill skiing, can be met only 
through costly investments. Because of 
differential rates of growth in demand, 
management activities and investments 
for recreation must be reviewed and 
targeted over time to keep them 
responsive to the needs of the Nation’s 
populace. 
To be responsive to the changing 
demands for the different kinds of 
Figure 54—Consumer preferences for 
recreation change over time. Cross-country 
skiing is an increasingly popular activity. 
