However difficult the 
administration of the 
assistance program under 
Clarke-McNary’s section 5, it 
has demonstrated the need 
for assistance to small 
landowners to achieve sound 
management of forest 
resources. Though the 
36 
question of free public 
assistance is still being 
debated, recent studies that 
will be discussed later clearly 
show the importance of public 
assistance in the decisions 
of landowners to take positive 
action and make investments 
in forest management. 
