The Endangered Species Act of 1973 provided for the 
conservation of endangered or threatened species and the 
ecosystems on which those species depend. Of the several 
endangered or threatened plant and animal species found on 
the southern national forests, the red-cockaded woodpecker 
has created the greatest challenge in timber management 
planning. Some 250,000 acres of mature southern pine 
timber in the southern national forests are being managed 
for the red-cockaded woodpecker. As recovery of this 
species progresses, more acres are likely to be affected. 
On January 3, 1975, the ‘‘Eastern Wilderness Act’’ created 
115,000 acres of designated wilderness from national for- 
est lands in the southern region. Subsequent legislation in- 
creased this area to 523,000 acres. 
In addition to the national forests, there are substantial 
areas of timberland in other public ownerships in the South. 
In 1985, these other public timberlands comprised some 7.2 
million acres. Federal lands other than national forests pri- 
marily include holdings of the Tennessee Valley Authority 
and military reservations. Timberlands in State and county 
holdings in the South cover less than a half million acres. 
Following establishment of the Tennessee Valley Authority 
in 1933, this Federal agency acquired and administered 
roughly a half million acres of timberlands for protection of 
watersheds and dams, recreation, and production of timber. 
The Tennessee Valley Authority also has carried out siz- 
able programs of planting on Federal, State, and private 
lands; furnished assistance to State and private forest own- 
ers in protecting forest lands in the Tennessee River Val- 
ley from fire and grazing; and conducted a program of 
forestry research. 
70 
The Endangered Species Act of 1973 
provided for the conservation of endangered 
and threatened species and the ecosystems 
on which those species depend. Of the 
several endangered or threatened plant and 
animal species found on the southern 
national forests, one species, the red- 
cockaded woodpecker, has had the greatest 
impact on timber resources. 
