way are manifestations of both the national capability to do more in the neglected public 

 sectors of our economy and of the need to provide additional productive employment. 



ESTIMATED ANNUAL COSTS AND REVENUES 

 WITHOUT A TIMBER GROWING PROGRAM 



COSTS 



REVENUES 



$121,000 



$52,000 



Figure 18 



How surplus human energy will be utilized in creation of a better society and stronger 

 nation remains to be seen. However, the "North Slopes" of the West have a readily iden- 

 tifiable employment opportunity. Surplus labor can be utilized not only to enhance cur- 

 rent resource values, but to build up and stockpile productivity for the indeterminate needs 

 of the future. 



SUMMARY 



The North Slope is tj^jical of many public forest areas in the West. Its timber pro- 

 ductivity is low but could, with special effort, be increased. The pubUc is in no position 

 to walk away from this activity if for no other reason, because water, recreation, and other 

 values require some timber management. How much and what kind of timber management 

 these values require is not yet fully imderstood. How far forestry effort should be carried 

 beyond the minimum level necessary to meet current demands for water, recreation, etc., 

 depends on several considerations. One is much longer range evaluations than are now a- 

 vailable of future requirements for wood, water, and other values. Another is the extent to 

 which it is feasible to maintain a viable local economy. 



Mushrooming capabilities for industrial production free the human energies required 

 to greatly accelerate conservation effort should this loom high enough in national priorities. 



23 



