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of rights-of-way for roads and trails; occupancy, both intentional and 
unintentional, by adjacent property owners is also a difficult problem. 
Question: Land acquisition, recreation, timber stand improvement and 
wildlife habitat improvement seem to have taken a back seat in 
National Forest activity, while timber-cutting has been fully supported 
in the budget. Is this true as a generality, and does it pertain in the 
Shawnee? 
Answer: In all honesty, | cannot really say that any one of the functions 
has been fully supported in the budget including timber management. 
There is simply more to do in all of these activities than the country 
seems to be able to finance. It is difficult to say which activity is the 
most or the least supported in any one fiscal year. 
Timber is becoming an increasingly significant resource to our Nation. 
Maintaining healthy stands of young growing timber is important to 
our Nation from many standpoints, including atmospheric conditions 
and as a supply of raw material for the future. Harvesting our mature 
stands of timber is an important element in maintenance of a healthy 
forest. We are not over-cutting on the Shawnee, and we don’t plan 
to in the future. 
Question: Clearcutting continues to be a popular subject in regard to 
National Forest activity, with a consensus, at least among the public, 
that it is not a good approach to forest management. Where does the 
Service stand on this issue now? Are you clearcutting on the Shawnee? 
Answer: CLEARCUTTING or EVEN AGE MANAGEMENT continues to be a 
controversial subject; however, it is recognized by many outsanding 
scientists and professionals as a proper silvicultural treatment for many 
forest management situations. The Forest Service is currently using 
“Even Age Management” where professional examination and review 
so indicates. This practice is carried out within guidelines established 
by Congressional committees and with the assistance of public com- 
ment from many sources of lay and professional expertise. Most of 
the cutting in the central hardwoods on the Shawnee requires the 
practice of ‘‘Even Age Management” because of the age and condition 
of the stands. A great deal of attention is given to esthetics, wildlife, 
and watershed conditions during the planning of these cuts. We have 
explained the practice of ‘Even Age Management” on the Shawnee 
to many groups and individuals who have a concern and interest. Most 
agree that it is being carried out in an acceptable manner. 
Question: We frequently hear that the recreational use of our forests is 
increasing at an explosive rate (far outrunning, most likely, budgetary 
provisions for recreation). What has been your experience on the 
Shawnee in regard to visitor-days? 
Answer: Our use statistics indicate that overall recreational use on the 
Shawnee has remained at about the same level over the last two or 
three years. Some uses have decreased while others have increased. 
