The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1897-07-02
MINERALS AND FORESTS
Commissioner Herman Submits
Rules to Interior Secretary.
MATTER OF TIMBER FIRES
Lands Containing Minerals Within the
Lines OF Reserves Are Subject to
Location Regulations as to Water,
Roads and Live Stock.

Washington. July l.-Mueh attention
has been paid recently by the general
land office to the preparation of rules
and regulations applicable To the gov
ernment o. all the various forest re-
serves Of the United States. and Com
missioner Hermann has now formulated
these for the approval % the secretary
or the Interior. Attention is called to
the matter of forest fires. which an
nually do So much damage through
carelcssness and the law is specially
referred to which imposes a penalty for
wiltully setting fire to timber. careless
ly suffering fire To burn unattended
near any timber and which Furnishes
such onense by fire or Imprisonment.
The law provides that before breaking
camp fires shall be totally extinguished.
Prospecting, locating and devolping
the mineral resources Of the reserves
are permitted. Lands for school houses
and churches are provided and waters
for domestic. mining. milling and irri-
gation purposes are also allowed. The
construction Of wagon roads Is author
lzed and the right way across the re-
serves for irrigating canals. bitches.
fumes and reservoirs Is permitted. Pas
turing of live stock on reserves is per-
mitted. except as 10 sheep. which. In
view of their Injuries 10 forest cover,
are prohibited In regions where rain
fall Is limited. and the exception in this
regard is extended only TO the reserves
In the states OF Oregon and Washing
ton. because of continuous moisture and
abundant rainfall Even permission
must be had. which will he revoked II
saeta ri sfA.. .Is. Ur,,li
serve. Crater lake or places where in
jury may be done. Where persons have
unprotected bona fide claims within the
reserves they may relinqulsh the same
and select vacant public lands else
where without charge in cases where
previous fees had been paid.
The mineral lands ~ the forest re-
serves are subject to location and entry
under the mining laws in the usual
manner. Owners VI mining locations
are authorized to Cell and remove from
their mining claims any timber grow
ing thereon for actual mining purposes
upon their particular claim. The free
use OF timber is allowed to bona tlde
settlers, miners, residents and pros
pectors for minerals. for fire wood, fenc-
ing, buildings. etc. This privilege is
restricted to persons resident within
the forest reservations who have not
sufficient supply of timber on their own
claims.
The sale Of timber from the reserves
will be permitted In limited quantities
FOR the purpose Of preserving the liv-
ing and growing timber and permitting
the younger growth OF timber on the
reserves. Dead. matured or large
growths Of trees found upon the re-
serves shall be- designated and ap-
praised so FAR as the same may not be
necessary for the forest preservation
and water cover and may be sold for
not less than the appraised value In
such quantities as shall he prescribed
To each purchaser and To he used In
the state or territory In which the res
ervation may be. Sixty days notice,
published In the county where the tim
ber Is. Is to be given before the sale.
Payments are to be made To the re-
ceiver OF the local office of the district
wherein the timber is sold. Before the
sale the timber VIII be examined and
appraised under direction of the depart
ment. In order to avoid monopoly. the
department NAV. In sales in excess Of
$500, make allotments of quantity to the
several bidders. and the right Is re-
served to reject any or all bids. Within
20 davs after the award of timber to a
bidder payment must he made in full
and within one year II must be re-
moved. All timber so cut must he used
in the state or territory In which the
reservation Is situated.
Supplemental Instructions are given TO
all snecia agents OF the Interior depart
ment to especially take cognizance OF
the unlawful cutting Of timber and dep
relations upon the public domain, includ-
tne forest reserves and hereafter vigil
liant watch will be- directed toward the
matter OF forest fires. The law further
provides that In case lands more applica-
provides In case OF lands more applca-
forestry purposes. upon u proper showing
made. the same may be eliminated en-
tirely from the forest reserve aud re-
stored to the public domain. As to the for
est reserves which have lately been sus-
pended by the recent act OF congress, the
geological survey IL now busily engaged
In examining the land and extending the
exterior lines properly embracing the re-
serves. In this manner large portions er-
ronoously heretofore embraced In the re-
serves will be restored to public entry.
and other portions which were omitted
from the reserves will be embraced with
In them.
The estimated area OF the suspended for
est reserves l. 1851 .2sO acres. The aggrc-
gate area OF the existing and suspended
reserves Il 3. .a,isi0 acres. This Is greater
than the area Of any state east of the
Mississippi river and OF several west OF H.