The San Francisco call., 1897-07-02
Strict Regulations to
Protect the Forest
Reserves.
Sheep May Be Pastured on
Them Only in Oregon
and Washington.
Timber and Water Can Be Used
and Mines Worked Under
Certain Conditions.

WASHINGTON, D. c., July 1.-Much
attention has been paid recently by the
General Land Office to the preparation of
rules and regulations applicable to the
serves of the United States and Commits
sioner Hermann has now formulated these
for the approval of the Secretary OF the
Interior.
Attention is called to the matter OF for
est fires which annually do so much dam.
age through carelessness, and the law is
specially referred to which imposes pen
atty for willfully setting fire to timber or
careIessly suffering fire to burn unat-
tended near any timber and which pun
ishes such offense by fine or i'm prison
ment. The law provides that before break
ing camp fires shall be totally extin-
guished.
Prospecting, locat ting and developing
the mineral resources OF forest reserves
are permitted, Lands for schoolhouses
| and churches are provided, and the waters
for domestic, mining, milling ana irrlga-
ton purposes are al $50 allowed.
The construction of wagon roads is
authorized, and the right of way across
the reserves for irrigation canals,
bitches. fumes and reservoirs is permit
ted. The pasturing of livestock on the
reserves is permitted except as to sheep,
which, in view of their juries to the for
est cover, are prohibited in regions where
the rainfall is limited, and the present eX-
ception in this regard is extended only to
the reserves In the States of Oregon and
Washington, because of the continuous
moisture and abundant rainfall OF the
Cascades of the Pacific Coast.
Even there permission must be had,
which will be revoked if pasturing ex-
tends to Bull Run Reserve, Crater Lake OF
places where injury may be done.
Where persons have unprotected bona
tide claims within the reserves they may
relinquish the same and select vacant
public lands elsewhere without charge
in cases where previous fees have been
paid.
The mineral lands OF the forest reserves
are subject to location and entry under the
mining laws in the usual manner. Owners
of mining locations are authorized to fell
and remove from their mining claims any
timber growing thereon for actual mining
purposes upon their particular claim. The
free use of timber is allowed to bona fide
settlers, miners, residents and prospec.
tors for minerals, for frewood, fencing,
buildings, etc. This privilege is restricted
to persons resident within the forest re.
serves who have not sufficient supply OF
tim ber on their own claims.
The sale of tim Der from the reserves will
be permitted In limited quantities for the
purpose of preserving the living and grow
ing timbe and permitting the younger
growth OF tim per on the reserves Dead,
matured or large growth OF trees found
upon the reserve shall be designated and
appraised 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 quantity
as shall be prescribed to each purchaser,
and to be used in the State or Territory in
which the reservation may be. Sixty
days notice, published in the county
where the timbe is situated, is to be
given before sale.
Payments are to Se made to the receiver
OF the local land office of the district
wherein the tim Der is sold. Before sale
the timber will be examined and ap-
praised under the direction of the de-
partment. In order 10 avoid monopoly,
the department may, III sales III excess OF
$500, make allotments of quantity to the
several bidders, and the right is reserved
to reject any or all bids. Within thirty
DAYS after an award of tim Der to bidder
payment must be made in full and
within one year it must be removed.
Where it may be found necessary to
erect temporary sawmills for use in saw
mills purchased on the grounds, a per-
nit will be necessary. Ali timber so
cut must be used in the Stale or Terri
tory in which the reservation is situated.
Supplemental instructions are given to
all special agents of the Interior Depart.
ment to especially take cognizance of un-
lawful cutting of timber and depreciation
upon the public domain, including the
forest reserves, and hereafter a vigilant
watch will be directed toward the matter
of forest fires
The law further provides that in the
case Of lands more applicable for mining
and agriculture than for forestry purposes
upon proper showing made the same
may be eliminated entirely from the for
est reserve and restored TO the public do
main.
As to the forest reserves which have
lately been suspended by the recent act of
Congress, the geological survey is now
busily engaged in examining them and
extending the exterior lines properly en-
bracing the reserves. In this maner large
portions enormously heretofore embraced
in reserves will be restored to public entry
and other portions which were omitted
from the reserves will be EN- braced within
them.
The estimated area of the existing forest
| reserves is 18 993, $50 acres. The estimated
area of the suspended forest reserves is
19, 951, $50 acres. The aggregate area of
the existing and suspended reserves is
| 3S, ,944, $40. This is greater than the area
of any S'ate east of the Mississippi River
| and of several west of it.