The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1898-04-30
CASCADE FOREST RESERVE.

Frederick v. Colville, government
botanist, who spent several months In
the Cascade mountains last year IN
vestigating the causes of forest fires
and the effect of sheep grazing upon
the forest growth of the mountains,
has issued q bulletin that treats the
subject very fully. and contains much
valuable information. Mr.. Colville
estimates that there are 1SS, 1850 sheep
in Oregon ranged upon the Cascade
forest reserve, and from his findings
concludes that they are not necessarl-
ally detrimental to the tree growth OF
the mountains. He finds that sheep
are not ranged in the dense forests,
but on the open sections of the noun
tains, along the creek bottoms and In
places where tree growth will never pc
heavy, hence he concludes the small
trees are not tramped out or eaten on
by sheep.
AS to the origin of fires, from his in
vestigations, he believes the greater
number of fires start from the careless
ness of travellers passing through the
mountains, who leave their camp fires
burning, and from them large forest
fires that destroy immense quantities
of timber originate. AS rule he
found the sheep tenders very careful
with reference to fires, and attributes
very few of the forest fires either to
their carelessness or negligence. He
would not exclude the sheepraisers
from the reserve, either because OF the
sheep destroying the young trees, or
because of fires started by the owners
or tenders of fiocks.
In conclusion, Mr.. ,Colville submits
the following regulations to be adopted
by the interior department in order to
perpetuate and save the timber and
water supply of middle Oregon.
First, Exclude sheep from specified
areas about Mt. Hood and Crater Lake.
Second, Dimit to sheep to be grazed
in the reserve to a specified number,
based on number customariiy grazing
there.
! Third, Issue fve-year permits allow
ing an owner TO Craze sheep on
specified tract, limiting the number OF
sheep to be grazed on that tract, and
giving the owner the exclusive graz
ing right.
Fourth, Require as condition OF
each permit that the owner use every
effort to prevent and to extinguish
fires on his tract, and report in full
the cause, extent and other circum-
stances connected with each fire.
Fifth. Reserve the right to terminate
permit Immediately if convinced that
an owner is not showing good faith in
the protection of the for ests., -.
Sixth, In the alrotments of tracts Sc
cure the cooperation of the wool grow
ers' associations of Crook. Sherman
and Wasco counties through COM
mission of the stockmeD, who shall re-
'ceiye written applications for ranges,
aGjudieate them, and make recommen-
dations, these recommendations to be
received by the forest officer and
finally passed upon by the secretary OF
the interior.
Seventh, Ask the county associations
to bear the expenses of the commission.
Eighth, Charge the cost of admins
tration of the system to the owners in
the form of fees for the permits.
Ninth, If the wool growers decline to
to accept and to cooperate in the pro-
posed system, exclude shees absolutely
from the reserve.
Tenth, If, after five years trial OF the
system, forest fires continue un-
checked, exclude sheep thereafter from
the reserve.