The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1905-05-27
DUBOIS ON IDAHO RESERVES

of the region dispose Of their ir-
rigated crops largely by winter feed
ing of cattle Therefore the destruc-
tion Of both summer range and water
supply constitute a double and ruin
Gus attack on their present welfare,
besides preventing future develop
ment Fire and sheep have already
destroyed the forests on the northern
end OF the Snake river range so ap-
parently beyond redemption that this
portion Of the area petitioued for is
not included by the recommended
tions. The necessity Of preserving
the remainder from such permanent
injury is urgent.
Since to do this will require the
total exclusion of sheep from about
half the proposed addition and a
reduction to about half the number
now occupying the remainder, op-
position from the sheep interests Is
inevitable, but the petition for the
reserve to the department of the
interior by 169 residents OF the
region. dated July s. 1903, repre-
sents the unanimous local sentiment
aud asserts that, aside from the ir-
Tigation question, unless reproduc-
tion is protected the available local
wood supply will not last more than
Is years.
l do not recall having seen auy
protest from Senator Hey burn against
this proposed addition to the Yellow
stone reservation. II be has made
such q protest, giving reasons, 1t has
not re. been fled aud become official
on THE PAYETTE
This reserve Is in central Idaho,
aud occupies portions of Idaho, Boise
and Washington counties, and con-
tains about / 1881, 3T9 acres, most Of
which Is unsurveyed. This reserve
Is designed chiefly to protect the
watersheds Of the North Payette river
and several tributaries OF the Sal
mon. Nearly all of this area Is with.
in the addition to the Bitter Root
forest reserve, embracssd within the
withdrawal of 5000, OO0 acres 10
November, 1902, on the suggestion
OF the reclamation service. II con
stitutes the only portion Of the Bitter
Root forest reserve south Of the Sal :
mon river, and for the advantages Of
administration it Is recommended a.
a separate reserve instead Of as an
addition to the Bitter Root reserve.
as was first contemplated
1t Is high forestei, mountain
region, subject to a heavy snowfall
and gives rise to many large streams
which supply water for immense agri-
cultural Districts in southern Idaho.
There IL scarcely any cultigable land
within this reserve. The soil is poor
and the country exceedingly rough.
Nearly half OF the area is almost
worthless for any purpose except that
OF protecting the streams. It Is too
inaccessible even for grazing and
contains little promise Of mineral.
The forest consists Of bull pine
red FIR, tamarack, lodgepole pine and
balsam. The cultivable lands all
together consist of about 5oOO acres.
NO DEMAND FOR NUMBERING.
There has never been any lumber.
ing within the proposed reserve, moi
is there likely to be any great de.
mand upon 1t for many years, unless
for the use Of small mines. The tim
Der ought to be protected, however
for some time in the not distant
future there will be a demand, wher
the other and unreserved timber oI
Idaho has been destroyed, and thai
destruction is wasteful and almost
oriminalIy rapid now. It Is as 1
conserver Of irrigation waters, how
ever, that this region demands tbs