The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1907-03-16

Holy Cross Nat. forest addi-
tions. --............... 71.ss0
Uncompahsre Nat. forest addi-
tions. ....-.............. 1G4 $50
San Juan Nat forest additions 10000
Montezuma Nat forest addi-
tions. -. .......'..........l,o4o,ooo 900
Medicine Bow Nat. forest ad-
ditions and WyomingD ..... 355. 600
Las Animas Nat forest addi-
tions. ........-.....---- ls-,t6V
Total. .................3 .3,o2a 100
Park Range.
The boundaries of the Park Range
reserve, as they were originally pro
claimed. excluded large bodies OF tim
ber land and wood land. Lands amount
ing to approximately 43S,00O acres
have been recently added. The local
interests dependent upon the noun.
tain lands for timber and range are
strongly in favor Of this addition,
since it will protect their water supply
insure 10 them a permanent supply OF
timber and the protection of their
range. All the lands have been opened
TO entry for many years and practically
no land suitable for agriculture is in
cluded. What little there may be can
be obtained under the act OF June llth,
and the forest service is prepared to
examine such lands as rapidly as they
are applied for under the homestead
act.
Holy Cross Additions.
The addition adjacent to Glenwood
was recommended three years ago al.
ter careful examination on the
ground The area covered large por-
ton of the watershed of the stream
w oh a nf (.1anWpDl
with its water supply. 1t contains
considerable area of valuable timber
land which was rapidly being cut off.
In the timber lands and in the open
and brush lands there is considerable
forage which was overgraZed by the
stock owned in the adjacent valleys.
For the preservation of the water sup
ply 1t is important that the timber be
cut conseryatively and the lands pro-
tected from oyergraZing. To sum up,
the tract added is the source OF the
water supply of growing town, and II
is of great Importance that forests and
forest cover be protected
The other small area which has been
added is a timbered region which has
suffered severely from fire and is
greatly in need of protection.
Uncompahere.
The addition on the south of the Tn
compahgre reserve includes lt4oou
acres. The area embraces a body OF
excellent yellow pine, which was rap
idly passing into the hands Of timber
companies through the operation OF
the timber and stone act This pine is
important on account of its being the
only accessible timber for large and
important district in western Colorado,
and If the development of the nearby
settlements is to continue. this timber
must be logged conserYaiively and
protected by fire.
San Juan.
The total area added to the San Juan
reserve is 100000 acres The
addition on the south contains large
amount OF yellow pine timber upon
which the settlements along the San
Juan river and the country near Du-
range are entirely dependent. 1t Is
essential that this forest area be given
protection, and the future needs OF the
rapidly settling region be provided for.
All agricultural land has been excluded
with the exception of small isolated
patches which aggregate about two
per cent.
Montezuma.
The addition of the Montezuma re-
serve is ooo,0 acres II includes
heavy bell Of pine timber extending
from the west edge of the national for
est down the Dolores river for about
thirty miles II also takes in a splen-
did forest of yellow pine on the San
Miguel plateau and belt of excellent
spruce timber in the vicinity of Orhir
and Silverton. 4 large burn which
is now restocking with spruce is also
included along The Las Auimas river.
Medicine Bow.
Approximately 355 .o0o acres were
added 20 the Medicine Bow reserve.
This area is nearly all in Colorado and
covers both slopes of the Continental
divide The lands lie above an alti
tude of 5000 feet and are without
value for agriculture. The water sup
ply Of Boulder and the adjacent agri
cultural region rises in these lands
and local experience shows that these
mountain lands must be protected
from over grazing and destruction OF
the timbe.. If the water supply is to
be kept at its maximum
Conditions in regard to the lands
added in Wyoming are similar. They
are the sources of the water supply
for the irrigated lands in the valleys.
and the irrigation interests demand
their protection from indiscrminate
and careless logging. and overgrazing
by sheep and cattle
Las Aninas.
The Las Animas reserve lies prin
cipally in Las Animas county, and was
established in response to petition
from the City Council and the Cham
Der OF Commerce of the city
OF Trinidad. The new reserve
includes the headwaters OF the
Las Animas or Purgatory river
upon which this city depends for its
municipal supply. Trinidad has pop
ulation OF from $1,000 to Is 900 and is
growing rapidly in size. The Las Ant
mas river flows through a fertile val
ley containing thousands of acres OF
rich agricultural lands. the greater
portion o. which cannot be irrigated