The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1911-03-30
GARRETT COUNTY PART OF
NATIONAL FOREST RESERVE
Department Of Agriculture Ready To
Purchase Land For Purpose.

| pdI IilIGlG VI AZ LIClsiJ uI ell dIilOuIlCGS,
through a circular which is just coming
from the press, that 1t is ready to begin
! operations looking to the purchase of
land by the National Forest Reservation
| Commission created under the Weeks
Law.
This law was passed with special
reference TO the creation of National
| Forests in the Appalachian and White
| Mountains. Under it the Secretary of
Agriculture is to examine, locate and
| recommend to the Commission for pur-
| chase such lands as in his judgment may
be necessary for regulating the flow of
navigable streams. The circular which
is now being printed is intended to give
information to the public as to where
and what kinds of lands are wanted
Owners of land the purchase Of which
will be considered by the Government
are expected on the basis of this infor-
nation to make known to the Forest
Service, which will conduct the work
for the Department of Agriculture,
their desire to sell. Copies of the cir
culars may be obtained by applying to
the Forest Service.
The law is not restricted to particular
regions, except that lands may bought
OIllN i'll lllC DIdIGS MIlOSc lCSI lut Co
have consented to the acquisition Of
land by the United States for the pur-
pose of preserving the navigabllity of
streams. The States which have al
ready taken the necessary action are
Maine, New Hampshire, Maryland, Fir-
ginia, West Virginia, North Carolina,
Tennessee, South Carolina and Georgia.
The first lands to be examined for
A
White Mountains, which because of
their altitude, steepness, and lack of
protection are in a class by themselves.
The area which is believed to need pro-
lection is much larger then the Govern
ment can purchase. Much difference
exists, however, between different parts
of the region. Careful examinations
which have been going on for the last
ten years have proved that the condI-
tons which affect streamiloW to an eX-
IRENE extent are to be found in rela-
lively limited areas, which ale scatter
ed more or less widely. By careful
selection it is believed that much can be
done for the permanent improvement Of
the watersheds with the purchase Of a
relatively small part Of the land.
A blank form for the offer Of land ac-
companies the circular. Additional
copies Of this blank form may be had
by writing the Forest Service at Wash
ington. The kinds Of land which viii
be considered for purchase, if they lie
within the designated areas, are set
forth by the circular as follows.
Timber lands may be bought either
with the timber standing on them or
with reservation by the owner of the
right to cut the timber under certain
rules to provide for perpetuation Of the
forest. These will form a part of the
agreement Tor the purchase Of the land.
Since, however, the Government can
not pay high prices, it is not regarded
as probable that much land bearing a
heavy stand of merchantable timber
can be bought. Culled and cut-over
lands may be bought, as well as land
covered with brush which is useful for
watershed protection, burned land, and
abandoned farm land, whether cleared
or partially or wholly covered by young
timber growth. Good agricultural lands
will not be considered Owners may re
serve the right to remove valuable
mineral deposits which are known to
exist.
Proposals will be received for small
as well as for large tracts can be exam
ined only where the purchase Of a con-
siderable total of land in the same
neighborhood is under consideration
With regard to the price which can be
paid, Secretary Wilson indicates that
the policy of the Commission will be to
make the money available 90 as far as
possible. For the most part" he
says, 1--WE shall have to buy cut-over
lands or lands without much merchan-
table timber. | want to make it plain
at the start that | shall recommend this
class of land only when tits offered very
cheap. Proffers of land at eXorbitant
prices will not be considered. | am
frank to say that ! hope to see a great
deal Of public spirit manifested by land
owners. | expect some lands to be of
fered at merely nominal prices in order
to aid the Government in getting well
started upon this wise and necessary
policy.
The lands acquired by the Govern
ment will be held as--National Forests
They will be protected from fire and the
growth of the timber will be improved
as much as possible. The lands will
not be game preserves, but will contin-
ne to be open to the public Tor hunting
and fishing in accordance with the laws
of the State in which they are situated.
All their resources will be available for
the public under reasonable conditions.
Another point which | wish to empha-
size is that we are not going to take
from people their homes in order to put
the lands INTO National forests.
The areas within which offers of land
are desired are set forth in detail in the
circular Of the Forest Service. The
approximate location of these areas is
as follows, although Secretary Wilson
warns those wishing to offer land that
| they should first secure the circular IN
order to see whether their holdings fall
within the more detailed areas therein
indicated:
In New Hampshire, lands in the White
| Mountain region,
In Maine, lands in portion of Batch
| eldes Grant in Oxford County.
In Maryland, portion of the western
part of Garrett county.
In Virginia, parts of Shenandoah,
| Rockingham. southwestern Warren.
western Page, northern Bedford, east
| ern Botecourt, southern Rockbridge,
| southern Washington, Smvth. an d
| Wythe counties and western Grayson
| county.
In West Virginia, parts of Pendleton,
| Hardy, Randolph and Pochahontas