The Snowflake herald., 1913-08-08
TO PARTICIPATE IN
FOREST ADMINISTRATION

ISCfdIlOn, secretary Oh agriculture
Houston has just promulgated a new
regulation which goes into effect at once;
providing means by which the forest
service may Systematically cooperate
with duly organized association of such
users.
Any association whose members include
a majority of the local residence MAX
ing use of the national forests may get
together and select a committee, to
meet with the local forest officers.
This committee will be recognized in an
advisory capacity in settling questions
which may arise between the forest
service and the public in the use of the
forests.
The exact wording Of the regulation is:
Wherever any association whose
membership includes majority of the
local residents using a National Forest,
or portion thereof, for like purposes,
shall select committee, an agreement
on the part of which shall be binding
upon the association, such committee,
upon application to the District Forester,
may be recognized in an advisory cap
acity on behalf of the association, and
shall be entitled to receive notice of
proposed action and have an opportun-
ity to be heard by the local Forest Off
Ger in reference to any proposed
changes likely to materially affect the
use of interest in the Forest or portion
thereof enjoyed by such permittees.
The general principles of recognition
and responsibility governing operations
with livestock associations are here
with extended, so far as they are ap-
plicable, to the other regular lines of
business conducted on the National
Forests"
The object of this regulation is to
extend what may be called home par
ticipation in national forest management.
1t is recognized that the best use of
the forests in the interests of the gen.
eral welfare means the promotion of To-
cal welfare, and that the forests must
be handled with careful consideration
for all the interests involved. 1t is
recognized also that public confidence
in the spirit of fairness with which in
dividual citizens are treated is essen
tial, and that local participation in the
settlement of many questions is the
best possible safeguard against arbi-
trary or unwise decisions by local for
est officers.
In other words, it is desired to pre-
vent any local feeling that a western
user in contact with the national forest
administrative system is up against a
far-away bureau at Washington, repre-
sented on the ground by a forest officer
who can do as he chooses and against
whose actions it is impossible to make
effective protest. In the case of the
grazing regulations method of coop
Grafton between the forest service and
users of the forest ranges has been de-
veloped which is said to have done away
completely with any such feeling. Cat
tie and sheep growers associations not
only assist in the settlement of disputes
concerning individual privileges but
also join in the formation of plans for
the best use of local ranges and through
their national associations are given an
opportunity to be heard before regula-
tions which affect their industry, as a
whole are adopted. The local associa-
tions insure attention to complaints of
unfair action which are found to be
justified; while on the other hand they
automatically dispose of many cases of
complaints that are found, when all the
facts are considered, not well grounded.
1t is the announced policy of the de-
partment to favor good to the greatest
number, and the local user over others.
With the help of the advisor of boards
now provided for, many of the problems
affecting individuals which the applica-
tion of such policy involves can be
settled by submitting them to what is
practically the organized public senti-
ment of their own neighbors.
! Already several associations besides
those composed of stockmen, are CO.
operating with the forest service. One
of the pioneers was the Malad Forest
Users Association; composed of men
who reside in or near the Pocatello For
est which lies on the border of Utah
and Idaho. The advisory board of this
association has acted as clearing house
for complaints and medium through
which mutually advantageous under
standings might be reached. 1t is said
( to have saved its members and the for
est service much trouble.
Livestock RaiserS.