Elmore County Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1910-1915, 1913-07-26
ASSOCIATION OF FOREST USERS
MAY PARTICIPATE

Washington, July 2l.-Io give set
tiers and other local users a larger
voice in national forest administra-
ton, Secretary of Agriculture hous-
ton has just promulgated a new re-
gulation which goes into effect at
once, providing means by which
the forest service may systematically
cooperate with duly organized asso-
Citations of such users.
Any association whose members in
clude majority of the local residents
making use Of the national forests
may get together and select a COM
mittee, to meet with the local forest
officers. This committee will be re-
cognized 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 Nation
al Forest, or portion threof, for like
purposes, shall select a committee,
an agreement ON the part OF which
shall be binding upon the associa-
ton, such committee, upon applica-
ton to the District Forester, may be
recognized in an advisory capacity
on behalf of the association, and
shall be entitled to receive notice OF
proposed action and have an oppor-
tunity to be heard by the local For
est officer in reference to any pro-
posed changes likely to materially al
feet the use or interest in the For
est or portion thereof enjoyed by
such permittees. The general prin-
ciples of recognition and responsible
ity governing cooperation with i've
stock associations are herewith ex-
tended, so far as they are appllca-
BILE, to the other regular lines OF
business conducted on the Natlonal
Forests"
The object of this regulation is to
extend what may be called home par
ticipation In national forest manage
ment. 1t is recognized that the best
use of the forests in the interest OF
the general welfare means the promo
ton of local welfare, and that the
forests must be handled with careful
consideration for all local interests
involved. It Is recognized also thai
public confidence in the spirit OF
fairness with which individual citl
zens are treated is essential, ano
that local participation In the set
Element of many questions is the bes
possible safeguard against arDltrar!
or unwise decisions by local fores
officers.
In other words, it is desired U
prevent any local feeling that
western user in contact with thu
national forest administrative system
is ND against a far-away bureau a
Washington, represented ON thu
ground by a forest officer who cal
do as he chooses and against whos'
actions it is impossible to make Ell
fective protest. In the case OF TN
grazing regulations a method OF co
operation between the forest service
and users of the forest ranges hal
been developed which Is said u
have done away completely with an
such feeling. Cattle and sheep grow
ers associations not only assist II
the settlement of disputes concern
ing individual privileges but als'
ioin in the formulation of plans 10
the best use of local ranges ant
through their national association
are given an opportunity to be hear|
before regulations which affect thei
industry as a whole are adopted
The local associations insure atten
ton to complaints of unfair actor
which are found to be justified, Will
on the other hand they automtlcali
dispose of many cases Of complaint
that are found, when all the TACT
are considered, not we'll grounded.
It is the announced policy OF tn
department to favor the creates
good to the greatest number, and tn
local user over others. With the hel
of the advisory boards now provide
for. many of the problems affectin
individuals which the application
such a policy involves can be SCI
tied by submitting them to what
practically the organized public SCI
timent of their own neighbors. y
the other hand the organization ca
initiate questions and bring them
the attention of the forest service
backed by the voice Of the majorit