The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1913-07-22
forest USERS
Will Be CONSULTED

WASHINGTON, July 22.-To give
settlers and other local users larg-
er voice in national forest admins
tration, Secretary of Agriculture Hous-
ton has just promulgated a new regu-
lation which goes into effect at once.
providing means by which the forest
service may Systematically cooperate
with duly organized associations of
such users.
Any association whose members in
clude a majority of the local residents
making use of national forests may
get together and select 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
use of the forests. The exact word
ing of the regulation is:
"Whenever any association whose
membership includes a majority of the
local residents using a national for
est, or portion thereof, for like pur-
poses, shall select a 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 capacity on behalf of
the association and shall be entitled
to receive notice of proposed action
and have an opportunity to be heard
by the local forest officer in refer
ence to any proposed changes likely
to materially affect the use or interest
in the forest or portion thereof en-
joyed by such permittees. The gener-
al principles of recognition and re-
sponsibility governing cooperation
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 manage
ment 1t is recognized that the best
use of the forests in the interest of
the general welfare means the promo
tion of local welfare, and that the
forests must be handled with careful
consideration for all local interests in
volved. 1t is recognized also that pub
lie confidence in the spirit of fairness
with which individual citizens are
treated is essential, and that local par
ticipation in the settlement of many
questions is the best possible safe
guard against arbitrary or unwise de-
cisions by local forest officers.
In other words, it is desired to pre-
vent any local feeling that western
user in contact with the national for
est administrative system is up
against a far-away bureau at Wash
ington, represented on the ground by
forest officer who can do as he
chooses and against whose actions it
is impossible to make effective pro-
test. In the case of the grazing regu-
lations method of cooperation be-
tween the forest service and users of
the forest ranges has been developed
which is said to have done away COM
pleted with any such reeling. Cattle
and sheep growers associations not
only assist in the settlement of the
putes 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 be-
fore regulations which affect their in
dustry as a whole are adopted. The
local associations insure attention to
complaints that are found, when all
the facts are considered, not well
grounded.
1t Is the announced policy of the
department TO favor The greatest good
to the greatest number, and the local
user over others. With the help of the
o6 via hAo ri
many of the problems affecting indi-
viduals which the application of such
a policy involves can be settled by
submitting them to what is practical
ly the organized public sentiment of
their own neighbors. On the other
hand the organization can initiate
questions and bring them to the atten-
tion of the forest service, backed by
the voice of the majority of those who
are dependent upon the forest in
dustries.
Already several associations besides
those composed of stockmen are co.
operating with the forest service.
though there was no provision for
their official recognition before the
new ruling of the secretary went into
effect. One of the pioneers was the
Malad Forest Users association, com
posed of men who reside in or near the
Pocatello forest which lies on the bor-
der of Utah and Idaho. The advisory
board of this association has acted as
clearing house for complaints and a
medium through which mutually ad-
vantageous understandings might be
reached. 1t is said to have saved its
members and the forest service much
trouble, embarrassment and even liti-