Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-06-30
THREE NATIONAL
FORESTS IN EAST
President Wilson Establishes
Them Under Recent Act
Passed by Congress.
THE SHENANDOAH is NAMED
New Federal Domains Cover
Territory in Virginia and
Other States.

WASHiNGToN lime 2e-president
wilson has ISSUED proclamation
esta blishing three new national forests
in the East-thc White Mountain. IN
Maine and New Hampshire; the Shen-
andcah. in Virginia and Nest Virginia.
and tho Natural Bridge. in Virginia
Proclaiming the forests is the hnal
step ia cairying out the law for build
ing UP Eastern national forests
through the purchase OF lands in nc
i1ountaims. Ever since the law was
pissed in 1911 the government has
been engaged in acquiring lands about
:hc hciiwatcrs Of the principal rivers.
both in New England and in the
Southern -ippaiachians. AS the lands
arc bought or contracted for they are
put under administration as purchase
areas" pending the time when their &C
emulation has reached "A point justi-
!sinS the proclamation which gives the
lands their final status. The Pisgah
na,icEal forest. in North Carolina. and
the Alabama national forest. in Ala
bama. are the only Eastern areas which
had received this status before the new
l'roc.ama tons were issued.
The White Mountain nationa! forest
Counties. y. H., and oxford County.
Nc. The government has actually
taken title to about $4,000 acres and
in addition about $4,000 acres more
have been approved for purchase. maxi
ing total OF about 39l 900 acres un-
der Federal protection. This forest
protects in part the watersheds OF The
AndroscogEin. saco. Connecticut and
4 ny, Nf,r i,..r
tain region, long famous as one Of the
most important recreation grounds of
the nation. and located as it is in close
proximity to the most dcnscly popu-
lated portion Of the country. has great
value not only for the protection of
stream flow and the production OF tim
Der. but also as a public playground.
and is administered with view 10 It's
use for all three purposes.
The Shenandoah national forest is
situated in Rockingham, Augusta. Bath
and Highland Counties. Va. and PEN
dleton County, w. Va. The government
has acquired to date slightly in ex-
cess of 100000 acres. and an additional
area OF approximately $1,000 acres has
been approved for purchase. making
total of approximately 10000 acres
under Federal protection. The forest is
for the most port on the watershed
OF the Shenandoah River. and it also
protects portion OF the watersheds
of the Potomac and the James. on
the area and still intact, are trench
systems constructed during the Civil
War under the direct supervision of
Stonewall Jackson.
The Natural Brhige national forest is
situated in Rock ingham, Nelson, Am
herst, Bo,etourt and Bedford Counties.
Va. The Federal government has ac-
tually acquired title 10 a little over
1900 acres, and TN additional area
of approximately $4,000 acres has been
approved for purchase. The forest.
which protects portion Of the water
shed OF the James River. does not in
clude the Natural Bridge, but this
scenic feature is within three or four
miles OF the boundary. 1t is expected
chat visitors 10 the region Will take ad-
vantage of the opportunities which
the forest affords for recreation and
outdoo! life in the mountains.