The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1919-11-21
LARGE TRACT ADDED
TO |DAH0'S FOREST
THUNDER MOUNTAIN REGION is
INCLUDED IN THE NATIONAL
FOREST RESERVE

WASHINGTON, D. C.-In accord
with almost unanimous sentiment IN
Idaho and in response to consldera-
tions vitality affecting adjoining Ma
tional Forests, Congress has set apart
1.116.OOO acres of land in Idaho known
as the Thunder Mountain region, as
national forest lands. This great tract
difficult of access and having not over
per cent of its area suitable for agrl-
culture, has for years been the scene
of destructive fires and devastation
due to overgrazing. 1t is now to be
added to the Payette National Forest
which adjoins it on the south and
west. The area lies approximately
100 miles northeast of BOISE. Because
uncontrolled, it has been recurring
menact to the adjoining national for
est by reason of fires that have
gained great Roadway in its vast UNI
patrolled regions.
What has taken place in the Thund-
err Mountain region, according to Of
ficials of the Forest Service, United
States department of agriculture, IS
typical Of what would have taken
place in most of the national forests
had these areas not been protected.
Three hundred thousand acres, or APP
proimxately one-third of the area, has
been swept by forest fires in the past
IL years, destroying approximately
700,000,000 feet of timber. The MIN
ing resources, after being superficial
ly exploited by miners with scant
equipment, having remained practical
ly undeveloped. Much of the wild life
has been ruthlessly exterminated, and
the grazing lands have been destroy
ed by nomadic herds. The number of
sheep which have been grazing with
out restriction or regulation during
the past year total nearly 100000,
whereas a fair estimate of the car
rying capacity" of the entire country
has been placed at $4,000 to 100000
head of sheep.
There are no towns or villages in
the whole region. The log buildings
of the first settlement on Monumental
creek still stand-vacant, spectre-ilke
reminders of the boom days of many
years ago. Hundreds of claims which
were located during the rush of 1901
have been abandoned. Some high
grade ores have been found, and the
general belief is that the region con-
tains an abundance of low-grade ore,
but its commercial use has not been +
possible because of INADEQUATE trans
portation facilities. Control of the
area as National Forest land, once OPP
posed because it was feared that 1t
might retard mine development, is
now seen to be a practical step toward
proper use of the mining resources,
as we'll as conservative utilization OF
grazing facilities.
At present the roads, trails and
bridges are in a sad state of disrepair,
making travel over them on foot or
by horseback impossible. One of the
important undertakings of the Forest
Service, now that the tract has been
added to the adjoining National for
ests, will be to supply the area with
improved lines of travel.
A large and important watershed is
included in this area, which is estimat-
ed to supply at least 1000 second-feet
of water to the Columbia river at low
water periods 1t is roughly estimated
that more than 100000 horsepower
could be Generated from waters ris-
ing in the area. The region includes
no natural wonders, large lakes or
features of special scenic interest.
Deer and trout are plentiful, and
there are said to be few wild sheep
and goats.