The Devils Lake world and inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, N.D.) 1915-1920, 1920-01-07
TRACT ADDED TO
NATIONALFORESTS
1,116,000 Acres in Thunder
Mountain Region Of Idaho
Set Apart.
HAS LONG Been A Menace
Recurring Forest Fires Have Endan-
gered Adjoining Portions of Ma
tionaI Forests-Great Tract Is
Difficult of Access.

Difficult of Access.
'(Prepared by the United States Depart
ment Of Agriculture)
Washington, D. C.-In accord with
almost unanimous sentiment in Idaho
and in response to considerations vital
ly affecting adjoining national. forests,
congress has set apart 1,11G,O00 acres
Of land in Idaho known us Thunder
Mountain region, as national forest
cess and having not ove l per cent
Of its area suitable for agriculture, has
for years been the scene of destructive
fires and devastation due to overgraz-
ing. 1t is now to be added to the Pay
cite national forest which adioins it
on the south and west, and the Idaho
national forest which ad.joins it on the
north and west. The area lies approx
imately 100 miles northeast of Boise.
Because uncontrolled, It has been a re-
curing menace to the adjoining Ia
tional forests by reason Of fires that
have gained great Roadway in it's vast
unpatrolled regions.
Swept by Forest Fires.
What has taken place in the Thun-
der Mountain region, according to Off
Gals 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 approx
mately one-third of the area, has been
swept by forest fires in the past twelve
| years, destroying approximately 7OO,-
100000 feet Of timber. The mining re-
sources, after being specifically ex'
plotted by miners with scant equip.
! ment, have remained practically un-
developed. Much Of the wild life has
been ruthlessly exterminated, and the
| grazing lands have been destroyed by
nomadic herds. The number of sheep
| which have been grazing without re-
striction or regulation during the past
year total nearly 100000, whereas a
| fair estimate of the carrying capaci-
ty" Of the entire country has been
placed at $4,000 to 10000 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, specter-like
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 it's commercial use has not been
possible because Of inadequate trans
p~ortation facilities. Control Of the
posed because it was feared that it
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.
Travel Is Difficult.
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 i'm
portant undertakings Of the forest
service, now that the tract has been
added to adjoining national forests,
will be to supply the area with i'm
proved lines Of travel.
A large and important watershed Is
included in this area, which is esti-
mated to supply at least 1000 second
feet Of water to the Columbia river at
low-water periods. 1t is roughly esti-
mated that more than 100000 horse
power could be generated from waters
rising 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 a few wild sheep and
goats.