The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1923-10-12

areas, their esthetic values little
harmed through rational economic
exploitation. The important thought
presented here is that all economic
functions of forest may be- carried
on without materially injuring recre-
ational values present if logical
plan and policy are followed.
The United States Forest Service
long ago sensed the recreational pos
sibilities of the lands in their keep
ing. However, being primarily tech
nically trained foresters, rather than
experts in recreation planning and
development, they have invited the
cooperation and suggestions from
associations living near the Forests
and specifically formed to assist
through advice or otherwise in the
recreational development of certain
Forests. All of these associations
but one are of purely local scope
and the results from this cooper
alive arrangement have been mutual
ly beneficial.
The Superior National Forest Re-
| creation Association is the only one
nationally organized. Its officers, di-
| rectors and members come from all
points of the compass. This was
the result of the Duluth Conference
| in April concerning the threatened
mishandling of the Superior National
Forest. Formed from the floor of
the conference it was charged with
I aiding the recreational development
of the Superior National Forest. It's
functions are similar to those of like
associations, though with larger
vision of forest recreation serving
the nation. While official recogni-
ton by the Forest Service remains
but matter of form, every
courtesy has been extended to the
association by the Service and its
advice sought principally in matters
of forest roads.
A. highly satisfactory decision
reached by the Forest Service and
based on suggestions offered by the
national conservation organizations,
but more clearly articulated by the
newly formed association Cancelled
for the present the entire Ely-Buyck
road and part of the Ely-Gunf1int
and Grand Marais-Gunfint roads.
The latter roads as originally plan
ned were to form auto tourists circle
roads via Duluth Ely -Gunflint- Grand
Marais-Duluth.
Now the Forest Service contem-
plates the building of a low-grade
forest administration road, on two
locations where they are badly need
| ed from a fire protection standpoint.
| The base of one will be at Ely and
| it's terminus at the Fernberg Look
out Station. The association APP
proved of this road inasmuch as it
! conforms to a mutually acceptable
| policy for forest administrative
roads and does not touch upon lakes
| and waterways now serving as regu-
| lar canoe routes which are the
charm of this forest, nor does it
otherwise impair recreational values.
The Grand Marais- Gunf1int Road.
lying in the eastern part of the
Superior National Forest, will be
built as a serviceable auto road as
| far as Gunfint Lake which is the
first one of the boundary waters en-
countered Other means of trans
portation except over an intricate
canoe trail are impractical as traffic
lines reaching this part of the forest
and this motor highway will place
the traveller quickly on a motor boat
trunk line from which as base he
may choose his trail. He may travel
to Gunfint over the boundary waters
or branch off over canoe trails into
the interior of the Forest as he wills.
This road also put the Forest
Service on trunk water lines from
whence they are able to reach al
large part of the Forest by canoe.
Gill othar roads &c VET tentatively
considered, may be built later, as ad-
ministrative trunk trails that will
put every part of the Forest within
reach of fire crews in a few hours
travel.
The United States Forest Service,