Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1930-10-16
SAVING NATURE FROM
EXPLOITATION
(EDITORIALo

The ad-Newton-Nolan bill,
fathered chiefly by the Hon. U. S. Sen
ator Henrik Shipstead, whom the
Askov American has whole-heartedly
supported because of his excellent
record of public service, was one Of
the important pieces of legislation in
the last session of congress, affecting
this great northwestern area. The
Backus lumber interests aimed to ex-
plot selfishly the natural scenic
area in northern Minnesota, using
every possible method to defeat the
conservation legislation.
The Backus Plan.
In September, 1925, this project was
first explained by E. w. Backus him
self at a public hearing before the
International Joint Commission at In
ternational Falls, Mimi 1t contem-
plated holding Rainy lake and the
Namakan chain of lakes (Which are
already controlled by dams) at the
extreme and destructive flood levels
of 1916; the building of seven addi-
boundary lakes TO the east into
series of great storage basins; the ul-
innate control of all contributaries in
both Ontario and Minnesota: and as
sessment of the costs both for the So
called improvements and all the
damages caused in the past upon the
taxpayers of both countries.
This project, as outlined by its spon-
sor, would have resulted in an ad-
dition of only 700 horsepower on
Rainy river at the towns of Fort
Frances and International Falls where
there is alraedy developed some 90
900 h. p. The main benefit of the ad-
ditional storage created by the Backus
project would go to the Winnipeg
river $50 miles away wholly in
Canadian territory, where Mr.. Backus
has another huge paper mill. The
project would divert whole lakes and
streams TO new channels and would
raise the remaining boundary lakes
from ) to 50 feet 1t would affect
thousands of miles of shore lines.
drown out islands, and obliterate rap
ids, waterfalls, and beaches. What
is most significant is that it looked
toward control not of the.border lakes
alone but ultimately of the whole
Rainy lake watershed, which is esti-
mated to contain more than 5000
connected lakes.
Why the Bill is Needed.
TIE Shipstead- Nolan bill
was urgently needed (D to guard the
lakeland against further damaging
power developments and % as a
formulation of policy to guide the
Forest Service and to relieve it of en-
barrassment in maintaining a proper
balance between the larger national
uses of the Forest for recreation and
private demands for commercial de-
velopment. Insofar as federal owner
ship permits, the bill aims to reserve
from exploitation the visible portions
of the lakeland. as seen from the
waterways. Instead of conflicting
with present administrative practices,
it merely formulates, defines, and ia
cilitates those practices. The bill is
declaration of public policy, calcu-
lated to protect from further harmful
encroachment the unique and mag
nificent lakeland that lies within the
area of Superior National Forest. 1t
is intended to limit development on
the wooded margins of lakes and
streams, not in the hinterlands.
hn
backing of the following American
organizations of national scope:
American Civic Association
American Forestry Association.
American Game Protective Associ-
alton.
American Legion.
American Scenic and Historic Pres
ervation Society. q
American Society of Naturalists.
American Society for Prevention of
Cruelty to Animals.
Associated Sportsmen of California
100000 members).
Association of Outdoor Clubs of
America
Boone and Crockett Club, New York
City.
Camp Fire Club of America.
Garden Club of America
General Federation of Women's
Clubs.
Educational Conservation Society
(Conservationists of America).
International Association of Game,
Fish & Conservation Commissioners.
Izaak Walton League of America.
Lions International
National Association of Audubon
Societies
National Association of Fur Indus
try.
National Conference on State Parks.
National Council of Outdoor Recre-
alton.
National Council on Parks. Forests
and Wild Life.
National Parks Association.
National Plant, Flower and Fruit
Guild.
National Society OF American For
esters-
National Society Of American Flor