The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1932-03-18
Want FOREST
NOT PARK
Forestry Committee Does Not
Take Kindly to National
Park Idea.


out several matters of Importance and
made recommendations. Present at the
meeting were VIM. L. Barker, Jr.,
Duluth, chairman; R. R. Bailey, Vir-
ginia; j. G. Handberg, Crane Lake;
R. A. Zeller of this city. Chairman
Geo. H. Lommen of the Civic and Com
merce section was unavoidably de-
tanned and could not be at the meeting.
Among the several matters discussed
was the revival of the subject of making
a national park of the Superior Ma
tional Forest in connection with much
acreage in Canada, the whole to con-
tain ten million acres. The committee
was of the opinion that it would be
folly to make national park of this
area and thus defeat the very object
for which a national forest stands.
list of projects were discussed and
later the following were recommended
for the ensuing year:
Highway Identification.
Continued support and definite re-
concentrations to the County Board
of specific areas. 1t is the under
standing of the committee that def
mite appropriation is made annually for
this work and that although it is small,
it never has been entirely used. The
committee suggest that, following ap-
proval of the club, the project be dis
cussed with the county board and
definite plans made for the use of the
entire amount appropriated for this
work Suggestions for work on Ger
tain areas along specified highways will
be made at the next committee meeting,
if desired by the organization.
Exchange and Sale of State Lands.
Support legislation for the sale of
state lands at prices commensurate
with present market prices for similar
lands and the exchange of state lands
for government and private lands on
basis of equal values. During the
discussion by the committee it was
pointed out that the present minimum
price of $500 per acre required by the
state operated to prevent sales of lands
of low valuation and that similar pri-
vate lands were selling at $1.00 and
$500 per acre. Further, that it is de-
sirable for the State and Federal
governments to consolidate their scat
tered lands since adequate manage
ment of scattered potential forests lands
is difficult or impossible due to pro-
hibitive costs. Also, that in the Su-
perior National Forest and Mesaba Ma
tional Forest Purchase Unit, where the
government is endeavoring to con-
solidate Federal holdings, there are
about 10000 acres of scattered state
lands mixed with about 1901 900 acres
of government and private lands, which
under existing laws the government is
unable to acquire for the state either
by purchase or exchange.
Auxiliary Forests.
Thorough consideration, general dis
cussion by the organization and recon-
mendations for amendment of the
present law to make it effective. The
discussion of the Committee brought
out the fact that thousands of acres
are becoming delinquent, leaving the
tax rolls and becoming burden and
expense to the state. That these lands
under a proper forest land tax law
would continue to pay taxes and pro-
duce crops of wood. Further that sue
cessful operation of such laws appears
possible from information obtained in
regard to the forest land tax laws
of other states.
Municipal Forests.
The committee recommends that the
organization favor municipal forests,
assist in encouraging their establish
ment and offer its assistance to COM
munities desiring to create such areas.
Farm WoOdlots.
The club and association should con-
tinue to encourage the establishment
and proper management of wood lots
used exclusively for the production OF
wood crops. The committee suggests
that the organization offer its assist
arice to wood lot owners and its CO.
operation to the Conservation Com
mission, Extension Forester, County
Agents, and others assisting the wood
lot owners. The consideration of taxes
proportionally to the productivity OF
wood lots of low productivity was sug-
gested.
Land Economic Survey.
The committee recommends support
of the State Land and Economic Sur
vey and complete survey Of st. Louis
County except those areas now included
in State or National Forests or State
Parks or Game Refugees. Discussion
brought out that land and economic
survey will allocate those areas suit
able for farming and those suitable only
for the production of crops of wood
game and fur bearing animals. Fur
Their, that it will assist in the coming
and regulation of agricultural settle
ments and prevent misplaced efforts to
develop farms on unsuitable land OF
land so located that the county ex-
pense will be entirely out of proportion
to the produce from the land. The
committee recommends consideration OF
this question also by the Land Utii-
zation, Crops and Soils, and Game and
Fish COMMITTEES of this organization.
Tree, Shrub and Flower Thefts.
Suggested that the organization con-
slider the ACCESSIBILITY or requesting &C.
tive cooperation by the State Highway
Police in preventing and prosecuting
vandalism and that those in possession
of such specimens be required to show
permits from the land owner. Dis
cussion indicated that in large meas
ure the people collecting such plants
are not repaid for their efforts for they
do not keep the roots of coniferous trees