The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1935-07-25

Forest. Today the topic is Forest Re-
creation. Available records indicate
that this form of public use is rapidly
gaining in Importance each year. Data
taken from the annual statistical re-
port for 1884 indicates that there were
74,4l8 people who passed through the
forest-3,980 campers, 3,345 picnicers,
l6,475 hotel and resort guests, and
1925 Special Use permitteeS and guests.
In order to clarity this form OF use
and to acquaint more citizens with the
recreational advantages Of the Forest,
1 wish to impart the following infor-
nation.
The Superior National Forest is
ideally situated and possesses all OF
those desirable characteristics which
make it the outstanding recreational
center of the Midwest Its unique
setting in the picturesque Arrowhead
Country and centered as it is in the
heart of the Ten Thousand Lakes re-
gion proves most alluring to the out
door enthusiasts living in the immedi-
ate surrounding states. The area Is
fitted into the widely known Arrow
head Point. 1t is bounded on the
north by the International Boundary
for a distance of approximately $50
miles, by Lake Superior on the east
for a distance of approximately Sc
miles. The boundaries on the south
and west have been set through agree
ment with the State Department of
Conservation, or by land utilization
policy. The forest at the present time
has a gross acreage of $500 900 acres
and within its boundaries lie 5000 lakes
having an aggregate shore line of ap-
proximately $500 miles. In cooperation
with the United States, the Canadian
Government has set aside a similar
area which is designated the "Quetico-
Provincial Park" This park lies di-
rectly to the north and adjoins a por-
ton of the Superior National Forest.
The policies and form of management
of the Quetico Provincial Park COIN
eide to a large extent with those of
the National Forest and together they
form one of the most outstanding In
ternational public use areas in the
world.
The Superior National Forest is
easily accessible by automobile, train,
bus, boat, or airplane, and is so located
as to furnish outdoor recreational fac
ilities to the entire Midwestern states.
The area offers many diversified
forms of recreation from the more
strenuous forms of canoeing, hiking,
fishing, etc., to that of a rest cure or
health recuperation at some rustic re-
sort.
The forest may be divided up into
two distinct areas of recreational
management: That designated as "the
Primitive Area" and that area lying
outside of the primitive area, which We
shall call "the Developed Area" for
lack of better name.
The Primitive Area contains approx
mately 1890 square miles, or 726,284
acres. Through various administrative
policies set up by the Forest Service
and through legislative policies set up
by the Forest Service and through
legislative enactment of the Shipstead-
NeWton-Nolan Act, this tract is to be
retained in all of its primitive splendor
for public use. Within this area the
thousands of lakes and streams which
are joined together form one of the
most beautiful and outstanding canoe
areas in the United States. In order
to safeguard this unique setting the
following policies have been set up and
strictly adhered to in the administra-
ton of these lands.
A strip of land 200 to 400 feet wide,
depending upon the topography, is
maintained in it's natural state adjacent
to all lakes, rivers and streams which
are designated on the trail and portage
plans as part of the canoe transpor-
tation system. This strip of land will
also apply to all islands within such
lakes. 1t is our desire to maintain this
scenic strip of land in its natural con-
dition. Only diseased, insect infested
or over-mature timber will be cut with
in this strip, except as otherwise per-
mitted by law. The interior lands
back from the routes of travel will be
conservatively managed for the produc-
ton of timber. Cutting along very
conservative lines, followed by a care.
fully laid out winter transportation
system will amply protect the scenic
values of the region and yet permit the
plan, wise utilization of timber as il
reaches maturity. Timber, like hay o.
any crop, must be harvested at desig.
mated periods or allowed to rot. Sounc
economics dies not permit a wastefu
policy with our natural resources ant
although some waste must logically fol
low in the delayed cutting along shore
lines, this we feel is well justified from
the recreational and aesthetic stand
point.
Developments are held to the alb
Solute minimum. No commercial enter
priSeS are permitted on Government
owned lands and Government con
structed improvements shall be limitet
to the necessary trails, portages, tele
phone lines and other fire pre-Suppres
sion improvements which enable tn,
Forest Service to give this tract ade
quate fire protection. No summe
automobile roads are to be constructet
within the area and the objective O
maintaining primitive forms of trans
portation shall be carried out. Tn
development of recreational improve
ments is limited to public CAM
grounds, which are located along tn
canoe routes. Very little development
shall be made and it shall be kept a