The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1938-10-20
ARROWHEAD
ASSN DRAFTS
FOREST plan
Committee Submits Report on
Quetico-Superior Forest;
Plan Endorsed.

Plan Endorsed.
Following several months of study on
the part of the policy committee Of
the Minnesota Arrowhead association,
the committee has arrived at a decision
regarding the Quetico-Superior Inter
national Forest.
The plan drafted by the Arrowhead
came about following series of meet
ings and surveys began right after the
Presidents special committee reported
last February that they recommended
the establishment of a 100000 acre
tract on the Minnesota Ontario border.
A traty with the Canadian government
was suggested for setting aside the
tract and the special presidents COM
mittee urged public acquisition of lands
still remaining in private hands.
The Arrowhead program has been
endorsed by 81 affiliated organizations.
The American Legion department of the
state also has endorsed the project
The endorsement came about after ii
was ascertained that the proposition
remain forest and not be thrown into
a National Park system.
Robert Watts of this city is men,
Der of the committee who made the
survey and a study of the subject
Others on the committee are Hanforo
Cox, Cloquet; M. H Brickley, Two Har-
bors; George E. Arbogust, Tofte; Thos
M. Madden, Virginia; Fred BeSSette ano
Henry LaLiberte, Duluth; Lloyd John
son, Grand Marais. Representing the
Duluth Chamber of Commerce were H
w. Clark, Judge w. j. Archer, DR.. w
r. Bagley, George Cruikshank, George
Martin and M. j. Thompson.
The report of the committee calls for
According with the principle of Great
ing an international forest involving
portions of Minnesota and Ontario.
Combining the development program
in the United States to that portion OF
the Rainy lake watershed which is
contained within the limits of the area
defined in the Shipstead-Nolan law.
Working out details of the area with
Canadian officials and people of Can
adam communities to effect uniform
administrative policies on both sides of
the border
Drafting of treaty to embody general
policies of both the Dominion and the
United States.
Administration of portion of area in
Superior National forest by the U. S.
forest service with no transfer of adj
ministration to any other governmental
agency; state of Minnesota to admins
ter the lands in the forest area owned
by the state; state lands be consolidated
by exchange with federal government
for working out economic plan for
handling details
Consideration of local and county
governments taxing units within the
area for aid in connection with their
economic problems caused by the fact
that the larger percentage of lands
within their boundaries are and will be
| in public ownership. Study of state
and federal governments of this prob
lem is urged to determine the aid to
be given.
Broader policies for preservation of
present roadless area on the existing
basis; management of fish, game and
fur bearers on sustained yield basis;
timber management on a sustained
yield modern forestry basis excepting as
limited by the Shipstead-Nolan law;
encouragement of agriculture in road
less area; no withdrawal of mineral
rights; no new water levels created by
artificial structure except as authorized
by law, and improvements adaptable
to site; minimum of directional signs;
maintenance of primitive area for canoe
trails and foot travel, with balance of
area to provide facilities for all classes
of recreationalists.
Administration and protection of the
area can be most efficiently and econ
omically handled if proper percentage
of the lands is in public ownership" ac-
cording to the policy drafted. Within
this roadleSs area, all undeveloped
property might well be acquired by the
U. S. forest service if offered for sale
by the owner. In the balance of the
area, purchase by the forest service
should be confined to lands largely
valuable for watershed protection and
the production of timber, except that
undeveloped key tracts of limited area
or for administrative purposes should be
acquired to protect the interests of the
general public.
ITO encourage development of the
agricultural and industrial opportunities
within the area we do not favor ex-
elusive control of all lands, particularly
those outside of the roadleSs area, in
the hands of either the state or federal
government. Lands upon which taxes
are being paid should continue in pri-
vate ownership, where such ownership
is consistent with the states proposed
rural zoning and resettlement program.
Full cooperation should be given both
the state and federal government in
the working out of sound forest con-
servation policy to provide supply of
raw materials for industrial operations,
particularly within the Arrowhead
country. Help and encouragement
should be given to the farm wood lot
gunner prixrota tinobor ho1di,ooc ~,